Well, I didn't expect THIS...

This is the cover of today's living section of The Shreveport Times today. (I will print the text below so you can read the article, or you can see it here: http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201006220600/LIVING/6220303)

Devin, the gal who wrote the article, sent me an email and asked for an interview, which was very short and sweet. I never imagined they'd plaster my big old head across the top of the page. Anyway, the press release is in an earlier post, and this show is taking place this weekend. Hope to see you there.

Here's the article which appeared in today's (Tuesday, June 22, 2010) Shreveport Times:

SLT's "Broadway Belters" to benefit new theater
BY DEVIN WHITE • DWHITE22@GANNETT.COM • JUNE 22, 2010

Locals won't have to take a trip to New York to experience the lights and sounds of Broadway.

Shreveport Little Theatre presents "Broadway Belters: A Cabaret of Broadway Songs," to benefit the construction of the theater's backstage.

The performance will feature local singers and pianists performing Broadway hits from classic shows such as "Man from La Mancha" and current shows such as "Rock of Ages."

Gene Bozeman, Shreveport Little Theatre board director, will host the event and act as emcee.

"It always amazes me at how much talent we have here in town," Bozeman said. "They're all giving their time and energy to help out the Shreveport Little Theatre."

Linnea Fayard Allen is one of the soloists in the show and will be singing "I Dreamed a Dream," from "Les Miserables," and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," from "Wizard of Oz." She also will be performing a song that was not in a Broadway show but was sung by popular Broadway star Linda Eder during the opening of the 2002 Winter Olympics.

"It's called "Gold" and it's one of the most beautifully dramatic songs I've ever heard," Allen said.

In 2008, the original home of Shreveport Little Theatre, 812 Margaret Place, caught on fire during construction and renovations. "Phoenix Project x2" is the name given to the ongoing efforts to rebuild the theater.

"We're still several hundred thousand away from completely finishing the back of the building but we're making steady progress," Bozeman said. "Every dime that we make on 'Broadway Belters' is going directly to fund the 'Phoenix Project x2.'"

Rocky Maddox will be singing songs from "Phantom of the Opera" and "Rent."

"I remember going to see performances at Shreveport Little Theatre when I was a kid," he said. "I would love to see the old theater up and running again."

Robert Darrow, managing and artistic director for the theater, said audiences probably will recognize many of the singers performing at the event, but there will be a few headlining soloists who are new to locals.

"I've been trying to get Allen and Maddox on stage for years," Darrow said.
In addition to coordinating the event, Darrow also will belt out a song. He said this will be the first time in 20 years that he has seriously sang.

"I am singing 'The Impossible Dream' from 'Man from La Mancha," he said. "Well, I am attempting. This is a pretty serious song, so I'm having to rely on my vocal training, and most people haven't heard that voice."

Allen said not only is she looking forward to sharing the stage with some of the area's best singers but she also is a strong supporter of the theater's efforts to rebuild.

"What they've been through has been horrendous. It would be enough for most people to throw their hands up in the air and give up," she said. "But Bobby and the folks at SLT continue to rebuild. Singing a few songs is the least I can do to help."

Darrow wants the theater to continue its long-standing presence as one of the oldest continually producing community theaters in the country.

"We want our historic theater to be open an additional 89 years for future generations," he said.


IF YOU GO

WHAT: "Broadway Belters: A Cabaret of Broadway Songs"
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday.
WHERE: Marjorie Lyons Playhouse, 2911 Centenary Blvd., Shreveport.
ADMISSION: $20.
INFORMATION: Call (318) 424-4439.

SOLOISTS
Linnea Fayard Allen
Rocky Maddox
Seva May
Horace English
Heather Bryson
Carolyn Bryant
Lindsey Fileccia
Jared Watson
Neverlyn Townsel
Janin Pou
Vincent Williams
William Parsons
Dick King
Virginia Walker
Emily Mwakitawa
Allyson Wilson
Robert Darrow
Pianists
Becky Gerardy
Adam Philley
Dyani Moore

MORE INFORMATION/ RELATED LINK
Shreveport Little Theatre: http://www.shreveportlittletheatre.org/