Musical
Theatre celebrates 50 years
By Monica Levette Clark
On-line Forty-Niner
Musical
Theatre West, acclaimed as one of the most
respected, regional musical theater companies
in Southern California, is celebrating its
50th anniversary Sunday at the Carpenter
Performing Arts Center at Cal State Long
Beach.
Richard Carpenter, Dale Kristien, Rod McKuen,
Brock Peters and other celebrities are scheduled
to appear in the gala performance, singing
songs from musicals like “Kiss Me Kate,”
“Brigadoon,” “The Scarlet Pimpernel,” “Will
Rogers Follies,” and “The King and I.”
“This is a benefit concert for our 50th
anniversary, so it will be a variety show,
with each of the stars singing the popular
songs from the 1950s of musicals that we
have done over the years,” said Paul Garman,
executive director and producer of the musical
theater company.
Garman said he started as a childperformer
in the company and has been involved with
it now for 40 years.
According to the CPAC, the company has been
holding its performances at the center for
five years. After its first season at the
CPAC in 1997, Musical Theatre West made
the center its exclusive home beginning
with its 1999-2000 season.
“A VIP reception will be held before the
show for those who buy the most expensive
tickets, and a cast party will follow after
the show for sponsors of the company,” Garman
said.
The reception will be held at 5:30 p.m.
and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets for
the show can only be purchased at the Musical
Theatre West box office which is located
in Long Beach at 1800 Palo Verde Ave. Ticket
prices for the Sunday gala are $10 for students,
and range from $35-$95 for the general public.
To premier its 2002-2003 season at the CPAC,
Musical Theatre West said it will present
the musical “Mame,” featuring “All
in the Family” actress, Sally Struthers
as Auntie Mame. The musical is scheduled
to run from Nov. 2 to 17 at the CPAC with
evening and matinee performances. For more
information Musical Theatre West can be
contacted at (562) 430-2324.
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