The evening features orchestrations by Lynn Shankel. Larry Yurman conducts.
Merman's Apprentice is a new musical fable with book and lyrics by Stephen Cole and music by David Evans. Klea Blackhurst appears as Ethel Merman, with Anita Gillette, Bill Nolte as David Merrick, Elizabeth Teeter (The Audience) as Muriel, PJ Benjamin, Adam Grupper, Eddie Korbich and Brian Charles Rooney.
Set in the late 1970s, the musical is described as such: "The Golden Age of Musical Theatre is drawing to an end, although twelve-year-old Muriel Plakenstein doesn't know that. So she runs away from home to become a Broadway star, and meets the Queen of Broadway Ethel Merman, who takes her to a Hello, Dolly! rehearsal where they sing together. When legendary producer David Merrick hears the kid, he decides to star Muriel in the first all-child cast of Dolly! Naturally, Merman takes her under wing to teach her the ropes of being a star...making little Muriel Plakenstein Merman's Apprentice."
Birdland is located at 315 West 44th Street. There is a $25 cover charge and a $10 food and drink minimum. Visit BirdlandJazz.com.
