KLEA BLACKHURST AT OPIA FOR "AUTUMN IN NEW YORK: VERNON DUKE'S BROADWAY"

Klea Blackhurst, who took New York by storm in 2001 with her award-winning and critically-acclaimed tribute to Ethel Merman "Everything The Traffic Will Allow" now turns her passion for musical-theatre history towards the Broadway career of composer Vernon Duke in her all new show "Autumn in New York: Vernon Duke's Broadway." Backed by Michael Rice and the Pocket Change Trio (Michael Rice, piano; Ray Kilday, bass; David Strauss, guitar), Ms. Blackhurst's latest musical offering will be presented at the East Side's newest cabaret hotspot LIVE AT OPIA (130 East 57th Street, NYC - 212-688-3939 - http://www.liveatopia.com/ ). Performances are Fridays, October 22nd, November 5th, 12th & 19th at 7:00 pm; Saturdays, October 23rd, November 6th, 13th & 20th at 9:00 pm; Sundays, November 7th & 14th at 7:00 pm. There is a $30 cover and a $15 minimum.

Vernon Duke was the creator of such indisputable standards as "April in Paris" and "Autumn in New York," although each was unfortunately nestled in a gargantuan flop - Walk a Little Faster and Thumbs Up!, respectively. His legacy as a Broadway composer ultimately rests on 1940s Cabin In The Sky, but there are countless musical treasures written throughout his career - songs from Banjo Eyes, starring Eddie Cantor and Dancing in the Streets, starring Mary Martin. There's even a curious meeting at the intersection of Vernon Duke and Ethel Merman - Sadie Thompson. Blackhurst has created a lively show devoted to possibly the only composer to dine regularly with Prokofiev and Gershwin. "Autumn in New York: Vernon Duke's Broadway" promises to be a sparkling evening of syncopation and wit!

Klea Blackhurst's acclaimed tribute to Ethel Merman, Everything The Traffic Will Allow, has been wowing audiences and critics alike nationwide since its New York debut in March 2001. Among many accolades, this production earned her the inaugural Special Achievement Award from "Time Out New York" magazine as well as the 2002 MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs - http://www.macnyc.com/ ) award for Best Female Vocalist.

An actress, singer and comedienne, Klea has appeared Off-Broadway as Hippolyta in By Jupiter at the York Theatre's Musicals in Mufti series; as Rennabelle in Radio Gals; as Debbie in Oil City Symphony; and as Piglet in Winnie the Pooh for Lincoln Center Institute. She has performed at the Chicago Humanities Festival, The Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Pasadena Playhouse, the Cape Playhouse, Arkansas Rep, La Mirada Center for the Performing Arts, the Coconut Grove Playhouse, and at the Greenwich Theatre in London among many others.

In 2002 Klea made her London debut (stage, radio and television) at Royal Albert Hall in the BBC Proms special concert version of Oklahoma! celebrating composer Richard Rodgers' centenary, where she sang the role of Ado Annie.

Klea's television and radio appearances include "The Caroline Rhea Show," "The Rosie O'Donnell Show," "Sesame Street" and "A Prairie Home Companion." Klea can also be heard on the original cast recording of Radio Gals, as well as the Varese-Sarabande compilations "Lost in Boston IV" and "Unsung Irving Berlin." Her Radio Gals solo "Dear Mr. Gershwin" is featured on "The Best of Off Broadway."

 

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