May 14
Buddy, Can You Spare A Dime?
Buddy, Can You Spare a Dime? Is set to some of the toe-tapping-est music of the century and tells the depression-era story of a put upon girl who dreams of stardom on the silent screen. When a young man, down on his luck, comes into her life, he works his magic to make her dreams come true! Peter J. Hill is the Producing Director of The Copperstate Dinner Theater and is the author of several popular plays, musicals and revues including Ashes to Ashes, The Big Radio Broadcast of 1941, Could You Repeat the Question, The Three Musketeers, Broadway By the Decade and Broadway Jukebox - all of which have won the Arizoni Award of Theatrical Excellence for Best Original Musical. Beginning with the classic tale of Cinderella, Peter set the action in California in 1929. The stock market has crashed and Cindy lives a put upon existence with her step-mother and step-sisters. Instead of the Prince having a grand ball, it is the handsome and charismatic silent film star Rudolph Gilbert Fairbanks who is holding nation-wide auditions for his new leading lady. And instead of a magical fairy godmother, Peter has introduced Buddy, the down on his luck former millionaire, who, smitten with Cindy, pulls strings from his past to send her to the auditions. The musical is packed with fabulous depression-era music including We’re in the Money, Pennies From Heaven, They Can’t Take That Away From Me. and Brother (Buddy), Can You Spare a Dime? The Copperstate Dinner Theater production of Buddy, Can You Spare a Dime? is written and directed by Copperstate’s Producing Director Peter J. Hill.. The production is choreographed by multiple awarding winning choreographer Noel Irick with musical supervision and direction by the AriZoni Award winning musical director Judi Holmberg. It stars Jessica Godber (Cabaret) as Cindy and Jason Lee McDonald (Fiddler on the Roof) as Buddy. The cast also includes Noel Irick, Kathy Donald, Amy Powers, Charlotte Strayhorn, Peter J. Hill and Alex Gonzalez as Rudolph Gilbert Fairbanks.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Hello Friends,
Well, I hope you enjoyed the Arizona Premier of Tom, Dick and Harry. Did you know that The Copperstate Dinner Theater has presented more Arizona Premiers than any other theater in the valley? It’s true. We keep trying to bring you the freshest and brightest new plays and musicals that Broadway and Off-Broadway have to offer. Well, this time we’re going even further. We’re bringing you the World Premier of a brand new musical!
That‘s right. The World Premier!!
We’re very pleased to present the brand new musical Buddy, Can You Spare A Dime?
A brand new musical is making its debut at The Copperstate Dinner Theater. Buddy, Can You Spare a Dime? is set to some of the toe-tapping-est music of the century and tells the depression-era story of a put upon girl who dreams of stardom on the silent screen. When a young man, down on his luck, comes into her life, he works his magic to make her dreams come true!
I created the show and I think it’s going to be lots of fun, You may not know that I am the author of several popular plays, musicals and revues including Ashes to Ashes, The Big Radio Broadcast of 1941, Could You Repeat the Question?, The Three Musketeers, Broadway By the Decade and Broadway Jukebox - all of which have won the AriZoni Award of Theatrical Excellence for Best Original Musical.
Beginning with the classic tale of Cinderella, I set the action in California in 1929. The stock market has crashed and Cindy lives a put upon existence with her step-mother and step-sisters. Instead of the Prince having a grand ball, it is the handsome and charismatic silent film star Rudolph Gilbert Fairbanks who is holding nation-wide auditions for his new leading lady. And instead of a magical fairy godmother, I have introduced Buddy, the down on his luck former millionaire, who, smitten with Cindy, pulls strings from his past to send her to the auditions.
The musical is packed with fabulous depression-era music including We’re in the Money, Pennies From Heaven, They Can’t Take That Away From Me. and Brother (Buddy), Can You Spare a Dime?
The Copperstate Dinner Theater production of Buddy, Can You Spare a Dime? is written and directed by me, Copperstate’s Producing Director Peter J. Hill.. The production is choreographed by multiple awarding winning choreographer Noel Irick with musical supervision and direction by the AriZoni Award winning musical director Judi Holmberg. It stars Jessica Godber (Cabaret) as Cindy and Jason Lee McDonald (Fiddler on the Roof) as Buddy. The cast also includes Noel and I as well as, Amy Powers, Charlotte Strayhorn, and Alex Gonzales as Rudolph Gilbert Fairbanks
Buddy, Can You Spare a Dime? will open June 6th and play though August 10th .
Mention this post and receive nearly $5.00 off per person. Instead of $39.95, you can purchase tickets for only $35.00 That’s right - only $35.00 for dinner and the show! Noel is waiting to hear from you. 602-279-3129.
See you at the theater!
Peter Hill
June 30th, 2008 at 10:25 am
I had never been to the intimate confines of the Copperstate Dinner Theater before, but I left marking its location on my map of “Must Return To” places. The food was expertly prepared, utterly delicious and plentiful. The service was quick, attentive and timely. And the “extras” they charge for are resonably priced and of high quality. I would recommended it for the food alone.
But it was the play and cast that truly impressed. As I sat down and saw how small the venue was, I was expecting nothing better than collage troup of actors, but everyone in this production had his or her marks of the professional.
Noel Irick plays the “Evil Step-Mother” as if Walt Disney had hand picked her for the roll.
Amy Powers and Kathy Donald are the quintessential step-sisters whos talents are diverse and showcased in a manner that allows them to shine. They nail their characters spot on!
Handsome and talented Alex Gonzales absorbs the character of Rudolph G. Fairbanks (and brillient cameos) such that if your a fan of the silent pictures, your sure to recognize his graceful strength and charm.
Charlotte Strayhorne adds some comic relief to an astoundingly powerful voice. (watch for the umm, umm, umm’s)!
The award winning actor who plays Buddy, Jason McDonald, provides a dynamic twist to the classic tale (but I’m not a spoiler. You’ll have to see to appreciate his well acted performance for yourself)!
But even with all that talent onstage, Jessica Godber in the lead role as Cindy Ellen Ellerby will inspire you to write a review too! A stunningly beautiful young lady who has a voice that will melt your heart and sooth your soul. She is destined for greatness! It is vary rare indeed to see an actress of this caliber outside the finest venues of New York.
Go see it! All in all, you won’t get a better value for all you get. And who knows?…you might even make a few bucks on the dogs afterwards…I did!