Love ‘Round the Piano 2012

Gretna Theatre and The Lantern Lodge are thrilled once again to present terrific Broadway performers in a benefit dinner-cabaret event “Love ‘Round the Piano” for two performances only on Saturday, February 11 and Sunday, February 12, 2012.  Guests will be treated to a fully served dinner at the famed dining and lodging establishment in Myerstown followed by a cabaret featuring love songs from Broadway and more,  sung by two of our favorite leading actors, Kathryn Kendall and Scott Wakefield.  Gretna Theatre producing artistic director Larry Frenock said, “We are so fortunate to have Broadway blockbuster talent such as Scott and Kathy to star in our shows during the summer seasons. The level of talent Gretna Theatre attracts is very exciting – and we are grateful they could slip away from their busy careers to join us for this special Valentine’s Day Weekend of love songs!” A small silent auction will be available to guests at the event as well.

Kathryn Kendall recently starred at Gretna Theatre in “Hello, Dolly!” and “Mame” and she’s  just finishing up a run of “Gypsy” starring Tovah Feldshuh at Bristol Riverside Theatre.  New York, National and Tour credits include “42^nd Street” (Dorothy Brock, Maggie Jones), “Jerome Robbins Broadway” (Hildy, Mazeppa, Mr. Monotony Singer), “Showboat” (Ellie) with Eddie Bracken, the 25^th Anniversary National Tour of “Nunsense” starring Sally Struthers (Sr. Robert Anne), “42^nd Street” with Jerry Orbach and Tammy Grimes, “Merman: Who Could Ask for Anything  More?” (Ethel Merman) and so much more.

Scott Wakefield starred as Will Rogers in the Gretna Theatre production of “The Will Rogers Follies” recently, a role for which he received numerous acting awards across the country.  He appeared on Broadway in “Nothin’ but the Blues” and “Ring of Fire” and Off-Broadway in “The Joy Luck Club,” “Golden Boy of the Blue Ridge” and “The American Clock.”   Many years ago, Scott performed at Gretna Theatre in “Pump Boys and Dinettes” (which he also directed) and “Noises Off.”  An avid singer / songwriter, Scott has recorded two CDs of original songs:  “Older than Dirt” and “Vegetarian Nightmare.”

“Love ‘Round the Piano” will also feature Gretna Theatre’s producing artistic director Larry Frenock who will not only produce and host the event, but will also step out in front for a song or two.  Besides his work as a producer, he has performed in nearly every state in America in major shows on tour and regionally such as “Hello, Dolly!,” “42^nd Street,” “Anything Goes,” “Babes in Arms,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “The Heidi Chronicles” and was also in the original cast of “Mack the Knife: The Life and Music of Bobby Darin” in New York City.  He starred opposite Kathryn Kendall in one of his first New York shows, “Leave it to Jane”  for which he also served as one of the producers.

The musical director for “Love ‘Round the Piano” is Ryan Edward Wise, and the event will be stage managed by Jen Bankard.

The Lantern Lodge is a full-service Quality Inn located at 411 North College Street in Myerstown that features dining, lodging and hosts many events including weddings, parties and receptions.  Performances will be preceded by a fully served meal, with a choice of entrée of chicken breast, roast top round of beef or roasted vegetables with penne pasta, a salad, side dishes, coffee or tea, and dessert.  The Lantern Lodge is offering a Valentine’s Weekend Special deal of an overnight stay which will include a performance of “Love ‘Round the Piano.”  Bring your Valentine and stay the night!

“Love ‘Round the Piano” meal times begin at 6:30 pm on Saturday, February 11 and 1:00 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2011.  All inclusive tickets are just $48 per person and include meal, show, tax and tip (and the cabaret, of course!).  There will be a cash bar for wine, beer, soda and mixed drinks.  Reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis and may be made by calling the Gretna Theatre Box Office at 717-964-3627 or by visiting the Gretna Theatre website at www.gretnatheatre.com (online ticket orders incur a service fee).

Gretna Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization and is grateful for sponsorships and donations.  The 2012 season media sponsor is The Lebanon Daily News and we are pleased to welcome individual show sponsors Jonestown Bank & Trust, Lebanon Valley Brethren Home, Philhaven, HCR Manor Care, Sovereign Bank, Cornwall Manor and The Hershey Company.  As always, we sincerely thank our individual contributors, supporters and volunteers who help us ensure that “the show must go on!”

Full Bographies of the leading actors:

SCOTT WAKEFIELD has previously won several acting awards for his portrayal of Will Rogers including the Honolulu P’Okela award and the Boston Outer Critics Circle Best Actor Award and was thrilled to reprise the role at Gretna Theatre in 2010.  He has appeared on Broadway in Nothin’ But The Blues and Ring of Fire and Off Broadway in The Joy Luck Club, Golden Boy of the Blue Ridge and The American Clock. Most recently, Scott played the title role of Louis De Rougemont in Shipwrecked: An Entertainment for California’s Sierra Repertory Theatre. Other regional credits include Seattle Repertory Theatre, The Alliance Theatre, The Walnut Street Theatre, Syracuse Stage, Milwaukee Repertory, and Missouri Repertory, to name a few. Many years ago, Scott performed at the Mt. Gretna Playhouse in Pump Boys and Dinettes (which he also directed) and Noises Off.  An avid singer/songwriter, Scott has recorded two CDs of original songs: Older than Dirt and Vegetarian Nightmare. They can be found at www.ScottWakefield.com.

KATHRYN KENDALL is thrilled to return to Gretna Theatre after playing two of  Jerry Herman’s wonderful leading ladies in 2009’s Hello, Dolly! and 2010’s Mame.  This marked her fourth and fifth Jerry Herman shows and she treasures having had the privilege and honor of working with Mr. Herman on the critically acclaimed Barrington Stage production of Mack and Mabel in which she played Lottie and “tapped her troubles away!”   More recently she appeared in Gypsy with Tovah Feldshuh, and By Strouse, a celebration of the music of Charles Strouse, which was performed for Mr. Strouse as a tribute at his acceptance of a Lifetime Achievement Award in Arts & Culture.   Prior to that, she was delighting (and terrifying??) audiences with her nefarious portrayal of the Wicked Witch/Miss Gulch in The Wizard of Oz. New York, National, and Tour credits include 42nd Street (Dorothy Brock, Maggie Jones), Jerome Robbins’ Broadway (Hildy, Mazeppa, Mr. Monotony Singer), Showboat (Ellie) with Eddie Bracken, Sister Robert Anne in the 25^th Anniversary National Tour of Nunsense with Sally Struthers, Forbidden Hollywood (Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, Liza, Cher, Ann Margaret, Doris Day, Bette Midler, Audrey Hepburn), 42nd Street (Anytime Annie) with Jerry Orbach and Tammy Grimes, Merman…Who Could Ask for Anything More? (Merman) at Lincoln Center, Kiss Me Kate (Bianca) and Shenandoah (Jenny) both with John Raitt, Off-Broadway revivals of Fiorello (Mitzi) and The George White Scandals (Lead) at the New Amsterdam Theatre, Lyrics and Lyricists Series (Soloist), Empire and Postcards on Parade at the York, Broadway Backwards and the world premier of Paper Moon with Gregory Harrison (Featured Roles).   Her numerous regional credits span the country at prestigious theatres such as the Goodspeed Opera House, Actors Theatre of Louisville, the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center, George Street Playhouse, Studio Arena, and the American Musical Theatre Festival to name a few. Favorites include Gypsy (Mama Rose), Dirty Blonde (Mae/Jo), Anything Goes (Reno Sweeney), Bells are Ringing (Ella), Urinetown (Pennywise), and Threepenny Opera (Jenny) which she performed for playwright Bertolt Brecht’s son, Stefan.  TV credits include recurring roles on The Edge of Night and Loving.  Ms. Kendall also does TOEFL voiceover recordings for Educational Testing Services.  She is a graduate of the Boston Conservatory.

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