By Andrew Gans
30 Jun 2009

Klea Blackhurst

Cabaret singer Klea Blackhurst will reprise her Ethel Merman tribute, Everything the Traffic Will Allow: The Songs and Sass of Ethel Merman, for New York audiences at the Snapple Theater Center.

Blackhurst, who received the 2002 Manhattan Association of Cabaret and Clubs Award for Best Female Vocalist for Traffic, will offer her Merman evening Saturdays, July 18 and 25; Aug. 1, 8, 22 and 29; and Sept. 5 at the Manhattan venue. All shows begin at 5 PM.

Blackhurst will be accompanied by the Pocket Change Trio.

Everything The Traffic Will Allow, according to press notes, is Blackhurst's "loving tribute to the songs made famous by the quintessential stage personality Ethel Merman. Rather than a Merman imitation, Ms. Blackhurst offers a paean to the great Broadway legend that serves as a potent and happy reminder of Merman’s sheer, undeniable importance to both the history of twentieth century entertainment and the iconic composers like Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and Jerry Herman, who wrote songs just for her."

The program includes a mix of Merman's signature songs — “I Got Rhythm,” “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” and “There’s No Business Like Show Business” — as well as rarely performed obscurities “Just a Moment Ago,” “I’ve Still Got My Health” and “World Take Me Back.”

The Snapple Theater Center is located in Manhattan at 210 West 50th Street. Tickets, priced $35 and $45, are available by calling (212) 921-7862 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com.