Kathie Lee Gifford Musical Saving Aimee to Be Resurrected at 5th Avenue Theatre; Season Announced

By Adam Hetrick
14 Feb 2011

Kathie Lee Gifford
Kathie Lee Gifford
Photo by Joseph Marzullo/WENN

Kathie Lee Gifford, David Friedman and David Pomeranz will revive their musical Saving Aimee, about late Jazz-Age evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson, at the 5th Avenue Theatre this fall in Seattle.

Saving Aimee, with book and lyrics by actress, writer and talk-show host Gifford, and music by Friedman and Pomeranz, received its world premiere at Arlington, VA's Signature Theatre in 2007.

The creative team is returning to work on the musical, which will run Sept. 30-Oct. 30 under the direction of David Armstrong. The musical explores the theatrical life of McPherson, an early 20th-century tabloid darling and founder of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel.

The 5th Avenue will also align with A Contemporary Theatre for the world premiere of First Date, a new musical by Austin Winsberg (book) and Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner (music and lyrics). The musical asks: "How can you be yourself, when everything seems to be pulling you to be someone else, on that most important first date?" Dates of production have not been announced.

Also on the bill is the new national tour of Les Miserables (Aug. 9-27); as well as two Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals Cinderella (Nov. 25-Dec. 31); and Oklahoma! from Donald Byrd and Spectrum Dance Theatre (Feb. 9-March 4, 2012); the classic Richard Adler and Jerry Ross musical Damn Yankees staged by Mark Hoebee (April 26-May 20, 2012); and Jonathan Larson's Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical Rent, helmed by Bill Berry (July 12-Aug. 5, 2012).

Season ticket information will be announced shortly. Visit 5thAvenue.