Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know will celebrate its 500th performance in New York Jan. 16 with a first-class upgrade for a couple of lucky people in the audience: A free travel package to Capetown, South Africa.
Producer Scott Perrin's sister, Wendy Perrin, who wrote the popular Fodor travel guide spoofed by the musical revue, will appear after the show via satellite from Capetown, South Africa, to offer travel tips and announce the winner of the travel package in a random raffle drawing.
Tickets are still available for the 8 PM the performance at the Ibis Theatre. At 500, Secrets becomes the ninth longest- running Off-Broadway show in history, Scott Perrin said.
Secrets, which opened Oct. 30, 1997 at the Triad, covers the globe in 100 minutes with 20 original songs and sketches that take the audience to 40 different countries. Writers of the show's material include Douglas Bernstein, Francesca Blumenthal, Michael Brown, Barry Creyton, Lesley Davison, Stan Freeman and songwriters Dave Frishberg and Murray Grand.
As well as serving as entertainment, the production previously offered travel discounts, prizes and sometimes even advice. Author Wendy Perrin, consumer news editor for Conde Nast Traveler magazine, has appeared via satellite for question-and-answer periods from locations as far flung as Ireland, China, the Grand Canyon and the Bahamas. Producer Perrin said regional productions are expected in 1999 in Boston, Orlando, Sarasota, Seattle and Key West. An open ended run is playing Rochester, NY.
Patrick Quinn, a veteran of another revue, Forbidden Broadway, directed the Off-Broadway production, with musical direction by Stan Freeman.
The current cast features Ray DeMattis, Maribeth Graham, Denise Nolin and Nick Santa Maria. Charlie Alterman accompanies the four on piano with Jay Leonhart on bass.
For tickets ($47.50-$20) to the New York Smart Traveler, call (212) 799-4599. The Ibis Theatre is located at 327 West 45th Street.
-- By Kenneth Jones
and Robert Simonson and Christine Ehren
