Saturday Night Fever's national tour vacates Los Angeles' Shubert Theatre June after running in the City of Angels since May 29. Those who missed that run have only a short drive to Costa Mesa when the Bee Gees musical based on the 1977 hit film to the Orange County moves to the Orange County Performing Arts Center, June 26-July 8.
Heading the cast of the road show is Richard Blake, who understudied the role of Tony Manero at Broadway's Minskoff Theatre. Joining him is Jeanine Meyers as Tony's love, Stephanie Mangano and "Annie" movie star Aileen Quinn as Annette. Featured in the 33 person company are Jim Ambler (Footloose), Joseph Ricci, Danial Jerod Brown, Joey Calveri and Andy Karl.
Tickets at the Shubert are $40-$70. The Shubert Theatre is located at 2020 Avenue of the Stars. For reservations, call (800) 447-7400. Tickets at the Orange County Performing Arts Center are $28.50-$62.50. The Orange County Performing Arts is located at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa. For reservations, call (714) 740-7878.
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The Saturday Night Fever U.S. tour began March 3, at Chicago’s Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre. Robert Stigwood and Jon B. Platt produce the tour, booking currently through July 2002. Specific dates, through the end of 2001, run as follows:
July 10-22: Portland, OR, Civic Theatre
July 24-29: San Diego, Civic Theatre
Aug. 7-19: Houston, Jones Hall
Aug. 21-Sept. 2: Dallas, Music Hall
Sept. 4-Oct. 14: Toronto, Pantages Theatre
Oct. 16-21: Indianapolis, Murat Theatre
Oct. 23-28: Richmond, VA, Landmark Theatre
Oct. 30-Nov. 18: Detroit, Masonic Theatre
Nov. 20-25: Norfolk, VA, Chrysler Hall
Nov. 27-Dec. 2: Providence, PAC
Dec. 4-9: Buffalo, Shea's Theatre
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When the road show was first announced, producers asserted that it would boast a production the same size and scope at the New York show. But it now appears the musical will go the same way as The Scarlet Pimpernel and Ragtime— that is, a smaller cast will hit the road. The Fever tour features several fewer performers than does the Broadway show, producer Manny Kladitis told Playbill On-Line.
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Saturday Night Fever features many of the Bee Gees songs from the 1977 movie, including "Stayin' Alive" (which opens the show) and "Night Fever," and others that weren't, such as "Tragedy." Also thrown into the mix are K.C. and the Sunshine Band's "Boogie Shoes," Rick Dees' "Disco Duck," and Barry Gibb's "What Kind of Fool." All the songs are woven into the coming of-age story, often functioning as plot-furthering personal statements by the story's various Brooklyn-based dancin' fools.
Saturday Night Fever is adapted for the stage by Nan Knighton, in collaboration with Broadway newcomer Arlene Phillips (who directs and choreographs), Paul Nicholas and Robert Stigwood (who will produce with Manny Kladitis and David Rocksavage). Director Phillips has served as choreographer on such feature films as "Annie" and "Monty Python's Meaning of Life."
