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Home , Adolph Green, Betty Comden, Blazing Saddles, Charles Strouse, Cy Coleman, Karen Morrow

WHAT YOU’LL SEE AND HEAR…

Fasten your seatbelts. You are about to encounter the shameless, sexist sensibilities of the 1920s. This story could be true. It was the height of Prohibition, but Fairhaven had its bars and brothels. The Fairhaven Hotel was still standing and offering healthful solace as a “yoghurt sanatorium.” The Mount Baker and the Fire Station No. 2 were brand new. There really were six, struggling theaters downtown. was in its death throes, corrupted by burlesque to its seamiest extremes, and movies were killing them both. Enter -- A hapless, traveling burlesque troupe on the fateful night of April 29, 1927. Abandon all hope? What, and give up show business? Never.

Bellingham Burlesque of 1927 was written by Scott Henderson and Martin Bray, with material adapted from original burlesque and vaudeville routines, and the following songs:

A Good Old Vaudeville Show (1989) Music and lyrics by Mac Huff

A Good Old Burlesque Show Babies (1979) Music and lyrics by Jimmy McHugh and Arthur Malvin

Tap Your Troubles Away Mack and Mable (1974) Music and lyrics by

I’m Tired Blazing Saddles (1974) Music and lyrics by

The Things You Do (2003) Music and lyrics by Ray Jessel

Could You Pass in Love My Lucky Star (1938) Music and lyrics by Mack Gordon and Harry Revel

You Mustn’t Feel Discouraged Fade Out-Fade In (1964) Music by , lyrics by and

The Picture of Happiness (1960) Music by , lyrics by

You So Long, 174th Street (1976) Music and lyrics by Stan Daniels

I Got a Code In My Doze (1929) Music and lyrics by Arthur Fields, Fred Hall and Billy Rose

Shall We Join the Ladies? (1987) Music by David Colin Ross, lyrics by Marshall Barer

Take 10 Terrific Girls The Night They Raided Minsky’s (1968) Music and lyrics by and (But Only 9 Costumes)

Dimples (1962) Music by , lyrics by

Catch Our Act at the Met (1959) Music and lyrics by Jule Styne, Betty Comden and Adolph Green

Gallagher and Shean (1922) Music and lyrics by Ed Gallagher and Al Shean

Bosom Buddies Mame (1966) Music and lyrics by Jerry Herman

That Mister Man of Mine Dames at Sea (1968) Music and lyrics by Jim Wise, Robin Miller and George Haimsohn

The Big Time Will Rogers (1991) Music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green

Top Banana Top Banana (1950) Music and lyrics by

Take It All Off Jerry’s Girls (1984) Music and lyrics by Jerry Herman

WHO TO BLAME…

MARTHA BENEDICT : Born into a musical family in Bellingham, Martha Benedict has had a lifelong for music and theater. Some favorite roles as she's gypsied around various cities: Threepenny (Mrs. Peachum), (Fräulein Schneider), The Mikado (Katisha), The Diviners (Norma Henshaw), The Foreigner (Betty), Waltz of the Toreadors (Mme. St. Pe) and Steel Magnolias (Clairee). Other highlights include co-producing Bellingham 's Musical Birthday Bash and A Broadway Cabaret , and performing in A Swell Party with and especially the multiple roles in last year's very timely Broadway Takes on Politics ! Other life pursuits have included teaching school, cooking for Alaskan expeditions, and professional scuba diving in Hawaii. She thanks this gifted cast and crew for being a treat to work with.

MARTIN BRAY (Choreography, co-writer): For 34 years in Los Angeles, Martin’s most demanding audiences were his Kindergarten students. He honed his dance skills with the theatrical troupe, LA, and studied musical theater performance with Karen Morrow. Retiring to Bellingham, Martin joined the Bellingham Theatre Guild in three productions, Get Your Gun (chorus), The Pajama Game (Max), and the Musical Birthday Bash . In the B.O.A.T. Festival, he was the villain in Curse You Blue Baron (Red Berry). He was featured in A Broadway Cabaret , A Swell Party with Cole Porter and Broadway Takes on Politics for the Bellingham Music Club, and had a blast singing back-up for Patti LuPone at the MBT. Thank you Upfront Theatre, Ann MacDonald, and Tabetha Clark for the self-confidence!

AMANDA CARPP : Amanda is so thrilled to be back on stage in Bellingham. She recently fulfilled every girl's dream playing Reno Sweeny in BTG’s and now returns to the 1920s in this fabulous Burlesque, where she is feeling right at home. Amanda is a BFA in Performance graduate from Central Washington University and a former Disneyland Cast Member. Before moving up north she performed in shows throughout the greater Seattle area. Her favorite roles include (Peter Pan), Little Women (Beth), Cabaret (LuLu), (Alexi Darling/Ensemble), and Hair (Jeanie). Amanda would love to give all her thanks to her parents, Carl, Verbal, and all the Andersons for their love and support. Enjoy the show!

PAUL HENDERSON II : Paul is a theater graduate of WWU, and has been featured in BTG’s Noises Off (Lloyd Dallas), Anything Goes (Moonface Martin), (George), (Nathan Detroit), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Mitch Mahoney), Annie Get Your Gun (Charlie Davenport), (Beadle Bamford), The Pajama Game (Hines), (Mike) and the Musical Birthday Bash . Other shows include A Broadway Cabaret , Broadway Takes on Politics , A Year With Frog & Toad (Snail), Dracula (Dr. Seward), Mark Twain in Fairhaven (Captain O'Donovan), the B.O.A.T. Festival's Curse You Blue Baron ("Tipsey" Foster), and MBT Rep's Company (Harry). He thanks the phenomenal cast and crew, and his wife and daughter, Melissa and Maggie.

AKILAH WILLIAMS : Akilah is excited to be returning to the Firehouse stage with such a thrilling show! Recent experience includes: Sugar: A Valentine's Cabaret (American Theater Northwest), Broadway Takes on Politics and A Broadway Cabaret (Bellingham Music Club), Little Shop of Horrors and The Underpants (Mount Baker Theatre), Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare Northwest), Rapunzel (SecondStory), The Miser (Stone Town), and BTG’s Musical Birthday Bash . NY credits: On This Island , Sophisticated Lady: Songs from a Broad (solo cabaret), Stonewall Sensation (Season 4 Winner), All’s Well That Ends Well (Hudson Shakespeare) and Little Tales: Africa ( Children’s Theatre). Regional credits: Yeast Nation (World Premiere), The Who’s Tommy , Hair , and Side by Side by Sondheim . Akilah has a BA in Musical Theatre from Emerson College. Many thanks to her husband, Chris and her darling toddler, Hatton, for holding down the homestead while she was at rehearsal! Follow her on Twitter @akilahwilliams.

SCOTT HENDERSON (Music Director, co-writer): Scott studied at the Manhattan School of Music and earned a degree in composition at Indiana University. He served as resident composer with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles, writing shows for Beatrice Arthur, Eileen Brennan and Joan Rivers, as well as arrangements for Elizabeth Taylor, Joanna Gleason and others. His recent orchestral and choral pieces have been performed by the Whatcom Symphony and Whatcom Chorale. For the Bellingham Music Club, he has directed A Broadway Cabaret , A Swell Party with Cole Porter , and Broadway Takes on Politics . Now he has sunk to burlesque.

GENNY COHN (Costumes): Genny Cohn spent her college years costuming shows at DePauw University many, many years ago. Her youngest daughter’s years at Bellingham High School led to a seven-year collaboration with Teri Grimes (even after her daughters' graduation). Since then, she has worked with many directors and theaters in Whatcom County, and has accumulated a large costume facility to support local productions. This February, she will be assisting with the costuming of at the Whidbey Playhouse. Her work with Scott Henderson and Martin Bray as part of the Bellingham Music Club productions is a joy and challenge that she looks forward to every year. Genny is lucky that she has the time and enough energy to return to a passion from long ago--make sure you do the same.

TANNER HANSON (Technical Support): Tanner has been in the Bellingham theater scene since high school. His drama teacher convinced him to volunteer at the Theatre Guild after graduation and ever since he has taken every opportunity that's come his way. He's glad to be back at the Firehouse with the cast after working on the past four BMC cabaret shows.

ALEX ROEMMELE (Drummer): For the past decade, Alex has been performing throughout the region with groups ranging from and progressive rock to musical theater, including productions of The Drowsy Chaperone , Legally Blonde and Little Shop of Horrors . Most recently, his jazz trio organized and performed a summer tour. Alex enjoys good laughs, being silly, fun music, and great people, which describes Bellingham Burlesque of 1927 !

JANET MALLEY (Stage Manager): Janet is delighted to support this talented group! Her most recent theatrical work includes dragging the two-ton set around the stage for Noises Off at the Bellingham Theatre Guild and serving as the vocal coach and part time sound board operator for Godspell at the Claire. Janet loves the stage, both on the boards and in the wings. She is especially tickled to work again with her longtime friend, Martha. Please enjoy the show. ______

The producers and cast are grateful to Isabelle Cormier and the Bellingham Music Club; David Cohn for photography; Linda’s Tai Chi at [email protected]; Alona & Matt Christman of The Firehouse PAC; The Mount Baker Theatre; Tabetha Clark of ABCDance; Barb and Mark Fuller of Entertainment News NW; Village Books; and our prop donors - Wendy Borgesen; Ted Askew; Candy Ellis; Bellingham Bay Family Medicine; Alana Coleman of M.R. Jacks Unlimited; Mitchell Kahn, M.D. of Bellingham Internal Medicine; and Jim and Lesley Zoehrer.

Next month, Bellingham Music Club welcomes Edwin Huizinga , one of North America’s most versatile violinists. From the Chapelle Royale in Versailles to the Carmel Bach Festival, Huizinga captivates audiences with his solo performances as well as his collaborations with classical and contemporary ensembles. In November, Huizinga offers works by Bach, Paganini, and Biber, on a gut-strung instrument. One-hour program on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 10:30am at Trinity Lutheran, free and open to the public. Full-length program on Night Beat, Thursday, Nov. 2 at 7:30pm at First Congregational Church. Tickets are $20 general; $15 seniors, on sale in the lobby today, at Village Books and Food Co-op locations, and online on bellinghammusicclub.org. Take-a-teen-for-free! About the BMC: The Bellingham Music Club is a 501(c)(3) registered non-profit which supports music in the community and enhances cultural life in the Northwest. It plays a vital role in Whatcom County by making music accessible to everyone with its free Wednesday morning concerts series, and occupies a unique niche by encouraging high school and WWU students with awards and prizes. For more information, visit bellinghammusicclub.org or call 360-671-0252.