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Baby It's You!, New Musical About the Woman Behind the Shirelles, Premieres in CA
By Kenneth Jones
06 Nov 2009
Baby It's You!, the musical about the New Jersey housewife who discovered the pop group The Shirelles, and created a record label for new voices in the 1960s, begins a world-premiere engagement Nov. 6 at Pasadena Playhouse in California.
Written by Colin Escott (Grammy for "The Complete Hank Williams," and author of Broadway-bound Million Dollar Quartet) and Floyd Mutrux (Million Dollar Quartet), the new pop-filled show is directed by Mutrux.
Here's how Pasadena Playhouse characterizes the show: "Wrapped in the sensational songs of the '60s, Baby It's You! is the new musical about the groundbreaking girl group, The Shirelles, and Florence Greenberg, the New Jersey housewife who discovered them. With the help of African-American songwriter-producer Luther Dixon, who became her lover, Florence took on a male dominated industry and revolutionized pop music. Her company, Scepter Records, created the most important songs in the golden era of rock 'n' roll, from artists including The Isley Brothers, The Kingsmen, Chuck Jackson and Dionne Warwick."
Opening is Nov. 13. Performances continue to Dec. 13.
The cast of 11 includes Erica Ash as Micki/Shirelle; Berlando Drake as Shirley/Shirelle; Geno Henderson as Jocko Henderson/Ron Isley/Chuck Jackson/Gene Chandler; Meeghan Holaway (Off-Broadway's Dinner with Friends) as Florence Greenberg; Adam Irizarry as Stanley/Mr. Bass Man/Burt Bacharach, Co-Musical Director; Paulette Ivory as Beverly/Shirelle/Dionne Warwick; Crystal Starr Knighton as Doris/Shirelle/Millie; Allan Louis as Luther Dixon; Matt McKenzie as Marvin Schlacter; Barry Pearl as Bernie Greenberg/Milt Gabler; and Suzanne Petrela as Mary Jane/Lesley Gore.
Joining the creative team with Escott and Mutrux are Richard Perry (music director/arranger), Birgitte Mutrux (choreography), Anna Louizos (scenic design), Lizz Wolf (costume design), Howell Binkley (lighting design), Martin Carrillo (sound design), Carol Doran (wig and hair design), Jason H. Thompson (projection design), Adam Irizarry (co-music director/additional arrangements), Michael Donovan (casting), Joan Stein (general management), Ronn Goswick (production stage manager) and Lea Chazin (assistant stage manager).
The musical is presented by Pasadena Playhouse, by special arrangement with American Pop Anthology, Jonathan Sanger, Jerry Katell, Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Joan Stein, and in association with Universal Music Group.
Pasadena Playhouse is at 39 South El Molino Avenue in Pasadena, CA. For more information, visit www.Pasadenaplayhouse.org.
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The Shirelles of Baby It's You!: Erica Ash, Paulette Ivory, Berlando Drake and Crystal Starr Knighton.
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| photo by John Ales |
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