THEATRE + COMEDY

The Grand 1894 Opera House presents Rex Reed's “The Man That Got Away: Ira Without George,” Saturday, November 13, 2010, at 8pm.

Mr. Reed’s exuberant storytelling and a strong pop-jazz quintet featuring Tom Wopat, Kurt Reichenbach, Linda Purl and Sally Mayes with special guest Marilyn Maye, combine to celebrate the songs of Ira Gershwin. The evening follows the life of lyricist Ira Gershwin, George's older brother — from childhood through his first song-writing projects, the tragic death of George, and the following decades of phenomenal lyric output.

Created by internationally renowned critic/author/lecturer Rex Reed, this star-studded tribute follows the life of lyricist Ira Gershwin, George’s older brother. Mr. Reed’s masterful and often hilarious narration follows Ira from childhood through his first song-writing projects, the tragic death of his young brother, and the following decades of phenomenal lyric output. “The Man That Got Away: Ira Without George” focuses on the songs he wrote without his brother, including collaborations with Vernon Duke, Kurt Weill, Harold Arlen, Harry Warren, and Jerome Kern.

Joining Rex Reed for the celebration are Linda Purl (Happy Days, Matlock, The Office), Kurt Reichenbach (L.A. Law, Minimum Wage, LaBrea Tarpits), Tom Wopat (Dukes of Hazzard, Cybill, A Catered Affair), Sally Mayes of Houston (Bye Bye Birdie, Law and Order, Criminal Intent, Sex in the City) and special guest star Marilyn Maye.

This all-star cast performs 27 numbers including classic standards I Can’t Get Started, Spring Again, My Ship, Long Ago and Far Away, and The Man That Got Away, mixed with lesser-known but equally impressive songs like Let’s Take A Walk Around the Block, I Knew Him When, A Rhyme for Angela, Goodbye to All That, and Fun to be Fooled.

This show produced originally in 2009 at The 92nd Street Y in New York, Booking Inquiries to www.KMPArtists.com.

See it on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACwTSavzquw.