Smokey Joe’s Café
Who isn’t familiar with the wonderful songs of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller? Smokey Joe’s Café is a wonderful award-winning musical that features thirty-seven of their popular pieces performed by a fantastic talented cast featuring DeLee Lively, Robert Torti, T.C. Carson, Sharon Catherine Blanks. T.C. Carson, Dionne Figgins, Maceo Oliver, Niles Rivers, Jackie Seiden and John Woodard, III. The production is directed and choreographed by Jeffrey Polk with musical direction by Darryl Archibald. To celebrate this Holiday Season of Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza and the New Year, Weddington Street Productions in association with Corky Hale Productions is presenting this star-studded lavish production at the historic El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood.
Smokey Joe’s Café premiered on Broadway in 1995 and was nominated for seven Tony Awards. It debuted in Los Angeles at the Doolittle Theatre (remember?) in 1994 and had its London premiere in 1996. The Original Broadway cast soundtrack, Smokey Joe’s Café, The Songs of Leiber and Stoller, won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album on DVD in 2001. Elvis Presley recorded more than twenty of Leiber and Stoller hits including Jailhouse Rock and Hound Dog. Other notable songs by this duo include Neighborhood, Ruby Baby, Fools Fall in Love and Love Potion, #9, to name a few. The superb cast brings the words and music to life with their outstanding voices, presentations and flair, in one of the liveliest shows you will see. Enjoy a wonderful Holiday Season and treat yourself to an exciting moment in musical theatre at the El Portal Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., in North Hollywood, playing through January 4, 2009. Special New Year’s Eve celebrations, including after-theater parties, are scheduled for Wednesday, December 31, at 4 P.M. and 9 P.M. For tickets and further information, call (818) 508 4200, or go online at www.elportaltheatre.com