AIDS Project Los Angeles received nearly $350,000 from the 24th annual Southland Theatre Artists Goodwill Event (S.T.A.G.E.), celebrating the music of composer Burt Bacharach, on March 8 and 9 at the Wilshire Theatre in Beverly Hills.
Blame it on Bacharach!, directed by David Galligan and with musical direction by Mary Ekler, featured a special adaptation of the composer's Broadway hit Promises, Promises, starring Vicki Lewis ("Newsradio") and Danny Gurwin (The Full Monty). A Chorus Line's Donna McKechnie, (original cast of Promises, Promises) reprised the "Turkey Lurkey Time" dance number, joined by Sandahl Bergman, Jane Lanier and Valarie Pettiford. Also featured in the production were Ian Abercrombie, Paul Ainsley, Chris Cordone, Marilu Henner, Alvin Ing, Lynne Marta, Jamie McMurray, Linda Michele and Gregory North.
The second half belonged to a selection of the composer's classic songs with the original "Plaids" from the long-running Forever Plaid - Stan Chandler, David Engel, Roger Befeler & Larry Rabin - reuniting for a medley of Bacharach's film music.
"American Idol's" Justin Guarini sang "The Look of Love" while singer-songwriter Melissa Manchester chose a medley of "Anyone Who Had a Heart" and "I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself" and Deniece Williams performed "Magic Moments." Later "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy's " Jai Rodriguez did "Go Ask Shakespeare," Stefanie Powers sang "Walk on By" and McKechnie and Pettiford performed "House is Not a Home" and "Alfie" respectively.
S.T.A.G.E. has raised millions of dollars for HIV/AIDS organizations throughout Southern California since its inception 24 years ago. All of the net proceeds will go to AIDS Project Los Angeles, now in its 25th year of providing direct services and HIV/AIDS prevention education throughout Los Angeles County.
Photos by Chris Kane (unless otherwise noted).
Doris Roberts and David Galligan
STAGE co-producer Ted Seifman, Justin Guarini and Ty Treadway
Valarie Pettiford, Jane Lanier, Donna McKechnie and Sandahl Bergman
Alvin Ing, Paul Ainsley, Betty Garrett and Ian Abercrombie
Danny Gurwin and Marilu Henner
Vicki Lewis and Danny Gurwin
Promises, Promises Cast Bows
Promises, Promises Cast Bows (by Arthur Fu)
The Plaids
Marilyn Maye
Stephen Bishop
Justin Guarini
Dave Koz
Stefanie Powers
Jai Rodriguez
Deniece Williams
Carole Cook and interpreter Jon Maher
The Plaids
Valarie Pettiford
Melissa Manchester
Finale (by Arthur Fu)
Alvin Ing, Ian Abercrombie and Paul Ainsley (by Sharon Weisz)
David Galligan, Marilu Henner and Justin Guarini (by Sharon Weisz)
Vicki Lewis and David Galligan (by Sharon Weisz)
Jai Rodriguez (by Sharon Weisz)
Deniece Williams and Stephen Bishop (by Sharon Weisz)
