Broadway Stars in El Paso
by Jan H. Wolfe

There’s a whole lot of excitement percolating at the UTEP Dinner Theatre right now. Bev Kerbs-Ward, Program Coordinator for the theatre says she just felt as if there were fireworks going on all around her during the planning for this huge event. As well there should be. Sir Tim Rice, the lyricist with many Academy and Tony Awards on his shelf, is coming to town to be honored at a special concert celebrating UDT’s 25th Anniversary on April 12. And performing for him are six talented Broadway singers.

“It’s insane, but a good kind of insanity,” says Kerbs-Ward. “It’s going to be our Silver Anniversary, but it is going to feel more like Gold!”

There has been a long and friendly relationship between Dinner Theatre Director Greg Taylor, and the Theatre has performed all of his shows several times. “People just keep coming back every time we do them. Of course, they’re different every time, too,” says Kerbs Ward. So, it seemed a natural to invite Sir Tim to help celebrate the big anniversary with the people who have sung his music.

Rice’s lyrics in the fabulously popular pop operas include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita, - music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Blondel - music by Stephen Oliver,. Chess - music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, Beauty and the Beast - music by Alan Menken, and The Lion King - music by Elton John.

Coming to help serenade the master are six Broadway singer/actors, each of whom are stars in their own right:

Andrea McArdle originated the title role in Annie, in 1977. Since then, the award winning actress has performed in Broadway, Carnegie Hall, the Las Vegas Strip, and the West End in London;

Hugh Panaro most recently has been touring Europe performing with Barbara Streisand. He has created numerous Broadway leading roles, best know is Hugh’s critically acclaimed performance as the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera. His list of credits range from Seattle to New York to London in more roles than can be listed here;

Annie Golden’s first film was the rock musical Hair. She has also acted and sung in films such as Baby Boom, Twelve Monkeys, The Pebble and The Penguin, and Brooklyn Rules. She was in the original cast of Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins and is currently singing in Xanadu on Broadway;

Nikki Renee Daniels appeared in the 2006 Broadway Revival of Les Miserables, in Aida, Nine (with star Antonio Banderas), and Little Shop of Horrors. She has toured many shows across the nation. She has appeared as a soloist with the Ottawa, Cincinnati and San Francisco Symphony Orchestras and the Cincinnati Pops. She recently made her Carnegie Hall solo debut;

Ron Bohmer appeared at the UTEP Dinner Theatre’s 20th Anniversry production of Jesus Christ Superstar – in Concert and is excited to be back n El Paso for this concert for Sir Tim Rice. He has sung the lead roles on Broadway and in National Tours of The Phantom of the Opera, Sunset Blvd, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Aspects of Love, The Woman in White, Les Miserables and Fiddler on the Room. He is currently starring as Coach Bolton in Disney’s High School Musical;

Deborah Gibson is a recording star who has sold over 16 million albums worldwide. She has been seen on Broadway in Les Miserables, as Belle in The Beauty and the Beast, in Joseph and the Amazing Color Dreamcoat and Cinderella.

With an all star cast like this singing all of Rice’s most popular and famous songs, what more can be added? Well, how about a 150 voice choir, made up of all the people who have a show at the Dinner Theatre! Add the UTEP Dinner Theatre Band and the UTEP Symphony Orchestra and an amazing light and sound show and you have a spectacular evening of entertainment.

This event is one night only, April 12 at 8 P.M. at the Don Haskins Center. No dinner will be served. This is a concert that will put El Paso on the entertainment map.

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