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Even more 'Fabulous'

The Show Palace is bringing back The Fabulous 50s and 60s Revue, but in a bigger and better way.

By BARBARA L. FREDRICKSEN
Published July 21, 2006

Two summers ago, despite three hurricanes that forced the cancellation of almost half its presentations, Joe Camper's The Fabulous 50s and 60s Revue set attendance records for its time slot at the Show Palace Dinner Theatre.

Ever since then, patrons - even those who saw it the first time - have been asking the theater to bring back that show.

So, back it's coming, but it won't be the same show as last time.

"It's new and improved," Camper said shortly before a recent rehearsal. At patrons' request, he added some early 1950s songs like Secret Love, That's Amore and Hey, Mambo and a 1970s disco segment, when the show's characters look toward the future.

"We've also put in a salute to girl groups, and I have expanded our 'nerd' characters," Camper said.

"It's bigger and better," said Matthew McGee, the Show Palace artistic director who traveled to New York and all over Florida to find just the right singers and dancers. "It has all the charm of the first one, but we upped the production values."

That means a glitzier set and more intricate lighting by designer Tom Hansen and more colorful costumes by Texas costumer designer Marty Van Kleeck.

"You've heard shows called high energy?" Camper said. "I call this one 'high voltage.' "

Camper did the dance steps for the 2004 edition, but he has called in resident choreographer Katie Kerwin for this one.

Nine of the 14 cast members appeared in the previous show.

"We have five new ones in this show, with excellent, excellent voices," Camper said. "Watching these kids in rehearsal and hearing them - wow!"

Indeed, the cast includes many of the Show Palace's favorite performers: Susan Haldeman (Fraulein Schneider in Cabaret; Domina in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum), Troy LaFon (Lecherous Jury Member in Chicago; dancer in La Cage aux Folles), Julia Reardon (Helga in Cabaret), Timothe Bittle (Wrangler in The Will Rogers Follies; Richie in A Chorus Line), Zack Fowler, Danny Harrigan, Dan Johnson, Rachel Parker and Lisa Katt Watson.

Newcomers are native New Yorker Tanya C. Edwards (Sarah in Ragtime), Illeana Kirven (national tour of The Sunshine Boys with the late Frank Gorshin), Eric Jon Mahlum (New York premiere of Plane Crazy), Mathew Schwartz (42nd Street in Orlando Dinner Theater) and Vanessa Sotomayor (Gypsy at Starlight Dinner Theatre).

Among the show's 60 songs are Great Balls of Fire, Where the Boys Are and Unchained Melody.

"Usually, before the Show Palaces brings back a show, it's four or five years," Camper said. "But this time, it's only two."

[Last modified July 20, 2006, 19:36:24]