Cabaret series announced for fall

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Andrea Marcovicci as Gertrude Lawrence, Paula West as herself, Klea Blackhurst singing Ethel Merman, and KT Sullivan and Mark Nadler performing the songs of Gershwin are on tap in the 2002 Grandel Theatre Cabaret Series to begin in September.

Marcovicci will bring her new show "One Life to Live: a Celebration of Gertrude Lawrence" to the Grandel Sept. 17 to 22. Lawrence was an English actress and singer who appeared on Broadway with Noel Coward in "Private Lives" and "Tonight at 8:30." She also appeared in the musicals "Lady in the Dark" and "The King and I."

A regular cabaret singer at the Algonquin Hotel in New York City, Marcovicci also has made her mark in TV, on film and in the theater.

West's show Oct. 15 to 20 is titled "Come What May" and consists of standards all jazzed up. Her latest CD also is titled "Come What May."

In "Everything the Traffic Will Allow: The Songs and Sass of Ethel Merman," Blackhurst sings songs from Broadway's Golden Age, including "I Got Rhythm," "You're the Top" and "There's No Business Like Show Business." The show runs Nov. 12 to 17.

Blackhurst made her Broadway debut in 1988 in "Oil City Symphony." She also appeared in "Radio Gals," "Winnie the Pooh" and "Sweet Deliverance."

KT Sullivan is appearing in the Grandel Cabaret Series for the second year in a row. This time she will be accompanied by Nadler, who is a pianist, singer and dancer. Their show, "Sweet & Low: An Evening of Pure Gershwin," won a 2000-2001 Drama Desk Nomination for Outstanding Music Revue. It runs Dec. 10 to 15.

Subscription tickets are $53.60 to $128.80 and will go on sale in May. Single tickets will go on sale in August.

For more information, phone (314) 533-8825.