CHICAGO - Lampkin Music Group is proud to announce "What We Did for Love: A Chicago Musical Menu" presented April 3-6, 2011 at Stage 773 (formerly the Theatre Building) in Chicago. The series, a celebration of founder Ralph Lampkin's three decades of work in the Midwest cabaret, theater, and music scenes, will boast the talents of legendary Chicago artist Alexandra Billings and Jeff award winning actor Jeremy Rill among the line-up.
A % of the proceeds will benefit Groceryland/Vital Bridges, Tree house and PrideFilmandPlays.
Lampkin Music Group has co-produced or produced numerous recordings, live theatrical and nightclub presentations throughout the past three decades, including Billings' autobiographical show, "Before I Disappear", which received extensions in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Off-Broadway. In the past two years LMG has produced the celebrated Midwest premieres of Tony Award winner Donna McKechnie's ("A Chorus Line") "My Musical Comedy Life" and film "Stealth," featuring Alexandra Billings. LMG has also produced album recordings for some of today's top talents, including Broadway personality Devin Richards, Martha Lorin, Tyler Stephenson, Carlo Chapelle, Alexandra Billings and Robin Kay.
LMG is the brainchild of producer, writer, director, visionary Ralph Lampkin, Jr. Each performer in this series represents a different musical genre that is part of the LMG makeup of talents LMG has nurtured. Having received critical praise from many a Midwest writer for his productions, Lampkin is proud to bring to the area another eclectic show of talents.
David G. Zak, the Artistic Director and co-producer of the concert series and previous Artistic Director of Bailiwick Chicago has said, "Ralph is one of the most astute producers of cabaret and theater projects I have worked with. His eye for talent - especially emerging talent - is remarkable, and his productions are always marked with high-energy excellence."
The schedule for the concert series is as follows:
Sunday, April 3rd - Comedy Menu - Alexandra Billings - Katie's Corner - featuring Honey West, Mary Beidler Gearen and Sean Abley. Co-produced by Dark Blue Theatricals. ( 6:30 p.m. )
Concert Debut Menu - Jeremy Rill - Concert Debut with Musical Director:Robert Ollis ( 8:30 p.m. )
Monday, April 4th- Jazz Menu - Spider Saloff - The Gershwin Concert with Musical Director: Jeremy Kahn ( 6:30 p.m. ) .
Songwriter Menu - Shellen Lubin - Savory Sensations with special guests Carlo Chapelle and Justin Williams ( 8:30 p.m. )
Tuesday, April 5th - Comedy/Musical Menu - Ben Lerman Plays the Ukulele ( 6:30 p.m. ) .
Blues/Rock Menu - Robin Kay - Underlying Issues - ( 8:30 p.m. )
Wednesday, April 6th - Classical/Pop Menu - Ester Hana - Songstress/Singer with special guest Carlo Chapelle ( 6:30 p.m. ) .
Composer Menu - Tim Gant and Danny Lerman - Intertwined ( 8:30 p.m. )
The event is produced by Lampkin Music Group in association with Mary Beidler Gearen/MBG Productions, Inc. , Richard Dayhoff, Rusty Hernandez, The Lazarus Group and David G. Zak.
Sponsors for the series include The Windy City Times, ShowbizChicago.com, Cooper's and Duley Press.
Tickets are $15.00. Two tickets are $25.00.
Vouchers for all eight shows are available for $85 and come with a VIP bag.
For more ticket info, visit www.stage773.com .
More information about LMG can be found at www.lampkinmusic.com .
Performer Bios:
Alexandra Billings- Ms. Billings has much history with Lampkin, her longtime producer. Alex debuts her new comedy masterpiece, Katie's Corner. Co-produced by Dark Blue Theatricals and Sean Abley.
Tim Gant - Songwriter and musician has written/produced for the Backstreet Boys, Regina Belle, Danny Lerman and Aretha Franklin.
Ester Hana - Singer/Songwriter/Pianist has worked with Lampkin over 25 years now. She appears regularly worldwide and currently can be heard at Venus Restaurant
Robin Kay - Kay has performed at numerous Chicago jazz venues, including the Underground Wonder Bar. Kay celebrates the 10 year anniversary of her dance hit "I Didn't Go To My Prom", produced by LMG.
Shellen Lubin - Lubin accompanied Lampkin during his singing days in NY. This is Shellen's Chicago debut as a songwriter. Special Guests are singers Carlo Chapelle and in his Chicago debut, Justin Williams.
Ben Lerman - Ben, brother to Danny, is an exciting comedic/musical force on the stage with his songwriting parodies and ukulele/piano playing. Ben made his Edinburgh debut last year and tours the USA extensively.
Danny Lerman - Saxophonist Danny Lerman has performed worldwide to critical acclaim. His relationship with LMG is 22 years old having written songs with Lampkin, besides many a production in the recording studio.
Jeremy Rill - Having won a Jeff award for Jerry Springer, this is Jeremy's concert debut with LMG. Musical Director: Robert Ollis
Spider Saloff - Spider will perform "The Gershwin Concert," the concert that started her 15 year relationship with Lampkin, accompanied by Jeremy Kahn
Producer Bios:
Ralph Lampkin Jr. - Producer/Writer/Director/Lyricist, Lampkin is the owner of Lampkin Music Group and the label, LMGMusic. He has produced numerous shows and benefits and has worked closely with cabaret star Alexandra Billings. As a writer, his credits include: Cabaret Scenes and Jam Sessions and he has been profiled in, among others, the Chicago Reader. Lampkin is the recipient of 19 ASCAP awards.
Mary Beidler Gearen - Mary has enjoyed a 30+ year career in professional theatre as an award-winning actor, director, teacher and producer. She co-produced the New York and LA incarnations of "Before I Disappear." Mary will to co-produce Alexandra Billings' Minnesota concert debut this June.
Richard Dayhoff - Fashion designer Dayhoff has created sportswear and men's underwear and has dressed Oprah Winfrey. Dayhoff has garnered features in Harper's Bazaar, W, Elle, MR and DNR. He is a member of Mayor Daley's Fashion Advisory Council.
Rusty Hernandez is very excited about his return to Chicago theater and cabaret and is honored in joining forces once again with Lampkin Music Group and MBG Productions. He worked for many years in many different roles with Bailiwick.
David Zak ( Director ) is Producing Artistic Director of Pride Films and Plays, which ust completed the first Great Gay Screenplay Contest, and the recent Great Gay Play Contest Readings March 3rd. He served as Artistic Director of Bailiwick Repertory, Chicago, from 1982-2009.
www.stage773.com
www.lampkinmusic.com
www.windycitymediagroup.com
