For Immediate Release: April 14, 2006
Media Contact: Bryan S. Clark, The Academy Theatre, 609.291.9000

The Academy Theatre presents the lasting songs of Leiber and Stoller, the “Rodgers and Hammerstein of Rock n’ Roll” in their musical revue, Smokey Joe’s Café. Smokey Joe’s Café will run from April 28th to May 13th at The Academy Theatre, located at 146 Route 130 in Bordentown, New Jersey. The show stars Steven Ciapanna, Beth Coperwatz, Bryan Lesnick, Jaimie McMillin, James Osby, Ingrid Perez, Darryl Thompson, and Felicia Wilkins. Tickets range from $20 to $25 and are available by contacting The Academy Theatre Box Office at (609) 291-9000. More information is also available by visiting www.theacademytheatre.com.

The songs of Leiber and Stroller are not only the basis for which rock and roll was built on, but also the foundation that defines American music. Many are not aware that Leiber and Stroller are responsible for “Jail House Rock,” “Stand By Me,” Yakety Yak,” “Hound Dog,” and “Love Potion #9,” among others - and all these, plus 30 other numbers, are presented in Smokey Joe’s Café. The show itself sets a mood with its idealized 1950s setting and is complimented by these songs of love won, lost, and imagined. More than this, Smokey Joe’s Café creates a mood within this Golden Age of American culture that transcends into this generation by invoking emotion through the power of voice. Featuring some of the greatest songs ever written, Smokey Joe’s Café isn’t just great music, it’s compelling musical theatre.

The Academy Theatre has spared no expense in this tribute to great American Music and has brought in renowned pianist and Musical Director Louis F. Goldberg to direct and musically direct the project.

Cast & Crew

Louis F. Goldberg (Musical Director and Staging): Louis happily returns to The Academy Theatre, having conducted A Chorus Line and Little Shop of Horrors last season. Louis has conducted more than 300 musical productions and has toured the United States and Europe with productions of Man Of La Mancha and Cabaret. Recent projects include a four-month stint Off-Broadway at the York Theatre playing the role of Ted Shapiro in Red Hot Mama: The Sophie Tucker Songbook, a role he played initially at the Denver Center For The Performing Arts, and has also played at the Players’ Club in NYC, the Plush Room in San Francisco and at Santa Fe Stages. In Philadelphia, Louis has conducted St. Louis Woman and Peter Pan and Wendy at the Prince Music Theater, Dirty Blonde at the Wilma Theatre, and Evita at the Walnut St. Theatre. As a pianist, Louis was a 1985 Stravinsky Award Finalist and won Silver and Bronze medals in the International Piano Recording Competition. He has been the Musical Director for productions at the Cleveland Playhouse, Cincinnati Playhouse In The Park, Florida Repertory Theatre, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma and Syracuse Stage. Louis has served on the Musical Theatre faculties of Syracuse University, the University of Oklahoma and the University of the Arts.

Steven Ciapanna: Steve has been working around the South Jersey and Philadelphia area for many years now. Steve is almost exclusive involved with musical theatre and has performed in “almost every well-known musical.” Recently at the Ritz Theatre he was in Jekyll & Hyde, Grease, Evita, and at the Walnut Street theatre in West Side Story, Camilla, and Blood Brothers. Steve has been in Assassins, Kiss Me Kate, The King and I and even Joseph and… at a variety of playhouses including Haddonfield Players, Triple Threat Center for the Arts and the Society Hill Playhouse.

Felicia Wilkins: Felicia attended classes at the prestigious Freedom Theatre as a teenager and has been singing and performing ever since. In 1993 she started acting with the Youth Adolescent Community Players and performed in many plays and premieres throughout Pennsylvania and Delaware. Felicia won the Apollo Theatre Amateur Night on Tour in Philadelphia and went on to perform at the legendary Apollo Theatre in Harlem in March of 2003. Felicia is a member of the a capella group Stan & the Topics and has performed at many venues and events in the tri-state area including YO Philadelphia, First Night Wilmington, A capella Fest, WOGL Oldies 98 and on NJN Channel 23.

James Osby: Jim has kept himself very busy since he first came on to the scene 10 years ago. Jim trained with Carlos Serrano and Richard Johnson among many others and was a longstanding member of the Temple University Opera Theater in which he performed in Candide, Don Giovanni, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and The Merry Wives of Windsor. Jim is also currently a member of the Opera Company of Philadelphia and was previously a member of the Opera Festival of New Jersey and Il Festival dei Due Mondi of Spoleto, Italy.

Smokey Joe’s Cafe’s opening night (April 28) will offer an opportunity to meet and speak with all the performers and the producers of the show. This event will also include special offers on this season, invitations for local media groups and organizations, and free wine and hors d’oeuvres.

Smokey Joe’s Café’s has, at this time, a limited run of only six performances. The show runs from April 28 to May 13, 2006. Performances take place each Friday at 8 p.m. and each Saturday with performances at 8 p.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets may be reserved by calling the box office at 609-291-9000. Ticket cost is $20 in advance and $25 at the door. To see a seating chart or for more information on The Academy Theatre, check our website at www.theacademytheatre.com.

For more information regarding The Academy Theatre, this press release, or to arrange for interviews call Bryan S. Clark at 609-291-9000 or by emailing bryan.s.clark@theacademytheatre.com.

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