New Solo Show Says "Willkommen" to the Career of Joel Grey Today | Playbill

News New Solo Show Says "Willkommen" to the Career of Joel Grey Today Joel Grey, whose long career includes the ghostly Emcee in the original Cabaret, the cocky George M. Cohan in George M!, the indomitable Jacobowsky in The Grand Tour and the scheming Wizard of Oz in Wicked, is being saluted with a new solo show created by actor Robert Spiotto, premiering Sept. 27 at Five Towns College Performing Arts Center on Long Island.

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Joel Grey

Titled Shades of Grey: A Musical Tribute to Joel Grey, the show includes material from all periods of his six-decade career, including "I Lost the Rhythm" from the 1956 The Littlest Revue, "What Kind of Fool Am I?" from Stop The World – I Want to Get Off, a Cohan medley, plus numbers from his aforementioned hits, plus Chicago, Half a Sixpence, Goodtime Charley, Anything Goes and even the film of The Fantasticks, in which Grey played Bellomy, the Girl's Father.

Spiotto, who has created solo shows based on the careers of Danny Kaye, Eddie Cantor and Primo Levi, wrote and performs his own script, accompanied by Stephen C. Pagano, who arranged the music. Jenna Ghidaleson and Liz Jeffery also appear.

Spiotto said he was inspired to create the show after appearing as the Emcee in several productions of Cabaret going back to his high school years.

"I was all but predestined to perform a tribute to Joel Grey," Spiotto told Playbill.com. "A witty, versatile song and dance man who has endeared himself to audiences with his unique physicality, defined gestures and whimsical charm. A performer who knows how to connect with his audience and bring them along on his journey; the precise legacy that I too hope to leave behind."

A revised version of an earlier Grey tribute, the show includes songs, stories, quotes and trivia, as well as references and information relating to Grey's actress daughter Jennifer, his former wife Jo Wilder, and his love of photography. The show opens 2 PM Sept. 27. Five Towns College Performing Arts Center is at 305 North Service Rd., Dix Hills, NY. To order tickets, call (631) 656-2148 or visit dhpac.org.

 
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