Thursday, January 16, 2014

Stefanie Powers Joins Star-Studded "The Man Who Came to Dinner" to Benefit Coyote Stageworks 1/19/14

StageWorks is pleased to announce that veteran television and film actress Stefanie Powers is scheduled to appear in "The Man Who Came to Dinner" at 6:00 pm on Sunday, January 19, 2014 at the Annenberg Theater in Palm Springs. Powers, best known for her role as Jennifer Hart in the 1980's television series "Hart to Hart," joins a roster of celebrities for this one-night-only performance to benefit Coyote StageWorks, a not-for-profit company dedicated to advancing theatre as a vital art form in the desert communities of the Coachella Valley.

"Stefanie Powers ("Hart to Hart") and Daphne Zuniga ("Melrose Place") are the latest big name stars to join our production, and the caliber of talent taking the stage that night will be unprecedented for this sort of performance," says Chuck Yates, Founding Artistic Director of Coyote StageWorks. "The Annenberg stage is going to be filled with celebrities, all of whom are helping to bring about awareness for our local theatre company. This is a dream come true." "The Man Who Came to Dinner" was written by Moss Hartand George S. Kaufman, and opened on Broadway 75 years ago.

The storyline is set in a small town in Ohio in the 1930s during the weeks leading to Christmas. Tickets are $75 and $125 per person for the performance only; $250 and $500 tickets include a VIP cast reception following the performance. Artists are subject to change without notice.

Also appearing in the production is actor Christopher Atkins, who rose to fame with his co-starring debut role in the 1980 film "The Blue Lagoon." Broadway veteran Alix Korey, whose credits include "Hello, Dolly!," "The Pirates of Penzance," "Ain't Broadway Grand," and "Chicago" has also joined the cast. In addition, Broadway, TV, film, and cabaret performer Sal Mistretta is also scheduled to appear. Mistretta has performed on both coasts in major productions including "Evita" and "Sunset Boulevard," and in the Ace Award-winning "Sweeney Todd" as Pirelli.

Veteran stage, television, and film actor G. W. Bailey has been cast as the famously outlandish radio wit SheriDan Whiteside, the role played by Nathan Lane in the show's Broadway revival in 2000. Bailey (Provenza of "The Closer" and "Major Crimes"; Captain Harris of "Police Academy") is joined by funnyman Fred Willard ("Everybody Loves Raymond," Waiting for Guffman," "A Mighty Wind"), and his "Major Crimes" and "The Closer" co-star Phillip P. Keene. Additional celebrities are Joyce Bulifant ("The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "Airplane!"), Jim J. Bullock ("Too Close for Comfort," "Hollywood Squares," Broadway's "Hairspray") and Mo Gaffney ("Absolutely Fabulous," "That 70's Show," "Kathy and Mo: Parallel Lives".)

Local celebrities slated to appear include Valley philanthropists Annette Bloch, Barbara and Jerry Keller (Acqua Pazza, Lulu), and Terri Ketover. Wells Fargo financial professional Gary Hall will play a role, as will popular radio host Bill "Bulldog" Feingold, and CBS Local 2 meteorologist Patrick Evans.

Twice voted "Best Live Theater" by Desert Magazine in 2013 and 2014, Coyote StageWorks was also presented with fifteen Desert Star Awards by the Desert Theatre League on October 6th. For more information about Coyote StageWorks and its 2014 season, please visit coyotestageworks.org. For information on group sales, call 760-318-0024. To purchase individual tickets or subscriptions, call 760-325-4490 or visit www.annenbergtheater.org.