Dancing Man Cabaret benefits Genesius Theatre
Genesius Theatre presents Reading’s own Danny Gardner and Drew Humphrey in “Dancin’ Man” April 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m.
“Dancing’ Man” celebrates the “song and dance man” through the lives and contributions of, Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly! Using their stories, songs and dances. Some famous and some a little more obscure. We’ll follow them from their humble beginnings in vaudeville, to their breakthrough Broadway careers and on to their iconic Hollywood days. It’s a night of song and dance not to be missed!
DANNY GARDNER
(Song and Dance Man #1) is excited to be returning to his hometown of Reading, PA! His Genesius credits are Snoopy!!!, RAGS, A Secret Garden, and Genesius the Musical. His other credits include: Lucky in Dames at Sea. (Broadway) Dick Trevor in Lady, Be Good! (Encores!) starring Tommy Tune, with subsequent album. NY Spectacular starring the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. National tours: White Christmas, Here To Stay – The Gershwin Experience and 42nd Street. Regional: Don in Singin’ in the Rain (Marriot Lincolnshire). Bert in Mary Poppins (Theatre Under the Stars), Frank in Show Boat (Goodspeed Musicals), Chuck in Promises, Promises! (Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival), Steindorff in Bach At Leipzig (People’s Light and Theatre Co.) He is a company member of the physical comedy troupe “Parallel Exit” which he has created and performed with in New York City at 59E59 Street Theatres, The New Victory Theatre, Lincoln Center Institute and abroad in “The Festival of Dreams” in Innsbruck, Austria and in “The Cos Festival” in Rennes, Spain and the Reading’s own Miller Center. He also joined The New York Song & Dance Company in their cultural exchange program to the Middle East made possible through the US. Consulate. Ithaca College Graduate. www.dannyjgardner.com
DREW HUMPHREY
(Song and Dance Man #2) is thrilled to perform at the Genesius Theatre! Broadway: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (Ensemble, Cast Recording); New York/Tours: Of Thee I Sing (Encores!), Lady Be Good (Encores!, Cast Recording), 42nd Street (Ensemble, 1st Natl.); Regional: Crazy for You (Bobby Child, Tuacahn CFA), A Chorus Line (Don, Sacramento Music Circus), Cats (Skimbleshanks, The Muny), On The Town (Chip, FLMTF), Hello Dolly! (Ensemble, Goodspeed Opera House), Mary Poppins (Bert, VCT). Drew also had the honor to perform at the Kennedy Center for Ted Kennedy and President Obama. Drew’s Directing credits include productions of Mary Poppins, Thoroughly Modern Millie and A Chorus Line. He is proud to have assisted and associated under Broadway Director/Choreographers Randy Skinner and Liza Gennaro. Thanks to his amazing wife and family for their overwhelming support!
DAN PARDO
(Music Director/Pianist) is a Brooklyn-based music director, pianist, and arranger. He made his Broadway debut last year as a keyboardist and assistant conductor for Amazing Grace at the Nederlander Theatre. Off-Broadway: Rothschild and Sons (York) and Skippyjon Jones: Snow What? (Lucille Lortel). Other NYC music direction credits include workshop productions of Come From Away (now on Broadway at the Schoenfeld), Persephone: Unplugged, On Rosen Street, Marco Polo, Found, and The Oliver Experiment, along with several concerts at the Laurie Beechman, 54 Below, the Duplex, and the Metropolitan Room. Dan also tours regularly with the NYC-based vocal jazz quintet, Marquee Five. Regional credits: The 5th Avenue (Seattle), Long Wharf (New Haven), Pasadena Playhouse, Pittsburgh Public, American Repertory Theater (Cambridge), Williamstown Theatre Festival, Rubicon Theatre Company (Ventura), and over 20 shows at Goodspeed Musicals, where Dan was on staff for three seasons.
Active at Genesius during most of his latter high school years, Dan credits much of his professional career to what he learned in the Reading Theatre Community. “Like many of my peers in theatrical music direction, I started out onstage, but quickly found myself playing piano for children’s theater, mostly at Reading Community Players. I caught the attention of [local theater veteran] Kevin Cooper, who first recruited me to play for his shows at Reading High School, but then recommended that I take on more responsibilities at Genesius Theatre as a music director. Teaming up with LJ Fecho on his productions of Tommy, Urinetown, and Jesus Christ Superstar, along with numerous concerts and his original musical about Genesius, I learned how to tackle a score, work with actors and pit musicians (most of whom were older than I was), collaborate effectively with directors, choreographers, and their design teams, and burn the midnight oil for art’s sake. Genesius also provided the key contact of its co-founder, Michael O’Flaherty – resident music director at the renowned Goodspeed Opera House, who has become a great mentor and friend. I owe a lot to Genesius, and am privileged to serve on its honorary board as it continues to change lives for the better.”
Genesius is a 501-C-3 Non-Profit organization. The Genesius , 2017 Season, is sponsored by Sandy Solmon and Doug Messinger of Sweet Street Desserts. Genesius Theatre, 153 North 10th Street, Reading, PA 19601
Show times are 7:30 p.m. All seats are $35 (general admission seating) For Tickets please visit - www. genesiusdifference.org; or Tix.com - 610-373-9500 – credit card fees apply. Tickets are also available at the door. The CABARET is rated G
Genesius Theatre is handicapped accessible and there is free parking (limited spaces available) next to the theater. For more information, call the theater at 610-371-8151.