Ethel Merman’s Broadway Starring Rita McKenzie April 3, 2011

Rita McKenzie, one of Broadway, Hollywood, and television’s most versatile actresses, performs her internationally acclaimed tour de force show, Ethel Merman’s Broadway, which re-creates the life and times of Ethel Merman, the Queen of Broadway’s Golden Age.

The songs Merman introduced during this era, which are featured in the show, include “I Got Rhythm,” “Anything Goes,” “It’s Delovely,” “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” “They Say It’s Wonderful,” “Small World,” “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” “Some People,” and “Rose’s Turn” from shows such as Anything Goes, Annie Get Your Gun, and Gypsy.

For four decades, Ethel Merman was the reigning royalty of the Broadway stage. She was at her peak during the most creative and brilliant time of what is considered one of America’s singular art forms. During her era, Merman introduced songs, characters, and stories that have remained a permanent part of our culture. She first sang the songs of many of the great songwriters of her era—Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Jule Styne, Stephen Sondheim and Jerry Herman—who all considered Merman among the greatest interpreters of their work.

Rita McKenzie has toured the country in Merman’s signature parts including as Annie Oakley in the 50th anniversary production of Annie Get Your Gun; Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes; and Mama Rose in Gypsy. She has also starred in the Los Angeles premiere of the off-Broadway musical Ruthless! and can be heard on the original cast album.

Call 732-246-7469 or visit http://www.statetheatrenj.org/ethel_mermans_broadway for tickets and more information.