Klea Blackhurst, who won wide renown for her loving tribute to Ethel Merman, Everything The Traffic Will Allow, now turns her long association with one of Broadway's most esteemed composers, Jerry Herman, into a brand-new solo show, One of the Girls, the Words and Music of Jerry Herman. Considered one of Herman's premier interpreters, Klea officially became one of "Jerry's Girls" when she starred in the 50th Anniversary production of Hello, Dolly! at Goodspeed Opera House. Though they were introduced years before when Jerry heard Klea sing one of the cut Hello, Dolly! songs written for Ethel Merman (the original choice to star in the show). He immediately invited Klea to sing on a concert with the London Philharmonic at the Palladium, and she's been singing his songs with symphony orchestras across the country ever since.

 

 

 

One Of The Girls will focus attention on the powerful, loving and memorable women in Jerry's life. From real characters-like his dear mother Ruth (who taught him that you could throw a party simply because "It's Today") - to fictional characters, like Mame, who encouraged us to "Open A New Window"; Dolly Levi, who decided to rejoin the human race "Before The Parade Passes By"; and Zaza, who bravely declared, "I Am What I Am". Jerry Herman has lifted wonderful women off the page and into our hearts for almost six decades, come hear one of "Jerry's Girls" sing his praises.

Klea Blackhurstis an actress, singer and comedienne known for her award-winning tribute to Ethel Merman, Everything The Traffic Will Allow. Most recently she appeared Off-Broadway with Hayley Mills in the comedy, Party Face, at City Center Stage 2. She starred in Hazel during its world premiere production at Drury Lane in Chicago, as Dolly Levi in the highly acclaimed Fiftieth Anniversary production of Hello, Dolly! at The Goodspeed Opera House and as Miss Lemon in The Nutty Professor, which premiered in Nashville, directed by legendary comedian, Jerry Lewis and featuring a score by Marvin Hamlisch and Rupert Holmes. Klea also played Rose in Drury Lane Chicago's production of Gypsy, garnishing rave reviews in 2012.

She's performed with symphony orchestras and in theatrical productions across the country and abroad including the London Palladium presentation of Jerry Herman's Broadway with Angela Lansbury, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra tribute to Marvin Hamlisch,, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, 15 Mabel Mercer Foundation Cabaret Conventions, New York's Town Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, New York's 92nd Street Y Lyrics & Lyricists, The Chicago Humanities Festival and as Ado Annie in the BBC Proms concert of Oklahoma! in London's Royal Albert Hall. In addition to regular appearances at New York's famed Birdland, Klea's nightclub engagements include tributes to the Broadway career of composer Vernon Duke at the CafĂ© Carlyle with a subsequent sold-out engagement at Joe's Pub at The Public Theater and "Dreaming of a Song: The Music of Hoagy Carmichael," a collaboration with Billy Stritch.

This show is co-presented by Mark Keller, Keller Monash Productions.

 

Also Available

Everything The Traffic Will Allow,
a tribute to Ethel Merman.