'Life Could Be A Dream' Opens Tonight At The Campbell

Sh-Boom! Slick back your hair, pouf up your bouffant, and roll up your Luckies in the sleeve of your T-shirt.  Doo-Wop emerges on the stage of the Willows’ Campbell Theatre in Martinez, March 8-31. 

From nostalgia maven and creator Roger Bean comes another trip to Springfield where we meet the Crooning Crabcakes, the boy group banned from the Springfield High School prom. Now, in an era before "American Idol" and "Star Search," the guys get one more chance at fame and fortune as Denny and his friend Eugene form a singing group so they can enter and win the local radio contest on Big Whopper Radio and realize their dreams of making it to the big time!

The Willows production is directed by Lisa Drummond, with musical direction by Mark Ferriera and choreography by LaTonya Watts.  Featured in the cast are Michael Austin*, Joshua James*, John R. Lewis, Joseph Brunicardi, and Sophie Rose Morris.

The show features such classic songs as "Stay (Just A Little Bit Longer)," "Runaround Sue," "Tears On My Pillow," "Unchained Melody," "Earth Angel," "The Glory of Love," and, yes, "The Great Pretender."  Add in the title song, and Life Could Be A Dream guarantees another musical trip down memory lane that has left audiences you laughing, singing and cheering.

A long-running hit in Los Angeles, Dream won Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award, the LA Weekly Theatre Award, and the Backstage Garland Award for Best/Outstanding Musical of 2010.

Cast of The Willows Production of Life Could Be a Dream 

Denny Varney……………………….. Michael B. Austin*

Eugene Johnson……………………..Joshua James*

Wally Patton………………………..…John R. Lewis

Skip Henderson…………………...….Joseph Brunicardi

Lois Franklin……………………..……Sophia Rose Morris

Mrs. Varney…………………………....Sophia Rose Morris

*Member, Actors Equity Association

Other creations by Roger Bean include the long-running off-Broadway hit The Marvelous Wonderettes,as well as the holiday sequel Winter Wonderettes. (The latter was produced by The Willows in December 2011 at the Campbell Theatre.) Other musicals created by Mr. Bean include the cross-dressing ‘40s musical The Andrews Brothers, Why Do Fools Fall In Love?, Honky Tonk Laundry, Beach Blanket Bash, and Don’t Touch That Dial!

Some Quotes from Critics:

“Dream is pure nostalgia. A doo-wopper's delight!” - Calgary Sun

"CRITIC'S PICK! Dream is so frothy it floats!" - Los Angeles Times

Show Times and Dates

Preview: March 8, 8:00 p.m.

Opens: March 9, 8:00 p.m.

Runs: Thursdays, Mar 15, 22, 29 at 8:00 p.m.; Fridays, Mar 9, 16, 23, 30 at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays, Mar 17, 24, 31 at 2:00 p.m., Saturdays, Mar 10, 17, 24, 31 at 8:00 p.m.; Sundays, Mar 11, 18, 25 at 3:00 p.m.

Closes: March 31, 8:00 p.m.

The Campbell Theatre is located at 636 Ward Street in Downtown Martinez. Tickets are $30 General Admission and $25 for Senior.  www.willowstheatre.org or 925-798-1300.