CHICAGO - Lampkin Music Group is proud to announce "What He Did for Love: A Chicago Musical Menu" presented April 3-6, 2011 at Stage 773 ( formerly the Theatre Building ) in Chicago. The series, a celebration of founder Ralph Lampkin's three decades of work in the Midwest cabaret, theater, and music scenes, will boast the talents of legendary Chicago artist Alexandra Billings and Jeff award winning actor Jeremy Rill among the line-up. A percentage of the proceeds will benefit Groceryland/Vital Bridges and PrideFilmsandPlays.com .
Lampkin Music Group has produced numerous recordings, live theatrical and nightclub presentations throughout the past three decades, including Billings' autobiographical show, "Before I Disappear", which received extensions in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Off-Broadway. In the past five years LMG has presented the celebrated Midwest premieres of Tony Award winner Donna McKechnie's ( "A Chorus Line ) "My Musical Comedy Life," the film "Stealth," featuring Alexandra Billings, and the Carnegie Hall/Weill Hall debut of Jazz Singer Martha Lorin. LMG has also produced album recordings for some of today's top talents, including Broadway personality Devin Richards, Martha Lorin, Carlo Chapelle, Alexandra Billings and Robin Kay. LMG's humanitarian work includes producing shows for many Aids organizations, Teen Living Programs, Chicago Children's Hospital, and many other causes close to his heart.
LMG is the brainchild of producer, writer, director, and songwriter Ralph Lampkin, Jr. Each performer in this series represents a different musical genre that is part of the makeup of talents LMG has nurtured. Having received critical praise from many a Midwest writer for his productions, Lampkin is proud to bring to the area another eclectic show of talents.
David G. Zak, the Artistic Director and co-producer of the concert series and previous Artistic Director of Bailiwick Chicago has said, "Ralph is one of the most astute producers of cabaret and theater projects I have worked with. His eye for talent - especially emerging talent - is remarkable, and his productions are always marked with high-energy excellence."
The schedule for the concert series is as follows:
Sunday, April 3rd - Comedy Menu - Alexandra Billings - Katie's Corner — The Chicago Debut featuring Mary Beidler Gearen, Honey West and Sean Abley. ( 6:30 p.m. ) . Co-produced by Dark Blue Theatricals.
Concert Debut Menu - Jeremy Rill - Concert Debut with Robert Ollis. ( 8:30 p.m. )
Monday, April 4th- Jazz Menu - Spider Saloff - The Gershwin Concert - Music Director:Jeremy Kahn. ( 6:30 p.m. ) .
Songwriter Menu - Shellen Lubin - Savory Sensations- Chicago Debut with special guests Carlo Chapelle and introducing Justin Williams. ( 8:30 p.m. )
Tuesday, April 5th - Classic Pop Menu - Frank Dain. Music Director: Kathleen Landis - A Tribute to Johnny Mathis - The Chicago Debut ( 6:30 p.m. ) . Blues/Rock Menu - Robin Kay - Underlying Issues - ( 8:30 p.m. )
Wednesday, April 6th - Classical/Pop Menu - Ester Hana - Songtress/Singer ( 6:30 p.m. ) .
Composer Menu - Tim Gant and Danny Lerman - Intertwined ( 8:30 p.m. )
The event is produced by Lampkin Music Group in association with Mary Beidler Gearen/MBG Productions, Inc., Richard Dayhoff, The Lazarus Group, Rusty Hernandez and David G. Zak.
Sponsors for the series are The Windy City Media Group, ShowbizChicago.com, and Duley Press.
Tickets are $15.00. Two tickets are $25.00. Vouchers for all eight shows are available for $85 and come with a VIP bag. Tickets are on sale now. For more ticket info, visit www.stage773.com . More information about LMG can be found at www.lampkinmusic.com .
Performer Bios:
Alexandra Billings- Ms. Billings has much history with Lampkin, her longtime producer. Alex debuts her new comedy masterpiece, Katie's Corner. Co-produced by Dark Blue Theatricals and Sean Abley.
Frank Dain - "A Tribute to Johnny Mathis," an idol of Lampkin's, this concert is Dain's Chicago Debut with LMG.
Tim Gant - Songwriter and musician has written/produced for the Backstreet Boys, Regina Belle, Danny Lerman and Aretha Franklin.
Ester Hana - Singer/Songwriter/Pianist has worked with Lampkin over 25 years now. She appears regularly worldwide and currently can be heard at Venus Restuarant.
Robin Kay - Kay has performed at numerous Chicago jazz venues, including the Underground Wonder Bar. Kay celebrates the 10 year anniversary of her dance hit "I Didn't Go To My Prom", produced by LMG.
Kathleen Landis - Musical Director for "A Tribute to Johnny Mathis." Landis was the artist in residence in the Hotel Pierre's famous "Café Pierre", Chicago Debut with LMG.
Danny Lerman - Saxophonist Danny Lerman has performed worldwide to critical acclaim. His relationship with LMG is 22 years old having written songs with Lampkin, besides many a production in the recording studio.
Shellen Lubin - Lubin accompanied Lampkin during his singing days in NY. This is Shellen's Chicago debut as a songwriter. Special Guests are singers Carlo Chapelle and in his Chicago debut, Justin Williams.
Jeremy Rill - Having won a Jeff award for Jerry Springer, this is Jeremy's concert debut with LMG. Musical Director: Robert Ollis.
Spider Saloff - Spider will perform "The Gershwin Concert," the concert that started her 15 year relationship with Lampkin, accompanied by Jeremy Kahn.
Producer Bios:
Sean Abley - Abley is one of the founding members of the Factory Theater in Chicago, where he produced numerous works. He has also written for TV including Sabrina the Animated Series, So Weird, and Digimon. Abley is co-producing the Chicago premiere of Billings' "Katie's Corner."
Mary Beidler Gearen- Mary has enjoyed a 30+ year career in professional theatre as an award-winning actor, director, teacher and producer. She produced the New York and LA incarnations of "Before I Disappear." Mary will to co-produce Alexandra Billings' Minnesota concert debut this June.
Richard Dayhoff - Fashion designer Dayhoff has created sportswear and men's underwear and has dressed Oprah Winfrey. Dayhoff has garnered features in Harper's Bazaar, W, Elle, MR and DNR. He is a member of Mayor Daley's Fashion Advisory Council.
Rusty Hernandez is very excited about his return to Chicago theater and cabaret and is honored in joining forces once again with Lampkin Music Group and MBG Productions. He worked for many years in many different roles with Bailiwick.
Ralph Lampkin Jr. - Producer/Writer/Director/Lyricist, Lampkin is the owner of Lampkin Music Group and the label, LMGMusic. He has produced numerous shows and benefits and has worked closely with cabaret star Alexandra Billings. As a writer, his credits include: Cabaret Scenes and Jam Sessions and he has been profiled in, among others, the Chicago Reader. Lampkin is the recipient of 19 ASCAP awards.
Elaine Lazarus — Lazarus has worked to expand kid's music Grammy categories with Kidsource Music. She is currently doing commercial real estate with The Lazarus Group.
David Zak ( Director ) is Producing Artistic Director of Pride Films and Plays, which just completed the first Great Gay Screenplay Contest, and has their 2nd Great Gay Play Reading in March. He served as Artistic Director of Bailiwick Repertory, Chicago, from 1982-2009.
