Manilow, Carson performers team to go 'Copacabana'

Once upon a time, the New York City nightclub Copacabana was a hot number. Similarly, once upon a time singer Barry Manilow sang a song by that name in an album he cut.

Well, the Manilow song has had a life of its own, morphing into a nightclub show, then a TV show and later British producers expanded it to a Broadway-length show.

All of which is to prepare you for the next couple of weekends when "Copacabana the musical" erupts in Carson City. The Manilow record went triple platinum and the musical lives on today, presented here by the Carson Performing Arts Group's talent from Carson High School.

You can see it at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and April 11-12 and at 2 p.m. Sunday and April 13 at the Carson Community Center. Tickets are at the door at $8 for children and students (with Student Body Card), $9 for seniors and $10 for general admission. To buy in advance see boxoffice@carson.K12.nv.us.

Here's the story, a lot quicker and not as tunefully presented at it will be on the stage:

"Copacabana" is a tale of love and romance set at the heart of the swinging nightclub scene of the 1940s.

While creating the world's next big hit, Stephen, an aspiring songwriter, is carried back to an era when "music and passion were always the fashion" at the world famous Copacabana nightclub.

In his dream, Lola Lamar, a hopeful showgirl, is launched on the path to stardom as a Copa Girl with the help of Tony Starr, a bartender with dreams of his own.

Captivated by Lola's performance, the villainous Rico whisks her away to the Tropicana nightclub in Havana. From this exotic, distant new world, a tale of old-fashioned love, jealousy and murder in the entangled lives of Lola, Tony and Rico unfolds amid dazzling costumes, spectacular sets and sensational choreography.

Enough to create an urge to see the show?

Book is by Barry Manilow, Bruce Sussman and Jack Feldman; lyrics by Bruce Sussman and Jack Feldman; music by Barry Manilow.

The show is directed by Karen Chandler, vocal direction by Susan Sonnemaker; orchestra led by Jarod Sorum; choreography by Gina Davis.

• Contact Sam Bauman at sbauman@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1236.

Cast List (some roles are doubled)

Stephen/Tony Forte - Dakota Dutcher

Lola La Mar/ Samantha - Karissa Pulizzotto (Understudy Tracy Morris )

Maitre D'- Josh Wold

Veronica Lake -Erin Etcheverria

Coat Check Girl - Tracy Morris

Willie - Emzy Burroughs

Gladys Murphy - Brittney Kinsey, Brynn Garrett

Sam Silver -Gus DeBacco

Piano Accompanist - Alex Crounk

Hoover Girls - Carinne Powell and Ashley deRosa

Mr. Brill - Christopher Wortman

Another Music Publisher - Jacob Linstrom

Skip - Ben Guberman

Rico Castelli - Cameron Shirey

Conchita Alvarez - Elizabeth Peebles, Elise Sala

Luis - Brendan Blanchard

Mc Manus - Jacob Linstrom

Copa Chorus Girl 1 and 2 - Lainey Henderson, Brooke Gaylan

A Back-of-the-House Voice - Gus DeBacco

Carlos - Keith Jones

Copa/Tropicana Boys: Brenden Blanchard, Emzy Burroughs, Ben Guberman, Keith Jones, Brian Lester, Jacob Linstrom, Chris Rogers, Mark Rogers, Cameron Shirey, Christopher Wortman, Josh Wold

Copa/Tropicana Girls: Alli Cowan, Ashley deRosa, Britney Eichenberger, Stephanie Kulla, Stephanie Lauder, Victoria Lauder, Elizabeth Linn, Carinne Powell, Jacklyn Reichelt

Chorus: Halee Ackerman, Kathleen Bryant, Yadira Duarte, Kassandra Fuentes, Brooke Galyan, Venice Hayley, Lainey Henderson, Kristen Howard, Sarah Irvin, Melissa James, Karen Ivette Jimenez, Kenni Kinsey, Chelsea Lopez, Amanda Lytle, Janell Mahoney, Amanda Wong

If You Go

What: "Copacabana the Musical," presented by Carson Performing Arts

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday and April 11-12; 2 p.m. Sunday and April 13

Where: Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St.

Cost: $8 for children and students (with Student Body Card), $9 for seniors and students and $10 for general admission.