On Tuesday, June 9th, Theatre Memphis is putting on a very special
performance of Curtains, Kander & Ebb’s last musical. The
tuneful murder mystery also will serve as a fund-raiser for the
Community Legal Center, a nonprofit organization with a network of more
than 250 lawyers who provide free legal representation in civil matters
to those who can’t afford to pay for private counsel.
Curtains, which is both a typical backstage comedy and a
cleverly imagined whodunit, left a trail of actual bodies in its wake.
When Peter Stone, the book’s original author, died before the show was
completed, as did lyricist Fred Ebb, Ebb’s composer/partner John Kander
called in Rupert Holmes to help him finish the project. Holmes, author
of The Mystery of Edwin Drood (and also of “Escape,” the
infamous pina colada song), helped to turn Curtains into a big,
bright, and sometimes quite silly throwback to American musicals of the
1950s.
Although the play’s victim is a tragically untalented actress, the
surprise perp is a character so universally hated that not even the
most dedicated member of the Community Legal Center will want to take
up his cause. Sad but true.
In addition to the show, there will be a silent auction of gift
certificates to local businesses and restaurants and other
merchandise.
“Curtains” fund-raiser for the Community Legal Center at Theatre
Memphis, Tuesday, June 9th. Reception at 6 p.m.,
play starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 general admission, $30 for
employees of nonprofits, and $25 for students. Call 543-3395 for
additional information.
