Doris Day comes to Christchurch
Thursday 17 March 2016, 8:30AM
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Media Release 9th March 2016
Christchurch’s Ali Harper is Doris Day
Three years in the making, ‘A Doris Day Special’ is written by Christchurch singer and actressAli Harper. The one-woman musical play is making its debut at The Court Theatre for 6 shows opening 24th April.
‘I have found wherever I go, everyone loves Doris Day. People tell me how they have vivid memories sitting in their grandparent’s house on a Sunday and watching Doris Day films. I believe her freshness, her vivacious personality, beautiful clothes and gorgeous films and songs is pure escapism for many.’
Ali has created ‘A Doris Day Special’ as a one-woman musical play that transports the audience to a Hollywood Television Studio in 1971 where Doris Mary Anne Von Kappelhoff aka Doris Day is filming her very own Television Special.
‘Those Television Specials were an amazing vehicle for many stars in the 60s and 70s; John Denver, Judy Garland, Lucille Ball, Barbra Streisand all bought that fourth wall down and showed a side of themselves that was very rarely seen by their fans. A kind of cabaret to be viewed on television with a live studio audience to feed off.’
Ali knows only too well what it’s like to bring down that 4th Wall. Her solo shows ‘Legendary Divas’ and ‘Naughty and Nice’ have had much success around New Zealand and in New York, and last month Ali was performing both shows in Australia and South America on the Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mary II.
Ali has assembled a stellar team with Director Stephanie McKellar-Smith, Lighting Designer Brendan Albrey and Musical Arrangements by Michael Bell. The Big Band and Strings ensemble recordings are conducted by Rodger Fox with a top line-up of NZ’s best musicians.
‘I feel extremely fortunate with the ‘creative gurus’ I have surrounded myself with. A one-woman play can really only be performed confidently if you have a virtuoso team around you, whether it’s my Director or my musicians who have come from all over New Zealand to record that gorgeous Big Band sound. I am feeling very blessed and extremely excited for Sunday, 24th April to arrive!’
Listing information:
A Doris Day Special
It’s 1971 and Doris Day is filming her Television Special. Be a part of ‘A Doris Day Special’ Television Studio audience and celebrate the life and songs of that quintessential girl next door.
The Court Theatre, Addington, Christchurch
Sundays, 24th April, 1st May & 8th May (Mother’s Day) / 2.30pm & 7.30pm shows
www.courttheatre.org.nz or call 0800 333 100
$49 Adults $44 Senior/Groups of 6+ (*Note bookings may incur a fee)
For more information, please contact Iain Cave Ph. 027 2077105 iain@aliharper.co.nz
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