Calendar Listing: April 5 (7:30pm & 10pm); April 6 (7:30pm)

Smokey Joe´s Café, Broadway´s longest running musical revue:

Next on Gainesville Theatre Alliance´s Discovery Series - FREE!

Gainesville, GA. - Who are Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller? When Smokey Joe´s Café hits Brenau University´s Hosch Theatre stage, April 5 and 6, you´ll realize that they were one of the most prolific songwriting teams over the last half century.

The hits they wrote and produced for Elvis Presley, Coasters, Drifters, Ben E. King, Stealers Wheel and Peggy Lee are well-loved classics that often defined the "sound" of these artists. Signature songs include "Hound Dog" and "Jailhouse Rock" for Elvis; "Stand By Me" and "I Who Have Nothin" for Ben E. King; "Yakity-Yak" and "Charlie Brown" for the Coasters; "Love Potion Number 9? for the Clovers; "There Goes My Baby" and "On Broadway" for the Drifters, as well as "Is That All There Is?" for Peggy Lee.

Part of Gainesville Theatre Alliance´s Discovery Series, Smokey Joe´s Café is directed by Brent Maddox, himself a graduate of Gainesville Theatre Alliance´s (GTA) joint theatre program with Brenau University and Gainesville State College. Maddox appeared recently as the Baker in GTA´s Into The Woods, and directed last season´s The Front Page. Maddox is now on faculty as voice and movement specialist.

The cast of 16, who will be singing and dancing their way through one spectacular number after another, includes: Tracy Moore, Stephanie Clouse, Allie Payton, Terah Talley, Jenny Dunn, Nicole Williams, Casey McLeroy, Jennifer Powell, Marissa Druzbanski, Caity Johnson, Tiffany Towns, Emily Rowland, Sloane Shaffer, Dan Collins, David Franklin, and Robby Owenby.

Choreographer Jen MacQueen has already started putting the cast through their paces. Although this is the first time MacQueen has worked with GTA, she has worked in New York City for a number of years, including at the prestigious La MaMa Theatre, and studied with such well-known dancers as Savion Glover and Gregory Hines. She also came highly recommended from her work in Atlanta with Theatre in the Square.

The three performances of Smokey Joe´s Café are free and the public is welcome. No reservations are necessary; donations are accepted at the door, which go to student scholarships. Performance times are April 5, at 7:30pm and 10pm; and April 6, at 7:30pm. Brenau University´s Hosch Theatre is located at 429 Academy Street, Gainesville 30501. If further information is required, the number to call is 678-717-3624.