Uniquely American art forms are created by dedicated pioneers. In keeping with that tradition, The Cutler Majestic Theatre at Emerson College will present The Master Series of American Performance - four events celebrating the American masters who have shaped our lives.

This unique series features Frank Ferrante in "Groucho: A Life In Revue" (October 20 -24, 2004), "Christmas From Dublin Starring The Three Irish Tenors," Ciaran Nagle, Anthony Norton, and Paul Byrom (December 1 - 4, 2004), "The Magic of Motown" featuring The Supremes with Mary Wilson and The Temptations Review with Dennis Edwards (February 26 and 27, 2005), and "This Land Is Your Land: An American Song Book" hosted by Glenn Yarbrough and featuring The Kingston Trio, Glenn Yarbrough and The Folk Reunion, and The Brothers Four (April 2 and 3, 2005).

GROUCHO:
A LIFE IN REVUE
Variety called it "a tour de force performance." Original New York and London star Frank Ferrante reprises his role as Groucho from age 15 to 85 for five performances only, Wednesday, October 20, through Sunday, October 24.

Written by Arthur Marx and Robert Fisher, this award-winning musical entertainment captures the Marx Brothers' outrageous verbal and physical humor, along with their funniest songs, dialogue and ad-libs.

The show relives the memories of Groucho, Harpo and Chico, "Animal Crackers," (The Marx Brothers themselves actually played the Cutler Majestic in "Animal Crackers,") "You Bet Your Life," horns honking, eyebrows raising, piano key shooting, harp strumming and chorus girls dancing. "A Life In Revue" co-stars Roy Abrahsohn as Harpo and Chico Marx and Marguerite Lowell as the women in the Marx's' lives.

CHRISTMAS FROM DUBLIN
STARRING THE THREE IRISH TENORS
A genuine Irish Christmas arrives Wednesday, December 1, through Saturday, December 4. "Christmas from Dublin Starring The Three Irish Tenors" features Ciaran Nagle from "Riverdance," Anthony Norton from La Scala Milan and Paul Byrom, the John McCormick Tenor of the Year 2001.  Joining The Three Irish Tenors will be an ensemble of musicians as well as special guest Jacqueline Whelan, one of Irelands most recognized sopranos, who will accompany herself on the traditional Irish harp.  The performance will be filled with songs of the season such as "The Little Drummer Boy," "Adeste Fideles," "Silent Night," "Saviour's Day" and "O Holy Night."

THE MAGIC OF MOTOWN
WITH THE TEMPTATIONS REVIEW FEATURING DENNIS EDWARDS
THE SUPREMES STARRING MARY WILSON
Celebrate real R&B -- the American Rhythm and Blues legacy and the great master soul artists of our generation in "The Magic of Motown," Saturday, February 26, and Sunday, February 27, 2005.

In Detroit during the early 1960s, Motown Records was determined to break through the color barrier and make music that appealed to all Americans.  The Primes and The Primettes evolved into The Temptations and The Supremes. Together they created the rhythm of our lives as well as the longest string of #1 hits. Today original members still tour together, performing more than 100 shows each year, as "The Supremes Starring Mary Wilson" and "The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards." 

THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND: AN AMERICAN SONGBOOK
FEATURING THE KINGSTON TRIO, THE BROTHERS FOUR,
GLENN YARBROUGH & THE FOLK REUNION
In a celebration of the American folk music legacy and the great musical storytellers of the Sixties generation, "This Land Is Your Land: An American Songbook" will feature three original folk groups: The Kingston Trio, The Brothers Four and Glenn Yarbrough & The Folk Reunion, and a collection of their hit songs in a one-of-a-kind evening. Glenn Yarbrough will host this fully staged production. Along the way, audiences will be treated to such hits as "Greenfields," "If I Had A Hammer," "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?," "There's A Meetin'¨ Here Tonight," "Tom Dooley," "Try To Remember," "Charlie On The MTA," and much more.  And, of course, the evening wouldn't be complete without the rousing finale, "This Land Is Your Land!" Performances are Saturday, April 2, 2005, and Sunday, April 3, 2005.

The Cutler Majestic Theatre at Emerson College is located at 219 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, 02116. 

For Master Series subscriptions, single tickets and general information call Telecharge.com at 1-800-233-3123 or visit www.maj.org/masters.

-- OnStage Boston

8/12/04