EXTRAS: ONE NIGHT ONLY CABARET BENEFIT 'HELP IS ON THE WAY'

Sheryl Lee Ralph Original Dreamgirl

ORIGINAL DREAMGIRL WILL JOIN CURRENT CAST OF ‘ONE NIGHT ONLY CAST AT MARINES MEMORIAL THEATRE SEPT. 20, 7:30 PM.

Original ‘Dreamgirl’ Sheryl Lee Ralph has done it all. Everything from film, T.V. and the Broadway stage. She originated the role of Deena Jones on Broadway. That got her both a Tony and Drama Desk Award Nomination for Best Actress.

“My Career has been a busy one”, she said.  “There was T.V. – “It’s a Living”, “Designing Women” and many other T.V. shows.”

In the movies you may remember her in “Sister Act II” with Whoopi Goldberg. She has also been in movies with Denzel Washington, Robert DeNiro, Eddie Murphy and Danny Glover.

Ralph also has Children. And while I talked with her on the phone – she kept running back and forth to see what her kids were up to. “They make me laugh so much. They are a handful” – she said. SLR is a really nice person. “She said about her children: “Love is the greatest gift to be given and shared.”

Ralph promises to give out a lot of that love at the “HELP IS ON THE WAY” show at the Marines Memorial Theatre. And what is really going to be fun – is that she might even sing with the current “Dreamgirls” who are now performing at the Curran. Of Course – none of the “Dreams” will sing any songs from “Dreamgirls” – their contract doesn’t allow it.  I asked Cheryl what she might sing: “I really haven’t made up my mind yet,” - she said. So – it’s going to be a surprise.

At the “Help Is On The Way” -- Cast members chose their own songs.  And there will be some thrilling and exciting voices on that stage. For instance – there is the mysterious, sexy voiced Tim Hockenberry – the fabulous Jason Brock and Syesha Mercardo from American Idol. This is going to be a high-energy music, dance and comedy night that you won’t forget.

The One Night only Show raises funds to benefit The Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights ÅIDS. And this is a cause that Sheryl Lee Ralph cares deeply about. She has always been there to fight AIDS.

THIS JUST CAME IN FROM KEN HENDERSON: “A number of people have told us that they’d love to come to our “One Night Only with the cast of “Dreamgirls” but that money is just too tight right now. To help out – we are offering $25 balcony Tickets for just $15 -- -- a $10 savings while those tickets last. To take advantage of this off, just call our box office manager at 415-282-5492 and ask for the Recession Special. We want everyone too see this show Ken told me. 

KATE CLINTON -- "LADY HA HA" WILL BE AT THE MARINES MEMORIAL (Presented by the Rrazz Room) on Sat. 25, 8pm. Hot Tix are flying out of the Box Office. 

Soon: 'Banana Shpeel' (Cirque du Soleil) will slip around at the Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco on Sunday, Oc.t 17 - 7:30 PM.  

Ånother Dreamgirl - Mary Wilson will be singing at the Rrazz Room this month. Check out times and date at: www.rrazzroom.com. 

(((Lee Hartgrave has contributed many articles to the San Francisco Chronicle Sunday Datebook and Produced and Hosted a long-running Arts Segment on PBS KQED)))

-These updates are Courtesy of www.beyondchron.org. 

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