Local women combine efforts to offer fun-filled month of theater

Three Canton women are combining their efforts to create a fun-filled month of theater. Julie Beckham, managing director of Riverside Theatre Works in Hyde Park, and Ellen Orkin and Melissa Mayer, co-founders of Canton-based e&m promotions (www.eandmpromotions.com), are collaborating to make March’s Cabaret Month at Riverside Theatre Works come in like a lion!

(L-R) Melissa Mayer, Julie Beckham and Ellen Orkin

Beckham, former owner of The Greater Boston Drama Studio in Canton, grew up in Canton as did e&m promotions co-founder Mayer. The two have been friends since childhood but never anticipated working together.

“Basically I convinced Julie to sing at a Temple Beth Abraham fundraiser, then she convinced me to come and see a show at Riverside and here we are,” Mayer said of how this collaboration began.

“I’ve loved the theater since I was a child,” Orkin added. “So it’s a perfect match being able to combine my expertise with a passion of mine and help promote this wonderful institution.”

Mayer and Orkin are also promoting cabaret artist Lisa Yves, who among other things, performs a Bette Midler Tribute with a band complete with back-up singers.

“The show is so impressive. I thought, ‘This has to be a part of Cabaret Month at Riverside,’” Beckham said.

Yves’ Bette Midler Tribute every Thursday in March is only one of many acts at Riverside Theatre Works this month. 

For the whole month of March, Riverside converts its theater into a cabaret venue. Round tables, a lounge with a full bar and professional singers complete the atmosphere. The mainstay of Cabaret Month each year is a revue of songs from shows that won’t hit the main stage at Riverside. This year’s cabaret performance, “The Other Side of Riverside,” is directed by Beckham and features music from “Avenue Q,” Miss Saigon,” “Phantom of the Opera” and more.

“All of my friends and family know they won’t see me in March because it’s Cabaret Month,” Beckham said. “There is just so much going on at the theater.” Besides the Bette Midler Tribute and “The Other Side of Riverside,” there are student cabarets, an adult open-mic night, and a faculty cabaret.

A major part of this collaboration is e&m promotions’ efforts in reaching an untapped audience — those who might not typically go to the theater or to Hyde Park, for that matter. “It’s an amazing space, full of opportunity,” Mayer said of Riverside. “And the neighborhood is really developing — there are great restaurants, it’s safe and so much closer than you imagine it to be — less than 15 minutes from Canton!”

Riverside Theatre Works is celebrating its 30th anniversary this fall. In addition to producing six major shows a year, Riverside offers theater, music and dance classes to students ages 4 to adult. “I wish I had known about this place when I was a kid,” Mayer said. “It really is amazing!”

For tickets or information call 617-361-5269, visit www.rtwboston.org or email Julie Beckham at julieb@rtwboston.org.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Mar 4 2010. Filed under Features, News. Both comments and pings are currently closed.