Steve Silver's Beach Blanket Babylon the Longest Running Musical Revue in U.S. History Commemorates Its 30th Anniversary by ``Celebrating the Arts!''.Entertainment Editors SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 19, 2004 Honoring the legacy of creator Steve Silver with over $400,000 in donations to Bay Area arts organizations Steve Silver's legacy of philanthropy continues as Beach Blanket Babylon, the nation's longest running musical revue, commemorates its 30th year in June with special gala performances at Club Fugazi for Bay Area arts organizations, including the American Conservatory Theater American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) is a theater company in San Francisco, California, that offers both contemporary and classical theater productions and a wide range of classes. , San Francisco Ballet San Francisco Ballet, or SFB, is a San Francisco, USA based ballet company, founded in 1933 as part of San Francisco Opera Ballet. The company is currently based in the War Memorial Opera House, where it is directed by Helgi Tomasson. , San Francisco Opera San Francisco Opera (SFO) is the second largest opera company in North America. It was founded in 1923 by Gaetano Merola (1881-1953). The Opening Night Gala of the San Francisco Opera is widely considered to be one of the most memorable events of the year for opera patrons. and San Francisco Symphony  This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling.You can assist by [ editing it] now. , who each will receive $100,000 as part of the celebration. "We are thrilled to be celebrating the arts by donating over $400,000 on behalf of the Steve Silver Foundation and Beach Blanket Babylon to some of the most vital arts organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area “Bay Area” redirects here. For other uses, see Bay Area (disambiguation). The San Francisco Bay Area, colloquially known as the Bay Area or The Bay ," announced producer Jo Schuman Silver. "Steve was a huge supporter of the arts, and I am honored to be able to continue his legacy by giving back to the community." In traditional Beach Blanket Babylon style, the honorary performances will include special custom songs for each of the benefiting organizations and, like the 20th and 25th Anniversaries, will feature surprise celebrity guest-appearances. "On behalf of the San Francisco Symphony, we are thrilled to be a part of Beach Blanket Babylon's 30th Anniversary," said Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas Michael Tilson Thomas (b. December 21, 1944), aka MTT, is an American conductor, pianist and composer who directs the San Francisco Symphony. Biography Family and education . A.C.T. Artistic Director Carey Perloff stated, "We are overwhelmed by this gift and show of support from one San Francisco San Francisco (săn frănsĭs`kō), city (1990 pop. 723,959), coextensive with San Francisco co., W Calif., on the tip of a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, which are connected by the strait known as the Golden institution to another." "San Francisco Ballet is very grateful to Beach Blanket Babylon, not only for their generosity but for their continual support and dedication to the arts," said SF Ballet Artistic Director Helgi Tomasson Helgi Tomasson (Reykjavík, 1942) Artistic Director of San Francisco Ballet, choreographer, former dancer. Introduction Helgi Tomasson is the current Artistic Director of San Francisco Ballet. . "It's an honor and a privilege to celebrate three decades of a uniquely San Franciscan tradition that brings music and laughter to our city. We thank them for generously including the Opera in their support of the arts," said SF Opera General Director Pamela Rosenberg. In addition, Berkeley Repertory Theatre repertory theatre Production of several different plays in a single season by a resident acting company. The plays chosen may be classic works by famous dramatists or new works by emerging playwrights, and the companies that perform them often serve as a training ground for , Marin Theatre Company, and San Jose Repertory Theatre The San Jose Repertory Theatre (or San Jose Rep, SJ Rep or, locally, just the Rep) was founded in 1980 as the first resident professional theatre company in San Jose, California, and is currently the largest non-profit, professional theatre company in the will also be honored and receive checks for $10,000 at performances in June. Beach Blanket Babylon premiered at the Savoy Tivoli in San Francisco's North Beach on June 7, 1974. What began as a group of Silver's friends in zany costumes performing on the streets of San Francisco has become a wildly successful, internationally acclaimed San Francisco institution, enjoyed by almost 4.5 million people. Thirty years later, the show continues to captivate and dazzle audiences with its hilarious spoofs of pop culture, spectacular costumes, outrageously gigantic hats and one show-stopping number after another. Beach Blanket Babylon follows Snow White as she takes a fast-paced musical journey around the world in search of her "Prince Charming Prince Charming handsome suitor fulfills a maiden’s dreams. [Fr. Fairy Tale: Cinderella] See : Love, Victorious ," encountering a star-studded, ever-changing line-up of hilarious pop-culture characters along the way, including Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger (German pronunciation (IPA): [ˈaɐ̯nɔlt ˈaloɪ̯s ˈʃvaɐ̯ʦənˌʔɛɡɐ] , Paris Hilton  Editing of this page by unregistered or newly registered users is currently disabled due to vandalism. , Jennifer Lopez, The Beatles, Rush Limbaugh, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jackson, Martha Stewart, Britney Spears, Elvis, George W. Bush and the guys from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy to name just a few. Beach Blanket Babylon has become a record-breaking success because of the creative genius of Steve Silver, whose vision continues to influence the constantly evolving, always fresh and witty show. Through the leadership and creative direction of producer Jo Schuman Silver the show continues to "wow" audiences from around the world by keeping in step with world and pop-culture events. The special gala performances of Beach Blanket Babylon will take place June 4-7, 2004 at Club Fugazi, 678 Beach Blanket Babylon Blvd. (Green St.) in the heart of North Beach, San Francisco. Tickets for these performances will range in price from $75 - $250 and will go on sale to the general public in mid-April. For ticket information on all June benefit performances, please call 415-421-4222 or visit www.beachblanketbabylon.com. ABOUT BEACH BLANKET BABYLON Celebrating its 30th year, Steve Silver's internationally acclaimed Beach Blanket Babylon is the longest running musical revue in theater history. This musical spoof of pop-culture with its extravagant costumes and outrageous hats was created by the genius of Steve Silver, whose vision continues under the creative direction of producer Jo Schuman Silver. Beach Blanket Babylon started as a group of Steve Silver's friends performing on the streets of San Francisco and eventually moved to the Savoy Tivoli in North Beach in June 1974. The show became so popular that it moved to a larger theater at Club Fugazi, a North Beach Landmark, which became its permanent home. As of December 31st, 2003, Beach Blanket Babylon celebrated its 11,000th performance. Highlights of Beach Blanket Babylon's eventful history include a performance before Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, an invitation to the White House by President Reagan, a successful 18-month run in Las Vegas, an appearance with the San Francisco Opera (with the largest hat ever to appear on stage) and an appearance on the Academy Awards. The prestigious de Young Museum presented an 11-week exhibition, "Beach Blanket Babylon - 15 Years of Hats and Costumes," curated by Steve Silver. On May 24, 1994, Steve Silver celebrated the 20th Anniversary of Beach Blanket Babylon at the San Francisco Opera House with a sold-out gala charity performance benefiting the San Francisco Main Library and the AIDS Memorial Grove The AIDS Memorial Grove in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California, is dedicated to individuals who have died as a result of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is also in support of those who are living with AIDS and their loved ones and caregivers. . Each organization received $100,000. Beach Blanket Babylon also participated in the UN 50th celebration, as well as the grand re-opening of the San Francisco Main Library (1996) which houses the Steve Silver Beach Blanket Babylon Music Center. Later that year, the city of San Francisco
In 1997, Beach Blanket Babylon became the first American production ever presented at the BBC BBC in full British Broadcasting Corp. Publicly financed broadcasting system in Britain. A private company at its founding in 1922, it was replaced by a public corporation under royal charter in 1927. Covent Garden Music Festival. In June of 1999, Beach Blanket Babylon celebrated its 25th Anniversary at Herbst Theatre and gave special benefit performances for 25 different Bay Area charities, each receiving $10,000. In 2002, The Steve Silver Foundation and Beach Blanket Babylon started a Scholarship for the Arts program for Bay Area high school students. To arrange an interview with Jo Schuman Silver or to request digital images, please contact Charles Zukow. |
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