THE LOWELL SUN – Lowell’s own Jerry Bisantz dons his emcee cap on Friday, Nov. 6, to headline “Lyrically Speaking,” a cabaret fundraiser for The Regent Theatre in Arlington. The theater is near and dear to Bisantz, who has done many shows there, including “God Help Us!” in 2019 with the legendary Ed Asner.
Bisantz, the multitalented actor-playwright-director and artistic director/co-founder of Image Theater, headlines an equally gifted group of performers to aid the local playhouse, which, like many theaters nationwide, is struggling due to the pandemic.
The cast includes Gail Phaneuf, who was born and raised in Chelmsford. An actress, playwright and musical composer, Phaneuf has written two hit shows — “Monsters: The Musical” and “The Love Note,” which was performed off-Broadway.
Also performing is Gordon Michaels, a Boston Conservatory of Music grad who was in the film “Fame” and sang backup to the Platters on tour. He has also sung with the likes of Patti LaBelle, James Taylor and Natalie Cole.
Other performers include Patti Hathaway, Bill Spera, Katie Connor, Dorothy Miller, Phil Tayler and Jim Keating.
“Michael Larson is our accompanist, and Dorothy Miller, his wife, is a talented chanteuse,” Bisantz said. “Bill and Katie are an awesome team that we featured one time at Image.”
Even though he is emceeing, Bisantz will perform three songs, including a duet with Tayler from the musical “City of Angels.” It will live-stream at 7:30 p.m., at www.regenttheatre.com.
“People can view it on their computers, and if they enjoy what they see — and I know they will — they can hit the ‘donate’ button to keep this wonderful theater alive,” said Bisantz.
By Nancye Tuttle
