Making Ruby shine

With long black lashes fluttering shyly against ivory powdered skin

and ruby red lips, Bernadette C. Peters is getting ready to tap her

way right into your heart.

That’s Burbank’s very own 22-year-old Bernadette C. Peters who

will be taking on her first leading role as Ruby in “Dames At Sea” at

the Glendale Center Theatre until Oct. 8. The show is being produced

by third generation Theatre owner Tim Dietlein and his wife, Brenda,

with musical direction falling under the supervision of Steven

Applegate.

This spoof of the 1930s and ‘40s movie musicals is filled with

brilliant comedy, spectacular tap dancing and mesmerizing music as it

unfolds the tale of a young actress named Ruby, who becomes the

last-minute star of a new Broadway show. The glitch comes when the

cast finds out their theater is about to be demolished before they

open and they’re faced with finding a new venue and they end up on

the deck of a battleship.

The show ran in New York in 1968 as an off-Broadway production

starring, ironically, the now famous Bernadette Peters in the same

role of Ruby when she was just 17. Peters went on to gain celebrity

status for her film and television appearances, was a recipient of a

Tony Award and remains one of Broadways hottest commodities today.

“When I auditioned for this part I was just hoping to get the

role,” Bernadette C. Peters said of landing the same role that

launched the career of the famous Peters. “I wasn’t even thinking

about it then but it is very weird.”

Although she has acted in several other regional productions

around town including “Ragtime,” “Me and My Girl,” “The Sound of

Music” and “Guys and Dolls,” she said the one daunting task she faced

was learning how to work on a stage in the center of the theater

surrounded entirely by the audience.

“It’s been really tricky because we’d been rehearsing at the

theater’s scene shop and upstairs at the theater, switching back and

forth, but now after working on the stage here I’ve gotten used to it

and I’m having fun,” she said.

Joining her on stage will be an all-star cast including Chris

Ciccarelli (Dick), Donna Cherry (Mona), Theresa Anne Swain (Joan),

Robert Pieranunzi (Lucky) and Dink O’Neal (in the dual roll of

Hennesey and Captain) along with six extremely talented ensemble

members.

O’Neal is no stranger to this stage. Last year he starred in “Bye

Bye Birdie” and is thrilled to once again to be on board with this

year’s cast for “Dames At Sea.”

“I did this show nine years ago when I was 13 or 14 in Houston at the Theatre Under The Stars and it’s great to have the opportunity to

do it once again,” O’Neal said. “Working with this group has been a

lot of fun and of course telling people that Bernadette Peters is in

the cast is kind of fun even though it’s not the one they’re thinking

of.”

Broadway actress Donna Cherry spends most of her time on stage at

the Comedy Store in Hollywood and in the studio recording the voice

of Jay Jay the Jet Plane (PBS Kids) and Tutenstein on NBC. This

hard-working mother of two said she’s having fun with her role as

Mona and has found peace with working in the round.

“It’s a lot of fun but it’s a lot of work,” Cherry said. “Everyone

has been delightful to work with, the girls are just precious and the

guys have been great, especially my leading man, Dink.”

Choreographer Mark Knowles, author of two books on tap-dancing,

has spread his teaching talents locally and abroad over the last 17

years and has worked with many infamous groups including the

Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

“This is my ninth or 10th show at the Center Theatre but this is

the first tap show I’m doing here so it’s very exciting,” Knowles

said. “It’s a real rapid-fire show and there’s lot’s of choreography

but it wasn’t difficult because the cast is very enthusiastic and

very talented.”

Actor-turned-director Michael Sterling calls this cast remarkably

dedicated and a bit like striking gold. Even during rehearsals held

at the Center Theatre’s scene-making shop in Glendale with no air

conditioning and temperatures soaring over the 100-degree mark, the

group worked diligently to successfully perfect their roles with no

complaints.

“It’s probably one of the nicest groups I’ve ever directed and

it’s very much an ensemble,” Sterling said. “These actors are all top

notch, they’re trained in every aspect from dance to voice to

acting.”

As to Bernadette C. Peters getting the part of Ruby, Sterling said

her name had no influence on him.

“When she walked in and told me her name I admit I was a little

shocked,” Sterling said. “But it was her talent and voice, which is

so unusual, that led to my decision to cast her.

“She has so much going on emotionally as a singer and actress and

performer, she’s a triple threat so to speak.”

FYI

WHAT: “Dames at Sea” Aug. 31-Oct. 8

WHERE: Glendale Center Theatre, 324 N. Orange St., Glendale

WHEN: 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, 3 p.m. Saturday matinees

TICKETS: $18 Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday matinees, $21 Friday

and Saturday evenings, $17 Senior Discount Wednesday evenings and

Saturday matinee, group rates available.

CONTACT: (818) 244-8481 or www.glendalecentertheatre.com