Everything The Traffic Will Allow:
The Songs and Sass of Ethel Merman

This acclaimed show is Klea's loving tribute to the songs made famous by the legendary stage personality Ethel Merman. The concert highlights what is arguably the greatest body of show music ever written for a single performer featuring such songs as “I Got Rhythm” from Girl Crazy, “You're the Top/Blow Gabriel, Blow” from Anything Goes, and “There's No Business Like Show Business” from Annie Get Your Gun. Also present are Merman ballads such as, “Just a Moment Ago” from Happy Hunting and “I Got Lost in His Arms,” from Annie Get Your Gun. Merman aficionados will recognize “World Take Me Back,” an original song written especially for her from Hello, Dolly! that was cut when she chose not to do the original run of the show. When Merman finally agreed to play the title role of Dolly Levi on Broadway in 1970 for more than 200 performances, composer Jerry Herman returned the song to the show.

Everything The Traffic Will Allow is not a recreation of Ms. Merman, but a paean to the great Broadway legend and serves as a potent and happy reminder of Ethel Merman's sheer, undeniable importance to both the history of twentieth century entertainment and to the unbridled jubilation of show business at its best.

Everything the Traffic Will Allow
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Autumn in New York:
Vernon Duke's Broadway

Klea turns her passion for musical-theatre history towards the “checkered” (his own word!) Broadway career of composer Vernon Duke. Vernon Duke was the creator of such indisputable standards as “April in Paris” and “Autumn in New York,” although each was unfortunately nestled in a gargantuan flop—Walk a Little Faster and Thumbs Up! respectively. Duke's legacy as a Broadway composer ultimately rests on 1940's Cabin in the Sky, but there are countless musical treasures written throughout his career—songs from Banjo Eyes, starring Eddie Cantor and Dancing in the Streets, starring Mary Martin. “Infusing Duke's songs with oxygen” (NY Times), Klea performs forgotten gems as well as beloved Duke treasures. “Between her powerful pipes, intelligent and humorous patter, and sublime lyrical interpretations, this is one of those rare 'must rush-out-and-see' shows that you will kick yourself for missing.” (Talkin' Broadway.com).

Autumn in New York
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Master Classes
with Klea Blackhurst and Michael Rice

The following master classes can be arranged in conjunction with bookings at colleges and universities.

- Performance master class with Klea Blackhurst & Michael Rice
- Vocal production master class with Klea Blackhurst
- Accompanying master class with Michael Rice
- Arranging master class with Michael Rice
- String quartet and woodwind(s) rehearsed by Michael Rice to play the performance of Autumn in New York: Vernon Duke's Broadway

Master Classes
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