Oct. 4, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EDITORIAL CONTACT: LISA WOSKE
(805) 756-7110
TICKETS: (805) 756-2787
Cabaret Pianist Dale Gonyea Comes to Cal Poly Oct. 21, 22
SAN LUIS OBISPO -- Cabaret comic/classical pianist Dale Gonyea is coming to the Christopher Cohan Center Pavilion in a special three-show engagement, presented by Cal Poly Arts. His cabaret revue is entitled, “Songs My Next Door Neighbor Knows By Heart.”
“Dale Gonyea is a one-man smash hit musical revue. A superior talent…Heir to the piano-comedy throne! Carnegie Hall deserves him. He would light up – and lighten up – the joint!” (Los Angeles Times)
As the originally-scheduled 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. shows on Saturday, October 22 have only limited seating still available, Cal Poly Arts announced a special added performance on Friday, October 21 at 8 p.m. in the Christopher Cohan Center Pavilion.
The cabaret style venue is a new venture for Cal Poly Arts: held in the intimate setting of the PAC Pavilion, Dale Gonyea will entertain with his urban wit and inspired shtick while patrons are seated at tables, enjoying light refreshments and desserts available for purchase, with a special selection of beverages, beer, wine, and champagne.
The San Francisco Chronicle calls Gonyea “a commanding pianist, highly imaginative, and exceptionally clever with words, he is amusing, deft, and refreshing!”
What’s On In London agreed: “They laughed when he sat down at the piano and by the time he’d finished, they were close to hysteria! Achingly funny!”
Gonyea’s self-penned bio explains that “at the age of five, Dale Gonyea got up very early one morning and, without a single lesson, spontaneously began playing the piano. His parents were astonished because they did not, in fact, have a piano. His parents decided he needed therapy or music lessons. Therapy was expensive. They bought a piano and a career was born.”
Gonyea is a University of Michigan music graduate who now uses the piano as the springboard for his unique humor. He is an Emmy winner, a Clio nominee, and his song-spoof, “I Need Your Help, Barry Manilow,” was Grammy-nominated for Comedy Record of the Year.
He has written numerous songs for Disney and his Cher parody was featured in the hit show, “Catskills on Broadway.”
Gonyea’s hit comedy album, “Songs My Next Door Neighbor
Knows By Heart,”
has become part of his solo theatre repertoire, which also includes
“A Twelve O’Clock Guy in a Nine O’Clock Town”
and “An American in Pasadena.”
Television appearances include “Evening at the Improv,” “HBO Young Comedians,” “TV’s Bloopers and Practical Jokes,” and as a special musical reporter on “Entertainment Tonight.”
Tickets for the performance are $38, with student discounts available.
Seating is reserved at designated tables, and drink and food tickets
will be available for additional purchase on site.
Tickets for all performances may be purchased at the Performing Arts Ticket Office, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. To order by phone, call 805/756-2787; to order by fax: (805) 756-6088. Order on-line at www.pacslo.org.
Sponsored by Jules and Brenda Hock. For audio and video samples of Cal Poly Arts events, visit www.calpolyarts.org.
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