

From remaining are Tom Orr as Pete Bartel, and Jill Keating as Keely Stevens in “Pete ‘n’ Keely.” The musicians are keyboardist Drew Minton, drummer Brian McDougal, and bassist Lily Zappie.
P-J picture by Michael Zabrodsky

MAYVILLE – Throughout the summer season months, patrons may perhaps be really hard-pressed to discover musical theater done in venues all over Chautauqua Lake.
John Keating would like to alter that as he has a new leisure selection. It’s kind of like a summer season stock program.
Not too long ago, he sat down with Ben Webb, president of Webb’s, and with each other they arrived up with a approach for musical theater performances, and Keating became the handling director of Jim and Sally Webb’s Executing Arts Series inaugural period at Webb’s Captain’s Table Cafe, 115 West Lake Road-Route 394, Mayville.
“But here’s summer time, with 1000’s of individuals coming, and we just thought it was an leisure option that really should be attractive,” Keating claimed.
The very first demonstrate in the collection is “Pete ‘n’ Keely. The foundation of the musical is in 1968 Pete Bartel and Keely Stevens reunite for a dwell Tv set specific reliving their illustrious musical career on Television in Las Vegas showrooms, and at the top rated of the Hit Parade. The only catch is that they have not spoken to just about every other since their major separation at Caesar’s Palace quite a few decades ago. The reserve is by James Hindman, original new music by Patrick S. Brady, and authentic lyrics by Mark Waldrop, Brady and some others.
“So we then imagined, properly, it is summer months. And then we equally agreed that we required a little something that would be quick, and you just go and have a great time. And you can generally say ‘that was a great evening,’” Keating added.
Keating is no stranger to musical theater.
A retired history instructor from Sherman Central College, Keating is recognized for composing books for various musicals. He spent several weekends commuting between his Mayville residence and Pittsburgh. In the Pittsburgh he joined the Musical Theatre Artists of Pittsburgh (MTAP) and immediately grew to become identified for his numerous theatrical talents, he reported.
In 2022 his off-Broadway musical “Just Past Balboa” was chosen by The Theater Middle, in New York Town, for its incubator system where there was a staged looking through.
Keating mentioned that some Broadway performances are subject matter-significant, and that is not his vision. He would like to hold it mild, gentle quick and basic.
“Pete ‘n’ Keely is just 3 roles: Pete, Keely and a stage supervisor. There is also a a few-piece band to accompany the functionality.
Keating’s vision is in the tradition of musical theater and summertime inventory with comedy, dancing ladies, goofy skits and dumb lyrics.
“And you wander away and say, ‘I felt great,’ and stroll out with a smile on your confront. So that was the purpose. Which is what we’re seeking to create, and to fill form of a void,” he included.
The solid involves Jill Keating as Keely Stevens, Tom Orr as Pete Bartel, and Brandon Milanowski as the stage supervisor.
Jill Keating has carried out in “Jane Eyre” with the Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre at the Mr. Rogers Studio. She has danced with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and was selected for the nation tour of “Big River” by Roger Miller. She taught for the Chautauqua Dance Section.
Orr is an professional actor, singer, author, producer and cabaret artist from Philadelphia. He has appeared at the Claridge Lodge On line casino in Atlantic Metropolis, N.J., Walnut Avenue Theater in Philadelphia, and Bucks County Playhouse in Pennsylvania.
Milanowski has appeared in “Pump Boys and Dinettes” at Jamestown Community College, and “Assassins” at the Ray Evens Seneca Theater in Salamanca.
The 3-piece band is keyboardist Drew Minton, a trainer at Sherman Central University drummer Brian McDougal from Chautauqua Lake Central Faculty and bassist Lily Zappie from Chautauqua Lake Central College.
The 90-moment performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8:15 p.m. For info about tickets remember to check out webbscapatainstable.com or simply call (716)753-3960.