Jun 28, 2002 4 min read

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh CLO will present the story of America’s original “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” George M. Cohan, with the patriotic musical masterpiece “George M!” Tuesday through Sunday, July 2-7, at the Benedum Center. After years of humming his catchy tunes, audiences can discover the passion and personality of the extraordinary man behind the music – George M. Cohan in this musical classic. Considered “Broadway-Renaissance Man,” Cohan started his entertainment career during the turn of the century with a family act on the vaudeville stage.

Shortly after “The Four Cohans” broke up, Cohan set off for Broadway.

For the next 26 years, he created the greatest Broadway legacy ever attributed to one man.

His musical genius was rooted in his enthusiasm, his love for his art and his adoration for his country. Along with a cast of colorful characters, “George M!” takes the audience back to when American flags were always the grandest, girls were the sweetest and pals were the truest.

This stars and stripes extravaganza will feature numerous George M. Cohan classics including, “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” “Give My Regards to Broadway” and “Over There.”

Kirby Ward will make his Pittsburgh CLO debut as George M. Cohan. New York audiences have seen him as Frank Schultz in Hal Prince’s “Show Boat!,” as Harvey in the revival cast of “Coconuts,” as David in “Company” and as Arnolph in “School for Wives” at the Helen Hayes Performing Arts. On television, he has appeared on “Law and Order, Special Victims Unit” and “General Hospital.” Ward’s film appearances include “For The Boys,” “Pennies From Heaven” and “S.O.B.”

Nancy Lemenager (Agnes) returns to the CLO stage after her critically acclaimed portrayal of Amy in “Company” during the 2001 Summer Season and as Erma in the 2000 production of “Anything Goes.” Lemenager has also appeared in the original Broadway companies of “Kiss Me, Kate,” “Dream,” “How to Succeed…,” “Guys and Dolls” and “Meet Me in St. Louis.”

Dirk Lumbard has been cast in the role of George Cohan’s father, Jerry Cohan. Lumbard recently completed a run as Applegate in “Damn Yankees” at the Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre in Chicago. Prior to that, he stood-by for and performed the role of Harold Hill in the recent Broadway production of “The Music Man.”

Karen Prunzik will lend her talents to the role of George Cohan’s mother, Nellie. She previously appeared as Josie in Pittsburgh CLO’s 1985 production of “George M!” CLO audiences will also recognize her from her performance in “Show Boat.”

Also joining the cast are Lauri Landry (Fay Templeton) who was last seen on Broadway in the original company of “The Scarlet Pimpernel” and Beverly Ward (Josie Cohan) who was recently seen in the national tours of “Show Boat” and “Crazy For You.” Tony-nominated actress Loraine Serabian, who is currently appearing as Yente in Pittsburgh CLO’s “Fiddler on the Roof,” will take on the role of Ma Templeton. CLO veteran Daniel Krell (Behman/Harris) will once again entertain Pittsburgh audiences after his recent performance in “Fiddler on the Roof” and last year’s “Brigadoon” and “Bells Are Ringing.”

Tickets are on sale now online at www.pittsburghCLO.org, at the Benedum Center box office or by calling 412-456-6666.

Single ticket prices range from $12 to $44.

Groups of 20 or more should call the Group Sales Hotline at 412-263-2560 to enjoy special discounts.

For a special holiday treat, patrons are invited to kick-off their Fourth of July celebration with an early 7 p.m. performance of “George M!.”

Audience members can come to town early, get a great parking space, see the show and stay for a spectacular fireworks display at The Point.

In addition to “George M.!”, Pittsburgh CLO will present four more impressive productions during the 2002 Summer Season. These include “Guys and Dolls” (July 9-21), “Jekyll & Hyde” (July 23-28) and “The Wizard of Oz” (July 30-Aug. 4) For more information about Pittsburgh CLO, log on to the Web site at www.pittsburghCLO.org.