By Sandi Durell
Legend of the jazz age – Ada ‘Bricktop’ Smith, a singer-dancer born in Alderson, WV, rose to fame as a nightclub owner and opened Chez Bricktop in Paris in 1926. She became the darling of Paris nightlife, the toast of Jazz Age Paris, and was nicknamed “Doyenne of Café Society.” And it’s New York City’s Gabrielle Lee who will take on the role of Bricktop at the Greenbrier Valley Theatre in this world premiere, written by Cathey Sawyer.
Lee’s voice can be heard on the Broadway bound “Angels the Musical” on Broadway Records. She was seen recently in Meadow Brook Theater’s The All Night Strut. Lee is a Eugene O’Neill Theater Center Cabaret Scholar recipient. Other credits include:
Once On This Island, Dreamgirls, Beehive, Smokey Joe’s Café, Showboat, Man of La Mancha, Little Shop of Horrors. She’s appeared in concert with the New York Pops, Cab Calloway Orchestras, Ray Charles Orchestras, Harry Belafonte Live-Alumni Assoc.
Greenbrier Valley Theatre is located in beautiful historic downtown Lewisburg – one of America’s coolest small towns, where the State Professional Theatre of West Virginia is committed to create live, professional quality theatre.
Bricktop – Begins October 26 in a Limited Engagement at GVT. Tickets/information: 304-645-3838 www.gvtheatre.org
