Manilow’s music celebrated on stage

Jul 24 2008 by Emma Pinch, Liverpool Daily Post

Liverpool Empire Theatre _180

THEATRE impresario Bill Kenwright is to bring his new musical based on the life of Barry Manilow to the Liverpool stage.

Can’t Smile Without You will feature more than 30 hits from the lengthy back catalogue of the Copacabana singer set to a musical love story, which, though not based on his life, comes with his endorsement.

Kenwright’s latest offering builds on the resounding success he had at the Empire with Blood Brothers, Joseph and Evita. Hard on the heels of its arrival will be another Kenwright production, Cabaret.

Running from September 15, Can’t Smile Without You tells the story of a young band whose lead singer, Tony, is offered the chance to star in a new TV show to find the next pop music sensation when they visit New York.

But before Tony can realise his dream, he is caught up in a tragic sequence of events which leaves him fighting for his life, with no memory and his dreams in tatters. His only hope lies in the power of music and his feelings for a girl he once knew called Mandy . . .

Hit songs featured include Could it be Magic, It’s a Miracle, I Write the Songs, Mandy, I Made It Through the Rain, Tryin’ to Get the Feeling Again, as well as Can’t Smile Without You.

Cabaret, running from September 21-27, comes from the creators of Chicago and has already attracted glowing reviews.

Since its Broadway premiere in 1966 and the famous movie version with Liza Minnelli, Michael York and Joel Grey, Cabaret has won a staggering number of stage and screen awards including eight Oscars, seven BAFTAs and 13 Tonys.

* CAN’T Smile Without You runs from September 15-20, 2008, Monday to Saturday, 7.30pm, Wednesday and Saturday, 2.30pm matinee, at the Empire.

Cabaret runs from September 22-27, Monday to Saturday, 7.30pm, Wednesday and Saturday, 2.30pm matinee. Tickets for both cost from £8.50 plus booking fee from the box office on 0844 847 2525.

emma.pinch@dailypost.co.uk