ATTLEBORO, Ma. -- From its competing, turn of the
century Vaudeville theatres to its penchant for attracting entertainment
giants from Duke Ellington to Lionel Richie, there’s no doubt that the
small industrial city of Attleboro, Ma. has long been a town with stars
in its eyes.
Attleboro even made its own contributions to
Hollywood and the recording industry in the form of 1950s hitmaker Ray
Conniff, an Attleboro native who won a Grammy and sold nearly 80 million
albums. Another native son, actor Robert Rounseville, was the original
Candide in Leonard Bernstein’s operetta and starred on stage and in the
movies in “Carousel” and “Man of La Mancha.”
On March 21, newsman-musician Rick Foster and the
Stage Door Quartet relive the Jewelry City’s unique stage and screen
heritage in a multimedia-live band presentation “Show Business” at the
Attleboro Area Industrial Museum hosted by the Attleboro Historic
Preservation Society. The program, billed as a “documusical” , is funded
by a grant from the Attleboro Cultural Council.
“Show business” includes a band performing music
associated with local showbiz personalities as well as visiting greats.
Foster also explores Conniff’s role in helping to create iconic hits
like “Singin The Blues” for Guy Mitchell,” “A White Sport Coat and a
Pink Carnation” for Marty Robbins and “Chances Are” for Johnny Mathis.
In 1966, Conniff won a Grammy Award for “Lara’s Theme,” the title tune
from the film “Doctor Zhivago.”
Showtime for “Show Business” is 7 p.m. March 21 at
the Attleboro Area Industrial Museum, 42 Union St., Attleboro, Ma.
Admission is free but seating is limited.
