Kean Idol Christmas show takes stage Dec. 1

By Christine Bahr

If you’re looking for a festive and enjoyable way of kicking off the holiday season, the Kean Idol Christmas show should be placed at the top of your Christmas wish list.  Kean Idol, one of the largest amateur talent shows in the area, is presented each February and March at the Kean Theatre located in The Washington Place at St. Barnabas, 5847 Meridian Road, Richland Township.

For the first time, as many as 20 semi-finalist singers from the Kean Idol will reunite for a special concert and perform holiday classics.  The show is slated for 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Kean Theatre.  Tickets are $14, available by calling 724-444-5326 (KEAN) or by visiting www.keantheatre.com.  Proceeds benefit the St. Barnabas Free Care Fund, which provides assistance to poor and low-income residents at St. Barnabas Nursing Home, Valencia Woods at St. Barnabas and The Arbors at St. Barnabas.

“Kean Idol Christmas will be a great chance for the audience to see the amazing local talent who competed in Kean Idol,” said Tom Madden, managing director of the Kean Theatre [photo right].  “The Kean is committed to cultivating their talent.  Kean Idol Christmas will also give the singers a chance to perform together for fun.  Despite the rough and tumble nature of competition, many of the contestants became friends, and this is a great opportunity for them to get back on stage again.”

The 2007 Kean Idol winner, Madison Georgi of Allison Park, will be among those taking to the Kean stage again.  She’s looking forward to seeing fellow contestants.

“All in all, Kean Idol was an amazing experience,” Maddie said.  “I met so many great people that I know will one day be famous.  I can’t wait to buy their CDs.”

Maddie is now 15 years old and a 10th grader at Hampton High School.  In March, she captured the judges’ and audience’s votes by performing “Take My Hand,” a song she wrote in honor of her autistic brother, Jake.

Maddie’s victory came after years of refining her talents as a singer and competitor: She was one of 27 contestants to perform in the first Kean Idol in 2004 and returned to the competition each year. 

“The first Kean Idol took place when I was 11 years old,” Maddie said.  “There was only one round, one night, and about 20 contestants.  It’s amazing to see how much it has grown in the past four years.”

In 2008, Kean Idol is expected to attract more than 200 singers, dancers and musicians during competition in February, March and April.

The growth and success of Kean Idol mirrors the success of the Kean Theatre.  “The Baby Benedum,” as the Kean Theatre is sometimes called, opened in 2002. 

Johnny Angel & The Halos perform frequently at the Kean Theatre

Since then, the Kean has attracted performers such as Shirley Jones, the PovertyNeck Hillbillies, The Lettermen, and Johnny Angel and The Halos.  Aside from the top-notch concerts, the theatre is also known for its comedic and dramatic plays, performed by some of the region’s best actors.  Madden, who has 30 years of theatrical experience, serves as director and has a particular affinity for the works of Neil Simon.

“What’s fun about managing the Kean is that it offers something for everyone,” Madden said.  “We have our main stage productions that we book or produce ourselves.  As a community service, we have a free film series that is open to the public, Tuesdays@2 and Wednesdays@1.  And the Kean is available for rental by private groups.”

Annette Quinn and Tom Bickert are caught in the act as illicit lovers in Neil Simon's "Plaza Suite."

Regardless of the show, audience members enjoy an intimate setting of just 345 seats and elegant appointments that include brass chandeliers and sconces, wall-to-wall carpeting and plush seats.  There is never a fee for parking and the theatre staff provides VIP treatment to all guests.  Proceeds from all events support the St. Barnabas Free Care Fund.

In 2008, the Kean Theatre will begin partnering with Atria’s Restaurant & Tavern to offer dinner before each show.  Tickets to the 2008 performances are now available and make excellent Christmas gifts.  For reservations, call 724-444-5326 (KEAN), or visit www.keantheatre.com.

Back to top

2008 Kean Theatre Performance Schedule

UPMC Health Plan is the Oscar sponsor of the Kean Theatre.  Show times are 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre 4: “Santa Claus Capers” 

Friday, Jan. 25 and Saturday, Jan. 26.  7 p.m.  $28 for dinner (Mount Vernon Restaurant in The Washington Place at St. Barnabas) and show (Kean Theatre). 

Call now; seating is limited for the latest in a series of Kean Theatre director Tom Madden’s own spin on the ever-popular interactive murder mystery genre.

Kean Idol Amateur Talent Contest

Feb. 24, March 2, 8, 9, 30 and April 6 and 11.  $10.

Contestants are sought to compete in vocal, dance and instrumental portions of the popular amateur talent contest.  For information, call 724-443-0800, Ext. 5329 or visit www.keantheatre.com.

Neil Simon’s “Plaza Suite”

Feb. 8-9 & Feb. 15-16.  $19 show only, 8 p.m.  $37 Atria’s dinner & show, 6 p.m.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with these three, one-act comedies.  The comedic gem looks at three couples who spend the night in New York City’s Plaza Hotel.

Viva Broadway

Saturday, March 29. $29 show only, 8 p.m.  $47 Atria’s dinner & show, 6 p.m.

The world premier production – a glitzy revue – features songs from Broadway that have become Las Vegas standards.

Beth Henley’s “Crimes of the Heart”

April 18-19 & 25-26.  $19 show only, 8 p.m.  $37 Atria’s dinner & show, 6 p.m.

The three McGrath sisters reunite and are forced to deal with assorted relatives and past relationships.  The family puts the “fun” in dysfunctional!

Lee Alverson’s

“Legends of Rock & Roll”

Saturday, May 17.  $32 show only, 8 p.m.  $50 Atria’s dinner & show, 6 p.m.

The top Elton John tribute artist in the country performs at the Kean.

Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre 5

Friday, June 13 & Saturday, June 14.  7 p.m.  $28 for dinner (Mount Vernon Restaurant in The Washington Place at St. Barnabas) and show (Kean Theatre). 

The latest in an interactive series written by the Kean’s own funnily twisted director, Tom Madden.

The Fabulous Hubcaps

Friday, June 20.  $39 show only, 8 p.m.  $57 Atria’s dinner & show, 6 p.m.

Silly humor, costume changes and great Oldies music make this Kean regular sell-out quickly.

“Jukebox The Musical”

July 18-19 & 25-26.  $19 show only, 8 p.m.  $37 Atria’s dinner & show, 6 p.m.

The Kean’s second world premier for 2008 is a musical revue that takes a stroll back through the classic rock-and-roll tunes of the 1950s and ’60s along with great comedy, bygone dances and some funny moments.

Johnny Angel & The Halos

Saturday, Aug. 9.  $28 show only, 8 p.m.  $46 Atria’s dinner & show, 6 p.m.

See the region’s favorite Oldies act perform in the theatre Johnny Angel calls “home.”

“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”

September 19-20 & 26-27.  $19 show only, 8 p.m.  $37 Atria’s dinner & show, 6 p.m.

McMurphy is a roguish criminal who thinks he’s getting away with something when he gets himself committed to a mental institution rather than prison work detail.  However, iron-fisted Nurse Ratched has other plans for him in this funny, touching and exciting play.

Rat Pack Tribute Show

Saturday, Oct. 11.  $29 show only, 8 p.m.  $47 Atria’s dinner & show, 6 p.m.

Las Vegas’ favorites from yesteryear return to the Kean following last year’s sold-out performance.

“Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre 6” 

Friday, Oct. 24 & Saturday, Oct. 25  7 p.m.  $28 for dinner (Mount Vernon Restaurant in The Washington Place at St. Barnabas) and show (Kean Theatre). 

The latest in an interactive series written by the Kean’s own funnily twisted director, Tom Madden.

Steve Martin’s “The Underpants”

Nov. 14-15 & 21-22.  $19 show only, 8 p.m.  $37 Atria’s dinner & show, 6 p.m.

The nonstop hilarity begins in 1910 when a couple, Theo and Louise, attend a parade for the king.  At the parade, Louise … well … her underpants fall to the ground.  Louise becomes an overnight celebrity as numerous men begin showing up her house to rent a room. 

Johnny Angel & The Halos Christmas

Saturday, Dec. 6.  $32 show only, 8 p.m.  $50 Atria’s dinner & show, 6 p.m.

See the region’s favorite Oldies act perform their popular Christmas show in the theatre Johnny Angel calls “home.”  Tickets sell out quickly.

Kean Idol Christmas

Saturday, Dec. 13.  $14

The Kean Idol’s semi-finalists reunite to put on a fun concert of Christmas classics.

Back to top