In Los Angeles one “does lunch,” in Folsom one “does time,” and “Beach Blanket Babylon,” apparently, “Does Napa,” or at least it will when it brings its rollicking revue to the Napa Valley Opera House’s 2008 Gala on Nov. 15. The ensemble cast of comedic crooners and impressionists, known for their scathing and hilarious satires of politics and pop culture, will be preceded by a reception and followed by a dinner and live auction at the nearby Westin Verasa Napa.
Bringing “Beach Blanket Babylon” to the Napa Valley Opera House has long been an ambition of artistic director Evy Warshawski, whose professional ties to the company go back years. However, until relatively recently, the San Francisco-based company was not touring its productions as such.
“When I threw it out to the production team, I said, ‘I’m looking for the perfect kind of gala thing to do.’ I want it to be a little different this time. I had to come up with a list of possibilities for the board so they could decide what to do. Kim Moore, our house manager, said, ‘Well, why don’t you do Beach Blanket?’” recalled the late (and former Sonoma resident) Warshawski, whose next task was convincing her board that the often saucy revue would be a match for her venue. “So, lo and behold, I took the list to the board. A lot of them are weekenders and are very familiar with the show. We thought, ‘Well, why not do a little something different, this time?’ And who knew that the economy would be so bad? Who knew we needed to laugh and be happy and get distracted, you know? So here we go!”
Founded by impresario Steve Silver in 1974, “Beach Blanket Babylon” is the longest running musical revue in theater history. Despite its provenance and the fact that the original is little more than an hour away, Warshawski once fretted that she might not have the opportunity to bring the production to the local venue.
“Things go away and come around again. I’ve experienced this in the ‘presenting world.’ I’ll go and see things and think ‘I’ll never be able to present it,’” said Warshawski. “And then, there it is!”
Among Beach Blanket Babylon’s hallmarks are its extravagant costumes, with a premium put on outlandish headwear – be it outsized wigs or incredibly large hats. Warshawski, herself, will don one of the revue’s hats in her introduction.
“I hope I get to see it – I have to introduce the show while wearing this huge hat, so I have to go do this quick change. I know all the dressing rooms will be taken, so I might be out in the hallway,” she laughed.
Meanwhile, Warshawski is eager to know how the revue will customize its 50-minute show for the Napa Valley audience.
“If you want, you get a custom song. I have submitted information that they will take and make into a custom song,” explained Warshawski, who at press time had yet to hear the original number, though she’s assured it will not merely be a retread of “I Heard it Through the Grapevine.”
Tickets to “Beach Blanket Babylon Does Napa” are $125. Napa Valley Opera House is located at 1030 Main St., Napa. For tickets, call 707.603.2333. or visit www.nvoh.org.
