UB Center for the Arts to Present Barry Manilow's Nationally Touring Musical "Copacabana"

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo Center for the Arts will present the nationally touring production of Barry Manilow's Copacabana at 8 p.m. on May 16 in the Mainstage theater in the Center for the Arts on the UB North (Amherst) Campus.

"Her name was Lola..." the unforgettable opening lyric of Barry Manilow's Grammy Award-winning hit song, "Copacabana," is the inspiration for an exciting and passionate new musical. "Copacabana" is a tale of love and romance set at the heart of the swinging nightclub scene of the 1940s.

While creating the world's next big hit, Stephen, an aspiring songwriter, is carried back to an era when "music and passion were always the fashion" at the world famous Copacabana nightclub in New York City. In his dream, Lola Lamar, a hopeful showgirl, is launched on the path to stardom as a Copa Girl with the help of Tony Starr, a bartender with dreams of his own. Captivated by Lola's performance, the villainous Rico whisks her away to the Tropicana nightclub in Havana. From this exotic, distant new world, a tale of old-fashioned love, jealousy and murder in the entangled lives of Lola, Tony and Rico unfolds amidst dazzling costumes, spectacular sets and sensational choreography.

With music by Barry Manilow, lyrics by Bruce Sussman and Jack Feldman, and book by Barry Manilow, Jack Feldman and Bruce Sussman, the New York Daily News called "Copacabana" "the hottest show north of Havana...."

Patrons are encouraged to arrive at the Center for the Arts by 7 p.m. for Art On Wheels' unveiling of the "Ooh La Lincoln of the Queen City" art car sculpture sponsored by West Herr Automotive Group.

Tickets for Barry Manilow's Copacabana are $38.50, $34.50, $30.50. Tickets are available from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Center Box Office and at all Ticketmaster locations, including Kaufmann's. To charge tickets, call 852-5000; in Canada, call 416-870-8000. For group sales, call 645-6771. For more information, call 645-ARTS. The Center for the Arts is a Ticketfast location.