My Pal Izzy - The Early Life and Music of Irving Berlin

Tickets:$16

My Pal Izzy is a musical comedy that explores the early life of famed composer Irving Berlin. 1916 was a fascinating time to be living in the Lower East Side of New York, trying to break into the music business. From working as a song plugger in a music shop to working as a singing waiter in an opium den, young Irving Berlin would do anything to become a composer. Narrated by Berlin's childhood friend Becky, the musical features a dozen of Berlin's funniest (and largely unknown) early songs, including: If You Don't Want My Peaches (You Better Stop Shaking My Tree), If the Managers Only Thought the Same as Mother and the extremely relevant song, Don't Take Your Beau to the Seashore.
My Pal, Izzy is produced by Savvygirls Theatre from Edmonton, Canada, and stars classical singer Melanie Gall, an Edmonton native, with pianist Erin Craig. Melanie has performed in festivals and with opera companies all over the world. She recently traveled to Argentina and Uruguay to sing at their Semaine de la Francophonie celebrations. She also sang a series of 6 solo recitals at the American Spring Festival in the Czech Republic. Melanie has performed in South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, and has sung the roles of La Fee in Massenet's Cendrillion, The Queen of the Night from The Magic Flute and Gilda from Verdi's Rigoletto. As well, Melanie is the co-host of the popular Knitting Podcast, The Savvy Girls Podcast.

Melanie Gall Soprano Melanie Gall, an Edmonton native, recently travelled to Uruguay and Argentina to perform at their Semaine de la Francophonie celebrations. In addition, she has sang in South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. This spring, she is singing a series of solo recitals at the American Spring Festival in the Czech Republic. Melanie has performed the roles of La Fee in Massenet's Cendrillion, The Queen of the Night from The Magic Flute and Gilda from Verdi's Rigoletto. Melanie has done voiceover work and has appeared on Law and Order: SVU and Ugly Betty, as well as the ad campaign for Microsoft Office 2010. She also co-hosts a popular knitting podcast: The Savvy Girls Podcast, at www.savvygirls.ca Melanie’s first book, Europe: A Savvy Girl’s Guide, was released by North Sky Press and Sandhill Books. Melanie is touring seven different Fringe festivals this year, and will next perform in Orlando in May.

"Imaginative and educational, Melanie Gall’s My Pal Izzy – The Early Life And Music Of Irving Berlin combines a healthy dose of fact and fiction...."

"Her choices are good and risque by the standards of the early 1900s.... It all makes for an enjoyable hour's entertainment."

"Both the actress and character bring you into the created story of the two friends."

5 Questions for My Pal Izzy

PREVIEW

"Lots of fun. Can't stop singing the songs"

"Amaing Singing - wonderful show!"