Heather Maloney

The Really Big Show

Sunday, February 26, 2:00 p.m.

at the Academy of Music Theatre, Northampton, MA

The Really Big Show is the annual end to the Arts Council's Four Sundays in February Series and 2012 marks the 21st year of this show. The Really Big Show features local performers and an emcee hosting as Ed Sullivan. This year features the first-ever encore performance of an emcee with Tom Mahnken of the band Trailer Park returning to the stage as Ed.

The show features a huge cast of great talent. The lineup as of Jan. 20 includes: Trailer Park, Heather Maloney, the Harmaniacs, Double Vision, Huong Phan and Sophal Khun, Rob Murphy and Connie Casagrande, Vesuveo with the Young@Heart Chorus ladies, and the Really Big Show Orchestra, featuring Jim Armenti, Paul Hartshorne, Christopher Haynes, David Lenson, Ken Maiuri, Ray Mason, and Jo O'Rourke.

Tickets are already on sale for the Really Big Show. Get tickets for this school and the three other Sundays in advance online here or in person at Cooper's Corner in Florence, State Street Fruit and the Guild Art Supply in Northampton, and Food For Thought Books in Amherst.

Advance tickets: $8

At the door: $10

The Really Big Show is sponsored by Northampton Cooperative Bank.

SUNDAY, FEB 26, THE BOX OFFICE AT THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC THEATRE WILL OPEN AT 12:30PM; DOORS WILL OPEN AT 1:30PM; THE SHOW STARTS AT 2PM.

Tickets for live shows at the Academy of Music Theatre include a $1 facility fee. Proceeds support the Northampton Arts Council's ArtsEZ Spring grant round.

More about the performers:

Tom Mahnken is thrilled to return as Ed Sullivan, and is terribly afraid that he has found the role that will make him immortal. Tom is a co-founder of the band Trailer Park, and also plays with the Young@Heart Chorus.

Trailer Park is a ten-legged rock and roll machine powered by the guitar, bass, drums, and twin tenor saxophones of James Robinson, Tom Mahnken, Joe Fitzpatrick, Greg Lauzon, and Rick Page.

Heather Maloney is a classically trained vocalist who once aimed for the opera who now focuses on her own music, as a singer/songwriter. Backing Heather: Ken Maiuri and J.J. O'Connell

The Harmaniacs are an eclectic harmonica trio from western Massachusetts. Coming from a wide variety of musical backgrounds, the Harmaniacs play everything from swing to the Beatles to waltzes from Finland, switching lead, bass and chord roles

Double Vision present: Pantomonium--A modern Buster Keaton and Lucille Ball. Take a Chagall, some toilet plungers, a picture frame, umbrellas, a ukulele, some stepladders, an accordion, a tight rope, supreme pantomime and put them in a blender and voila; you have Double Vision in Pantomonium.

Huong Phan and Sophal Khun will put on a sizzling and energetic salsa performance, demonstrating how exciting and sensual this Latin dance can be, while showing excellent technique and musicality.

Rob Murphy and Connie Casagrande are Producer/Writer/Performers with Disturbed Theatre. Disturbed Theatre is a Sketch Comedy Troupe that began in 1997, founded by Rob Murphy and Steve Henderson. 

Vesuveo with Young@Heart Chorus Ladies – Vesuveo is an innovative producer and thought-provoking lyricist. Vesuveo is the creative force behind a slew of ground-breaking records by some of hip-hop's brightest stars. Backed by Cesar Calderon on drums, Eric Brandoli on bass, and John Currier on keys.  

The Really Big Show Orchestra

Jim Armenti (Director, Guitar, Clarinet) continues to teach and play music in the same way as the last thirty-some years.

Paul Hartshorne (Sax) is a long time Valley delinquent who has played with several local bands including Check, Please! and Paulzilla. He currently plays in Peter Blanchette’s Happy Valley Guitar Orchestra

Christopher Haynes (Accordion) is a long time valley musician.  He directs the music program at Springfield College, and leads a busy freelance life as a pianist, accordionist, producer and composer. 

David Lenson (Tenor Sax), has played saxophone with Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, John Lee Hooker, and Luther “Georgia Boy Shaky Snake” Johnson, and is currently with the Reprobate Blues Band.

Ken Maiuri (Keyboards) is excited to be a really small part of the Really Big Show. He's performed internationally with the Young@Heart Chorus, Mark Mulcahy, The Mammals, Pedro the Lion, and others.

Ray Mason (Bass) started his first band in 1966 and has been going strong ever since. He has released twelve CDs under his own name and seven with the Lonesome Brothers (which he cofounded with Jim Armenti in 1985).

Joe O’Rourke (Drums) has thumped the tubs for several valley bands, and currently for Treefort and the Reprobate Blues Band.