Guest Stars
Jan 5, 2012 - Mar 10, 2012
Mar 13, 2012 - May 20, 2012
Variety Acts
Nov 1, 2011 - May 20, 2012
Note:
Guest stars and variety acts subject to change.
The Four Preps
The Four Preps Debut at Plaza Theatre
Sensational Harmonies Guaranteed to Delight Audiences
When no male students showed up to audition for Hollywood High School's 1955 fall talent show, the school bulletin pleaded for "any guys who can do anything." Bruce Belland and three of his campus buddies formed a quartet overnight (literally) and ended up stealing the show as The Four Preps. Those clean-cut California teenagers went on to record the songs that Dick Clark called "The Soundtrack of Our Lives." Now, over 50 years later, lead singer Belland along with Robert Duncan, Skip Taylor and Michael Redman bring their many memorable hits to the stage of the Historic Plaza Theatre.
Shortly after their talent show debut, legendary Capitol Records Producer Voyle Gilmore-who had previously recorded such stars as Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra and Louie Prima & Keely Smith-signed them to a long-term recording contract.
In 1958, the group recorded a song co-written by Belland, which Dick Clark claims was "the first surfer hit," and 26 Miles (Santa Catalina) became a million-seller. That same year, they appeared with Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope and others in an Emmy-winning TV special; filmed the movie Gidget with Sandra Dee; and were honored as "Newcomer of the Year" by Billboard Magazine.
The Preps' popularity led to frequent appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet and American Bandstand, concerts worldwide, and Billboard Magazine naming them "The Nation's Number One College Concert Attraction" for three consecutive years.
Their long string of chart-topping singles, all co-written by Belland, included Big Man, Down by the Station and Lazy Summer Night. Before disbanding in 1969, they amassed eight gold singles and three gold albums.
Continuing to write songs that have been recorded by a variety of artists, Belland, a true wordsmith, also penned numerous feature films and television scripts, earning three Emmy nominations. The singer worked for NBC as a programming executive and provided countless voices for animated features, including the Disney classic Jungle Book.
Then in 2004, PBS asked Belland to re-assemble The Four Preps for a star-studded musical special, The Magic Moments: The Best of '50s Pop.
The Four Preps continue to bring their fresh harmonies and irrepressible humor to fans throughout the U.S. and, now, to Follies audiences as well!
