Ever wonder what happened to the movie monsters of the 30s, 40s and 50s - such as Dracula, The Wolfman, Frankenstein and his Bride? Could they be alive and well living in Miami Beach? That is the premise of Miami Beach Monsters a new musical directed and choreographed by Helen Butleroff (That's Life!) opening Halloween, Sunday, October 31st (8 PM) with preview performances starting on Saturday, October 23rd (10 PM) at Off-Broadway's Triad Theatre (158 W. 72nd Street). The production features a cast of six and is produced by RE Productions.

The company will include Laurie Gamache (Bride of Frankenstein) who played the role of Cassie for over 5,000 performances in A Chorus Line, Steve Elmore (Frankenstein) whose credits include Paul in the original company of Company as well as featured roles in 42nd Street and Showboat; Diane J. Findlay (The Killer Tomato) who appeared on Broadway with Carol Channing in Hello, Dolly!; Jimmy Spadola (Catskilla) who is a cast member from ABC's All My Children, Craig Mason (Count Dracula) who appeared on Broadway in The Sound of Music and Richard Rowan (The Wolfman) who appeared Off-Broadway in The News in Revue.

Miami Beach Monsters is conceived by Helen Butleroff, Georgia Bogardus Holof, Robert Leahy, George Robert Minkoff, Ellen Schwartz and Carol Spero with written material by Dan Berkowitz, Ms. Bogardus Holof and Ms. Schwartz and music by Michael Brown, Dick Gallagher, David Mettee, Steven Silverstein and David Strickland, with lyrics by Michael Brown, Stephen Cole, Ms. Bogardus Holof and Ms. Schwartz.

Director and choreographer Helen Butleroff was a child performer on NBC's The Children's Hour. She's performed as a Radio City Rockette and was dance captain on Broadway for Mack and Mabel. Her New York directing and chorography credits include Jerry Herman's The Grand Tour, The Gay Divorcee and Yiddle with a Fiddle. Ms. Butleroff has directed and choreographed over 50 musicals for regional theatres and has conceived two critically acclaimed Off-Broadway musicals. Pets! and That's Life! which was nominated for Best Off-Broadway Musical by the Outer Critcs Circle.

Miami Beach Monsters, previews Oct. 23rd (10 PM). Triad Theater. For tickets and schedule information call 212-799-4599.

Trick, or Treat? You'll have to head up to the Triad to find out!

Tidbits: People are asking me who is going to replace Ruthie Henshall at the end of the month in Chicago and the truth is I really don't know as no official announcement has been made. The red-hot drop dead musical found new fire when Sandy Duncan joined the cast. She is so sensational as "Roxie" that if you haven't seen her, you haven't seen Chicago. There's only one gal I know who could play "Velma" that would add electricity to this already explosive production and that's Mamie Duncan-Gibbs. Her Velma wowed the crowds in Las Vegas with nightly standing ovations! Overheard one night in the lobby of the Mandalay Bay Theater, "I know the other one is the star, but the one playing "Velma" is great!" With Sandy as "Roxie", Mamie as "Velma"...well, get me to the nearest Box Office!

An Evening with Carol Channing & Friends at Don't Tell Mama (343 West 46th Street) will be a benefit for The Leslie-Lohman Gay Art Foundation on October 16 at 8 PM. The friends include: Michael Bellaveau, Ruby Rims, Greg Rodeheffer, Kendall Standish and Andrea Wolp.

See you Sunday!

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