Marblehead Little Theatre's Valentine Celebration

Marblehead Little Theatre’s Valentine Celebration — an evening of Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick and The Great American Songbook

Marblehead Little Theatre’s musical Valentine’s Day celebration — “An Evening of Eden, Drinking and Dancing” — on Saturday, February 14, at MLT’s Firehouse, 12 School Street, will be filled with the music of Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick and The Great American Songbook, topped off with champagne, wine, cheese, desserts and chocolate.

The evening will begin at 7:30 p.m. with “The Diary of Adam and Eve,” the first act of “The Apple Tree,” with book, music and lyrics written by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick based on the short story by Mark Twain. The show has been described as “witty, utterly charming” and “a quirky, touching spin on the world’s first couple.”

“Arguably the most important musical partnership of the ‘60s,” according to on article posted on pbs.org, the team of Bock and Harnick collaborated on Fiorello! in 1959 which earned the Tony Award, Pulitzer Prize, and The New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award. Their other well-known works include She Loves Me (1963) and the international hit Fiddler On The Roof (1964) which also earned the Tony Award, New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award, and gold and platinum records for the Broadway album and a gold record for the film soundtrack recording. The team later collaborated on Baker Street.

MLT’s production — resplendent with Bock and Harnick’s humanity and wit — is directed by Betty Lautner and stars Jennifer Herrey as Eve, Evan Tarmy as Adam, David Scannell as The Snake, and Christopher Finn as The Voice of God.

The evening continues with an invitation for the audience to dance on MLT’s “stage” or just sit back and listen as The Apple Tree Band — led by Charlie Vaughn (Drums) and featuring Jim Dillon (Bass), Bob Landoni (Sax/Clarinet), Frank Stadler (Piano) and Bob Tufley (Trumpet) — play selections from The Great American Songbook while champagne, wine, cheese, desserts and chocolate, orchestrated by Dayle Persons and Joanne Croke, are served.

“This is an evening for everyone who enjoys live performance. Everyone will feel welcome at this special celebration,” said co-producers Andrew and Jessica Barnett. “Come as part of a couple or just as friends or by yourself — you’ll be welcomed as part of the MLT family with plenty of people eager to dance or happy to just sit back and listen to the music.”

Seating for this festive “one night only” event is limited to 75 people. Tickets are on sale now for $45 each for the entire evening of celebration at mltlive.org or at The Spirit of ’76 Bookstore at 107 Pleasant Street in Marblehead.

For more information, visit mltlive.org or call Andrew Barnett at 781-910-0222.