Television star Bea Arthur has canceled her 2006 tour, including
her spring date in Bradford, but that slot in the Bradford Creative
and Performing Arts Center’s (BCPAC) season will be filled by
Broadway legend Carol Channing.

The Tony-winning star will appear in her autobiographical
musical, “The First Eighty Years Are the Hardest,” at 7:30 p.m.
April 21 in the Bromeley Family Theater in Blaisdell Hall on the
University of Pittsburgh campus. This is a day earlier than Bea
Arthur’s was scheduled to have performed.

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and W.R. Case &
Sons Cutlery Co. are presenting sponsors for this event.

“While I fell bad that Ms. Arthur needed to cancel her tour for
health reasons, I am thrilled to be able to bring a star of Carol
Channing’s stature to town for what’s sure to be a night that
people will talk about for years,” said BCPAC president Jim
Guelfi.

In the show, the Tony Award-winning star performs a number of
songs that have become closely identified with her, such as
“Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend” and “Hello, Dolly!,” among
others. She also relates anecdotes about a career that has spanned
more than six decades and share tales of friends and colleagues
such as Mary Martin, Ethel Merman, Tallulah Bankhead, Sophie
Tucker, Gower Champion and George Burns.

Channing performed this musical memoir at Feinstein’s in New
York City in October. The New York Times’ Margo Jefferson raved:
“The audience jumped to its feet more than once. We were watching a
master performer.

At 83, she “has more to give than performers half her age or
younger.”

Channing received a 1964 Tony Award for her iconic performance
in “Hello, Dolly!,” as well as a 1968 Special Tony Award and a 1995
Lifetime Achievement Tony; she was also nominated for her work “The
Vamp, Show Girl” and “Lorelei,” a revival of her earlier hit
“Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.” She was also seen on Broadway in “Lend
an Ear” and “Wonderful Town,” and starred in two revivals of
“Hello, Dolly!”

Her film and TV credits include Alice in Wonderland, “Sgt.
Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” and “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”
Her autobiography, “Just Lucky I Guess: A Memoir of Sorts,” was
published in 2002.

“It’s an extraordinary opportunity to see a true living legend
not only here in Bradford but in such an intimate and perfect
setting like Blaisdell Hall,” said Guelfi.

Guelfi says that tickets-holders may use their Bea Arthur
tickets for Carol Channing’s show or may return Bea Arthur tickets
for a refund or exchange by Jan. 30.

Tickets are available for Carol Channing’s “The First Eighty
Years are the Hardest” at the BCPAC office at 10 Marilyn Horne Way.
A BCPAC representative is available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday
through Friday or by e-mailing BCAPC.