"Who Wants to be a Millionaire" is heading to Walnut Creek! No, Regis has nothing to do with it. Instead, this millionaire song title is one of many Cole Porter classics sailing into the Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts on the winds of the East Bay premier of High Society. Diablo Light Opera proudly presents the 1998 Tony nominated musical May 11 thru June 16, 2001. Begin with the book by Arthur Kopit, which evolved from one of America’s most successful comedies, "The Philadelphia Story". Add the music from the 1956 film version as well as favorites culled from Cole Porter’s song trunk and a few additional lyrics from Susan Birkenhead and the result is a dazzling evening of romance, wit, and musical delight.

Set in some never-never time of 1938, in the fabled land of the privileged rich, the show concerns the melting of an ice maiden socialite named Tracy Lord (Wendy Wilcox). She was once married to the charming playboy, C..K. Dexter Haven (Mike Dederian) and is now preparing to marry a self-made millionaire, George Kittredge (Vincent Perry). But her family, which includes her mother Margaret (Kathy Ferber), her younger sister Dinah (Jennifer Levey), her philandering father Seth (Tom Murphy) and her lecherous, tippling Uncle Willie (Alan Cameron), effectively complicates Tracy's plans. Observing the Lords' sophisticated charades and adding yet another obstacle to the confusion are a young "rag" reporter, Mike Conner (Christopher Olson) and his side kick photographer, Liz Imprie (Dana Lewenthal). The cast also includes area singing and dancing favorites: T. J. Burnie, Joe Contreras, Peter Del Fiorentino, Kristi Guest, Kristin Hanna, Robert Herrera, Mark Kramer, Crystal McCreary, and Maria Sokolova.

With DLOC veteran producer Grete Egan at the helm and direction by the Shelly Award- winning Byron Peters, Cole Porter favorites such as "Well, Did You Evah!"" I Love Paris", and "Just One of Those Things" are magically brought to life with the aid of musical director, Cheryl Lee Glass and the choreography of Don Wilson and David Smidebush. The Hofmann Stage will come alive with sets designed by Jean Francois Revon, lights by Michael Barney, sound by Carol Davis, and costumes by Audrey Pratt.

Performances run from May 11 – June 16, 2001 in the Hofmann Theater at the Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek. Tickets are $23.00 with student, seniors, and groups of 15 or more for $20.00. $10.00 Student Rush tickets available ten minutes before curtain subject to availability. For information and tickets call 925-943-7469.