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Alice's elves

Cooper's Christmas Pudding brings out Valley favorites

As Alice Cooper rocks Canada, Russia, Germany and Scandinavia on a three-month tour, the seemingly ageless performer has been relying on a few key people back home in the Valley to organize his second annual Christmas Pudding charity concert.

One of Santa Cooper's main helpers knows him quite well, and another has built a friendship with the rock in recent years.

Cooper's wife, Sheryl, has led efforts to line up another diverse bill of talent that includes Dave Mason, Glen Campbell, Jerry Riopelle, Joni Sledge, Seinfeld comedian John O'Hurley and Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers.

One the musical side, she's been working closely with Clyne, whose Peacemakers will reprise their role as "house band" for tonight's show at Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, which benefits Arizona children through the Solid Rock Foundation.

Sheryl Cooper, who dances professionally and is preparing to open a dance academy, also will direct this year's Pudding production.

"I'll be the one running around, screaming into a headset backstage," she says.

She has gained experience for nearly 15 years by working with her husband to stage a variety show that benefits Hopi Elementary School in Phoenix. The couple's young daughter, Sonora, 10, attends the school, as have her siblings, Calico, 21, and Dash, 17.

"After doing that show for the elementary school for 15 years, Alice and I figure Christmas Pudding is just a natural progression — a variety show for big people," Sheryl Cooper says.

"Pudding is named appropriately because that's what it is — a blend of gospel, hip-hop, reggae, country and straight-ahead rock and roll, with a tinge of comedy and pudding to boot."

The pudding will come courtesy of local chef Mark Tarbell, who will whip up the treat for the 2,500 in attendance.

Many of this year's performers have strong ties to Arizona.

Campbell and his family are longtime Valley residents, as is Sledge.

Riopelle is a local favorite known for the New Year's Eve shows that he staged for more than a decade. He owns a home in Hawaii but it in the Valley for an extended stay as he develops a business venture.

Other local acts on this year's bill include country singer Kelli Weymouth and the Desert Bells children's group. And, of course, Alice Cooper and his band will perform.

Clyne says he met the classic rocker a few years ago when the Peacemakers were asked to back up Cooper for some private performances.

"As it turns out, Alice is actually a fan of my music from long ago. He was a fan of the Refreshments and the Peacemakers," says Clyne, who had some national hits with the former band in the mid-'90s.

Clyne says he gladly signed on last year as unofficial music director and was promptly given "24 songs that I had to learn, which was really eclectic and diverse — everything from soul to almost heavy-metal stuff, as well as Christmas music."

Clyne says he learned that "if a song is good, you can make it work with any music," and the other performers were happy to let the Peacemakers add a taste of South-western rock.

This year, Clyne hopes to get a taste of Tarbell's pudding, which will be served to concertgoers in their seats.

"Last year, I didn't have any pudding, but that's OK, because I was running around, all excited," Clyne says. "I had butterflies and was having a great time."

Alice Cooper's Christmas Pudding

WHAT: Charity concert featuring Alice Cooper, Dave Mason, Jerry Riopelle, Glen Campbell, Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers, Joni Sledge, John O'Hurley, Pat McMahon and others.

WHERE: Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix.

WHEN: 7 tonight.

Admission: $20, $45 and $65.

© Phoenix Newspaper Inc. Reprinted with permission.