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Marge Champion will join author John Gilvey for a discussion of his book Before the Parade Passes By: Gower Champion and the American Musical at the Drama Book Shop (250 West 40th Street) on Wednesday, November 16 at 6pm. The conversation will be moderated by David Finkle, chief theater critic for TheaterMania.com, which is sponsoring the event. Admission is free.

Gower Champion directed and choreographed such musicals as Bye Bye Birdie, Carnival, Hello, Dolly!, and 42nd Street. Marge was his wife from 1947 to 1973. They danced together in many films, including Show Boat, Lovely to Look At, and Everything I Have Is Yours. The couple also had their own television show.

The Drama Book Shop will be sponsoring numerous free events in the coming weeks, including a talk by NYU professor Janet Neipris on being a playwright (October 26, 6pm); author/critic Trav S.D. reading from his new book No Applause -- Just Throw Money: The Book That Made Vaudeville Famous (November 21, 6pm); and a talk by Patrick Tucker and Christine Ozanne, authors of The Actor's Survival Handbook (November 29, 6pm). For more information, phone 212-944-0595.