Dan Rather: the Man, the Theme Song

Not only is Dan Rather persona non grata at CBS due to his currently pending $70 million lawsuit, but he’s also shaken up the life of another – albeit less publicly. That would be local musician/composer Neal Fox. See, Fox helped write the theme song for CBS Evening News, and every time Rather would appear to stoically report the day’s events, the theme would play and Fox would receive another check. So when Rather left, there was a hole in Fox’s bank account where those lovely envelopes of money use to sit as reliably as the anchor himself.

But life is about making the most of the hand you’re dealt, and since Fox’s hand deteriorated overnight from a royal flush to nuttin’, he incinerated them and started writing a one-man-show about the ordeal. The result is Thank You, Dan Rather, a show that’s part Randy Newman, part an eccentric tentacle of off-Broadway, and mostly a must-see for anyone who’s ever loved (money) and lost (money). Catch it Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. through October 14 at Sixth Star Studios (505 NW First Ave., Fort Lauderdale). Tickets range $10 to $20. Call 1-800-473-1928, or visit www.thankyoudanrather.com.
Thursdays-Sundays. Starts: Sept. 29. Continues through Oct. 14, 2007