Count Basie Theatre

Dion

DATES:
05/16/09 8:00 pm
A true street poet and a singer of extraordinary versatility, Dion Dimucci's streetwise Italian-American doo-wop made him a teen-idol in the late 50s and early 60s, when Dion and the Belmonts scored hits with "A Teenager in Love" and "I Wonder Why." Later, as a maturing solo artist, he was the first rock and roll artist ever signed to Columbia Records, and had a string of hits with "Runaround Sue," "The Wanderer," "Ruby Baby," "Drip Drop," and "Where or When," and "Abraham, Martin and John." A series of gospel albums resulted in a 1985 Grammy nomination and in 1987 he returned to rock and roll with a greatest hits concert at Radio City and the 1989 album Kind of the New York Streets. Inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, his most recent recordings are the Grammy nominated Bronx in Blue (2006) and Son of Skip James (2007), both tributes to the folk and blues that originally inspired him and Deja Nu (2000), 12 new songs written from a 50s & 60s perspective (cars, girls, love) that sound like lost tracks.

Chris Botti

DATES:
05/15/09 8:00 pm
Trumpeter Chris Botti's sold out appearance at the Basie last year was so delightful we had to have him back right away. Since his first solo release in 1995, he has satisfied the desire of adult music lovers everywhere for the sound of classic romantic jazz. Crossing the lines between contemporary jazz, traditional jazz and pop music, he has worked with a diverse array of artists including Joni Mitchell, Natalie Merchant and film composer John Barry. Rex Reed called him, "The sexiest trumpeter since Chet Baker." His release To Love Again debuted at #18 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. It's predecessor, When I Fall In Love, was #1 on the Traditional Jazz and the Top Jazz charts for an incredible 17 weeks. To Love Again is a collection of pop and jazz standards recorded with guest vocalists including Paula Cole, Michael Buble, Jill Scott, Gladys Knight and Steven Tyler from Aerosmith and Botti and Sting's recording of "What Are You Doing For The Rest Of Your Life?" from the record won the 2006 Grammy for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s).

The Rainbow Fish

DATES:
05/05/09 10:00 am
Based on the bestselling book, The Rainbow Fish is a musical for grades K-2. With her lovely coloring and shimmering scales, the Rainbow Fish is used to being the most beautiful creature in the ocean. So when the other fish ask her for some silver scales, she refuses. How can she sacrifice the one thing that makes her so unique? Will some good advice from the wise old Octopus persuade the Rainbow Fish to share her gifts with those around her? Marcus Pfister's best-selling book becomes a delightful and touching musical about the value of sharing true friendship with others.

From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankenweiler

DATES:
04/22/09 10:00 am
To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of E.L. Koningsburg's Newbery Medal-winning classic, ArtsPower has created an enchanting new drama that follows Claudia Kincaid and her brother Jamie up the stone steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and right into the middle of an adventure sure to captivate audiences of all ages!

Grades 3-6

Moscow Cats Theatre

DATES:
04/11/09 1:00 pm
Thirty-five cats, one dog and five clowns perform death defying balancing acts, dance routines and acrobatics in the only entertainment show of its kind in the world. Moscow Cats features non-stop action by a group of talented felines, performing original and astounding acrobatic feats, all integrated into a non-verbal, colorful and fun-filled family show. With appearances on Good Morning America, Good Day New York, Inside Edition, Montel Williams and the Regis and Kelly Show, the Russian cats have been the talk of the country. Newsday: "This show is the cat's meow." People Magazine: "Cats Incredible!" New York Post: "Spec-cat-ular." CBS News: "Hilarious." Family Magazine: "Purrrr-fect Family Fun." Village Voice: "Don't miss!"

Movin' Out - Broadway National Tour

DATES:
04/05/09 3:00 pm
The Tony Award-winning musical conceived, choreographed and directed by Twyla Tharp and based on 24 classic songs by Billy Joel, Movin' Out tells the story of lifelong friends through two turbulent decades that change them and the world around them forever. From post-World War II idealism, to Vietnam-era unrest, and finally, survival, we follow main characters that you will recognize straight from Billy Joel's lyrics: Brenda and Eddie from "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant;" Tony and Sergeant O'Leary from "Movin' Out;" Judy from "Why, Judy, Why;" and James from "James." Their story is told completely through dance, with no dialogue whatsoever and songs like "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me," "We Didn't Start the Fire," and "Pressure," performed by a live band, all come together to weave a musical backdrop beautifully complementing Twyla Tharp's innovative choreography. Movin' Out played Broadway for over three years, longer than dance musicals such as Contact, Fosse and Bring in 'Da Noise/Bring in 'Da Funk, and now the national tour comes to the Basie. "So exhilarating and soul-stirring, it practically bursts out of the theatre," said Time Magazine.

Johnny Mathis

DATES:
04/02/09 8:00 pm
One of only 5 recording artists to have Top 40 Hits in each decade after 1955, Johnny Mathis made a name singing soft, romantic ballads like "Wonderful, Wonderful," "It's Not For Me To Say," and "Misty." His first #1 Hit was "Chances Are," and his 2nd #1 Hit was "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late," a duet with Deniece Williams, came 21 years later! His "Greatest Hits" spent 490 weeks (almost 10 years)on the charts, a feat recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records. Three times Grammy nominated, he has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame twice and was awarded his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has entertained heads of state including the President of Liberia, the British Royal Family, the Prime Minister of Japan and Presidents Reagan, Bush and Clinton. Still recording over 50 years after his debut, his most recent CD's include "Mathis On Broadway," "The Christmas Album," and "In a Sentimental Mood/Mathis Sings Ellington."

Fourscore & Seven Years Ago

DATES:
03/17/09 10:00 am
To young Lemuel, who has escaped slavery in Georgia, life in Gettysburg is everything he had dreamed it would be. His ideas about the North and the South, as well as what it means to be a free man, are challenged, however, when he unexpectedly befriends Jacob, a young Confederate soldier. The two men may be of different races and on different sides of the Civil War, but they have much to teach each other about bravery and loyalty.

Grades Pre-K - 5

One Night of Queen

DATES:
03/13/09 8:00 pm
The music of Freddy Mercury is alive and well, living inside Gary Mullen and The Works. This band will recreate and pay tribute to one of the greatest rock bands of all time. One Night of Queen gives audiences a note-for-note experience. Relive your youth as you rock out to mega-hits such as "Keep Yourself Alive," "A Kind of Magic," "Under Pressure," "Bohemian Rhapsody," "Another One Bites The Dust," "Killer Queen," "Fat Bottomed Girls," "Bicycle Race," "You're My Best Friend," "Don't Stop Me Now," "Crazy Little Thing Called Love," "Somebody To Love," and more.

The Chieftains

DATES:
03/12/09 8:00 pm
Six time Grammy winners, The Chieftains, are now recognized for bringing traditional Irish music to the world's attention. They have uncovered the wealth of traditional Irish music that has accumulated over the centuries, making the music their own with a style that is as exhilarating as it is definitive.