"Rhapsody & Rhythm: The Gershwin Concert Experience," a multimedia concert event that celebrates the ingenious music and legacy of George and Ira Gershwin, will kick off the Misericordia University Under the Stars Summer Arts Festival annual concert series on Monday, Aug. 8.
Legendary rock band KANSAS, known for hits such as "Dust In The Wind,'' "Carry On Wayward Son,'' and "Point Of No Return,'' performs the Starlight Concert on Friday, Aug. 12. Both concerts begin at 8 p.m. and will be performed in the Wells Fargo Amphitheater.
Tickets for the concerts go on sale Monday, May 9. Tickets for "Rhapsody & Rhythm" are $200 for a festival table that seats six; $25 for amphitheater seating, and $15 for lawn seats. Tickets for KANSAS are $380 for a festival table that seats six; $30 for amphitheater seating, and $20 for lawn seats.
"Rhapsody & Rhythm" has been performed throughout North America to critical acclaim. The definitive Gershwin experience is performed by incredible musicians who have an unparalleled understanding of why the Gershwin brothers will forever be the most beloved and respected songwriting team in history.
Classically-trained pianist Richard Glazier and headline singer and bandleader Michael Andrew will bring the truly unique and entertaining Gershwin experience to life. The event includes performances of the most popular songs, such as "I Got Rhythm," "S Wonderful," "They Can't Take That Away From Me," "Summertime," and "Rhapsody in Blue.'' In addition to the legendary music, the unforgettable concert includes rare Gershwin home videos, photos, special family stories and more.
Glazier's love of George and Ira Gershwin's music began at a very young age, when he penned a letter to famed lyricist Ira Gershwin at the age of 9. After corresponding with each other for three years, Ira invited his young friend to meet him in Beverly Hills. During their visit, Ira asked Glazer to play a Gershwin tune on the piano that once belonged to his brother, legendary composer George Gershwin.
Fueled by Ira's encouragement and interest, Glazier dedicated himself to the Gershwin repertoire and the American Popular Songbook, eventually becoming one of the genre's leading authorities. Through the years, Glazier has performed at Carnegie Hall, the United Nations, Library of Congress, Smithsonian Institution, the Clinton Library and more distinguished venues.
Andrew was the headline singer and bandleader at the world famous Rainbow Room atop Rockefeller Center in New York City where he entertained audiences nightly and hosted the live radio broadcast, "Live from the Rainbow Room.'' He was the band leader and singer at Merv Griffin's Coconut Club in The Beverly Hilton in California. While on "Larry King Live,'' Griffin called Andrew "one of the great singers of all time.''
He has played a singer in the movies "Heartbreakers" and "Bobby Jones, Stroke of Genius,'' and produced music for several films, including "Inglorious Basterds.''
For more information about cultural events at Misericordia University, please call (570) 674-6719 or log on to www.misericordia.edu/theartsandmore. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1924, Misericordia University is Luzerne County's first four-year college and offers academic programs on the graduate and undergraduate levels in full- and part-time formats. Misericordia University ranks in the top tier of the Best Regional Universities – North category of U.S. News and World Report's 2016 edition of Best Colleges, and was designated a 2016 Best Northeastern College by the Princeton Review.
