Emelin Theatre in Concert Festival Line-Up

The Emelin Theatre, a non-profit performing arts center in Mamaroneck, NY, today announced that it has partnered with Nashville's renowned Bluebird Cafe to bring Grammy Award winners Marcus Hummon and Don Henry - along with country music stars Sherrie Austin and Roxie Dean - to the Emelin for two performances of A Tribute to the Bluebird Cafe: the Sounds of Nashville. 

Other performers who will join the program are Randi Michaels and Steve Williams from Nashville, and Robin Skye, Cole Burden, Randy Redd and Louis Tucci of New York Broadway fame. The December 1st and 2nd performances are part of a national 25th anniversary celebration of the Bluebird Cafe, which is known for helping start the careers of Garth Brooks, Faith Hill, Trisha Yearwood, Kenny Chesney and many other country music sensations.

The Emelin Theatre's A Tribute to the Bluebird Cafe: the Sounds of Nashville is a story about songwriters and the world of country music. The performers are the writers behind some of country music's top recent hits. Marcus Hummon co-wrote and received a Grammy award for the #1 country song "Bless the Broken Road," performed by Rascal Flatts, as well as "Born to Fly," Sara Evans's #1 hit that garnered a Country Music Association nomination for Song of the Year. This followed Hummon's back-to-back chart-smashing singles from the Dixie Chicks, "Ready to Run," which also won a Grammy, and "Cowboy, Take Me Away," both co-written with Dixie Chick Martie Siedel.

Songs written by Sherrie Austin, best known for her top 20 hit "Streets of Heaven," have been recorded by country artists such as Hal Ketchum, Dolly Parton and Ronnie Milsap.  Don Henry wrote the Grammy Award-winning country classic "Where've You Been," performed by Kathy Mattea, which also won Henry (and co-writer Jon Vezner) Song of the Year honors from the Academy of Country Music, the Country Music Association and the Nashville Songwriters Association International.  Henry has shared the stage with Joey Ramone, Pete Seeger, Steve Earle, Faith Hill, Emmylou Harris, Keith Urban and David Crosby, to name a few.  Roxie Dean co-wrote the hit song for Lee Ann Womack, "Why They Call It Falling," and the #1 single by Jamie O'Neal, "When I Think About Angels;" and Randi Michaels performed as a backup vocalist for Gloria Estefan, The Mavericks, Buster Poindexter and Englebert Humperdink.

The five singer songwriters from the Bluebird Cafe will celebrate with the Emelin Theatre for two nights of exclusive performances as part of the Emelin's fall "Theatre in Concert Festival," which consists of eight different shows over twenty-one days.

Upcoming shows include performances by stars such as Broadway legend Rita Gardner, who will sing songs from The Fantasticks - the show that made her famous - in the Nov. 18th and 28th performances of the Emelin's Try to Remember: A Look Back at Off- Broadway.  On Nov. 17th and 18th, Jeremy Lawrence will channel Tennessee Williams in Everyone Expects Me to Write Another Streetcar.  On November 23rd and 25th, Broadway star and Emmy Award winner Penny Fuller will star in An Evening with Penny Fuller, a classic musical performance celebrating the songs of composers that she has known during her theatre career. And on Nov. 24th and 25th Tony Award winner Gretha Boston will appear with Joel Silberman in double bill performances of Politics and Poker and Familiar Love.

The full "Theatre in Concert Festival" lineup is as follows:

Everyone Expects Me To Write Another Streetcar
Saturday, November 17th, 8pm
Sunday, November 18th, 2pm

Actor/playwright Jeremy Lawrence (Off Broadway's Five by Tenn) portrays the great Tennessee Williams in this enthralling one-man show which showcases writings of the revered playwright.

Rita Gardner's Try To Remember: A Look Back At Off-Broadway
Sunday, November 18th, 8pm
Wednesday, November 28th, 8pm

New York Stage vet Rita Gardner takes the audience on the rich history of Off-Broadway and even evokes the famous role of "the girl" in The Fantasticks that she originated. A chance to see a living legend recreate her greatest roles.

Penny Fuller in Friends In Deed
Friday, November 23rd, 8pm
Sunday, November 25th, 2pm

Emmy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Penny Fuller brings this acclaimed show straight from New York's The Metropolitan Room to the Emelin.

Politics and Poker and Familiar Love (Double Bill - Two Acts)
Saturday, November 24th, 8pm
Sunday, November 25th, 5pm

Acclaimed pianist and award-winning cabaret singer Joel Silberman shares the captivating personal story of one man with two diverse careers-theatre and politics; while Tony Award- winner Gretha Boston celebrates her personal journey through musical theatre. Two fascinating shows for the price of one!

The Kleinbort Collection: The Songs of Barry Kleinbort
Thursday, November 29th, 8pm
Friday, November 30th, 8pm

In this special event, Penny Fuller and Rita Gardner are joined by Karen Mason (Mamma Mia!) and others to sing the hit theatre songs of Barry Kleinbort.

A Tribute to the Bluebird Cafe: The Sounds of Nashville
Sat, December 1st, 8pm
Sun, December 2nd, 2pm

Featuring Grammy Award winners Marcus Hummon and Don Henry, along with country music stars Sherrie Austin and Roxie Dean, the Emelin has paired with the legendary Bluebird Cafe in Nashville to bring a selection of country's greatest and emerging writers of today.

Becoming Tennessee
Saturday, December 1st, 2pm
Sunday, December 2nd, 5pm

A staged concert reading of a world premiere musical about a young Tennessee Williams, played by Brian Charles Rooney (Broadway's Three Penny Opera), and his first visit to his city of muses, New Orleans, featuring Gretha Boston (Tony Award winner, Showboat) and others. See it here first!

The Emelin's Broadway Holiday Cabaret
Thursday, December 6th, 8pm

Broadway comes to Westchester in this evening celebrating the holidays. Stars from the festival sing favorite seasonal selections. Bring the family!

The Emelin recently announced a new discount promotion for the "Theatre in Concert Festival."  Theatre goers may combine any 4 shows to receive a 10% discount, or combine any 8 shows to receive a 15% discount. Season passes may also be purchased for $190. To order tickets please call (914) 698-0098, or for more information please visit www.emelin.org.