Musical Tribute to THE CARPENTERS Set for Bridge Street Live, 6/11-12

A Connecticut-based live show, celebrating the music of New Haven natives, Karen and Richard Carpenter, will play for two nights in Collinsville, Conn. - just one week before the band debuts at a Las Vegas casino. The tribute to the legendary Carpenters stars vocalist Michelle Berting Brett, and is accompanied by a seven-piece band of successful Nashville musicians, some of whom performed with Richard Carpenter himself.

On Tuesday, June 11 and Wednesday, June 12 at 8:00 p.m., "We've Only Just Begun: Carpenters Remembered" will perform at Bridge Street Live at 41 Bridge St. in Collinsville, Conn. Tickets are $25 and $35 and may be purchased in advance or at the door. Then, on June 22 and 23, the show will perform at the Suncoast Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The Band began the tour earlier this year at WinnaVegas Casino Resort in Sloan, Iowa.

"We've Only Just Begun: Carpenters Remembered" features the original sound of the musical brother and sister, who lived in New Haven into their teenage years. During the show, singer Berting Brett shares stories culled from interviews with people who knew Karen and Richard Carpenter personally and professionally, offering a "behind the scenes" look at the pop music phenomenon who sold more than 100 million records in just over a decade and still hold the record for the most Top 10 singles in a row.

The show showcases many of the Carpenters' classics including: For All We Know, Goodbye to Love, Hurting Each Other, Please Mr. Postman, Rainy Days and Mondays, Superstar, There's a Kind of Hush, (They Long to Be) Close to You, Top of the World, We've Only Just Begun, and Yesterday Once More.

Karen and Richard Carpenter's first big break came when they won the Battle of the Bands at the Hollywood Bowl in 1966. In 2010, The Carpenters and the late music superstar Donna Summer were inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame. John Billings (Bass), George Perilli (Drums), and Harry Sharpe (Music Director/Keys)were longtime members of the late Donna Summer's band and they performed with Richard Carpenter at that event. Sharpe also was Summer's music director.

Members of "We've Only Just Begun: Carpenters Remembered" have worked with some of the greatest vocalists in the world:

Mark Brett (Show Producer) grew up in Columbia, Conn. and his interest in music began when he was very young and his parents and grandparents owned "The Rock Garden" restaurant/nightclub in Willimantic. His first "job" was as Road Man for blues harp player, James Cotton, and he spent many years as a concert photographer. Brett now works as the Stage Manager of the Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn., where he works with many of the world's top performers.

Michelle Berting Brett (Vocalist) - A native of Saskatchewan, Canada, Michelle now lives in Eastern Connecticut, with her husband and the show's producer, Mark Brett. Michelle has performed all over the world in musical theater, in studio and on tour, most notably, in her own shows,Jazz, Torch and Ancient Pop and Michelle Berting Sings Peggy Lee. Recent performances include background vocals for Ronnie Spector ("The Ronettes"), with music legend Ronnie Hawkins, with Marshall Lytle (bass player of "Bill Haley's Comets"), and with Matt "Guitar" Murphy ("Blues Brothers"), with whom she opened for Little Richard at B.B. King Blues Club in New York City. A personal performance highlight was singing for the Troops in Bosnia;

Harry Sharpe (Music Director/Keys) has worked with Tanya Tucker, Wynonna Judd (as Music Director), and Donna Summer (as Music Director) and with the CMA Award-winning Glorianna (as Music Director), among others;

Kenny Anderson (Reeds: Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute) - The longtime band member of Gloria Estefan's Miami Sound Machine spent 11 years as a member of Tom Jones' band;

John Billings (Bass) currently performs with Wynonna Judd and with The Monkees, and previously was with Rick Springfield and Donna Summer;

Steve Cox (Piano/Wurlitzer) - a Grammy Award winner as one of the original members of the Dazz Band who will be inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame this year. He has performed with Alison Kraus and Wynonna Judd, and currently with Sara Evans and Trisha Yearwood, with whom he performed for First Lady Michelle Obama in early May;

George Perilli (Drums) - Performed with Donna Summer and Michael McDonald, and currently works with Bobby Caldwell; and

Nashville newcomers, Matt Berry (Guitar) and Kristi Grider (Vocals).

Tuesday, June 11 and Wednesday, June 12 at 8:00 p.m., at the Bridge Street Live, at 41 Bridge St. in Collinsville, Conn. Tickets are $25 and $35 for the 90-minute show. Doors open at 7 p.m. Cabaret Menu in the Show Room from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.; Dinner Reservations in the Dining Room from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. For Show tickets & Dinner reservations: (860) 693-9762 or www.41bridgestreet.com.

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