BWW Preview: IN CONCERT at The Smith Center For The Performing Arts

The blending of the music of Broadway and the Las Vegas Strip returns for an encore performance with vocalist Daniel Emmet and virtuoso pianist Philip Fortenberry. "In Concert," with special guest cellist Lindsey Springer, will be performed at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts on March 27.

The concert will also feature original songs written by music director, Keith Thompson ("Jersey Boys" and "The Composers Showcase"). Thompson is the co-composer and musical arranger of the new comedy-musical, "IDAHO!" which debuted at the Smith Center's main stage in July 2016. His original comedy/novelty song revue, "Kooky Tunes," enjoyed a limited run at the Laurie Beechman Theater in New York City.

Emmet is also a composer and lyricist and will perform some of his original compositions as well. As a singer, he has performed at Staples Center in Los Angeles and Palais Todesco in Vienna, Austria.

The critically acclaimed pianist, composer and recording artist Fortenberry will be joining Emmet on stage. Fortenberry was the "hands of Liberace" for Michael Douglas in the Emmy-winning HBO biopic, "Behind the Candelabra," and has performed on Broadway, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center and the White House.

Along with the combination of musical styles and genres, the generations will come together. Emmet is 23-years-old and Fortenberry is mature and experienced. The two first met when Emmet planned to perform an original song in "The Composers Showcase" in August 2016. Thompson suggested Emmet and Fortenberry work on the song together. "We have such an amazing chemistry musically and knew we wanted to perform together," Emmet told BroadwayWorld.com. "We put a whole show together and presented it in November."

According to Emmet, music connects people of diverse backgrounds, ages, gender and nationality. "It touches everyone in a personal and different way. It is so much fun to connect with audiences emotionally and spiritually."

"When Daniel [Emmet] first started to sing, I fell in love with his sound," Fortenberry explained. "It is a rare thing for a pianist to find a serious musical partner. We don't even need to discuss it. We already know how we will phrase something."

Cellist Springer, from the orchestras of Celine Dion and "Steve Wynn's Showstoppers," will add an extra dimension playing classical and pop along with Broadway favorites including music from "Seussical the Musical," "Ragtime" and "Man of La Mancha."

"In Concert" will be performed in the intimate 240-seat the Martin Cabaret Jazz showroom in The Smith Center and is presented by PK Music and directed by Thompson. Showtime is 7 p.m. Tickets range from $25 to $45 and can be purchased at The Smith Center Box Office, by phone 702-749-2000, or online at www.thesmithcenter.com.

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