Michael Kessler and Melinda Jackson Welcome Guest Dancers to THAT'S LIFE Today

Today, October 13, Las Vegas-based song and dance collaborators Michael Kessler and MeLinda Jackson will welcome guests to their newest Las Vegas show, "That's Life." The performance will be held one night only at Summerlin's Starbright Theatre and include the duos' signature song and dance stylings along with fine artist Terry Ritter. The production will intertwine Ritter's live painting with song and dance.

"This entertaining and imaginative new show is a gallery of funny and touching stories that come to life in song, dance and large-scale, live performance art," said Kessler. "That's Life" features musical numbers from the Great American Songbook, contemporary pop and country tunes, spectacular live painting by Ritter and superb dances performed by artists from Broadway and the Las Vegas Strip.

"That's Life" will be performed today, October 13 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $17 for Sun City Summerlin residents and $22 for non-residents. According to Kessler, who also wrote and choreographed the show, it will be an art gallery of life stories shared through music, dance and live painting with Ritter.

Ritter is best known for paintings depicting the lives of Las Vegas showgirls. A former professional dancer herself, she brings the vibrancy and emotion of her subjects to life through her paintings. Ritter's work includes a public installation on a larger than life 50-foot mural depicting Las Vegas showgirls at McCarran International Airport's Terminal 3.

Working in oil and acrylic as well as fine watercolors, Ritter's modern impressionistic style emphasizes both the rich color and fleeting movement of her subjects. Through her art, she gives us a glimpse of the solitary world of the dancers backstage as well as their world in the spotlight.

One of the stars of the show, MeLinda Jackson is Kessler's wife and long-time performance partner as well as a choreographer and producer of "That's Life." While the couple's long careers have included producing, directing, writing, choreographing and performing internationally with their company, Jackson says the famed collaborators also enjoy developing talented young dancers. "That's Life" will include 10-year old Sean Gallagher performing with his mother Tara Foy, as well as sisters Layla and Summer Smith. Don Bellamy, a frequent performer with M&M and former member of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, will also be performing in "That's Life."

"We are part of the ever changing culture," said Kessler. "We have been inspired and mentored by great artists of the past and we are mentoring artists of the future. If you create by trying to figure out what is 'today,' by the time you present it, it's already yesterday."

Tickets for "That's Life" can be purchased at the Box Office only, 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 9 p.M. Prices are $17 for Sun City Summerlin residents and $22 for general admission. All ticket sales are check or cash (exact change required.) No credit cards or telephone reservations are accepted. For up to date information and directions call Starbright Box Office 702-240-1301. The Starbright Theatre is located at 2215 Thomas Ryan Blvd.

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