Pianist Philip Fortenberry Will Bring His Salute To Broadway Home To Las Vegas

Renowned pianist Philip Fortenberry will bring his masterful piano playing, exciting storytelling, beautiful music and southern charm home to Las Vegas for one night only in his newest solo concert, "Give My Regards" at The Smith Center's 244-seat Myron's Cabaret Jazz showroom on Monday, Oct. 22, at 7:00 p.m.

Fortenberry returned last month from his 14-city, 19-day national concert tour of China where he played all-Broadway music, showcasing his signature playing style and prestigious career performing in 10 Broadway shows and eight national tours including "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Cats," "Ragtime" and "The Lion King."

"As a pianist in New York City for many years, and now Las Vegas since 2004, I've been playing the music of Broadway and musical theatre for much of my life," says Fortenberry. "The music in this concert is reflective of my career, and because I have played many of the shows represented, this music is very personal to me. Indeed, I was the original pianist for several of these shows and the first musician to play some of this music. This is, respectfully, my own salute to Broadway," adds Fortenberry.

The audience can expect to hear Fortenberry, in this intimate cabaret-style 90-minute concert with his "flying fingers," play many wonderful Broadway show tunes, including "Gethsemane" from "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" from "The Lion King," "Memory" from "Cats," "Beauty and the Beast," a medley of Rodgers and Hammerstein classics, and songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Evita," and "Phantom of the Opera," to name a few.

"Give My Regards" is presented and produced by PK Music with direction by beloved Las Vegas composer Keith Thompson who is co-producer with Fortenberry, as a powerhouse musical team, of their hit musical show, "The Cocktail Cabaret" at Cleopatra's Barge in Caesars Palace. He is also co-composer of "Idaho! The Comedy-Musical," musical director of "Jersey Boys" and co-founder and host of "The Composers Showcase," a Nevada nonprofit that gives opportunities for composers to present original music to an enthusiastic and supportive audience.

Fortenberry's distinguished career includes being one of the most sought-after pianists on the Great White Way and the recipient of the coveted "Ghostlight Award" as "Best Musician on Broadway." John Katsilometes of The Kats Report, states "a fantastic man at the piano, one of our great treasures!"

He was the hand/body double for actor Michael Douglas in HBO's biopic "Behind the Candelabra," and has performed on numerous concert stages from Lincoln Center to Carnegie Hall, from The Kennedy Center to The White House, featured as a headliner to rave reviews. He has composed and released eight solo CDs. For more information, visit www.philipfortenberry.com.

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.

Photo credit Erik Kabik

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