Rita Wilson to Play Hotel Nikko San Francisco, 10/31-11/2

Hotel Nikko San Francisco and Michael Feinstein are thrilled to welcome actress, producer and singer Rita Wilson to Feinstein's at the Nikko for three performance only - Thursday, October 31 (8 p.m.), Friday, November 1 (8 p.m.) and Saturday, November 2 (7 p.m.). Described by the Huffington Post as "a songwriter's dream," Wilson will perform songs from her critically acclaimed debut album, "AM/FM" - a collection of classics from the '60s and '70s. Located within Hotel Nikko (222 Mason Street, San Francisco), Feinstein's at the Nikko presents a wide range of entertainers from stage and screen all within an intimate 140-seat cabaret setting. There is a $20 food and beverage minimum per person inside the showroom which guests can use towards cocktails as well as a variety of small plates crafted exclusively for Feinstein's at the Nikko by Executive ChefPhilippe Striffeler, through Restaurant Anzu. Cheese and dessert platters will also be available in the showroom. Tickets for Rita Wilson range in price from $40-$60 and are available now by calling 866.663.1063 or visiting www.ticketweb.com.

Although Rita Wilson is well-known as an actress (It's Complicated, Sleepless in Seattle, The Good Wife) and a film producer (discovered My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Mamma Mia!), few may be aware that her early show biz ambitions were actually musical. Born and raised in the Hollywood Hills (nearly above the Hollywood Bowl), Wilson harbored dreams of becoming a singer in the 60's and 70's after falling in love with The Beatles, The Mamas & the Papas, Janis Joplin, and The Supremes, among others. She even took a part-time job as a ticket-taker at what was then the Universal Amphitheatre as a way to see such popular acts of the day as Linda Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell, Carole King, James Taylor, and The Eagles.

Wilson has finally achieved her dream with the Decca Records release of her debut album AM/FM - an intimate, elegant, and beautifully sung collection of classics from the '60s and '70s that, taken together, make up the soundtrack to her life. Carefully curated by Wilson, her producer, Fred Mollin, and Decca Records' Senior VP of A&R Jay Landers, AM/FM is filled with songs that resonate emotionally with Wilson. The album is essentially divided into two sections. The first half, "AM," features songs from the '60s that Wilson remembers singing along to on AM radio while riding in the back seat of her parents' car and that recall the "lovely innocence and hopefulness of the time": The songs include "All I Have To Do Is Dream," (written by Vanessa Joy Amorosi, Mark Ronald Holden & Irmgard Klarmann), "Never My Love," (written by Richard P. Addrisi & Donald J. Addrisi), "Cherish," (written by Terry Kirkman), "Come See About Me" (written by Edward Holland Jr, Brian Holland & Lamont Dozier), "Angel Of The Morning" (written by Chip Taylor), "Walking In The Rain" (co-written by Phil Spector and songwriting team Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil for the Ronettes), "Wichita Lineman" (written by Jimmy Webb), and "You Were On My Mind" (written by Sylvia Fricker).

By the time Wilson got her own car (a Datsun 2000 Roadster) at age 17, popular music lived on FM radio. She became enamored with the folk-rock singer-songwriters who dominated those airwaves in the early '70s and her favorite songs make up the "FM" half: "Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues" (written by Danny O'Keefe), "Love Has No Pride (written by Eric Kaz & Libby Titus)," "Please Come To Boston" (written by Dave Loggins), "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" (written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King), "Faithless Love" (written by J.D. SOUTHER), and "River" (by Joni Mitchell).

All seating at Feinstein's at the Nikko is cabaret style and available on a first-come, first-served basis within the section purchased. Guests who purchase the prix-fixe dinner at Restaurant Anzu will receive a complimentary section upgrade (subject to availability) and get to choose their exact seat locations within the upgraded section.

Guests of Feinstein's at the Nikko can enjoy a variety of food and beverage options before performances. Kanpai Lounge, located in Hotel Nikko's lobby, offers light cuisine, a full bar and specialty cocktails. Restaurant Anzu, Hotel Nikko's intimate restaurant located on the second floor, serves sustainable California cuisine enhanced with Asian flavors. Restaurant Anzu will also offer Feinstein's at the Nikko guests a special three-course prix-fixe dinner ($45 per person) prior to all performances. Reservations can be made by calling (415) 394-1100.

Tickets for Rita Wilson range in price from $40-$60 and are available now by calling 866.663.1063 or visiting www.ticketweb.com.

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