[NEohioPAL] The Musical Theatre Project Presents Astaire Concerts

[Jacob Charles Sinatra]

[Logo-TMTP(RGB)]
IN TWO MARCH CONCERTS, THE MUSICAL THEATER PROJECT
CELEBRATES FRED ASTAIRE’S IMPACT ON AMERICAN SONG
Vince Mastro Performs Classic Songs Introduced by Astaire

CLEVELAND, OH…Fred Astaire’s Hollywood screen test concluded that he couldn’t sing, but America’s finest songwriters disagreed. Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and Cole Porter, among others, created some of their best work for Astaire, who not only danced their songs but sang them with consummate style.

In a special two-part concert in March, the Musical Theater Project presents “Fascinating Rhythms: Fred Astaire and American Song.”Part 1 will be held Sunday, Mar. 4, at 4 p.m. at Lakeland Community College, 7700 Clocktower Dr., Kirtland. Part 2 takes place Sunday, Mar. 18, at 3 p.m. at Tri-C Metropolitan Main Stage Theater, 2900 Community College Ave., Cleveland. The two concerts can be enjoyed either separately or as a pair.

Hosted by The Musical Theater Project’s artistic director Bill Rudman and jazz pianist Joe Hunter, “Fascinating Rhythms” covers Astaire’s iconic career from vaudeville and Broadway in the 1920s through his many hit films co-starring Ginger Rogers, Rita Hayworth, Judy Garland, Cyd Charisse and, as late as 1968, Petula Clark.

The concerts include dozens of still photos and selected film clips, but the songs themselves take center stage in performances by Cleveland’s Vince Mastro, who considers Astaire an idol. “No singer introduced more first-rate American songs than Fred Astaire,” says Mastro. “I couldn’t be luckier, because over two weeks I get to do ‘S’Wonderful,’ ‘Night and Day,’ ‘Cheek to Cheek,’ ‘A Foggy Day,’ ‘Steppin Out With My Baby,’ ‘Something’s Gotta Give’ – the list goes on and on. I feel as though I’m performing most of the Great American Songbook!”

“With every song Astaire interpreted, it’s like there were electric sparks shooting out of his body. For me that’s inspirational,” Mastro said.

The concert is produced by The Musical Theater Project as part of its annual “The Song Is You!” concert and cabaret series. For tickets to Part I on Mar. 4 at Lakeland Community College, call 440-525-7133 or visit www.lakelandcc.edu. For tickets to Part II on Mar. 18 at Tri-C Metropolitan Main Stage Theater, call 216-987-4444 or visit www.tricpresents.com<http://www.tricpresents.com>.

WKHR 91.5 is the lead media sponsor for the concerts. “The Song Is You!” receives additional support from Robert and Jean Conrad, Susan Kohn and Mike Kohn, The Cleveland Foundation, Cleveland Public Library, Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, Ohio Arts Council and WCLV 104.9 FM.

ABOUT THE MUSICAL THEATER PROJECT—A nonprofit organization founded in 2000, TMTP produces concerts, in-school residency programs, radio programming and recordings that foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of a uniquely American art form. To learn more about TMTP, call 216-529-9411 or visit www.MusicalTheaterProject.org<http://www.MusicalTheaterProject.org>.



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