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Upcoming Tack show to feature best of Broadway

The term “musical theater” tends to draw either eye rolls or exclamations of delight. If you find yourself in the second camp, the Lucille Tack Center for the Arts in Spencer has scheduled an event just for you! Three professional musicians from The Entertainment Capital of the World (Las Vegas) will pool their talents and Broadway show experience to present an evening of Broadway music Jan. 13 at 7:30 p.m. Whether Rodgers and Hammerstein is your favorite or more contemporary shows give you goosebumps, these three friends will extend a bite of The Big Apple to their central Wisconsin audience.

Celebrating the great American art form, veteran musical theater vocalists Bruce Ewing and Kristen Hertzenberg will offer songs from the Golden Age of Musical Theatre to present day productions accompanied by pianist extraordinaire, Philip Fortenberry. From yesteryear’s “Oklahoma,” “Annie Get Your Gun” and “Hello, Dolly!” to today’s hits – “Hamilton,” “Moulin Rouge” and “Dear Evan Hansen” – this lighthearted perfor-mance has something for fans of all ages!

Ewing has spent more than a quarter century in Vegas performing lead and supporting roles in productions such as “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Forever Plaid.” He later created and performed in the award-winning Phat Pack male quartet that ran in Las Vegas hotels as well as toured nationally. Ewing is a worship leader and choir director at Community Lutheran Church in Las Vegas.

Best known for her role as Christine in the Las Vegas production of “The Phantom of the Opera,” Kristen Hertzenberg has proven her ability to sing just about anything.

According to Las Vegas Weekly, “Whether she’s slowing up-tempo pop songs into soft, dreamy melodies, belting out love songs, owning country or dipping into the Broadway songbook, Hertzenberg reaches out ... with so much personality, skill, emotion and vocal power.”

It is no surprise that her performances always leave audiences wanting more.

A native of Mississippi, Philip Fortenberry began playing the piano at the age of 4 and by 7 was the accompanist for his church. After moving to New York City, he played for 10 Broadway productions and eight national tours including such shows as “Cats,” “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “The Lion King.” In 2013, Fortenberry was chosen to be the hand (and body) double for Michael Douglas’ portrayal of Liberace in HBO’s “Behind the Candelabra,” an experience Fortenberry describes as “onerous and unforgettable...a very high honor.”

From all indications, “Give Our Regards – An Evening of Broadway Music” is certain to offer the Tack audience a performance of beloved show tunes in a relaxed and entertaining setting – a perfect antidote to the cold, gray days of January.

The performance is sponsored in part by the generosity of Bill and Linda Bauer, Donna Rozar, Duane and Anne Teska and the Wisconsin Arts Board. For tickets and more information, visit lucilletackcenter. com, call 715-659-4499 or email info@lucilletackcenter. com.

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