Famous Faces
Stars will be featured on stages of Valley arts centers
By Glenn Gullickson

The stars will be out in force during the new arts season at the Valley’s performing arts centers. Every performer on the schedules may not be a household name, but there will be plenty of celebrities for those who are star-struck to gaze upon.

Here’s a roundup of some of the name entertainers coming to some of the arts centers in the months ahead.

Scottsdale Center for the Arts
www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org

• Steve Martin is known as a comedian, actor and playwright, but the multi-talented performer is also a banjo player. His second album, The Crow New Sons for the Five-String Banjo, was on the Billboard charts and won a Grammy. Martin partners with the Steep Canyon Rangers Band for a show on Oct. 10.

• Doc Severinsen will be remembered by people of a certain age as the bandleader for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Locally, he’s known for his work as the Phoenix Symphony’s principal pops conductor. His trio, El Rimo de la Vida (the rhythm of life), performs Oct. 14.

• John Lithgow is perhaps best known to LGBT audiences as the transsexual Roberta Muldoon in the movie The World According to Garp. He’s also known for his roles on stage and TV. His one-man show, Stories by Heart, celebrates the healing power of storytelling in tales that span three generations. It’s on stage on Oct. 21 and 22.

• Bernadette Peters, singer and actress, is expected to perform standards by Leonard Bernstein, Rogers and Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim and more from her theater repertoire for the Scottsdale Center for Performing Arts annual gala on Dec. 4.

• John Waters is known as director of classic cult movies like Pink Flamingos, Polyester, Hairspray and Cry Baby. He takes on the holidays with his one-man show, A John Waters Christmas, to be staged Dec. 10.

• Betty Buckley won her first Tony for Cats and is remembered for the showstopper “Memory.” Known as “the voice of Broadway,” she’ll respond to requests from the audience and share backstage stories during an appearance on March 26.

Mesa Arts Center
www.mesaarts.com

• Hanson is best known for their 1997 hit, MMMBop. The brothers Isaac, Taylor and Zac are likely to also be performing songs from their fifth studio album, Shout It Out when they’re on stage on Sept. 14.

• Sheena Easton is an ’80s icon for such songs as “Morning Train” and the James Bond theme “For Your Eyes Only.” The Scottish singer is the only artist to have Top 5 hits on Billboard’s five major charts. She’ll perform on Oct. 1.

• Vince Gill is a Country Music Hall of Fame star who’s sold more than 22 albums and won more Grammy Awards than any other country performer. His Country Music Association awards include Entertainer of the Year. He will be on stage on Oct. 19

• Ravi Shankar, sitarist, composer, teacher and writer, is one of India’s most esteemed musicians. George Harrison called him the “godfather of world music.” He’s also the father of singer Norah Jones. Before the Oct. 23 performance, there will be a celebration of Indian traditions at the center.

• Savion Glover’s show Bare Soundz uses tap as sound, merging beats from jazz, Caribbean and other musical genres. The concert-style production takes the stage on Nov. 14. (Glover also performs his show SoLo in Time Nov. 13 in Tucson.)

• Dave Koz’s collection of recordings have garnered the out saxophonist multiple Grammy Awards. He presents Dave Kos & Friends: Smooth Jazz Christmas along with singer/guitarist Jonathan Butler, keyboardist Brian Culbertson and saxophonist Candy Dulfer on Dec. 16.

• Lang Lang’s reputation as a pianist earned him a spot on Time Magazine’s list of 100 most influential people in the world in 2009. He was seen by more than five billion people when he performed at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. He performs on Jan. 6.

• Joshua Bell has built a reputation as a talented, young violinist. His movie soundtrack credits include Angles and Demons and Defiance. He will perform Feb. 11. (Bell also performs Feb. 12 in Tucson.)

Chandler Center for the Arts
www.chandlercenter.org

• Michael Bolton’s credits include everything from singing with Luciano Pavarotti and Ray Charles to writing songs with Bob Dylan and Ne-Yo. He’s sold more than 53 million records. His recent album’s first single, “Murder My Heart,” was co-written with Lady Gaga. He’ll perform on Sept. 10.

• Howie Mandell, actor and comedian, is known for his recent TV work as host of Deal or No Deal and as a judge of America’s Got Talent. He’ll be on stage on Sept. 24.

• Benise and his Nights of Fire cast present The Spanish Guitar, a world music and dance production that integrates footage of Benise’s travels around the world. The show takes the stage on stage on Oct. 3.

• Rita Coolidge is known for hits dating back to the 1970s, like “Fever,” “We’re All Alone,” “One Fine Day” and “(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher & Higher.” She will sing on Feb. 19.

• Frank Sinatra Jr. shares a name and talent with his famous father. By age 19, he was a vocalist for Sam Donahue’s band and he also learned the business from Duke Ellington. He’ll perform with a 20-piece band on March 19.

• Ricky Skaggs had success in mainstream country music, but he started in bluegrass, and that’s what he’s performing again. He’ll take the stage on March 26.

MORE NOTEABLE NAMES

• Michael Feinstein is known as “ambassador to the Great American Songbook.” The out singer and pianist has been gathering fans and Grammy nominations since 1988 when he starred in Isn’t It Romantic. Feinstein and his swing band will pay homage to “Ol’ Blue Eyes” when they perform songs from his latest CD, The Sinatra Project, on Nov. 13 at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix.

• Liza Minelli has been a favorite of gay fans who have followed her career as a dancer, vocalist and actress. Born into a show business family (mom actress Judy Garland, dad film director Vincente Minnelli), she won an Oscar for the musical Cabaret. Her Dec. 4 show is part of the UApresents series in Tucson.

• Paula Poundstone, known for her suit and tie attire, her legal problems and her adopted family, will perform her stand-up comedy act on Feb. 19 in Tucson.

• David Sedaris writes about his life in bestsellers that include Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim and When You Are Englufed in Flames. The out humorist’s new collection of stories, Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary, is due in October. He’ll read from his works on April 22 at ASU Gammage in Tempe.