Song List Announced for Starry 'Bway Meets Country' Concert

A song list has been announced for The Country Music Association (CMA)'s second annual "Broadway Meets Country" gala benefit concert, featuring a star-studded line-up of Broadway talent and country music stars. The one night only show will play Monday, October 30th at 7:30 PM, at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, James K. Polk Theater, in Nashville.

"Broadway Meets Country" is co-hosted by Tony Award winner Jane Krakowski (Nine), star of the new NBC comedy "30 Rock," and two-time CMA Entertainer of the Year superstar Barbara Mandrell.

The evening will raise funds for both TPAC Education and The Actors' Fund of America.

Scheduled to appear with Krakowski and Mandrell are country music's Josh Gracin, The Grascals, Raul Malo, Lorrie Morgan, Joe Nichols, Jamie O'Neal, Phil Vassar, Lee Ann Womack, Trisha Yearwood, and Chris Young.

Joining them are Broadway's Laura Bell Bundy (Legally Blonde), Michael Cerveris (Sweeney Todd), Felicia P. Fields (The Color Purple), Peter Gallagher (The OC), Renée Elise Goldsberry (The Color Purple), Brian D'Arcy James (Sweet Smell of Success), Judy Kaye (Souvenir), Brian Stokes Mitchell (Kiss Me Kate), Julia Murney (Wicked), Ben Vereen (Pippin), and company members from the national tour of The Lion King.

In celebration of the universality and crossover appeal of these two popular musical genres, those attending Broadway Meets Country will have the opportunity to hear Broadway show tunes reinterpreted by country music artists and classic country songs performed by Broadway talent.

A preview of the evening's musical highlights includes:

"All Jacked Up" by Gretchen Wilson, performed by Laura Bell Bundy.

"Still I Long for Your Kiss" by Lucinda Williams, performed by Peter Gallagher.

"You're Nothing Without Me" from City of Angels, performed by Brian D'Arcy James and Chris Young.

"Islands in the Stream" by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, performed by Jane Krakowski and Phil Vassar.

"Something More" by Sugarland, performed by Julia Murney.

"Don't Rain on My Parade" from Funny Girl, performed by Lee Ann Womack.

A very special finale from company members of The Lion King national tour.

The show is a kick-off to "Nashville Celebrates Country," a week of activities leading up to The 40th Annual CMA Awards. The 2006 CMA Awards will be broadcast live Monday, November 6th at 8 PM on ABC from the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville.

Stephen Oremus, music supervisor for Wicked and Avenue Q both on Broadway and on London's West End, returns as the evening's musical director and arranger.

"Broadway Meets Country" will take place in Nashville on Monday, October 30th at 7:30 PM at TPAC's James K. Polk Theater (505 Deaderick Street).

Ticket prices are $150, $75, and $35. A special VIP ticket is available for $500, which includes priority seating and an exclusive post-concert reception with the Broadway Meets Country cast.

Tickets are available online through www.tpac.org, in-person at the TPAC Box Office, at all Ticketmaster outlets, or by calling Ticketmaster at (615) 255-ARTS x2787.

For additional concert information, please call (615) 244-2840, or visit www.CMAAwards.com.

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