The Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston Welcomes The Mills Brothers 2/20
The Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston welcomes back by popular demand The Mills Brothers (John Mills and Elmer Hopper) for one show only on Sunday, February 20, at 2 p.m. in the Robinson Theatre, 617 Lexington Street, Waltham. With special guest Gina Eckstine, daughter of acclaimed jazz vocalist and band leader Billy Eckstine, this hit-filled concert is a tribute to the artists' legendary predecessors whose unforgettable tunes are iconic entries in the Great American Songbook.
Mills, who performed for 17 years with his father, Donald Mills, the last surviving brother of the original Mills Brothers, and Hopper, lead singer with The Platters for 21 years, recreate the unmistakable harmonies and swinging sound of the celebrated quartet while bringing their own contemporary flair to The Mills Brothers' remarkable repertoire. Perennial favorites include "Tiger Rag," "Cab Driver," "Glow Worm," "Lazy River," "You Always Hurt the One You Love," and the chart-topping multi-million-selling "Paper Doll."Rising star Gina Eckstine opens the concert with selections from her newly released CD "Everything I Have Is Yours." Borrowing from her famous father's greatest hits, Eckstine spices classics like "Prisoner of Love," "Misty," "I Apologize," "I Could Write a Book," and "Nice Work If You Can Get It" with a hip, sultry, smoky voice reminiscent of another dynamic jazz vocalist and talented progeny, Natalie Cole.The Mills Brothers, honored with a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement in 1998, had an unprecedented career spanning seven decades and more than 2000 recordings. Thirty-two of their singles reached Billboard's Top Ten, five of them making it to Number One. In 1986, a one-hour documentary titled "The Mills Brothers' Story" was developed by PBS and released on video. It is now available on DVD.
Billy Eckstine reached the peak of his popularity in the 1940s and 1950s, recording more than a dozen hits including "My Foolish Heart," "Everything I Have Is Yours," "Blue Moon" and "Caravan." His legacy, however, spans generations. His unmistakably smooth baritone is preserved on 44 albums distributed from 1950 through 2006.The current Mills Brothers, together since 1999, have performed all over the world. Two of their most notable concert appearances are preserved on DVD. "Live from the Great Northwest," filmed with an all-star big band jazz ensemble, is available exclusively on The Mills Brothers' website at www.themillsbrothers.com. "My Music: 50s Pop Parade" is a 3-DVD set produced by PBS that captures a 2007 concert featuring classic American hits performed by a veritable who's who in popular music of the decade. Tickets for The Mills Brothers with Gina Eckstine are $35, $38, $43 and $50 (premium). They may be purchased online at www.reaglemusictheatre.org, by calling 781-891-5600, or at the Box Office at the Robinson Theatre, 617 Lexington Street, Waltham, Mass. Box Office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and performance days 9 a.m. till curtain.For information about youth, student rush, and group discounts, please visit the Reagle Music Theatre website at www.reaglemusictheatre.org.
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