Judy Collins to Play in Concert at Ridgefield Playhouse, 4/23

Judy Collins continues to thrill audiences worldwide with her unique blend of interpretative folksongs and contemporary themes. Her Grammy Award winning performances include "Both Sides Now", an a cappella version of "Amazing Grace" and the show tune "Send in the Clowns", which led to a Song of the Year Grammy for its composer, Stephen Sondheim. "Amazing Grace" and "Send in the Clowns" transcend genre and style, a unique talent that this singer/songwriter displays almost effortlessly.

The Ridgefield Playhouse welcomes her back on Thursday, April 23, at 8 p.m. to enthrall with her eclectic sound that embraces but surpasses rock, pop, folk and show tunes. Terra Sole (3 Big Shop Lane, Ridgefield) will pour a complimentary glass of house wine with dinner the night of this event when ticket is presented. This show is part of the Doyle Coffin Architecture Singer/Songwriter Series with media sponsor WFUV 90.7fm.

Judy Collins was, along with Joan Baez, one of the two major interpretive singers to emerge from the folk revival of the late '50s and early '60s. Like Baez, she began singing traditional folk songs, then moved on to popularize the work of contemporary singer/songwriters, even writing her own songs occasionally. Unlike Baez, she used her classical music training to evolve into a singer of art songs and show tunes, sometimes-employing semi-classical arrangements. Her commercial success reached its apex from the late '60s to the mid-'70s, when six of her albums achieved Gold or Platinum sales. In the late 1960s, Collins became involved with singer and musician Stephen Stills, and he turned their relationship and breakup into the 1969 song "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" (performed by Crosby, Stills and Nash).

In a career that began at the end of the 1950s and is still going strong more than 50 years later, Judy Collins consistently performs 50 to 80 concerts a year and has recorded extensively. Judy is a cabaret artist at the prestigious Café Carlyle in New York. Her most recent album is Bohemian (2011). As an activist, Judy Collins is currently a representative for UNICEF and campaigns on behalf of the abolition of landmines. A modern day Renaissance woman, Collins brings to the stage her music of hope and healing that lights up the world and speaks to the heart.

For tickets ($60), call the box office at 203-438-5795. For more information on The Ridgefield Playhouse, visit ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.

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