New McCree Theatre To Present Encore Performances of Rock the Boat 7/16

The "New" McCree Theatre, Mid-Michigan's most exciting theatre, is presenting an encore performance of its hit musical, Rock the Boat: The Fleming Williams Story. The play was performed at McCree Theatre during the month of May to rave reviews from both audience members and critics alike. On July 16, 2011, the theatre will again perform this musical at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the University of Michigan-Flint Theatre, 303 E. Kearsley, Flint, MI as a fundraiser for the theatre's youth programs. General admission is $15.00. Special VIP tickets, with reserved front row seating, and reception with the cast, are available for $25.00 each.

"Not only is this a ready-made fundraiser for the furtherance of our program," said Charles Winfrey, executive director of McCree Theatre and co-author of the script, "but we scheduled this to give all of Flint another chance to see this powerful play about one of Flint's very own."

Rock the Boat traces the life of Fleming Williams, lead singer of the 70's disco group, the Hues Corporation, from his early days singing on the street corners of Flint, with groups like the Creators and 21st Generation, to his stint as lead singer on one of the hottest records of the decade, Rock the Boat. Though recorded in 1972 on the Hues Corporation LP "Freedom for the Stallion," Rock the Boat was not released as a single until 1974, and then only after a DJ at Club 54 in New York city decided to play it. The record sold 50,000 copies in New York City alone, without any airplay, before it was released nationwide. It went on, of course, to top every chart in the country.

The story also talks about the demons that tend to roll with stardom. By Fleming's own admission, what could have been a long, stellar career in show business, became sidetracked by drugs, women, and the more unsavory things in life. Though short-lived, Fleming's career enabled him to share the stage with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Glen Campbell, and Nancy Sinatra, and allowed him to pen songs for Barry White and KC, formerly of the Sunshine Band.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.thenewmccreetheatre.com or at the theatre's box office located at 5005 Cloverlawn Drive at Pierson Road. Please call (810) 787-2200 if additional information is desired.

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