Kept - 2001 - New York Articles Page 19

Today we are talking to the founder and Vice President of Yamaha Entertainment Group who single-handedly spearheaded the incentive to create a one-of-a-kind work of pianistic art for iconic Tony Award-winning rock legend Elton John to utilize in a spectacular new concert experience called THE MILLION DOLLAR PIANO - the passionate and dedicated Chris Gero. Discussing all aspects of the impetus, development, design and actual building and subsequent employment of the technology created to craft the Million Dollar Piano itself, Gero sheds a light on the half-decade-spanning process of bringing the technological and artistic achievement to the stage and outlines Elton John's own participation in the project. Furthermore, Gero opens up about the new software developed for the project and how that has established a whole new avenue of live entertainment via the Yamaha Disklavier. On that note, Gero shares stories detailing his participation with various Disklavier showcase events and the possibilities afforded by the revolutionary new piano tech that will be spotlighted in his new documentary 88 - featuring performances by Elton John, Michael McDonald, Sara Bareilles, Jamie Collum and more. Additionally, Gero offers the 411 on Yamaha's participation in a wide range of specialty events, ranging from the silver piano Alicia Keys played on the Super Bowl to provided keys for Paul McCartney and more, as well as various Elton John charity benefits he has helmed over the years. All of that and much, much more in this behind the scenes look at the modern technical marvel that is Elton John's Million Dollar Piano and the man behind it!

Five years after Simon Gray's death, Hampstead Theatre is delighted to present this extraordinary cycle of his work: premieres of three unperformed plays alongside a revival of Japes, the play that started it all off. The plays will be performed in repertory over 9 weeks, featuring four stories based on the same characters, in the same situation but all telling a different story with opposite conclusions.

PRISM Quartet Turns 30 and the saxophone quartet announces an ambitious three-part concert series in NYC and Philadelphia that charts fresh musical territory: “HERITAGE/EVOLUTION.”The classical PRISM Quartet commissions six of today's most inventive jazz saxophonists to compose sax quintets & sextets and perform them with PRISM. Heritage/Evolution 1: PRISM Quartet with STEVE LEHMAN & RUDRESH MAHANTHAPPA, Friday, April 11 at World Cafe Live, Philadelphia andSaturday, April 12 at Symphony Space, NYC. Heritage/Evolution 2: PRISM Quartet with TIM RIES & MIGUEL ZENÓN on Thursday, May 8 at World Cafe Live, Philadelphia and Friday, May 9 at Symphony Space, NYC. Heritage/Evolution 3: PRISM Quartet with DAVE LIEBMAN & GREG OSBY on Wednesday, June 11 at World Cafe Live, Philadelphia and Thursday, June 12 at Symphony Space, NYC. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m.

In a THE DOCTORS exclusive, Emmy and Tony Award-winning singer and actress Kristin Chenoweth ('Glee,' 'Pushing Daisies') opens up about her struggle with asthma - a secret she's kept private for over 10 years, today, March 4 (check your local listings).

In a THE DOCTORS exclusive, Emmy and Tony Award-winning singer and actress Kristin Chenoweth ("Glee," "Pushing Daisies") opens up about her struggle with asthma - a secret she's kept private for over 10 years

Berkshire Theatre Group and Artistic Director/CEO, Kate Maguire have announced the Summer 2014 Theatre Season offering classic works coupled with contemporary plays.

The Performing Arts Center at the World Trade Center ('the PAC') today announces the establishment of a core team of artistic leaders: David Lan (Artistic Director of London's Young Vic) as Consulting Artistic Director; Lucy Sexton (artist, producer, and Director of the New York Dance & Performance Awards (aka The Bessies)) as Associate Artistic Director; and Andy Hayles, Managing Partner of Charcoalblue (London's National Theatre, Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre, and the future home of Brooklyn's St. Ann's Warehouse), as theater design consultant. Stephen Daldry (director of the films The Hours, Billy Elliot, The Reader and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, and of Billy Elliot the Musical, and former Artistic Director of London's Gate Theatre and Royal Court Theatre) has joined the PAC's Board of Directors. The artistic team is collaborating with the PAC's staff, board and numerous consultants to create a place that is unique on the cultural landscapes of New York, the United States and the world.

Hampstead Downstairs will present In The Vale Of Health: Japes / Michael / Japes Too / Missing Dates. Four Simon Gray plays, including three World Premieres, over nine weeks. Directed by Tamara Harvey, the show will run 20 March - 17 May 2014.

Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation presents its first season at the Arcadia Performing Arts Center - Air Supply tonight, January 25 at 8 pm; America on Saturday, February 22 at 8 pm; Broadway star Susan Egan, the original Belle of Beauty and the Beast, on Saturday, March 1 at 8 pm; and The Temptations on Saturday, June 7 at 8 pm.

Bang on a Can's exhilarating marching band Asphalt Orchestra has been invited to join the Pixies on their 2014 winter tour, bringing selections from the radical performance Asphalt Orchestra Plays the Pixies: Surfer Rosa

Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation presents its first season at the Arcadia Performing Arts Center - Air Supply on Saturday, January 25 at 8 pm; America on Saturday, February 22 at 8 pm; Broadway star Susan Egan, the original Belle of Beauty and the Beast, on Saturday, March 1 at 8 pm; and The Temptations on Saturday, June 7 at 8 pm. This four concert season, presented by the Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation, is a means of raising funds to support arts in the schools and maintain this beautiful state-of-the-art facility.

The Pasadena Playhouse announced Bruce Davison, Sharon Lawrence and RoxAnne Hart to star in A SONG AT TWILIGHT by Noël Coward, the fifth production of its 2013 - 2014 Season. A SONG AT TWILIGHT is performed March 18 to April 13; the press opening is Sunday, March 23.

HOW SHERLOCK CHANGED THE WORLD, a new two-hour special about the world's most legendary fictional detective, reveals the astonishing impact Holmes has had on the development of real criminal investigation and forensic techniques.

Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation presents its first season at the Arcadia Performing Arts Center - Air Supply on Saturday, January 25 at 8 pm; America on Saturday, February 22 at 8 pm; Broadway star Susan Egan, the original Belle of Beauty and the Beast, on Saturday, March 1 at 8 pm; and The Temptations on Saturday, June 7 at 8 pm.

Were Jesus and his cousin John (later known as the Baptist) members of the mysterious Essenes? Dr. Pelham K. Mead III discusses matters that relate or may be related to the fact; the Essenes and the Dead Sea Scrolls are demystified and put in their proper historical and human dimensions in his new novel 'Jesus and John.' It is a very well informed, vital new fiction that the cannon proper may welcome as a bright new light on its dim, musty passages...

Worry no more! Eric Andre (Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23) and his laid back co-host Hannibal Buress (SNL, 30 Rock) will be back for a third season of The Eric Andre Show on Adult Swim in 2014.

Chicago Choirs get the chance of a lifetime when they perform along-side Original Supreme Mary Wilson during "Mary Wilson's Holiday Spectacular Featuring Special Guests The Four Tops" December 23, 2013 - January 5, 2014 at the Harris Theater (205 E. Randolph St.). Seven Chicago choirs will perform throughout the limited engagement including Walt Whittman's Soul Children of Chicago, Shelly & Friends (members from Salem Baptist Church and Apostolic Pentecostal Church of Morgan Park), Calvin Bridges & Friends, Central Missionary Baptist Church Inspirational Choir, Dr. Issac Whittmon & the Greater Metropolitan Church, Dr. Alfred Wheeler & Blessed Music Ministry and Ramon Perry & the Ministry and Praise Chorale.

HOW SHERLOCK CHANGED THE WORLD, a new two-hour special about the world's most legendary fictional detective, reveals the astonishing impact Holmes has had on the development of real criminal investigation and forensic techniques.

In this week's edition, we caught up with Grace McLean, who is starring as 'Marya D' in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812- currently playing at Kazino (259 West 45th Street).

Utah Opera presents a unique, cabaret-style theater experience featuring some of opera's best known arias in Kathleen Cahill's, irreverent Fatal Song onstage at Rose Wagner Theatre.

The University of Hartford's The Hartt School presents Dr. Watson Morrison, pianist, in concert to celebrate his 85th birthday and 59 years of teaching, today November 10, 2013, at 3:00 p.m., in Millard Auditorium, University of Hartford, 200 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117. There is no admission charge, and a light reception will follow the performance. The program includes works by Schubert and Liszt, and a piece written especially for Morrison by Hartt faculty member David Macbride.

Utah Opera presents a unique, cabaret-style theater experience featuring some of opera's best known arias in Kathleen Cahill's, irreverent Fatal Song onstage at Rose Wagner Theatre.

Tickets go on sale to the general public tomorrow, November 2 at 10 AM for Neil Patrick Harris' return to Broadway in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, the musical with book by John Cameron Mitchell and music and lyrics by Stephen Trask, directed by Michael Mayer. For tickets, call 212-239-6200 or visit Telecharge.com.

The University of Hartford's The Hartt School presents Dr. Watson Morrison, pianist, in concert to celebrate his 85th birthday and 59 years of teaching, on Sunday November 10, 2013, at 3:00 p.m., in Millard Auditorium, University of Hartford, 200 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117. There is no admission charge, and a light reception will follow the performance. The program includes works by Schubert and Liszt, and a piece written especially for Morrison by Hartt faculty member David Macbride.

Imagine 10 days of a catastrophic blackout across the United States. No cell phone service, no ATM withdrawals, no working street lights, no available gasoline ... no escape. Fact: It could happen.