America’s Favorite Songs at the Tower

The Francis, Hansen & Martin CenterStage Series concludes its 2010-11 season with an evening of the most memorable songs in the Great American Songbook, delivered by two of the nation’s best performers. Broadway and television star Linda Purl (“The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” “Born Free,” “Happy Days,” “Matlock,” “The Office”) teams with veteran lyric baritone Lee Lessack for a powerhouse evening of America’s favorite music by four-time Oscar winner Johnny Mercer.

The intimate concert Wednesday, April 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the Tower features the stories and songs of more than two-dozen timeless classics, including “Moon River,” “Autumn Leaves,” “That Old Black Magic,” “Come Rain or Come Shine,” “Goody Goody” and “Days of Wine and Roses.”

An accomplished stage and screen actress, Purl was last at the Tower in October co-starring with Gregory Harrison in “Love Letters.” Her career as a singer has received popular and critical acclaim. Of her ability to interpret a song, Rex Reed said, “Purl turns each composition into a one-act play. She is merely marvelous.” Lessack is an award-winning recording artist whom the Chicago Tribune called “the best male cabaret singer since Michael Feinstein.”

Purl and Lessack will also conduct a master class at Sisters High School on Tuesday evening, April 5, titled “How to Sell Your Song.” The workshop, underwritten by the Roundhouse Foundation, is a unique opportunity for area singers to learn what’s required to effectively communicate the emotions and stories of a song’s lyrics. The class is open to teenagers through adults. Attendees—from church choir soloists to local actors—should memorize one song and bring two copies of the music. Five to six names will be drawn at random to perform their number for Linda and Lee to critique, coach and encourage.

Francis, Hansen & Martin law firm is the title sponsor of the CenterStage Series. The supporting sponsor is Deschutes Brewery.

The Tower Theatre Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to maintaining and operating the historic theatre and making the best in performing arts available and accessible to all citizens of Central Oregon. Program information, group discounts, gift certificates and individual tickets are available at the Tower Theatre box office, or at www.towertheatre.org.

What:            Linda Purl & Lee Lessack: “Too Marvelous For Words”
When:           Wednesday, April 6 – 7:30 pm
Where:          Tower Theatre - 835 NW Wall Street - Bend, Oregon

Tickets:         $37 / $42
                    Reserved seating
                    541-317-0700 or TowerTheatre.org

What:             How to Sell Your Song workshop
When:             Tuesday, April 5 – 6:30 pm
Where:            Sisters High School – 1700 W. McKinney Butte Road – Sisters, Oregon
Tickets:           $10
                      General admission
                      541-317-0700 or TowerTheatre.org

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