THE GREATEST PIANO MEN, January 13, 2024

PROUDLY PRESENTS

The Greatest Piano Men Christensen Performance Hall on The Madeline Janis Courter Stage JANUARY 13, 2024 8:00PM

The Greatest Piano Men

This electrifying production celebrates the world’s greatest pianists and showmen including Elton John, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard - all the way to Beethoven and Liberace!

DONNIE KEHR

Donnie Kehr is a lifelong musician and American actor, having originated roles in Broadway’s Jersey Boys, The Who’s Tommy, and Billy Elliot.

His film credits include Jersey Boys directed by Clint Eastwood, Wall Street, and Chaplin with Robert Downey Jr. He has guest starred in television shows such as House Of Cards, Gotham, Quantico, Dare Devil, Tales Of The City and has performed on the Tonight Show, David Letterman, Good Morning America, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Oscars.

PETE PETERKIN

Pete Peterkin is a singer, actor, dancer, comic, impressionist and multi-instrumentalist as well as a writer of literature and song. His services are in constant demand year round. He is a songwriter and a self-taught R&B/jazz guitarist (among several other instruments). Singing led him into impressions (over 200 and counting) as well as acting. In 2009, Pete made the finals of America’s Got Talent as “The Rock & Roll President”; his performance was seen by over 100 million.

“

Not only did the performers show spectacular skills on the grand pianos, but they vocally honored each nuance of every famous singer with greatest respect.

-BOSTON GLOBE

”

BILL CONNORS

Bill Connors has won awards perfecting the art of portraying Sir Elton John; the voice, mannerisms and nuances of the rock icon have been carefully studied and recreated. Bill also possesses what cannot be learned by impersonators: an uncanny resemblance to Captain Fantastic. From America’s Got Talent to Legends in Concert, Bill has performed for over 15 years with more than 3000 performances. He has portrayed Elton in top venues.

DAVID K MAIOCCO

David Maiocco is an award winning musical director, pianist and accomplished actor. David served as Orchestrator and Musical Director for the Off Broadway show I Will Come Back! by Hugh Martin and Timothy Gray and served as Musical Director and pianist for impersonators of some of the most iconic and legendary stars. David was awarded the Backstage Bistro Award for Outstanding Musical Direction in 2000 and The MAC Award for Best Musical Director in 2002.

LAUREN ‘LOLO’ PRITCHARD

Lauren Pritchard , known professionally as Lolo (stylized as LOLO), is an American singer, songwriter and actress, best known for being featured on the single “Miss Jackson” by Panic! at the Disco and her singles “Not The Drinking”, “Not Gonna Let You Walk Away” and “Shine”. In 2016, she released her second album In Loving Memory of When I Gave a Shit. Pritchard mentions Billy Joel, Joni Mitchell, Al Green and Candi Staton as some of the influences behind her music.

GREG RANSOM

Greg Ranson began playing piano at 10 years old.

Greg’s vocals are exactly like Elton John’s naturally and his piano playing is right on the money. He has the ability to make you believe that you are at an Elton John concert.

Save the Date!

BIG ARTS 45TH ANNUAL BENEFIT MARCH 22, 2024 Lavish pre-show buffets & open bars followed by post-concert desserts, dancing, drinks & more in the Malone Family Sculpture Garden!

THE DOO WOP PROJECT featuring stars of Broadway’s smash hits Jersey Boys and Motown: The Musical CLICK HERE TO LISTEN!

Benefit Sponsorship Opportunities PRESENTING SPONSORS ($10,000)

8 complimentary event tickets VIP backstage photo with The Doo Wop Project artists VIP seating Plus Pacesetter additional benefits

PACESETTERS ($5,000) 6 complimentary event tickets Premium seating Name on event e-blasts Name on sponsor webpage Recognition on social media Plus Fan additional benefits

FANS ($2,500) 4 complimentary event tickets Plus Groupie additional benefits

GROUPIES ($1,500) 2 complimentary event tickets Preferred seating Complementary valet parking Name on Benefit webpage Name listed in post-event “thank you” newspaper ad Name on printed invitation (print deadline February 10)

PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT TODAY! Contact Michelle Schweber, Director of Development mschweber@bigarts.org | 239.395.0900 ext. 301 | 404.441.2261

Meet our Sponsors BIG ARTS 2023-2024 FINE ARTS SERIES Jim and Gaye Pigott BIG ARTS 2024 PLATINUM CLUB Congress Jewelers & Northern Trust BIG ARTS 2024 FORUM Sanibel Captiva Trust Company & Sue Pick & Patricia Thurber BIG ARTS 2024 CLASSICAL CIRCLE David Huggin & Ken Nees JUDITH HILL Law Office of Janet M. Strickland, P.A. BODYTRAFFIC James and Susen Berg & Dorothy and Seth Hemming ALAN BIBEY & GRASSTOWNE Tom and Barb Dunham SO GOOD! THE NEIL DIAMOND EXPERIENCE Gustav and Vibeke Christensen SING & SWING - A JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER PRODUCTION Mike and Marilee Wood THE HIT MEN: CLASSIC ROCK SUPERGROUP Charles and Gail Sheetz & Bob and Kathy Wiesemann STACEY KENT Tom & Linda Uhler

Meet Our Staff

Lena Baranova - Staff Accountant Denise Dillon - Events Assistant Marina Dowling - Office Manager Barbara Freeman - Executive Assistant Meghan Govoni - Marketing Manager Melody Hampton - Database and Information Manager Lee Ellen Harder - Executive Director Charlotte Hardt - Customer Service Associate Wendy Harriman - House Manager Aimee Harrison - Workshops Manager Richard Jones - Technical Director David Kolson - Chief Financial Officer Greg LeBlanc - Facilities and Maintenance Supervisor Kelly Lowden - Customer Service Associate Wilson McCray - Gallery Director Michelle Schweber - Development Director Olga Semreen - Staff Accountant

Meet Our Board Chair - Rene Savarise Vice Chair - Bob Wiesemann Treasurer/Secretary - David Lowden Past Chair - Don Rice Gustav Christensen Scot Congress Mike Wood

Coming up at BIG ARTS PERFORMING ARTS

Jeremy Denk January 18 | 7:30PM

McGill, Phillips & Huang January 25 | 7:30PM

Judith Hill January 27 | 8:00PM

BODYTRAFFIC January 30 | 7:30PM

SPONSORED BY Law Off ice of Janet M. Strickland, P. A.

SPONSORED BY James and Susen Berg Dorothy and Seth Hemming

LECTURE SERIES

Michael Steele January 17

David Wasserman January 24

Al Franken January 31

2024 FORUM SPONSORED BY

& Sue Pick & Patricia Thurber

MONDAY NIGHT FILM SERIES Benediction - January 15, 7:00PM The Automat - January 22, 7:00PM Writing with Fire - January 29, 7:00PM

EDUCATION CENTER WORKSHOPS Pastel Painting - January 15 & 16, 9:30AM-3:30PM Zentangle Drawing - January 17, 10:00AM-1:00PM Basics of Oil Painting - January 22 & 23, 9:30AM-3:30PM

Great communities create great organizations – not the other way around. In 1979, BIG ARTS was created, by, and for the community, and owes its rich history to a small band of dedicated artists who drew inspiration from each other and from the breathtaking island beauty that infused their work with grace and authenticity.

They set out to create a special gathering place where artistic and educational experiences were accessible to all. Today that vision is alive and well. With the help of our loyal donors and supporters, BIG ARTS will carry that vision forward – providing joy, inspiration and a sense of community for generations to come.

Vision

To create great arts, entertainment and learning experiences that always inspire, enrich and delight.

Mission

Provide an array of quality entertainment, arts and education programs that enrich and nurture the lives of Sanibel and Captiva residents and visitors through: • professionally led arts and enrichment classes and workshops for students of all ages • stimulating and informative lectures and group discussions with renowned national thought leaders and educators • dynamic visual and performing arts presentations of the highest caliber

INFORMATION & TICKETS:

IN PERSON: 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel, Florida 33957

BY PHONE: 239.395.0900 ONLINE: BIGARTS.org