Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Love songs and decadent desserts

Celebrate Valentine’s with nexStage Theatre


By DANA DUGAN
Express Staff Writer

Tyia Wilson will perform at the nexStage Theatre for a fundraising Valentine’s party. Photo by

When a theater is involved, one can be assured that the action on the stage will cover life either dramatically, musically, in dance or with art. On Valentine's Day each of those aspects will come alive on the stage in the name of love.

The nexStage Theatre in Ketchum will present acclaimed jazz singer Tyia Wilson in "Love Lives on Stage," a fundraising concert from 8-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. This will be Wilson's Sun Valley debut after moving here from Las Vegas more than three years ago. She continues to perform regularly in both Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

"I've been waiting for the right thing here," she said. "Then this came up. I've been taking my time. Life took over and demanded that it be more important than a career for the moment. Sun Valley is a great place to come back together."

Wilson will be backed by a trio consisting of Dorinda Rhendahl on piano, Ted Dyer on drums and Chris Clark on bass.

"I've just gotten together with them and it's awesome," she said. "We're doing very diverse love songs. I tried to take a stand across the decades. My repertoire has gravitated towards Broadway pieces and standards and I mix in a little rock."

Hosted by the board of trustees of the nexStage Theatre, the event will include a festive desserts, chocolates and champagne hour, followed by cabaret seating for the live performance. The doors will open at 6:30 for the champagne reception.

"This is our first Valentine's fundraiser, but we plan on doing it each year from now on," said Deborra Bohrer, a member of the nexStage board of trustees.

A silent auction will be held in the theater lobby with treats, luxuries and one-of-a-kind items donated by local businesses and nexStage supporters and packaged as the perfect indulgent Valentine's gifts. The silent auction will be on view at the theater for two days before the event, so supporters who cannot attend the concert will still have the opportunity to bid on the gift packages. The concert will have one intermission to announce the silent auction and raffle winners.

After performing, Wilson will host a disco-dance after party to begin around 10 p.m.

"I want to have an outlet to really dance," she said. "So much of rock, pop and hip-hop is put through dance tunes. I've been having fun finding the music I want to play."

Concert-goers may stay to play in the hot club atmosphere and be joined by the public. Dress code for the event is "Ketchum formal," which means anything goes but look sharp and have fun.

Local restaurateurs Tom Nickel of the Sawtooth Club and Steve Riccabona of Baci will offer special dinner prices for "Love Lives on Stage" ticket holders, who reserve tables for dinner at their restaurants prior to the concert.

Tickets to "Love Lives On Stage" are $75 per person. "I Love the nexStage" sponsor tables of eight are available for the event, with front-of-house seating at $1,200 per table. All other tables are available at a first-come, first-reserved basis. The after party will start at 10 p.m., with a cover charge of $15.

For tickets and to reserve a table, call 726-9124, 726-4TKS or visit nexStagetheatre.org.

Dana DuGan: ddugan@mtexpress.com




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