Black Box Presents - Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials

Blues returns to the Black Box this Thursday with Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials. Lil Ed is a Chicago-born musician who describes his fast and upbeat style as “happy blues.” Check out this video where Lil Ed talks about his career and latest record Full Tilt. Then get ready for a lively night in our side theatre.

Click here for more information and tickets.

The Beach Boys and John Stamos Cause Waves at the Sunrise

The Beach Boys came to the Sunrise on April 1 and together with special guest John Stamos played the good vibrations we loved and remembered. A frequent Beach Boys collaborator, the Full House actor played both the drums and guitar for the sold-out crowd.

Before the show, guests and members of the media met with original member Mike Love, Bruce Johnston, and Stamos at the Black Box next door.

“The first concert I went to was a Beach Boys show,” Stamos said. “I jokingly hoped that the drummer would break his finger and they’d come out and get me to play the drums instead.”

That didn’t happen, but he did become friends with the group and began playing with them on occasional tours and records in the mid-1980s.



When asked why their music has endured for such a long time, Love talked about the brilliance of original member and chief songwriter Brian Wilson, while Stamos got philosophical.

“It’s heart music,” he said. “It bypasses the brain and goes straight to the heart. It’s timeless. Every new generation gets hooked.”

Bill and Nancy Welling were among the lucky group who got to meet the Beach Boys. Bill Welling said worked for the New York Mets during Spring Training and said he was a big fan.

“I’ve seen them in Ohio and at Tradition,” Bill Welling said. “Good music doesn’t get old.”

Nancy Welling added that they’ve been to the Sunrise a for jazz musician Doc Grober and Chris MacDonald’s “Memories of Elvis,” as well as the local sights at the marina.

“I love it,” she said. “They did a beautiful job and it’s right here. We come to Friday Fest and have a good time and the library is great. You can’t beat it.”

The concert attracted a wide range of ages. Most were there for The Beach Boys. The reason for many of the younger audience members became clear when Stamos took the stage. There were female screams as if he were – well – a rock star.

Lauren Hellstrom, 24 of Port St. Lucie, was there with her parents, but they didn't have to drag her to the show.

"I'm here to see John Stamos."

Shelly Koppel
Writer

A Night at the Sunrise With One Night Of Queen

Gary Mullen: Ascended fan. Mullen won the British TV show Stars In Their Eyes with the most votes in the show's history through his recreation of legendary Queen singer Freddie Mercury. Now he tours with his band The Works as the “One Night of Queen” tribute show, which stopped by the Sunrise last Friday.

Mullen hits all the Mercury mannerisms. He comes out in the classic white pants and a jacket he removes as the concert goes on. He wields a microphone with half the stand still attached, holding it upside down while singing and miming the guitarists during instrumentals. He roams the stage, using every square foot to his advantage.

Big deal. Anyone can imitate a performer’s mannerisms, and Mercury is a once-in-a-lifetime performer. So what makes Mullen more than "The Great Pretender"?

After a few songs Mullen does the bit in Live Aid and other concerts where Mercury shows his vocal range while the audience tries to mimic it. Mullen goes low and high, coming close to the tonal range that made Mercury famous. Eventually he reaches for his highest pitch and hits it perfectly. For half a minute.

A tribute singer has two challenges. Aside from just being a good singer, Mullen has to sing as close as the original as possible – to create the illusion that it is the real Queen on stage. Mullen does right on both tests, and doesn’t shy away from a variety of songs.

Of course Mullen can do classics like “Another One Bites the Dust,” where the 48 lights hanging over the band flashed to the song’s beat. But he can also sing ballads like “Love of My Life” and “Too Much Love Will Kill You” that few would attempt. Just as Mercury had done, Mullen also stepped out of the regular Queen set for a rendition of Elvis’s “Jailhouse Rock.”

His bandmates were also excellent. David Brockett’s guitar solos capped off several songs, while Jonathon Evans alternated between cymbals as purple and green lights danced in the background. Mullen played with his bandmates, messing around with keyboardist Malcolm Gentles and swiping a cowboy hat off of bassist Billy Moffat.

The playfulness extended to the audience. Mullen slapped his fanny in the middle of songs and spotted himself a front-row drink during interludes. He took pictures with an audience member’s camera and let a young fan onstage for the “We Are the Champions” encore (yeah yeah - it isn’t hard to predict which songs would be in a Queen encore.) Mullen is the ascended fan, singing so hard his eyes bulge out, commanding the audience to rise and sit to his whim, and having fun doing what he did in British karaoke bars years ago.

As Mullen said after commanding the crowd to rise for another fast-paced song – “That is how you change a theater audience to a rock and roll audience.”

Chris Hoadley
Blog Editor

Wouldn't it be Nice to See The Beach Boys and John Stamos at the Black Box?

Last Thursday, Beach Boys Mike Love (right) and Bruce Johnston (left) stopped by Sunrise's Black Box Theatre to talk to media and fans about their sold-out concert that night. John Stamos of Full House fame was also with the group - while he made his name playing a struggling musician on TV, he's been playing with the Boys since the mid-80s. Stamos also came back just before the show to take pictures and to sign one fan's Jesse doll. And he still knows how to make girls swoon.

Thanks to Mitch Pix for the pictures.
















Here are some more photos from the press conference.

Sunrise Theatre Presents - The Country Rat Pack, Featuring Mark Chesnutt, Tracy Lawrence, & Richie McDonald

Tracy Lawrence is a country staple thanks to his multi-platinum albums with songs like “Sticks and Stones” and “Time Marches On.” Richie McDonald is the former lead singer of Lonestar, a band with a knack for crossover hits such as “Amazed” and “I’m Already There.” Joining them for the first of five dates is another star in Mark Chesnutt, whose No. 1 singles include “Brother Jukebox” and “Almost Goodbye.”

In other words, this show will be a lot like creating a set list out of Billboard’s Hot Country charts. The difference is that it’s live, acoustic, and will have stories from the past two decades of music. And it will be at the Sunrise this Saturday. Click here for more information and tickets.

Sunrise Theatre Presents - One Night Of Queen (Gary Mullen & The Works)

Gary Mullen’s day job was a computer salesman. Then he entered a British talent show where he took on the persona of Freddie Mercury. He was pretty successful.

Mullen won the competition with the most votes in the show's history. Now he and his band The Works travel the globe performing their tribute to Queen. This Friday, April 2, the Sunrise will host a one-of-a-kind recreation of one of the greatest live bands of all time. Click here for more information and tickets.

Sunrise Theatre Presents - The Beach Boys

Aruba, Jamaica ooo I wanna take you
To Bermuda, Bahama come on pretty mamma
Key Largo, Montego baby why don't we go
Down to Kokomo.
We'll get there fast
And then we'll take it slow.
That's where we want to go
Way down to Kokomo.

A lot of things have changed about The Beach Boys since their 1960’s beginnings, but some things stay the same. "Surfin' USA" and "Kokomo" are still instantly recognizable. Pet Sounds is still No. 2 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. They are still The Beach Boys.




Click here to learn more about the group’s history and order tickets for their show this Thursday. John Stamos of Full House and ER fame will also make a special appearance.

Sunrise Theatre Presents - Cherryholmes

More Praise From The Richard Marx Concert

Renee,

Hello and thank you for everything you did for us the night of the concert.

My wife and I were two of the people you chose to go meet and have our pictures taken with Richard Marx. It was an unbelievable and unforgettable experience since we have been fans for the past 20 + years. It was our first time coming to the Sunrise Theatre for any event and we now feel that it is the perfect venue for such an outstanding performer like Richard Marx. His acoustical show could not have sounded better than inside the Sunrise Theatre due to the stadium seating and positioning of the sound system. Your experience and professionalism made for an unforgettable experience for the both of us.

Please provide us with the link to see all the photos taken of the concert.

Sincerely,
















Sean Nightwine

Black Box Presents - John Lee Hooker, Jr.

Sitting in my cell for a month
I finally receive a letter in
Which we call in jail "medication"
Because it really does ease the pain of loneliness.

And it said: Dear John
Our prayers have finally been answered because
You just got caught.
I hope that when this letter reaches you
It finds that you're all stressed out.

John Lee Hooker, Jr. is the son of blues legend John Lee Hooker and a Grammy nominee and Blues Award winner in his own right. John's travels take him to the Sunrise's Black Box this Friday, an up-close-and-personal setting perfect for his music. Visit his Web site to listen to samples, and click here to order tickets.

Sunrise Theatre Presents - Bryan Adams

Standing on your mama's porch
You told me it would last forever.
Oh when you held my hand
I knew it was now or never.
Those were the best days of my life.

Bryan Adams is coming to the Sunrise this Friday armed with acoustic guitars and his memorable songs "Summer of 69," "Cuts Like A Knife," and many more. This show is already sold out, but check back to find out which stars are coming to our spot in Florida next.

A Letter From A Richard Marx Fan

A few weeks ago, I received an e-mail from a man in Fort Meyers asking if there were still good seats for Richard Marx. The man needed them for his wife as a present, as he told me she was one of his biggest fans. I told them yes, and assured them they would enjoy the show and that the Sunrise Theatre was worth the drive up.

Saturday night, while I was in the lobby, I saw a couple I had never seen before at the Theatre, and I had a feeling that they were in fact the couple I e-mailed a few weeks before. So I grabbed them right as we were about to do the meet and greet with Richard Marx, and they were so excited to come upstairs.

The rest, as they say, is just awesome!

____________________

Good Morning Renee,

I wanted to thank you again for a great opportunity to meet with Richard last night. I have been following Richard's career for some time but this was the first time that I have ever got to see him so up close and personal. I had never been to the Sunrise Theater before but I was truly impressed. The acoustics are fabulous. At one point Richard stepped away from the mike for a few lyrics and it was amazing to get to hear Richard's pure unadulturated voice for the first time. This was such an intimate performance that at one point I was moved to tears. I will definitely keep an eye out for upcoming shows at the Sunrise Theater. Even though it is a 3 hour drive from the Cape Coral/Ft. Myers area it is well worth it. If you could please send the link for the photos that were taken last night I would appreciate it very much.

Thanks,



Janet Meyer

____________________

I want to thank the city of Fort Pierce for giving us the opportunity to bring these acts to the Treasure Coast, Richard Marx for taking the time to meet with our patrons and guests, and our wonderful staff for making the Sunrise an amazing place to see shows.

Thank you all!

Renee Page
Marketing Manager

All photos courtesy Mitch Kloorfain

Wendy Chen and Andres Diaz Bring Chopin and Bach to the Sunrise

The Sunrise has a treat for classical music lovers on Sunday, March 21. In one of the first classical programs at the Theatre, pianist Wendy Chen and cellist Andres Diaz will perform works by Frederic Chopin, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Johann Sebastin Bach, and other famous composers. Chen and Diaz spoke to us on the phone about working together, their music selection, and Don Henley.

An "Instant-magic Meeting"

Chen, a first prize winner of the National Chopin Competition, first played with Diaz 13 years ago.

“We met playing the Rachmaninoff Sonata we’re playing in Florida,” Chen said. “It was an instant-magic meeting. We loved playing together. You can be great musicians, but you don’t always hit it off. Sometimes there will be a little extra magic. Off stage, we get along great, too.”

She said Diaz will open the concert with a solo Bach cello suite.

“I wanted him to open with that,” Chen said. “He made a recording of Bach works five years ago, and it was released last year. It’s been nominated for a Latin Grammy.”

The rest of the program will be the two of them performing together.

“They are pieces we’ve toured with for many years,” she said. “They’re all my favorites. If we don’t love it, we don’t play it.”

In addition to the Rachmaninoff piece, they will play a tango by Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla.

“It’s an incredible tour-de-force,” Chen said. “It’s exciting and sensual, with pyrotechnics (from the instruments.)”

That will be balanced with an elegy by Gabriel Faure and then a polonaise, or Polish slow dance music, by Chopin.

“Chopin helped launch my career,” she said. “It’s my background and I love Chopin. This version has more for the cello. It’s an amazing feat for a cellist.”

Chen has performed in programs featuring Art Garfunkel and James Taylor, both of whom she admires.

The Cellist and the Rock Star

Chen suggested that when we talk to Diaz, we ask him about rock musician Don Henley. When we asked him about the singer of “Boys of Summer” and “Dirty Laundry” he laughed.

“Out of nowhere, the phone rang two weeks ago and it was Don Henley,” he said. “His son and my son are in the same class and they got into a tiff about whose father is more famous. I told my son not to go there!”

The two performed at a charity event the following week.

“We performed two songs and it was really fun,” Diaz said. "The guys were so nice. I thought I’d get beat up, but it was fabulous.”

He also has high praise for Chen.

“She is amazing,” he said. “She’s one of my favorite people in the whole world. The main part of the program, the meat, is the Rachmaninoff and she plays it like no one else. It’s a big romantic work. The Piazzolla is lots of fun for the audience and the Faure elegy is one of my favorite short pieces. The Chopin is a piece that not too many pianists can play.”

The program added the Bach suite to honor Diaz’s new recording, but he may have another recording in his future.

“Don asked me to do more stuff and maybe a recording,” Diaz said. “It would be amazing.”

This Sunday two world-class musicians play their favorite works at the Fort Pierce Marina. Visit the Sunrise's Web site for more information and tickets.

Shelly Koppel
Writer

Sunrise Theatre Presents - Richard Marx

Whatever you do
I will be right here waiting for you.
Whatever it takes
However my heart breaks
I will be right here waiting for you.

Richard Marx is a Grammy-winning artist who created hits like "Now and Forever" and "Don't Mean Nothing" that defined a generation. This Saturday, Marx goes unplugged here at the Sunrise. The historic theatre and the open waters of the Fort Pierce Marina are the perfect place to get “Right Here Waiting” stuck in your mind all over again. Learn more and order tickets here.

Gordon Lightfoot Brings Fans and Countrymen to the Sunrise

Whether it’s his hits “Sundown” and “If You Could Read My Mind” or his songwriting credits from Bob Dylan to Jane’s Addiction, Gordon Lightfoot’s music is part of our collective soundtrack. In a return trip to the Sunrise, the laid-back musician played to a sold-out crowd that mixed out-of-towners with area residents, many of whom came to the Theatre for the first time.

Bob and Shiela Douglass of Fort Pierce have been Lightfoot fans for years.

“I grew up on Gordon Lightfoot,” Bob Douglass said.

His wife echoed the feeling.

“I’d have come if he didn’t want to,” she said.

“I like to patronize the theater. We come down and have dinner and it’s an event. The theater is great.”

Mark Oler came from Cocoa for the concert. He saw Lightfoot at the Sunrise two years ago and has traveled to venues throughout the state.

“I’m a big, big, big fan,” he said.

Lightfoot is not only a great singer, but a Canadian icon. The Ontario native is a Companion to the Order of Canada, one of the highest honors in the country. Fans swayed maple-leaf flags during the concert, creating a stream of pride near the waters of the Indian River Lagoon.

Shelly Koppel
Writer

Sunrise Theatre Presents - Memories of Elvis

Get the parodies out of your head. Chris MacDonald’s ode to the legend is the tribute act of choice for Graceland’s Heartbreak Hotel, and he has worked with Presley’s original band The Jordanaires. When he comes to the Sunrise this Friday his band will be joined by D.J. Fontana, Presley’s drummer during the 50s and 60s and a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Learn more and buy tickets here.

The Sunrise Theatre Presents: Gordon Lightfoot

I never thought I could act this way
and I've got to say that I just don't get it.
I don't know where we went wrong
but the feeling's gone and I just can't get it back.

Gordon Lightfoot is best known for his songs "If You Could Read My Mind" and "Sundown", and his songwriting credits includes music for Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, and Barbara Streisand. Click on the link below to learn more about Gordon's life on the road, Johnny Cash, and how to order tickets when he visits this Saturday.

Sunrise Theatre Presents Gordon Lightfoot