Tuesday, November 28, 2000

WILMINGTON, NC – Dr. Philip Furia, director of the Film Studies Program and professor of creative writing at UNC Wilmington, and local pianist Grenoldo Frazier will present “A Tribute to Irving Berlin” at 8 p.m., Monday, Dec. 11, in Kenan Auditorium.





The presentation, which is as part of The King’s Road Writers Series, will celebrate the life and music of one of America’s greatest songwriters through a reading and concert. Furia and Frazier will combine biographical narrative with the performance of songs such as "White Christmas," "Alexander’s Ragtime Band," "Blue Skies," "Cheek to Cheek" and "There’s No Business Like Show Business."

Furia, a musical theater historian, is the author of "Irving Berlin: A Life in Song" which was published in 1998. His other works include "The Poets of Tin Pan Alley," "A History of America's Great Lyricists" and "Ira Gershwin: The Art of the Lyricist." He has lectured nationwide on American song and has appeared as a guest on the national radio shows "Larry King Live," "The Studs Terkel Show" and NPR’s "All Things Considered" and "Fresh Air with Terry Gross."

Frazier is a nationally respected musician and actor who composed the gospel musical "Mama, I Want to Sing," which was named one of the 10 best New York shows of 1980 by "Time." In addition to working with numerous recording artists, Frazier has completed a soundtrack for "Dawson’s Creek." As an actor, Frazier has appeared in films, commercials and stage productions. He won a Best Supporting Actor (Off-Broadway) for his performance in Bill Harris’ "Robert Johnson - Trick the Devil."

Tickets are $5 and are on sale at the Kenan Auditorium box office and the University Union information desk. Tickets are free to UNCW students with a valid ID.



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For more information, call UNCW’s Creative Writing Department at 910/962-7063.