(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- The name Ray Charles is a Star on Hollywood Boulevard’s Walk of Fame. The name Ray Charles designates a superstar worldwide whose legacy shaped and forever changed the face of American music. Fellow musicians called Charles "The Genius," an appropriate title for the ramblin' musician, who never worked in just one style, but blended and beautified all that he touched. He also earned the nickname "Father of Soul". In just about every Hall of Fame that has anything to do with music, be it Rhythm & Blues, Jazz, Rock & Roll, Gospel or Country & Western, Ray’s name is very prominently displayed.
Kenny Brawner brings this music icon to life on the Sitnik stage July 11 at 8pm in Ray Charles on my Mind - as part of Centenary Stage Company’s 2015 Summer Jamfest, sponsored in part by the House of the Good Shepherd in Hackettstown. This brand new hybrid concert/theatre work brings the music and story of the great Ray Charles to vivid life. Portraying Ray, master pianist/vocalist Kenny Brawner leads his 12 - piece orchestra and 3 sultry vocalists (a la Raelettes) performing this American legend's most popular hits. The songs are interwoven by "Ray" depicting how Gospel, Blues, Jazz and Country music influenced his style - and reflecting on American social history, his epic battle with drugs, and his triumphant return home to Georgia.
Tickets for Ray Charles on My Mind are $30.00 in advance. As with all concerts, jazz or special events ticket orders increase $5.00 on day of the event.
For more information or to purchase tickets visit centenarystageco.org or call the box office at (908) 979 – 0900. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the box office. The Centenary Stage Company box office is located in the David and Carol Lackland Center on the campus of Centenary College; 715 Grand Ave. Hackettstown, NJ and is open Monday through Friday from 1 – 5pm and two hours prior to every performance.
The 2014-15 season of performing arts events at the Centenary Stage Company is made possible through the generous support of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the NJ State Council on the Arts, the Shubert Foundation, the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation and CSC sponsors, including Premier Sponsor Heath Village Retirement Community, Silver Sponsors Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, The Holiday Inn in Budd Lake, and Fulton Bank of New Jersey, and Centenary Stage Company members and supporters.
