Music of the Carpenters featured in Miller Auditorium event

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—"Close to You: The Music of the Carpenters" is coming to Western Michigan University's Miller Auditorium for a single performance at 8 p.m. Friday, April 21. Tickets are available beginning Friday, Nov. 11.

Purchase tickets online (beginning Nov 11):
millerauditorium.com

Considered one of the best vocalists of all time, Karen Carpenter captured the attention of a generation with her unabashedly catchy pop music. The Carpenters' beautiful, memorable love songs topped the Billboard charts with more than a dozen No. 1 hits. Now, singer Lisa Rock and her six-piece band are bringing the music of the Carpenters back to the stage with their spot-on renditions of Carpenters classics with "Close to You: The Music of the Carpenters."

Rock, a singer as well as a playwright, has been performing to sold-out crowds for years. She's written more than 15 original concerts and cabarets that have been seen across the country. Most recently, she has arranged a six-piece band, complete with back-up singers, and together they are dedicated to creating a Carpenters experience like no other. Rock's amazing four-octave range allows her to sing the hits like "We've Only Just Begun" and "Rainy Days and Mondays" in their original key, keeping the songs genuine and more recognizable for the audience.

But Rock goes beyond the music in her concert. She draws the crowd in with anecdotes about Karen and Richard Carpenter, their lives and how some of the songs originated. Like the story of "We've Only Just Begun." It turns out, Richard Carpenter heard the song on a TV commercial, recognized the singers' voices and called to see if there was a full version of the song. Indeed there was, and Richard turned that commercial jingle into a Billboard chart-topper and timeless love song. Through stories such as these, Rock engages the audience to the point where they can't help but sing along with her and share the memories of the Carpenters and their music.

Tickets

"Close to You: The Music of the Carpenters" at Miller Auditorium is part of the Lake Michigan Mailers Spotlight Series and is welcomed by Meijer, Seat n Sleep and Pepsi. Tickets are on sale now and range from $30 to $40. They can be purchased online at millerauditorium.com, by calling (269) 387-2300 or (800) 387-2312, or in person at the Miller Auditorium Ticket Office.

A 15 percent discount is available to all WMU faculty and staff. Group discounts are available at (269) 387-2312.

WMU students receive a 50 percent discount on most show tickets thanks to a fund established by the Office of the President. WMU students are limited to one discounted ticket per event with a valid Bronco Card. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Miller Auditorium Ticket Office or by telephone at (269) 387-2300. Students are required to show their Bronco Card when picking up tickets and upon entrance to the theatre.

For more information on "Close to You: The Music of the Carpenters," visit closetoyouonline.com.

For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.