LOS ANGELES, CA (Extreme Entertainment Enterprises) - Award-winning producer DAVID GEST announced today the musical line-up for his Extreme Entertainment Enterprises, Inc. production of "DIONNE WARWICK: 45TH ANNIVERSARY SPECTACULAR" which will be taped as a television special at the Kodak Theatre on January 26, 2006 at 6:30 P.M. According to Gest, "I'm overwhelmed by the response of so many artists who will participate in this All-Star Salute to the legendary Dionne Warwick." Her professional career began in 1961. Dionne has had over 60 Top 100 records in her 45-year career and has sold over 100 million records worldwide.
Those confirmed to perform at the Kodak Theatre on January 26, 2006 celebrating her 45th Anniversary in the entertainment business are (alphabetically): Yolanda Adams, Ashford & Simpson, Vanessa Bell-Armstrong, Shirley Caesar, Richard Carpenter, Deborah Cox, Andre Crouch, Sandra Crouch, The Emotions, Gloria Estefan, Edwin Hawkins, Lynette Hawkins, Tramaine Hawkins, Walter Hawkins, Cissy Houston, Olivia Newton-John, Kashif, Gladys Knight, Gerald Levert, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, Brian McKnight, Mya, Milton Nascimento, The O'Jays, Jeffrey Osborne, Della Reese, Sir Cliff Richard, Smokey Robinson, Jill Scott, Richard Smallwood, The Spinners, Candi Staton, Angie Stone, B.J. Thomas, Leslie Uggams, Dee Dee Warwick, Nancy Wilson, BeBe Winans, Cece Winans, Stevie Wonder and that's just the beginning! There will also be a segment with Dionne performing for the first time with all of the legendary composers of her many hit tunes, including songwriters Burt Bacharach & Hal David, Thom Bell, Isaac Hayes, Holland-Dozier-Holland and Richard Kerr. "I have a lot of surprises planned for this evening and more than 100 stars from the recording, film, television and sports industries are already confirmed in the audience.
This is going to be a very special night for Dionne and I am very proud to be a part of this television special," said Gest. The evening will feature a 48 member orchestra and chorus under the direction of Joey Melotti and Kathy Rubbicco. Tickets for the public for the concert only are $65.00, $95.00, $125.00, $150.00 and are available at all Tickeaster Outlets by calling 1-213-480-3232 or online at https://www.tickeaster.com.
According to Gest, following the concert there will be an invitation only All-Star Gala Champagne Dinner Celebration, Jam & Carnival with Silent & Live Auction benefiting The Starkey Hearing Foundation at the Hollywood Palladium from 9:30 P.M.-1:00 A.M. More than twenty corporations have donated prizes for the carnival and twenty legendary acts will perform live for Dionne's guests to dance the night away.
The Dinner Chairmen for the event are William & Tani Austin, Angie Dickinson and Gladys Knight. American Airlines/American Eagle have been set as the "official airline of Dionne Warwick: 45th Anniversary Spectacular" with other sponsors including Aces Oasis, Tsunami Books and CESII.
To date, David Gest has produced more than 100 shows throughout the world and has the distinction of producing the highest rated musical special in television history "Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration" on CBS TV in December, 2001 which was seen by an estimated 44 million people. He also produced the triumphant comeback on Broadway of Liza Minnelli in "Liza's Back!" as well as the American Cinema Awards for 14 years and the International Achievement In Arts Awards for 5 years.
