MOSCOW MEETS MANHATTAN – INTERNATIONAL DUELING PIANOS
DIANA WORTHAM THEATRE, SATURDAY AUGUST 26, 2017 @ 7:30 PM
Two masterful pianists take audiences around the world with an
eclectic repertoire from Argentina, Spain, Hungary, Russia and America.
International award-winning pianist/vocalist Katherine Alexandra challenges renowned
American piano powerhouse Brian Gurl in this stunningly diverse and innovative production –
playing at the Diana Wortham Theatre, Saturday August 26, 2017 at 7:30 pm. Performing an
eclectic and highly entertaining fusion of classical, pop, jazz & ethnic folk genres – plus comedy
and novelty pieces with shades of Victor Borge – this unique pairing of “Russian Phenom &
American Piano Man” has been wowing audiences nationwide for over three years
in theaters, festivals and performing arts venues.
“This is an act as good as anything to be seen in Vegas or any other entertainment mecca”
Sun News
Joining Brian and Katherine are Grammy Award winning bassist Eliot Wadopian and orchestral
and jazz drummer Byron Hedgepeth. Moscow Meets Manhattan takes the audience “Around
The World in 88 Keys” – featuring pieces from Argentina, Spain, Hungary, Russia and America –
including such beloved favorites as Malaguena, Lieber Tango and others. Utilizing both their
exceptional artistry and delightful personalities, Brian & Katherine skillfully compliment and
playfully challenge each other on both one and two pianos – highlighted by their exhilarating,
often humorous musical arrangements. Enhancing this remarkable diversity are lush vocal
duets ( Phantom Of The Opera / West Side Story), Brian’s virtuoso melodica playing and an
engaging rapport with the audience.
From Ragtime to Rachmaninoff, Billy Joel to Broadway and Gypsy Folk Songs to The
Tango, Moscow Meets Manhattan – Dueling Pianos Plus is a class act in a fun-filled package.
Brian Gurl, an “out of this world” creative pianist, has received accolades nationally for his
powerful musical arrangements – including from renowned pianist Roger Williams. Adept at
jazz, boogie-woogie, ragtime, pop, latin, rock, Broadway and nearly every genre imaginable- as
well as enjoying an extensive background in voice, dance and theater, Brian has co-written and
starred in over twenty different musical stage productions that have toured nationallyincluding
four that feature Katherine.
“Brian’s powerful piano playing is like a combination of Vladimir Horowitz, Liberace and
Roger Williams” Asheville Citizen Times
Katherine Alexandra, born and raised in Russia and now an American citizen, is a graduate
of the Moscow Conservatory Of Music, Summa Cum Laude in piano performance. She studied
voice at the Moscow Music College – as well as in Spain where she lived and performed for over
three years. She has since expanded beyond her “legit” vocal background to become a very
expressive pop vocalist- singing in five languages and covering material from Sarah Brightman
to Celine Dion to Katy Perry.
The Diana Wortham Theatre is located at 18 Biltmore Avenue. Patrons enter the theatre through
the breezeway between Marble Slab Creamery and White Duck Taco, and into a large interior
courtyard with multiple glass doors leading to the theatre’s lower lobby and box office. The
intimate theatre seats just over 500 and boasts exceptional acoustics and sightlines, making it
the premier performance space in Western North Carolina.