Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

Arts & Culture

Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs

"Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs" at The Smith Center in Las Vegas, Nev.
Courtesy of Erik Kabik / The Smith Center
"Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs" at The Smith Center in Las Vegas, Nev.

Airs Friday, Nov. 18, 2016 at 9 p.m. on KPBS TV

The Tony and Olivier Award-winning Broadway and television star Alan Cumming’s critically-acclaimed touring show, “Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs,” comes to PBS Friday, Nov. 18, 2016, as part of the sixth annual PBS Arts Fall Festival.

The special gives PBS audiences a front row seat at “Club Cumming,” the cabaret setting for the star’s personal and intimate performance that has been likened to “an emotional firestorm.”

In it, Cumming performs songs that mark poignant moments in his life that were originally written or made famous by artists like Annie Lennox (“Why”), Rufus Wainwright (“Dinner at Eight”), Keane (“Somewhere Only We Know”), Billy Joel (“Goodnight Saigon”), a medley of hits by Adele, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry titled “Someone like the Edge of Firework” and more.

Advertisement
"Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs" accompanied by Music Director Lance Horne at the Smith Center in Las Vegas, Nev.
Courtesy of Erik Kabik / The Smith Center
"Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs" accompanied by Music Director Lance Horne at the Smith Center in Las Vegas, Nev.

Cumming has toured this show recently in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia, and made his sold-out solo debut at Carnegie Hall earlier this year. "Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs" was filmed live for PBS in Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Alan Cumming is on Instagram, and you can follow @Alancumming on Twitter.

"Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs" at The Smith Center in Las Vegas, Nev.
Courtesy of Erik Kabik / The Smith Center
"Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs" at The Smith Center in Las Vegas, Nev.

“This beloved, award-winning star has entertained millions on Broadway, television and in films…but far fewer people know about his singing career,” said Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager of General Audience Programming for PBS. “'Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs' is the perfect showcase for his trademark energy and boisterous personality. There is no better place to spend a wonderfully intimate Friday night than at ‘Club Cumming’ with a truly unique star who brings an eclectic mix of songs and stories of his interesting life and career.”

“This broadcast provides a valuable opportunity to remind the nation that the performing arts are alive and well in Las Vegas,” said Myron Martin, president and CEO of The Smith Center. “It has been a pleasure working with PBS, and I hope we can highlight many more fantastic shows together.”

“We were pleased to work with The Smith Center and PBS to produce a program that will promote the excellent arts opportunities offered by The Smith Center to a national audience,” said Tom Axtell General Manager of Vegas PBS.

Advertisement
"Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs," accompanied by Music Director Lance Horne and band James Black, David Finch, Chris Jago and Eleanor Norton at The Smith Center in Las Vegas, Nev.
Courtesy of Erik Kabik / The Smith Center
"Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs," accompanied by Music Director Lance Horne and band James Black, David Finch, Chris Jago and Eleanor Norton at The Smith Center in Las Vegas, Nev.

WATCH ON DEMAND:

Beginning Nov. 19, 2016, the program will also be available for online viewing for a limited time after broadcast, and via the PBS app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku and FireTV devices.

Presented by Vegas PBS. Funding for the 2016 PBS Arts Fall Festival is made possible by generous support from the Anne Ray Charitable Trust.