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The Westminster College Celebrity Series continues its season with Three American Troubadours, a staged tribute to the music of James Taylor, Carly Simon and Carole King. This presentation is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 28 in Orr Auditorium, and it invites audiences to revisit classic songs while learning about the songwriters’ intertwined careers. Framed as an intimate tribute, the evening blends live performance with narrative elements to create a concert that aims to be both musically faithful and theatrically engaging.
At the heart of the production is a focus on three generations of songwriting influence: James Taylor, a six-time Grammy Award winner; Carly Simon, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee; and Carole King, credited with writing or co-writing 118 Billboard Hot 100 pop hits. Their catalog includes memorable tracks such as “How Sweet It Is,” “Shower the People,” “Anticipation,” “You’re So Vain,” “It’s Too Late,” and “You’ve Got a Friend.” The show highlights how their work crossed paths in both professional collaborations and the broader cultural landscape.
The concert format and audience experience
Three American Troubadours combines three lead vocalists, a tight six-piece ensemble and narrative segments supported by onstage visuals to tell the story behind the songs. The producers describe the presentation as a staged concert that uses multi-media elements to place music in context—photos, archival audio and storytelling interludes help chart the personal and professional connections among the three songwriters. This design aims to balance faithful musical interpretation with an accessible, theater-style pacing so attendees both hear the hits they know and learn new background about the creators.
Who appears on stage
The principal performers include Broadway veteran Lisa Sherman, singer-songwriter Alice Leon and guitarist-vocalist James Gedeon, whose rendition of James Taylor material has earned particular notice. Supporting them is a six-member band featuring Buddy Allen, John Colaiacovo, Tommy Labella, Ralph Notaro, Gary Oleyar and John Rogers. Collectively, these musicians have worked with major acts from The E Street Band to Bon Jovi and Billy Joel, bringing decades of professional touring and studio experience to the arrangements. The result is a blend of reverent cover performance and fresh interpretation intended to honor the originals while keeping the live show dynamic.
Signature songs and arrangements
Expect to hear a curated selection of signature tracks and deeper album cuts presented with clear attention to melody and lyric. The concert’s set list emphasizes songs that defined each artist’s career: James Taylor staples, Carly Simon’s candid pop narratives and Carole King’s influential compositions. Arrangements are scaled for a six-piece band and three vocalists, with moments that allow for harmonic interplay, acoustic spotlighting and fuller band climaxes. These choices aim to preserve the emotional core of each song while showcasing the performers’ interpretive skills.
Production and creative leadership
The stage production is led by veteran music industry professionals. Franke Previte, an Oscar and Golden Globe winner known for co-writing “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” and “Hungry Eyes” from the movie Dirty Dancing, produces the show, while management and musical direction are overseen by Lee Shapiro, former music director for Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Their combined experience brings a polished commercial sensibility to the tribute, ensuring that both musical performance and stagecraft meet professional standards.
Tickets, sponsors and how to attend
The concert is supported by local arts patrons UPMC Horizon and UPMC Jameson. Tickets and patron information are available through Westminster College’s Celebrity Series box office; for direct assistance call Georgene Gib at 724-946-7354 or visit www.westminster.edu/celebrity. The event listing identifies the evening as family-friendly and well suited to listeners who appreciate both the classics and contextual storytelling. Staff writer Kristen Aleprete from the college’s Office of Marketing and Communication provided the announcement materials.