ZELIENOPLE — The power of female singers will be on display this Mother's Day Weekend at The Strand Theater.
Center Township native Carla Bianco — singer, actor, Broadway performer and award-wining songwriter — is headlining "Sing it, Sister!" from Friday to Sunday at the Zelienople theater.
Director Jeremy Czarniak said it is the perfect woman power show to celebrate the holiday, and he said Bianco is the ideal Broadway star to headline this show. She will be singing two of her original songs, "Words Get in the Way" and "I don't Wanna Go Home."
"I'm excited to be a part of this show at The Strand and a part of this tribute to the great female singers," Bianco said recently.
Her solos also will include "Momma Who Bore Me" from "Spring Awakening" and Pat Benetar's "Hit Me with Your Best Shot."
Czarniak said the show includes music from groups including The Supremes, The Ronettes, The Shirelles, TLC, The Dixie Cups and others.
"The show is just a good old-fashioned party celebrating amazing female artists. Closer to a true concert compared to many of our other original programs, just a lot of great music and some terrific voices," Czarniak said.
Under the musical direction of Bruce Smith, the cast also includes Kristin Pacell, Marlene Meier, Cathy Carter, Kate Queen, Layne Baily and Valentina Cherico.
Bianco will join the groups for the Andrews Sisters' "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," "Wannabe" by The Spice Girls and "Dancing In the Streets" by Martha and the Vandellas.
"Sing It, Sister" is a tribute to the marvelous solos and unique harmonic blends of female voices that have always captivated audiences, organizer said.
Bianco brings her own voice and Broadway experience to The Strand's unique show celebrating some of women's contribution to the entertainment world.
While she was going to New York University, Bianco got her big break when she saw John "Jellybean" Benitez, the man who discovered Madonna, on a TV show and he said he was looking for talent.
"I waited outside his building for three days and when I finally spotted him I told him I wanted the opportunity to show him what I could do. I did and he gave me a publishing contract for my music and recording," Bianco said.
Her song, "The Lover That You Are," went to No. 1 on the Billboard Dance charts and won an ASCAP award. "Music Takes You," the follow-up single, also went top 10. Her song "Kaleidoscope" was selected by the prestigious Disney Musical Workshop in Los Angeles.
Bianco had the good fortune of writing with many of the best, such as Narada Michael Walden, Judd Friedman and Reggie Lucas.
After moving to Los Angeles, Bianco got the role of Maureen in the Tony award-winning musical "Rent" in the West Coast Premiere and later on Broadway. She worked both on and off-Broadway in many shows like "Spring Awakening," where she originated the role of Wendla.
When her father got ill, Bianco returned to western Pennsylvania and was asked to help found the new performing arts school, The Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, and devoted the next year helping her hometown community. During that time she returned to her first love, the piano, and started her own record label, Ivory Note Records
When she was 10 years old, Bianco began writing songs and she has never quit. Her songs are music with heart about believing that you can overcome the struggles.
A graduate of Center High School, Bianco attended Point Park College, but in her junior year she changed to New York University. "I applied in secret and when I got accepted my brothers and sisters help me to convince my parents to let me go. I just knew I got to go to New York," Bianco said.
In 1992, Bianco graduated from New York University with a degree in music and musical theater and continued on a successful career in music.
She now lives in Pittsburgh with her husband, Jack, and son, Luca, 7, who loves baseball, plays the guitar and writes songs.
Bianco is excited to be in "Sing It, Sister," a high-energy show with hits from Broadway shows like "Dreamgirls" and "Leader of the Pack."
"You'll be mesmerized by the incredibly tight harmonies and marvelous melodies made famous by many of music's top industry titans," Czarniak said.