Tenor Sheehan to grace Kingsbury Hall

While on the phone with Broadway singer and actor Ciaran Sheehan, I found that not only is he completely likable, if I played my cards right, it was possible to get him to sing a few bars over the phone.

Brilliant, huh?

Hailed as a phenomenal Irish tenor who played the coveted role of Phantom in "Phantom of the Opera" more than 1,000 times, Sheehan was quick to help me "remember" a tune or two that I'd "forgotten."

"You don't know that one?" he'd ask. Then he'd sing.

Sigh …

Sheehan's pure tones were evident even over my headset, which makes sense — the tenor's concerts have sold out Carnegie Hall four times.

"It's a thrill, I feel very blessed," he said the morning after arriving in Salt Lake City for Monday's concert.

"My wife's sister and her family live here. So, I've been here to visit but not to perform."

But there is no time like the present. Sheehan will grace Kingsbury Hall's stage as part of "Broadway Extravaganza."

Joining Sheehan on stage will be youth dance companies from around the valley, including Salt Lake Dance Center, Utah Dance Artists, The Dance Club Premier Dance Academy and Center Stage Performing Studios.

"When Jillana (Webb, founder of Salt Lake Dance Center) asked me about this, I just said, 'What can I do to help?' " Sheehan said "She wanted to do something to bring these dance schools together, and she asked me if I'd commit. I'm really happy to be here."

Webb, who coordinated the event, came up with the idea while watching the TV show, "So You Think You Can Dance?"

"Our dancers attend competitions — they'll travel all over the country," Webb explained. "While watching that show, some of the dancers are kids who have moved through these competitions. And I thought it was a shame that nobody gets to see these amazing dancers."

"We just watch each other. And it's competitive instead of supportive. I just thought it'd be great to gets all these dancers together."

The evening will be a mix of song and dance. "Ciaran will sing, then the there will be a few dances, and then he'll sing," Webb said.

One thing is clear for musical theater fans — there will be something for everyone.