A little nitecap in Dexter: An Evening with Michael Lanning June 26

DEXTER - An Evening with Michael Lanning will immediately follow the Friday, June 26 production of The Encore Musical Theatre's Little Shop of Horrors at the Bistro Renaissance in Downtown Dexter.

Lanning is currently starring as the voice of the plant, Audry II. He began performing in theater at the age of nine. With an extensive background and training in music and theater, Lanning has been a featured performer with many theater companies, including Southern California Civic Light Opera and the legendary Summer Stock, Junior University. Lanning has recorded and/or toured with such musical greats as Donovan, Fleetwood Mac, Rockpile, Larry Gatlin, Mike Post and George Harrison. Michael's band, Jiva, was the first American band signed to the Harrison label, Dark Horse Records, with George serving as their executive producer.

Lanning's distinctive, yet versatile style has made him a top session vocalist for national television and radio commercials for over a decade. Commercial jingles include the national spots Heartbeat of America (Chevy Truck), There's a Hunger Inside You (Snickers), We Build Excitement (Pontiac) and Come Ride (Honda) to name a few.

As an actor and singer, his credits include Steven Bochco's Cop Rock, Wayne's World, ER, Thunder In Paradise and Baywatch.

As a musician, Lanning has mastered guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo, drums and percussion.

Most recently, Lanning starred in both the Tony-nominated Broadway and National Tour Productions of composer Frank Wildhorn's The Civil War. He has also been a featured vocalist for six years with The Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

An Evening with Michael Lanning will start at 10:30 p.m.

Bistro Renaissance is located at 8093 Main St., Dexter. There will be no cover charge. A cash bar will be available, and the kitchen will be open to order food!

For more information about Michael Lanning, log on to www.michaellanning.com. For complete information regarding The Encore Musical Theatre and its current production of Little Shop of Horrors, log on to www.theencoretheatre.org.