Sara Bareilles in Concert at UPMC Event Center; Mr. Smalls Hosts North Mississippi Allstars (Fri., 11/15/19)

1) How multitalented is Sara Bareilles? She composed the music and lyrics for the musical Waitress, receiving a 2016 Tony Award nomination for Best Original Score. And then, during a couple of months later in the show’s run, she played the lead role on Broadway—a feat that requires one to sing, dance, and act at world-class levels. In 2018 she was Mary Magdalene in the live-TV production of Jesus Christ Superstar … then teamed with title-role singer/actor John Legend for a track on her sixth studio album, this year’s Amidst the Chaos. Her artistry in songwriting, singing, and piano-playing (as in “Armor”) has won comparisons to Billy Joel. But Joel may soon have to settle for being known as the male Sara Bareilles. What’s more, Bareilles connects with fans in a deeply emotional way. Her single “Brave,” which she says was inspired by a friend’s coming out as gay, has become an anthem for people facing all sorts of challenges. Bareilles visits Pittsburgh on her Amidst the Chaos Tour and tickets are going fast. She’s at the UPMC Events Center on the Robert Morris campus, with guest Emily King. 8 p.m. 6001 University Blvd., Moon. (MV)

Sara Bareilles performing at The Troubadour in Los Angeles, California in 2015. (photo: Justin Higuchi)

2) The North Mississippi Allstars hail from Hernando, Mississippi, and feature brothers Luther (guitar, vocals) and Cody Dickinson (drums, keyboards, and electric washboard—who knew!). They rose to success on blues-rock songs, including their cover of Bukka White’s “Shake ’Em on Down.” The band has played with John Hiatt, John Medeski, and Robert Randolph and the Family Band. Their new album is 2019’s Up and Rolling. 8 p.m. Mr. Smalls Theatre, 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. (RH, CM)

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