A good tribute performance can be indistinguishable from the real thing, which is why Method actors are no longer allowed to play dictators. Take in a safer form of imitation with this GrouponLive deal to see Ray, presented by Worldwide Theatricals at the California Theatre of the Performing Arts in San Bernardino. For $20, you get one ticket for seating in the middle orchestra rows on Saturday, May 25, at 8 p.m. (up to a $76.25 value, including all fees). Doors open at 7 p.m.
Ray
Remembering the unforgettable voice and sweeping influence of Ray Charles, Ray treats audiences to a night of tunes from the seminal singer. A musical original, Charles helped invent both sunglasses and soul, melding the emotional intensity of gospel music with the kind of popular lyrics found in blues and R&B. Appealing to an all-ages audience of diehard fans and casual aficionados alike, the show features such greatest hits as "Hallelujah I Love Her So," "Georgia on My Mind," and "America the Beautiful."
California Theatre of the Performing Arts
A former vaudeville performance space and movie palace built in 1928, the California Theatre of the Performing Arts hearkens back to a bygone era with its majestic Wurlitzer organ, which is played during silent-film programs, and a time portal linked to the childhood home of Alexander Pantages. The theater’s deep-red stage curtains and ornate, vaulted ceilings also steep the senses in a vintage ambiance. Thanks to this comforting nostalgia, as well as the heartfelt scenes that unfold onstage, the space seems much cozier than a 1,718-seat auditorium has any right to.