COEUR d'ALENE - Ivories and fancies will be tickled when internationally acclaimed pianist and vocalist Kevin Cole performs at the Kroc Center June 14.

Cole, known as "America's Pianist," will play a benefit concert for the Northwest Theatre Arts and Education Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to bolstering the present and future of the arts in Coeur d'Alene. The foundation mostly supports musical theater students (acting, singing, dancing, musical performers) who want to continue education in theater arts. This is done mainly through scholarships.

"We hope that people will be coming to our events so we can give full-ride scholarships eventually to students," said NWTAEF president Laura Little. She said her goal is to get these students into college so they can learn how to turn theater into a career.

"There's so much of it here, with all the kids that go through the kids' programs, and then they just stop. They don't go any further, yet some of them have done eight years of performances," she said. "Yet they don't go, they don't think of it as a life form, something they can do."

Little's company, Laura Little Theatrical Productions, will be presenting Cole's performance, "88-Key Salute," which is a variety of musical theater pieces geared toward suiting the tastes of a more general audience.

Cole is an award-winning musical director, arranger, composer, vocalist and archivist. His music includes songs from the "Great American Songbook," a compilation of some of the most influential singers and songwriters of the mid-1900s. Cole's musical prowess has earned the praises of critics and musicians alike. He is known for his interpretation of American composer George Gershwin and a repertoire that includes some of the best American music of the 20th century.

"The fun thing about his concerts is he talks, too, he tells the story behind the piece, so it's not just sitting there listening to somebody play for 90 minutes," Little said.

This is Cole's first time serenading Coeur d'Alene. He's been all over the world and performed with many orchestras, in big cities and in smaller ones like his hometown of Bay City, Mich. Cole played Carnegie Hall for his first time May 7. He shared the stage with stars such as Bernadette Peters, Lucie Arnez and Michael Douglas in a benefit Monday for the American Cancer Society in the Hudson Theatre in the heart of New York City, where guest tables cost up to $100,000.

"What I'm hoping is that he has a good reception here, that people really enjoy him, and that he'll come back every couple years or so, and he'll fall in love with the area," Little said. She said she feels it is important for the people of Coeur d'Alene to be exposed to Cole's level of quality musicianship.

"This pianist is absolutely incredible," said Barbara Brill, Little's mom and president of Cole's fan club.

It just so happens Little and Brill personally know Cole. They met him after a performance in Oceanside, Calif., in 2002, and Brill was delighted by what she saw and heard.

"I think that this is the best thing that's ever happened to Coeur d'Alene, the most exciting," Brill said. "He really knows how to connect with the audience. It's almost like you're sitting in your living room watching a friend, a genius friend, play."

Brill said her favorite songs Cole plays are Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" and "Swanee."

"When he plays 'Swanee,' you can't even follow his hands," Brill said.

As president of Cole's fan club, Brill said she answers fan emails for him.

"It's an honor, and it's a way for me to help connect with his audiences," she said. Brill, originally from Yonkers, N.Y., and currently in Liberty Lake, is a former reporter and editor of the North County Times in Oceanside. She is thrilled that Cole is coming to Coeur d'Alene. And the show coincidentally falls on her birthday.

"You shouldn't miss it," she said. "He has a great voice, not only does he have the talent to play the piano the way he does, he sings, he croons, he has a wonderful voice.

On Cole's website, www.kevincoleonline.com, The Boston Philharmonic's conductor Benjamin Zander says that Cole is "the living embodiment of Gershwin's style. His virtuosity is breathtaking and he has the power to galvanize an audience to tremendous enthusiasm."

The concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. June 14 at the Kroc Center. Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for students. Limited on-stage seating is $75 and includes an autographed CD and an invitation for a meet-and-greet after the show.

Info: (208) 391-2867 or www.lauralittletheatricals.com