The web-site BitterWaitress.com reported that Kid Rock once left a Tampa, Florida barmaid a $200 tip on a $15 tab, yet "Piano Man" Billy Joel is known as "Dollar Bill" for his notoriously meager tipping. The fact that those details are on the world-wide-web should be a lesson to all skinflints. Oh, and be sure to try the veal!

The touring show - now on the road while Broadway audiences are still enjoying the show - will be coming to the Civic Center for the first time. The show took two 2003 Tony Awards for best choreography and best orchestration.

The story is told through the choreography of Twyla Tharp and more than two dozen of Billy Joel's hit songs. It is the story of lifelong friends living through two turbulent decades that change them and the world around them.

The show's main characters come straight from Joel's lyrics. There's Brenda & Eddie from "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant," Tony and Sergeant O'Leary from "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)," Judy from "Why Judy Why," and James from "James." Their stories are told through dance; there's no dialogue.

In Billy Joel's most famous song, "Piano Man," crowds come to see a piano player who can help them "forget about life for a while."

The "Movin' Out" band performs Billy Joel's music that sets the stage for "Movin' Out," opening Tuesday at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center.

See the television commercial for "Movin' Out," and you'll find yourself, many hours later, humming Billy Joel tunes you didn't know you remembered.

The show itself has that kind of infectiousness as well, critics say.

Based on 24 Joel classics, "Movin' Out" tells the story of five friends over two decades, beginning in high school and ending as middle age beckons.

The show starts with the fun of being a teenager in Long Island in the 1960s. Brenda & Eddie, the king and queen of prom, have called it quits. Their buddies, James & Judy, are ready to grow up now - led by visions of marriage, kids and a happy home.

None of their lives progress as they expected, and the path home becomes frighteningly indistinct.

War, idealism and survival are primary themes of the production. Over time, the friends discover loss and loneliness can be conquered by forgiveness and love.

Star choreographer Twyla Tharp conceived and choreographed the show, with Joel's blessing, using characters from his songs as its basis. Brenda & Eddie come from "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant," Tony and Sergeant O'Leary come from "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)," Judy comes from "Why Judy Why," and James comes from, of course, "James."

The show has no dialogue. Not a word. Tharp says movement tells the story, that its emotional resonance comes from action.

Twyla Tharp does not move her hands as she speaks.

Except for occasionally running her fingers through her stick-straight, silvery gray hair, the celebrated choreographer simply focuses her milk chocolate eyes on a point somewhere in the distance, intermittently glancing at the person she addresses.

Tharp's stillness only accentuates her words. And in this moment, it all comes together: Sometimes, the message is the words. And sometimes, it's everything but.

Once again, Tharp has challenged the status quo. Her "show," "Movin' Out" - not quite dance performance and not quite rock musical - takes the songs of Billy Joel and turns them into a legacy of the Vietnam War, a story that is told through movement and music rather than dialogue.

Since its Broadway debut in Fall 2002, the show has set box-office records, won stellar reviews and earned Tony Awards for best choreography and best orchestration.

Tharp admits she's been surprised at the show's success. But then again, "Not really."

Growing up listening to Billy Joel, I was often struck by the engaging stories his songs told. Was there really a Catholic girl named Virginia as portrayed in "Only The Good Die Young?" And what ever happened to Brenda & Eddie, the ill-fated couple from "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant?" Nashville audiences will find out when the Tony Award-winning musical "Movin' Out" opens at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center Tuesday night.

Conceived, choreographed and directed by the legendary Twyla Tharp and based on the music of five-time Grammy Award winner Joel, "Movin' Out" tells the truly American story of five life-long friends over two extraordinary decades. The show - which somehow weaves elements of traditional musical theater and ballet together without ever losing sight of its rock and roll roots - offers no spoken dialogue. Instead, the story is conveyed solely through Tharp's innovative choreography. The result is a wildly imaginative showcase for dance, backed up by a scorching rock band. In fact, the two-hour show is so physically demanding that it features two separate casts that alternate performances.

Dizzying dance moves aside, the production's soul lies within Joel's compelling words and music brought to life by two very talented "Piano Men," Darren Holden & Matt Wilson. At first glance, the two musicians might appear to have little in common. Born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, Holden loves country music and has recorded in Nashville with big names like Rodney Crowell. Wilson hails from the Lone Star State, and grew up playing rock and roll in clubs such as Jellyrolls Dueling Piano Bar.

One thing that the two share aside from their respective talent is a deep appreciation for Joel and his music.

Singer/songwriter Billy Joel has checked into a rehab clinic for treatment for alcohol abuse.

It appears a bad case of gas has sent Billy Joel back into rehab. "Following a recent bout of severe gastrointestinal distress, Billy Joel has checked himself into an undisclosed rehabilitation facility for treatment of alcohol abuse," the "Piano Man"'s representative said in a statement. The singer is asking the media to respect his privacy and refrain from making any "You smelt it, you dealt it" jokes.

Apparently, Billy Joel doesn't love himself just the way he is.

In the wake of his hospitalization for stomach problems last month, the "Piano Man" has signed on for a stint in rehab to deal with a drinking problem.

Rocker Billy Joel has returned to a rehabilitation clinic, his publicist has confirmed.

The 55 year-old singer/songwriter checked into a New York hospital in February 2005 after experiencing severe gastric pains.

His representative says, "Following a recent bout of severe gastro-intestinal distress, Billy Joel has checked himself into an undisclosed rehabilitation facility for treatment of alcohol abuse.

Last month, when Billy Joel was hospitalized with stomach problems, his publicist denied that the 55 year-old rocker's ailment had been brought on by alcohol. Nonetheless, Joel has checked himself in to an unnamed clinic for alcohol rehab, USA Today reports. "Following a recent bout of severe gastro-intestinal distress, Billy Joel has checked himself into an undisclosed rehabilitation facility for treatment of alcohol abuse," the publicist said in a statement on Wednesday. "Mr. Joel has asked that his privacy be respected."

Joel checked himself into alcohol rehab at Connecticut's Silver Hill Hospital in 2002 a few days after crashing his Mercedes-Benz near his Long Island home. Since then, he's had two other single-car accidents on Long Island roads. He was hospitalized for minor injuries after totaling his car when he hit a tree in 2003, and he drove another car into a house in 2004.

Singer/songwriter Billy Joel, who was scheduled to play two concerts this month, has postponed at least one of the dates and entered rehab for alcohol abuse.

He apparently had too many bottles of red or bottles of white, and now Billy Joel is back in rehab.

The "Piano Man," "following a recent bout of severe gastro-intestinal distress," checked himself into an undisclosed facility "for treatment of alcohol abuse," his spokeswoman Claire Mercuri said yesterday.

It's the second time in less than three years the Grammy-winning singer/songwriter turned to rehab to overcome his booze blues. On June 12th, 2002, he escaped serious injury in a car crash in East Hampton.

A cop said "there were no signs of alcohol," but days later Joel checked into Silver Hill, a chic Connecticut clinic.

Seven months later, he totaled his Mercedes-Benz S600 when he smashed it into a tree while driving alone in Sag Harbor, New York.

Because cops said they could detect no smell of alcohol on him or in the car, they did not give him a Breathalyzer test.

Joel's ex-wife, supermodel Christie Brinkley, took photos of the crushed car and said that their daughter, Alexa Ray, then 17 years-old, had been riding in it hours before the crash.

Billy Joel has checked into an undisclosed rehabilitation center "for treatment of alcohol abuse," his spokeswoman said.

Joel, 55, entered the clinic after suffering "a recent bout of severe gastro-intestinal distress," spokeswoman Claire Mercuri told the New York Post for Wednesday editions.

In June 2002, the singer/songwriter checked into a New Canaan, Connecticut, substance abuse and psychiatric center. He later said he entered the hospital because he had been abusing alcohol.

Joel has been involved in several car accidents in the past three years, though none has been linked to alcohol or drug use.

Billy Joel has again checked into a clinic for treatment of his alcohol problem, his publicist said yesterday, reports Newsday's Stephen Williams. The facility's location is not named; Joel arrived there during the weekend. The formal statement issued by the singer's record label said, "Following a recent bout of severe gastro-intestinal distress, Billy Joel has checked himself into an undisclosed rehabilitation facility for treatment of alcohol abuse. Mr. Joel has asked that his privacy be respected."

In February 2005, Joel, 55, was hospitalized on Long Island for severe stomach pains, and was released after treatment.

In June 2002, Joel lost control of his Mercedes-Benz in Sag Harbor, New York and hit a wall, but he escaped with only minor injuries. A few days later, he entered the Silver Hill rehab facility in Connecticut to deal with "an undisclosed personal problem." Joel later confessed that a "prolonged period of indulgence" prompted his decision.

Singer Billy Joel has checked into an undisclosed rehabilitation center "for treatment of alcohol abuse," his spokeswoman said.

Joel, 55, entered the clinic after suffering "a recent bout of severe gastrointestinal distress," spokeswoman Claire Mercuri told The New York Post for Wednesday editions.

Less than two years ago, in June 2002, the singer spent about two weeks at Silver Hill Hospital, a substance abuse and psychiatric center in New Canaan, Connecticut. He later said he entered the hospital because he had been abusing alcohol.

Joel has been involved in several car accidents in the past three years, though none has been linked to alcohol or drug use.

In 2002, shortly before entering Silver Hill, he escaped serious injury in a crash in East Hampton, NY.

Two other car accidents followed, including one in 2003 in which he smashed his car into a tree along a highway on far eastern Long Island. Last year, Joel escaped unhurt when he crashed into a house on Long Island.

Joel married 23 year-old Kate Lee on October 2nd, 2004 at his Centre Island, NY, mansion. Joel, who was previously married twice, including to supermodel Christie Brinkley, has had more than two dozen Top 10 hits, including his signature song "Piano Man," which was released in 1973 and became a hit the next year.

In September, Joel's star was placed on Hollywood Boulevard in front of the Pantages Theatre, where the Tony Award-winning musical based on his songs, "Movin' Out," ended its run on October 31st, 2005. He is also a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Did you hear about the theatre critic who got everything he wanted - and more - from a show?

He was very happy. You will be too if you go to see "Movin' Out" at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center.

Billy Joel's great rock and roll story-songs mixed with Twyla Tharp's dance mastery is an evening of sheer bliss. It's also the best show to grace the HCA/Tristar Broadway in Nashville at TPAC Series in quite some time. The musicians and dancers assembled for the tour of this award-winning 2002 Broadway smash are in top form, and the production values are first-rate.

The musical begins in the 1960s on Long Island, NY. We see a group of friends go through high school romance, Vietnam, the drug scene, personal strife and reconciliation while such memorable Joel compositions as "It's Still Rock and Roll To Me," "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant," "Captain Jack," "Pressure," "Goodnight Saigon" and the title tune accompany Tharp's choreography.

And what splendid choreography it is. Tharp takes elements of ballet, Broadway and modern dance and fuses them into an energetic and often erotic mixture that shows beauty even in crumpled human bodies. Tharp is not afraid to break lines of movement with unexpected twists, turns and stops that reveal emotion, and character, quite convincingly.

The performers Tharp has chosen are certainly up to the task of interpreting the dance. I won't mention any by name for the simple reason that all are standouts in this ensemble. Their artistry reveals "Movin' Out"'s characters without speaking a single word.

Darren Holden, who shares piano and lead vocals duties with Matt Wilson in this tour, is a remarkable singer whose voice has power, variety, flexibility and durability over the show's two-plus hours. The Irish-born singer often sounds more like New York native Joel than the popular-music master himself.

The musicians who work with Holden and Wilson high above the dancers and the stage are excellent. It's just another of the many elements that make this show an unqualified success - Santo Loquasto's functional scenic design framework, Donald Holder's pulsating lights, the balanced sound design by Brian Ruggles and Peter Fitzgerald, and Suzy Benzinger's character-fitting costumes are others.

If you only see one Broadway Series show this season, make it "Movin' Out." It's even better than you've heard it is.

Pop singer Billy Joel has checked into a rehabilitation center to help him beat a drinking problem.

It followed a stint in hospital last month for the treatment of a stomach problem, which Joel's publicist denied was a result of pancreatitis, a condition typically caused by heavy alcohol consumption.

A spokesman for the "Piano Man" would not disclose the location of the clinic. It was the second time Joel, the singer of such hits as "Uptown Girl" and "Allentown," has been in rehab.

I saw Laura Kanyok at a reception after Nashville's premiere of "Movin' Out," and I wanted to speak to her, but I was suddenly overcome with the shyness of a starstruck child.

I didn't tell her, so I'll tell you: I have never seen anything like Kanyok before in my life, and I wager I never will again. I thank God I did when I had the chance.

Kanyok is the standout among standouts in "Movin' Out," which runs through Sunday at Tennessee Performing Arts Center.

The traveling Broadway show is choreographer Twyla Tharp's kinetic interpretation of 24 of Billy Joel's songs.

I saw "Movin' Out" commercials on TV and imagined the fun of seeing it because so many of Joel's songs were popular when I was growing up. When I went to the theatre Tuesday, I fully expected a cotton candy experience - pastel-colored twirly prettiness, with a laugh here and there.

What I got was spiritual, a new vision of dance and its infinite possibilities. "Movin' Out," I have told several people, in my struggle to provide an adequate description, is dance perfected.

Classical ballerinas, my mother included, would spank me for saying such a thing. But it's true. "Movin' Out" takes what "The Nutcracker" tries to do - tell a story through dance - and does it to perfection.

I'm not picking on "The Nutcracker," but using it as an example since you've probably seen it. In it, the story is a framework on which to hang a series of elaborate, rigidly controlled dance performances. "Movin' Out" tells the story throughdance, with movement as an extension of the five central characters' personalities and emotions.

Billy Joel wants to stay warm during his latest stab at rehab. The "Piano Man," who sobered up at Connecticut's Silver Hill in 2002, is at the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, California. Word is he could be there for a few more weeks.

The verdict: Riveting dance-theatre.

If "Movin' Out" were just a recitation of Billy Joel's gleaming pop songs, it would probably be a sorry excuse for a musical.

Instead, the 2.5 year-old Broadway hit builds appeal by combining the live energy of a rock concert with the sexual expressiveness of dance. You don't have to be a balletomane to appreciate Twyla Tharp's lean, unfussy choreography. Nor a social commentator to see the relevance of this Vietnam-era elegy, which provides flesh-and-blood evidence of how war devours our children and crushes our souls.

Making its Atlanta, Georgia debut at the Fox Theatre this week, "Movin' Out" ranks among the most moving and physically glorious theatrical experiences of the season. The genius of the show, which was conceived, directed and choreographed by Tharp, is that it uses Joel's lyrics to evince a fully developed narrative arc. These characters don't erupt into song; they burst from the songs.

Theatregoers of a certain age remember Brenda & Eddie as the "popular steadies" from "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant." We know Tony as the young renegade from the titular "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)." Tharp connects these three into a triangle, then adds Judy and James (who love each other just the way they are) and plops them all down in the town of Hicksville, which is just one big sock hop of dancin', makin' out, and cruisin'. (I mean, what's a '50s musical without a red convertible?)

But to its credit, "Movin' Out" doesn't linger long on the nostalgia before we are in Vietnam, where Joel's culture-referencing "We Didn't Start The Fire" spews: "...JFK, blown away, what else do I have to say? Birth control, Ho Chi Minh, Richard Nixon, back again...."

Backed by a terrific eight-piece band, vocalist-pianist Darren Holden invests Joel's repertoire with his own kicky style and personality. It's Bruce Springsteen meets Elton John - in a good way. The band perches on a catwalk that crowns Santo Loquasto's set of steel girders and speakers, while lighting designer Donald Holder shifts symbolically from gunsmoke blues to apocalyptic reds.

Fortunately, these visual enhancements never get in the way of the glorious dancing. The star is Rasta Thomas. A technical virtuoso who envisions Eddie as a mixture of James Dean and Mikhail Baryshnikov, he dances like an angel. (Note that the part of Eddie rotates between Thomas and Brendan King.)

Corbin Popp makes a blonde and bulky Tony, Laurie Kanyok an appropriately vulgar Brenda and Matthew Dibble a sweet and tragic James. In widow's weeds, Julieta Gros (Judy) is an ethereal, diaphanous ballerina of great emotional complexity.

On its own, Joel's reputation might seem on the wane. He's an entertainer - not a poet. But Tharp manages to reshape his vision into a meditation on war that's profound, cathartic and ultimately redemptive.

Defying all conventions of musical theatre, "Movin' Out" rocks the house and moves the heart.