For Immediate Release 21 November 2011 Hong Kong

Show Time! Three of Broadway’s Leading Vocalists join Hong Kong Philharmonic and Conductor Carl Topilow in “Best of Broadway” on 7&8 December

Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HKPO) brings an eclectic mix of Broadway classic hits. On 7&8 December 2011 (Wed & Thu) , 8pm , SoundFest: “The Best of Broadway” features a line-up of favourite hits from Broadway musicals such as Funny Girl, My Fair Lady, Mamma Mia, Cats, Phantom of the Opera and many more. Conductor Carl Topilow will be joined by vocalists Christiane Noll , and Doug LaBrecque in a night of dazzling showstoppers!

Carl Topilow, conductor Founder of the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, Carl Topilow is renowned worldwide for his versatility, whether wielding a conductor's baton or playing his trademark red clarinet. He is a multi-talented virtuoso equally at home in classical and popular music. Carl's pops performances blend light classical, swing, jazz, Broadway, Dixieland and Klezmer music, usually with at least one number on his array of brightly coloured clarinets. His unique approach to pops programming includes extensive audience involvement and true showmanship.

Christiane Noll, vocalist Born in New York, Christiane was hailed as “one of the most versatile actresses in the American ”. She made her opera début with Plácido Domingo and the Washington National Opera in The Merry Widow as Valencienne at The Kennedy Centre. She has been a member of the national tours of !, , and an tour of Australia and Thailand in . She is also a frequent guest soloist as part of Bravo Broadway with many symphony orchestras around the world, including the National Symphony, Cincinnati Pops and Philadelphia Pops.

Debbie Gravitte, vocalist

"You had better believe she's on Broadway to stay! ---"New York Times

Debbie Gravitte has had a varied career taking her from the Broadway Stage to the Concert Hall and points between. She won the prestigious Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in A Musical for Jerome Robbin’s Broadway along with a Drama Desk Award Nomination, as well as the New York Showstopper Award. Since making her Broadway début in the original cast of They’re Playing Our Song , Ms Gravitte has become a frequent guest of numerous symphony orchestras including the National Symphony, The Boston Pops, Houston Symphony, London Symphony and Birmingham Symphony.

Doug LaBrecque, vocalist Doug Labrecque was featured in Oscar Hammerstein’s 100 th Birthday Celebration on Broadway at

The Gershwin Theatre, and toured nationally with Les Misérables. He has collaborated with many world-class orchestras including the Israel Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, San Francisco Symphony and New Jersey Symphony. He has also appeared in Broadway musicals including Phantom of the Opera, Showboat and Man of La Manncha.

Programme Get ready for an evening of classic entertainment with the Best of Broadway. Three wonderful Broadway stars, Christiane Noll, Debbie Gravitte and Doug LaBrecque will take us on a journey with a line-up of golden hits from Broadway musicals such as Cats : Memory, Phantom of the Opera : Phantom of the Opera and Music of the Night etc . With conductor Carl Topilow at the helm, this will be a night to remember. We guarantee you’ll leave the hall singing!

SoundFest: The Best of Broadway 7&8 | 12| 2011 WED & THU 8PM HK Cultural Centre Concert Hall HK$380 $280 $200 $140 Available at URBTIX now

Artists

Carl Topilow conductor

Christiane Noll vocalist

Debbie Gravitte vocalist

Doug LaBrecque vocalist Click the thumbnail to download press images [Or hold Ctrl then click to open the file]

Programme JULE STYNE Funny Girl : Overture Gypsy : All I Need is the Girl / Together Wherever We Go Funny Girl : Don’t Rain on My Parade COLE PORTER Jubilee : Begin the Beguine LERNER/LOEWE My Fair Lady : I Could Have Danced All Night TESORI Thoroughly Modern Millie WARREN 42 nd Street BERNSTEIN Candide : Glitter and be Gay ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER Cats : Memory SHAIMAN Hairspray : You Can’t Stop the Beat KANDER/EBB Chicago : All that Jazz / All I Care About is Love Cabaret SCHÖNBERG Les Misérables : On My Own ANDERSSON/ULVAEUS Mamma Mia! : Medley BERNSTEIN

West Side Story : Overture SCHWARTZ Wicked : Defying Gravity ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER Phantom of the Opera : Phantom of the Opera Phantom of the Opera : Music of the Night

Media Contact

Paul Tam, Director of Marketing Tel: (852) 2721 9035 Cell: (852) 9650 6818 Email: [email protected] Alice Luk, Corporate Communications Officer Tel: (852) 2721 1585 Cell: (852) 6280 0156 Email: [email protected]

Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra Edo de Waart Artistic Director and Chief Conductor

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HKPO) is one of Asia’s leading orchestras. Enriching Hong Kong’s cultural life for over a century, the Orchestra has grown into a formidable ensemble of Chinese and international talents, attracting world-class artists to collaborate on its stage. HKPO annually touches the lives of over 200,000 music lovers through more than 150 performances including its extensive education programme HSBC Insurance Creative Notes and free concerts such as the popular Swire Symphony under the Stars , and regular broadcasts and telecasts. Outside of Hong Kong, the HKPO has made a number of critically acclaimed tours in Asia and Europe.

The 2011/12 season will mark Maestro Edo de Waart’s eighth and final season with the HKPO. Apart from his own series of five special programmes which are summaries of his achievements with the Orchestra over the last seven years, ending with Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, the new season will also attract a stellar cast of great artists and guest conductors.

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra is financially supported by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region SWIRE is the Principal Patron of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra is the Venue Partner of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre