CONCERT ADVISORY for Immediate Release November 7, 2014
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
CONCERT ADVISORY For Immediate Release November 7, 2014 The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra welcomes two of Broadway’s finest singers for From Broadway with Love November 13 & 15, 2014 Ashley Brown John Cudia Calgary, AB: The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra is welcoming two of Broadway’s finest singers to perform classic hits from The Great White Way. What: From Broadway with Love Where: EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts, Jack Singer Concert Hall When: Thursday, November 13, 2014 – 8PM Saturday, November 15, 2014 – 8PM This concert includes: Hits from such classic Broadway musicals as Oklahoma, My Fair Lady, The Phantom of the Opera and West Side Story. Performances from Broadway vocalists Ashley Brown, who originated the title role in Mary Poppins on Broadway, and John Cudia, the only actor to have performed on Broadway as both the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera and Jean Valjean in Les Misérables. This concert will be led by guest conductor Stuart Chafetz. Ticket Information: Tickets to this concert start at $25 and are available through the CPO Box Office at 403-571-0849 or online at cpo-live.com. Media Opportunities: Those wanting to arrange interviews or coverage of the event can contact Publicist Marie Pollock at 403-571-0283 or [email protected]. All media attendance must be approved in advance. The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra gratefully acknowledges: Season sponsors Nexen, a CNOOC Limited Company, and the Calgary Herald, host hotel The Fairmont Palliser, and media sponsor XL103. Led by internationally renowned Music Director Roberto Minczuk, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra has been a cornerstone of Calgary’s multi-faceted arts community since 1955 and is one of North America’s finest and most versatile live music ensembles. A repertoire that is extensive and broad in scope consistently attracts acclaimed guest artists and conductors. From classical giants to rock ‘n’ roll hits and family favourites, the CPO offers an average of 80 concerts per Season designed to fit all musical tastes. -30- Biographical Information: Stuart Chafetz, conductor Stuart Chafetz is a conductor with an affable podium demeanor and a keen sense of audience engagement. Increasingly in demand with orchestras across the continent, this season Chafetz will be on the podium in Baltimore, Houston, Indianapolis and Milwaukee. Previous conducting appearances include the orchestras of Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, San Francisco, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton and Florida (Tampa). He previously held posts as resident conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and associate conductor of the Louisville Orchestra. As principal timpanist of the Honolulu Symphony for twenty years, Chafetz would also conduct the annual Nutcracker performances with Ballet Hawaii and principals from the American Ballet Theatre. It was during that time that Chafetz led numerous concerts with the Maui Symphony and Pops. Chafetz maintains an ongoing special relationship with Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, and in the summers, Chafetz spends his time at the Chautauqua Institution, where he conducts the annual Fourth of July and Opera Pops. Chafetz makes his home near San Francisco, CA, with his wife Ann Krinitsky. Chafetz holds a bachelor’s degree in music performance from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati and a master’s from the Eastman School of Music. Ashley Brown, vocals Ashley Brown originated the title role in Mary Poppins on Broadway for which she received Outer Critics, Drama League and Drama Desk nominations for Best Actress. Ms. Brown also starred as Mary Poppins in the national tour of Mary Poppins where she garnered a Garland award for “Best Performance in a Musical”. Ms. Brown’s other Broadway credits include Belle in The Beauty and The Beast, and she has starred in the national tour of Disney's On the Record. Ms. Brown recently returned to critical acclaim starring in the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s production of Oklahoma. She previously played Magnolia opposite Nathan Gunn in Francesca Zembello’s Showboat at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Ms. Brown has performed with virtually all of the top orchestras in North America including the Boston Pops, the New York Philharmonic, The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra at Disney Hall, The Pittsburgh Symphony, the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall (four times), Fort Worth Symphony, the Cincinnati Pops, Philadelphia Orchestra (two times), the Milwaukee Symphony, the Indianapolis Symphony (three times), Seattle Symphony, the Houston Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, Jacksonville (two times) and the Philly Pops. She has also performed with the BBC orchestra opposite Josh Groban. John Cudia, vocals John Cudia recently played the title role in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway and for that production’s national tour. Cudia made his Broadway debut in Les Miserables and has the honor of being the only actor to have performed as both the Phantom and Jean Valjean on Broadway. John received the Joseph Jefferson Award for his portrayal of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables at the Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre. Other credits include Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar, Tony in West Side Story, Freddy in My Fair Lady, and Lt. Cable in South Pacific. He is now emerging as a classical crossover artist. As a featured soloist he has sung with The Broadway Tenors, in concert nationwide with The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, the Omaha Symphony and also with the Orchestra of Saint Peter by the Sea. John was Curly for Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Oklahoma! and Alfredo in La Traviata with Lyric Opera of the North. The tenor, who studies voice in New York City with Mark Oswald, is happily married to Broadway actress Kathy Voytko and the proud father of Alena Joyce and Evelyn Rose. .