San Diego Symphony News Release Jacobs Music Center Copley Symphony Hall www.sandiegosymphony.com Contact: April 16, 2015 Stephen Kougias Director of Public Relations 619.615.3951 [email protected] __________________________________________________________________________ San Diego Symphony Announces 2015-2016 City Lights and International Passport Series Highlights include: A Tribute to Marvin Hamlisch, ‘Seinfeld’s’ Jason Alexander, Cirque Musica, Moscow Festival Ballet, TAO: Seventeen Samurai. The San Diego Symphony now shines the spotlight on its 2015-2016 City Lights pops lineup and International Passport Series, which features musical acts from around the world. Both series take place at the Jacobs Music Center – Copley Symphony Hall in downtown San Diego. City Lights Marvin Hamlisch, San Diego Symphony’s former principal pops conductor, will be honored by a trio of Broadway veterans in One Singular Sensation (March 4) in next season’s pops-themed City Lights Series. These Broadway artists include Tony Award-winning Donna McKechnie (A Chorus Line), Tony Award-nominee Jodi Benson (Crazy for You) and Phantom of the Opera’s Doug LeBrecque. This show salutes Marvin Hamlisch, a giant in the entertainment business— and one of the most celebrated composers of stage and screen including A Chorus Line, The Way We Were, They’re Playing Our Song, Ordinary People and Sophie’s Choice to name a few. Seinfeld star and Tony Award-winning Broadway actor Jason Alexander brings the songs of the musical theater plus laughter and surprises to San Diego’s Jacobs Music Center on April 8 and 9. Best known for his role as George Costanza on Seinfeld, he has also had an active career on stage appearing in several Broadway musicals including Jerome Robbins’ Broadway for which he won the Tony Award as Best Leading Actor in a Musical. Previously scheduled to appear at San Diego Symphony’s Summer Pops on August 23, 2015, Jason instead will be returning to Broadway this summer in Larry David’s mega-hit, Fish in the Dark. The San Diego Symphony looks forward to Jason Alexander being part of its exciting City Lights lineup next April at the Jacobs Music Center. “In an ongoing effort to reach an even wider audience, we are extraordinarily pleased to announce next season’s City Lights with such an appealing array of popular entertainment along with artists from around the world in our International Passport Series,” stated Martha Gilmer, chief executive officer of the San Diego Symphony. “This coming season offers something for everyone, from a salute to Broadway’s legendary Marvin Hamlisch to the versatile Tony Award-winning Jason Alexander whom we all know and love from TV’s Seinfeld. And for even more music, song and dance, our International Passport Series is a colorful and thrilling extravaganza that will take audiences on a journey around the globe.” City Lights begins the season with two movies. First up: Disney in Concert: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas featuring the music of Danny Elfman (October 30 and 31). The movie will be projected onto the big screen while the San Diego Symphony performs Danny Elfman’s score. Next: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (November 13). This blockbuster movie, perfect for the entire family is filed with unparalleled magic and imagination. Once again, the San Diego Symphony will perform John Williams’ Oscar-winning score live on stage while the movie is show in HD on the big screen. Always a traditional favorite with San Diego audiences, San Diego Symphony’s Holiday Pops returns (December 18-20)—this time featuring Cirque Musica filled with acrobats, jugglers demonstrating strength balance, daring and sheer beauty. City Lights continues on February 6 with singer/songwriter and alternative pop/rock superstar, Ben Folds, who brings his repertoire of hits along with his new concerto for piano and orchestra to the Jacobs Music Center. International Passport Series A mere three weeks after the Symphony’s outdoor Summer Pops extravaganza ends on Labor Day Weekend, the entertainment moves indoors starting with the International Passport Series. These presentations do not include the San Diego Symphony but offer a variety of musical acts from around the globe including countries represented this coming season: China, India, Japan, Russia, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States. Greetings from Asia. The National Circus and Acrobats of The People’s Republic of China (September 27), one of the country’s longest running and most distinguished circus troupes featuring the Great Teeterboard, Grand Flying Trapeze and Group Contortion. Continuing with performers from Asia, the Bollywood Masala Orchestra and Dancers of India (October 18) present “The Spirit of India,” a bold vision of Indian live music and dance. It’s a colorful musical journey from Rajasthan to Mumbai and beyond. Later in the season (March 12), it’s TAO: Seventeen Samurai to astound the audience with explosive Taiko drumming and innovative choreography. Europe offer the next three performances with Compañia Flamenca Jose Porcel (November 15), a dazzling company of dancers and musicians that will feature its new program, “Flamenco Fire” combining a contemporary look and energy with the heart of classic Seville flamenco. For three consecutive nights (February 9, 10 and 11), the Moscow Festival Ballet offers stunning performances of the fairy tale, Cinderella, the darkly magical Giselle and the timeless Romeo and Juliet. And on February 21—with all of the pomp and circumstance that the UK does so well, The Band of the Royal Marines and the Pipes, Drums and Highland Dancers of the Scots Guard display its military musical versatility. Igudesman & Joo (March 20): Aleksey Igudesman and Hyung-ki Joo are two classical musicians who have taken the world by storm with their unique and hilarious theatrical shows combining comedy with classical music and popular culture. They are living their dream of making classical music accessible to a wider and younger audience. globalFest on the Road: Creole Carnival (March 26): During the past decade, the multicultural phenomenon, globalFest, has become one of the most dynamic global music platforms in North America. What started as an annual showcase in New York, has grown into an international brand, building audiences for world music at South by Southwest (SXSW) and Bonnaroo Music Festival and beyond. # # # San Diego Symphony Jacobs Music Center – Copley Symphony Hall 750 B Street San Diego, CA 92101 City Lights and International Passport Series Tickets: $20-$85 Box Office: 619.235.0804 Website: www.sandiegosymphony.com City Lights Calendar Listings Disney in Concert: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Featuring the music of Danny Elfman (shown on the big screen) San Diego Symphony (performs the film score) Bill Conti, conductor Friday and Saturday, October 30 & 31; 8pm E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (shown on the big screen) San Diego Symphony (performs the film score) Conductor TBA Friday, November 13; 8pm E.T.™ & © Universal Studios Holiday Pops Featuring Cirque Musica San Diego Symphony Matthew Garbutt, conductor San Diego Master Chorale San Diego Children’s Choir Friday and Saturday, December 18 & 19; 8pm Saturday, December 19, 2pm Sunday, December 20, 7:30pm Ben Folds San Diego Symphony Conductor, TBA Ben Folds, piano Saturday, February 6; 8pm Singer/songwriter and alternative pop/rock superstar, Ben Folds, brings his repertoire of hits along with his new concerto for piano and orchestra. One Singular Sensation: A Tribute to Marvin Hamlisch and His Music San Diego Symphony Larry Blank, conductor Donna McKechnie, vocalist Jodi Benson, vocalist Doug LaBrecque, vocalist Friday, March 4; 8pm Jason Alexander San Diego Symphony Matthew Garbutt, conductor Jason Alexander, guest artist Friday and Saturday, April 8 & 9; 8pm Seinfeld star and Tony® Award-winning Broadway actor Jason Alexander brings the songs of musical theatre plus laughter and surprises for one evening only to City Lights. Critics have raved that this is one of the best Pops shows ever. Come see why! # # # International Passport Series Calendar Listings San Diego Symphony does not perform on this series. Direct from Beijing: The National Circus and Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China Sunday, September 27; 2pm One of the country’s longest running and most distinguished circus troupes featuring the Great Teeterboard, Grand Flying Trapeze and Group Contortion. Bollywood Masala Orchestra and Dancers of India Sunday, October 18; 7:30pm “The Spirit of India,” a bold vision of Indian live music and dance—a colorful musical journey from Rajasthan to Mumbai and beyond. Compañia Flamenca Jose Porcel Sunday, November 15; 7:30pm This dazzling company of dancers and musicians features a new program, “Flamenco Fire” combining a contemporary look and energy with the heart of classic Seville flamenco. Moscow Festival Ballet Tuesday, February 9; 7:30pm (Cinderella) Wednesday, February 10; 7:30pm (Giselle) Thursday, February 11; 7:30pm (Chopiniana + Romeo and Juliet) The Band of the Royal Marines and The Pipes, Drums and Highland Dancers of the Scots Guards Sunday, February 21; 7:30pm With pomp and circumstance, The Band of the Royal Marines and the Pipes, Drums and Highland Dancers of the Scots Guard display its military musical versatility. TAO: Seventeen Samurai Saturday, March 12; 8pm The audience will be astounded with explosive Taiko drumming and innovative choreography. Igudesman & Joo Sunday, March 20; 8pm Aleksey Igudesman and Hyung-ki Joo are two musicians who combine comedy with classical music and popular culture to make classical music more accessible to a younger and wider. globalFEST on the Road: Creole Carnival Saturday, March 26; 8pm First time in San Diego: the multicultural phenomenon, globalFest, has become one of the most dynamic global music platforms in North America. # # # .