Known as the “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin left an indelible mark on the music industry with her powerful voice, magnetic stage presence, and unwavering commitment to her craft. The New Haven Symphony Orchestra will celebrate this American music legend in a three-city tour of Aretha: A Tribute to cap off their triumphant 2022-2023 concert season. Led by Principal Pops Conductor Chelsea Tipton, II, the performances will take place on:
- Thursday, June 1 at 7:30 p.m. at Klein Memorial Hall in Bridgeport, CT
- Friday, June 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the John C. Lyman Center for the Performing Arts at Southern CT State University in New Haven, CT
- Sunday, June 4 at 3:00 p.m. at Shelton High School
The New Haven Symphony will welcome for the first time Broadway star Capathia Jenkins and three-time Grammy Award nominee Ryan Shaw to star in this glittery, high-energy soul/classical mashup.
There is no question as to why Aretha Franklin became the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her immense talent, influence, and contribution to the music industry have left an indelible mark on any person who has encountered her voice and presence. This concert will feature many of her greatest hits including RESPECT, Chain of Fools, and Think; will recognize her soulful inspiration through beloved songs like What A Friend We Have In Jesus and Amazing Grace; and will pay tribute to her many collaborators such as Stevie Wonder and James Brown. Not only will the concert program recreate these famous songs, the expansion of the music to include full orchestra will enhance the depth of sound experienced by the audience.
The Brooklyn-born and raised actress Capathia Jenkins most recently starred as ‘Medda’ in the hit Disney production of Newsies’ on Broadway. She made her Broadway debut in The Civil War, where she created the role of Harriet Jackson. She then starred in the Off-Broadway 2000 revival of Godspell, where she wowed audiences with her stirring rendition of ‘Turn Back, O Man’ which can still be heard on the original cast recording. She returned to Broadway in The Look of Love. Ms. Jenkins then created the roles of ‘The Washing Machine’ in Caroline, Or Change and ‘Frieda May’ in Martin Short’sFame Becomes Me where she sang ‘Stop the Show’ and brought the house down every night. In 2007 she went back to Off-Broadway and starred in (mis) Understanding Mammy-The Hattie McDaniel Story for which she was nominated for a Drama Desk Award. She was also seen in Nora Ephron’s Love, Loss, and What I Wore. Her television credits include 30 Rock, the Practice, Law & Order SVU, The Sopranos, Law & Order. She can be seen in the film ‘Musical Chairs’ and can be heard on the soundtracks of Nine, Chicago, and Legally Blonde 2.
Ryan Shaw is a three-time GRAMMY® nominated artist for his solo projects, Columbia Records’ This is Ryan Shaw, In Between, and Dynotone’s Real Love. He has shared the world stage with such artists as Van Halen, Bonnie Raitt, John Legend, B.B. King and Jill Scott. His music has been featured on FOX’s So You Think You Can Dance and ABC’s Dancing with The Stars, Grey’s Anatomy, and Lincoln Heights, and the films My Blueberry Nights, Bride Wars, and Sex and the City. He starred as Judas in the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Olivier Award-winning London production of Jesus Christ Superstar, as the original Stevie Wonder in Motown: The Musical on Broadway, and on London’s West End as the Soul of Michael Jackson in Thriller Live. His Carnegie Hall appearances include Elton John and Bernie Taupin Tribute, A Celebration of The African American Cultural Legacy, and a Nat King Cole 100th concert.
Tickets & Box Office: Tickets to June 1 at Klein Memorial Auditorium start at $26 and are available for purchase at TheKlein.org or by calling (800) 424-0160. Tickets to June 2 at the Lyman Center and June 4 at Shelton High School start at $15 (June 2) and $35 (June 4), and youth 17 and under are free with the purchase of an adult ticket. To purchase tickets, visit NewHavenSymphony.org or call (203) 693-1486.
