New Haven, CT (September 19, 2013): The New Haven Symphony Orchestra (NHSO) opens its 2013-14 Pops Series with The Great American Songbook, with Tony-Award winner Debbie Gravitte and acclaimed Broadway conductor Todd Ellison. Saturday, October 19 at Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium at Hamden Middle School, and Sunday, October 20 at 3:00pm at Shelton Intermediate School. Tickets at $35 and $45 are on sale at www.NewHavenSymphony.org
In the first of four Pops performances, travel from Tin Pan Alley to the Great White way, as the program takes audiences from classic American Songbook pieces like “I Got Rhythm” from Girl Crazy and “Don’t Rain on My Parade” from Funny Girl, to new additions including “All That Jazz” from Chicago and “Defying Gravity” from Wicked.
DEBBIE GRAVITTE is one of Broadway’s biggest personalities. Debbie received the Tony Award for her critically acclaimed performance in Jerome Robbins Broadway, along with the New York Showstopper Award and a Drama Desk Award nomination. Debbie has sung with over 100 orchestras worldwide. Debbie was featured in Peter Martin’s ballet Thou Swell with the NYC Ballet, as well as on multiple recordings, including her three solo CDs: Defying Gravity, The Alan Menken Album, and The MGM Album.
TODD ELLISON has been hailed by The New York Times as one of “Broadway’s electric conductors,” and is one of the most accomplished and sought after Music Directors working today. Currently Music Director and Conductor of the new Broadway production of Annie, his credits include Monty Python’s Spamalot and La Cage aux Folles, which won Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Musical Revival, respectively. He was the Music Director of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular for several seasons. He has conducted over 20 albums, including the Grammy Award winning cast albums of his shows.
Tickets for both performances ($35-45) can be purchased at 203.865.0831 x10 or online at www.NewHavenSymphony.org. The Symphony’s KidTix program provides a free ticket to anyone under age 18 when accompanied by a paying adult. Bring the (grand) kids to these afternoons shows!
Thank you to our sponsors: Shelton Pops Series Sponsor R.D. Scinto; Hamden Pops Series Sponsor Whitney Center; Hamden Media Sponsor WQUN Radio.
