Join Conductor Marvin Hamlisch and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) for a taste of New York from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 1, before WVU takes on Georgetown.

PSO’s “Broadway Rocks!” will be at the CAC as part of this year’s Canady Symphony Series, featuring music from Broadway’s hottest shows including “Mama Mia!,” “Jersey Boys,” “Dream Girls,” “Phantom of the Opera” and “Wicked.”

Mountaineers will hear all of their favorites from these hit musicals performed by the PSO and a cast of stellar vocalists straight from Broadway.

The program also includes performances by the talented All-Star College Chorus, comprised of students hand-picked from 10 different universities, with students from WVU participating for the first time.

The 5 p.m. start time is perfect for those who would like to both experience the world-class PSO and cheer on the men’s basketball team.

Hamlisch will pep up the audience by closing the show with an orchestral rendition of the WVU fight song to wish the Mountaineers victory over the Hoyas.

Tickets range from $12 – $39 and can be purchased by calling the Heinz Hall box office at 412-392-4900, or by visiting PSO online at www.pittsburghsymphony.org.

Groups of ten or more can call 412-392-4819 to order, and students wishing to attend can visit www.pittsburghsymphony.org/wvutix.

Broadway Rocks! participating artists:

Marvin Hamlisch’s life in music is notable for its great versatility, as well as substance. As composer, Hamlisch has won virtually every major award that exists: three Oscars, four Grammys, four Emmys, a Tony and three Golden Globe awards. His groundbreaking show, “A Chorus Line,” received the Pulitzer Prize. He is the composer of more than 40 motion picture scores including his Oscar-winning score and song for “The Way We Were” and his adaptation of Scott Joplin’s music for “The Sting,” for which he received his third Oscar. His prolific output of scores for films include original compositions and musical adaptations for “Sophie’s Choice,” “Ordinary People,” “The Swimmer,” “Three Men and a Baby,” “Ice Castles,” “Take the Money and Run,” “Bananas” and “Save the Tiger.”

Capathia Jenkins, Brooklyn-born and raised actress, made her Broadway debut in “The Civil War,” where she created the role of Harriett Jackson. She starred in the Off-Broadway 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,” and was critically acclaimed for her performances of the hit songs of Hal David and Burt Bacharach, including the title song.

Anne Runolfsson is one of those rare artists whose unique versatility has allowed her a distinguished career, not only in the theater, but also in recording studios, intimate cabaret spaces and concert halls throughout the world. The New York Times said, “Runolfsson has a flexible virtuosity, between ethereal melodiousness and piercing big-moment resonance,” while the LA Times called her, “A savvy and thoughtful performer.”

Robert Evan starred in the original Broadway cast of “Jekyll & Hyde,” playing the title roles for three years and more than 600 performances. His rendition of “This Is the Moment” has been heard at numerous prestigious events, including the 2001 Inaugural Gala for President George W. Bush, the Millennium Independence Day U.S. Naval Revue aboard the USS JFK for President Clinton, the Millennium World Forum Conference with guest speaker Mikhail Gorbachev, the 1998 Goodwill Games, the New York City Mayor’s Inaugural Gala, the 1998 and 1999 New York Yankees World Series Celebration at City Hall, The Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards Telecast, the Today Show, and Monday Night Football. Evan has starred around the world in the all-new “Jekyll & Hyde: The Concert,” having enjoyed a 16-show run in Seoul, South Korea’s Olympic Hall.

Gary Mauer has most recently been seen on Broadway as the Phantom in the Hal Prince production of “The Phantom of the Opera,” a role he had performed on the National tour. Previously he starred in the Broadway production of “The Phantom of the Opera,” performing the romantic leading role of Raoul. In addition, Mauer performed in the Broadway production of “Les Miserables” in the role of Enjolras, the revolutionary leader, a role he also performed with the National Tour in the United States and Singapore. In addition, he performed the leading role of Gaylord Ravenal in the National Tour of “Show Boat,” opposite his wife, Elizabeth Southard. Mauer was also a featured soloist in the world tour of “The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber,” with Michael Crawford, bringing him to Japan, Australia, England, Scotland and culminating back in the United States, where he performed for two weeks at the famous Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Regionally, his numerous credits include Jesus in “Jesus Christ Superstar,” Frederick in “The Pirates of Penzance,” Anthony in “Sweeney Todd,”
Tony in “West Side Story,” Whizzer in “March of the Falsettos” and Danny in “Baby.”

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra has been a vital part of the City of Pittsburgh’s heritage for more than 100 years. With its noble history of the finest conductors and musicians and its strong commitment to artistic quality and excellence, audiences around the world have claimed the PSO as their orchestra of choice. In September 2008, the PSO welcomed its ninth Music Director, Manfred Honeck. Beginning in the early 1900s with frequent performances in Canada, the PSO confirmed its ranking as a world-class orchestra, earning critical acclaim for each tour abroad. Its 34 international tours include 18 European tours, eight trips to the Far East and two to South America. In January 2004, the PSO became the first American orchestra to perform at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II, as part of the Pontiff’s Silver Jubilee celebration.

-WVU-

CONTACT: Charlene Lattea, College of Creative Arts
304-293-4841 ext. 3108, Charlene.Lattea@mail.wvu.edu

02/12/10