 |
| Maestro Luke Frazier |
From our friends at the American Pops Orchestra...
Luke Frazier Conducts the American Pops in Stairway to Paradise: A Gershwin Spectacular
Friday, October 16, 2015, 8 PM at The George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium
Maestro Luke Frazier and the American Pops Orchestra are pleased to announce their inaugural main stage concert, a tribute to the Gershwins at the George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium on Friday, October 16 at 8:00 PM. Stairway to Paradise: A Gershwin Spectacular features the full, 34-piece American Pops Orchestra with special guests Tony Award winning actress Christine Ebersole, Broadway’s Paige Faure (Cinderella), Great American Songbook Ambassador Nick Ziobro, and choreography by Broadway’s Jason Sparks performed by Johnny Stellard (Evita - Broadway) and Julia Freyer (A Chorus Line - National Tour), with the National Broadway Chorus.
Stairway to Paradise: A Gershwin Spectacular will highlight the familiar and treasured music of Ira and George Gershwin in a song-and-dance extravaganza starring Tony Award Winner Christine Ebersole. This elegant evening of entertainment will include favorites like I Got Rhythm, Someone to Watch Over Me, Strike Up the Band, Love is Here to Stay, and Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off.
Founded by Luke Frazier and in its inaugural season, The American Pops Orchestra’s mission is to present innovative orchestral programming featuring groundbreaking concepts and artistic partnerships to develop and inspire a new audience for the 21st century. This professional orchestra boasts outstanding musicians from New York and Washington DC. The American Pops will present six original orchestral programs in its opening 2015-16 season, featuring leading Broadway singers, dancers, and actors. More information about the orchestra is available at www.theamericanpops.org.
Ms. Ebersole received virtually every Off-Broadway award and her second Tony Award for Leading Actress in a Musical for Grey Gardens. Other memorable performances include her Tony Award-winning performance in the revival of 42nd Street, Steel Magnolias, On the Twentieth Century, Oklahoma, Camelot, Dinner at Eight, The Best Man, and Blithe Spirit. Film credits include The Wolf of Wall Street, The Big Wedding, Confessions of a Shopaholic, Black Sheep, Richie Rich, Tootsie and Amadeus. Ms. Ebersole was a regular cast member on Saturday Night Live ('81-'82.) Other television credits include Sullivan and Son, Royal Pains, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, American Horror Story: Coven, Ugly Betty, Boston Legal, and Will and Grace.
Marvin Hamlisch put it best when referring to Luke Frazier “So talented, and sensitive to every nuance.” Mr. Frazier’s commitment to re-envisioning pops programming has quickly established him as a dynamic force across the music community where has proven himself among musical heavyweights as both an innately musical conductor and a sensitive pianist. He has worked with artists Renée Fleming, Kevin Spacey, Denyce Graves, Darren Criss, Lea Solanga, Laura Osnes, Eric Owens, Liza Minnelli, Chita Rivera, Rita Moreno, Norm Lewis, Christine Ebersole, and Michael Feinstein, among others. As a testament to his mission to reimagine pops programming, Mr. Frazier has founded the American Pops Orchestra and the National Broadway Chorus in Washington, DC. The chorus continues to tour and will appear this season in Washington DC, Indianapolis, and Chicago, and will be featured at the Great American Songbook Foundation Gala, where Mr. Frazier serves on the Board. Mr. Frazier will return for a second full season as the Principal Pops Conductor of the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, where he has conducted 10 programs of his own creation, held at various venues including George Mason’s Center for the Arts, The Shenandoah Valley Music Festival, and the Angelika Film Center. This season he will also make guest appearances with orchestras in New York City, Miami, Indianapolis, Chicago, and West Virginia. He will also continue to serve as Artist-in-Residence with Washington DC Youth Orchestra. For more information, visit lukefraziermusic.com.
TICKETS:
The George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium
730 21st Street, NW, Washington, DC; 3 blocks from Foggy Bottom/GWU Metro
Price: $35-$65, discount for GW Students
