George Merritt Performing in ME Concerts through Dec. 18

By: Dec. 10, 2006
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Acclaimed baritone and Drama Desk Award-nominee George Merritt is currently making an encore performance in 15 concerts with the Portland (Maine) Symphony Orchestra in their annual "Magic of Christmas" Concert Series from December 8 - 18, 2006 at the Merrill Auditorium (20 Myrtle St.).

Recently, Merritt created the role of "King Saul" in the world premiere of the concert musical, King David, which played to sold-out houses at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.

Merritt originated the lead role of "John Utterson" in the Broadway company of the hit musical Jekyll & Hyde; and in the full-length DVD, "Jekyll and Hyde The Movie" with David Hasselhoff.  Merritt starred as "Jim" in the Tony Award-winning musical Big River.  He won a Drama Desk nomination for his portrayal of "Stephen Kumalo" in Lost in the Stars.  Other leading Broadway roles include: "Crown" in the Houston Grand Opera and RCMH productions of Porgy and Bess, "Ken" in the London and Broadway productions of Ain't Misbehavin.' Merrit also created the role of "Tonton" in Once on This Island.

Merritt performed as a guest soloist with The Manhattan Transfer, Marvin Hamlisch and Sarah Vaughn, in The White House tribute to the Gershwins, which aired nationally on PBS. As a soloist , Merritt performs the Great American Songbook with symphony orchestras throughout the country.  He is a co-producer and lead baritone for "Oh! Those Voices," whose concert tour premiered with  the Portland Symphony Orchestra in 2003.  Regional audiences have seen him as "Hoke" in Driving Miss Daisy.  Merritt returns to Portland in May, 2007 to recreate this role at Good Theater.

In the feature film, Spinning into Butter, starring Sarah Jessica Parker, scheduled for release in 2007, Merritt plays Chaplain Scott.  His film debut, Bonfire of the Vanities, starred Tom Hanks and Melanie Griffith.  Television appearances include:  "Guiding Light," "Third Watch," "All My Children" and "As The World Turns." 

Visit www.portlandsymphony.com for tickets and more information.


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