Pacific Symphony Presents VALENTINES DAY WITH MATTHEW MORRISON, 2/13-15

Television celebrity and Broadway sensation Matthew Morrison joins Pacific Symphony Pops for a Valentine's Day spectacular of romantic show tunes and jazz standards. Best known for his popular role as Will Schuester, the optimistic and charming teacher on "Glee," Morrison also brings An impressive Broadway resume to the stage. The Emmy-, Tony- and Golden Globe-nominated star has performed in smash hits including the original cast of "Hairspray," "Footloose" and "The Light in the Piazza." Morrison has released three albums, the most recent of which, "Where It All Began," was praised by The Washington Post for "Morrison's handsome tenor backed by jazz combos, jazz big bands and orchestral strings." An Orange County native, Morrison returns to his old stomping grounds to serenade the audience with his dazzling stage presence and a voice as smooth as chocolate.

Spend "Valentine's Day with Matthew Morrison" Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 13-15, in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, as he performs beloved songs such as "Luck Be a Lady," "It Don't Mean a Thing," "On the Street Where You Live," a "West Side Story" medley and "Singin' in the Rain." Tickets are $35-$185. For more information or to purchase tickets call (714) 755-5799 or visit www.PacificSymphony.org.

Led by Principal Pops Conductor Richard Kaufman, Pacific Symphony also performs some of the most romantic songs ever written: "All the Things You Are," "Love is a Many Splendored Thing," Gershwin's "Someone to Watch Over Me" and music from the incredibly popular film, "Father of the Bride."

"Matthew Morrison is not only a terrific actor but his voice and musical talents combine to make him a complete artist, whether on television or the Broadway stage," says Maestro Kaufman. "Having him with us on the Pacific Symphony Pops series will be an exciting way for people to experience Matthew's talent 'life-size,' and with one of the world's great orchestras."

Morrison grew up in Orange County and attended Orange County School of the Arts before studying musical theater, vocal performance and dance at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. Reflecting on Morrison's Orange County roots, Kaufman says, "It's always a treat to welcome our guest artists to the Pops series, but the fact that Matthew Morrison grew up in Orange County makes it even more special. It's a sort of 'homecoming' for this very talented performer."

Morrison may have come to national prominence through his role on Fox TV's hit musical comedy, "Glee," but the Southern California native was turning heads years earlier on the Great White Way. So it seems only appropriate that Morrison's newest album, "Where It All Began," is a collection of standards, many first made famous in Broadway musicals.

After graduating from Tisch, Morrison made his debut on Broadway in "Footloose," followed by "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." However, it was his role as Link Larkin in the original cast of the Broadway production of "Hairspray" that served as his breakthrough and led to Morrison being cast in the critically acclaimed "The Light in the Piazza." His portrayal of young lover Fabrizio Naccarelli garnered him a Tony nomination for best performance by a featured actor in a musical. He subsequently received a Drama Desk nomination for outstanding actor in the off-Broadway musical "10 Million Miles" and reprised the role of Lieutenant Cable in Lincoln Center's Tony-nominated production of "South Pacific." Morrison is the first artist signed to 222 Records, the new label started by Adam Levine, the leader of multi-platinum group Maroon 5 and coach on NBC's "The Voice."

"At the end of the day, I'm a song and dance man," says Morrison. Not that there was ever any doubt.

This appearance of Morrison is sponsored by Sally Segerstrom. The Thursday, Feb. 13, performance is sponsored by Pacific Symphony League. The Symphony's Pops series receives additional support from American Airlines, K-Earth 101 and PBS SoCal.