Goodspeed and Hartford Symphony Celebrate 50 Years of Goodspeed Musicals, 2/23

Hartford Symphony Orchestra and Goodspeed Musicals will join to celebrate the music and the magic of Goodspeed's golden anniversary in a spectacular concert event on Saturday, February 23, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford.

For 50 years, Goodspeed has been recognized around the world as the "home of the American musical". This special collaboration will feature selections from Goodspeed originals that moved to Broadway including Annie and Man of La Mancha, plus audience favorites from dozens of shows like Brigadoon, Finian's Rainbow and No, No Nanette.

Led by guest conductor Michael O'Flaherty who is now in his 21st year as Resident Music Director for Goodspeed Musicals, the program will feature the talents of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, as well as performances by special guests Sarah Uriarte Berry, Quentin Earl Darrington and James Snyder, plus aspiring professional performers from The Hartt School Musical Theatre Department's Class of 2013.

With a set list that comprises musical theatre's greatest hits, the evening will include songs from 42nd Street; A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum; A Little Night Music; Annie Get Your Gun; Anything Goes; Babes In Arms; Big River; Carousel; Gentleman Prefer Blondes; Kiss Me, Kate; Lady, Be Good!; Mame; On The Town; On the Twentieth Century; Promises, Promises; Red Hot & Blue; The Fantasticks and more.

Sarah Uriarte Berry starred as Magnolia in Goodspeed's Show Boat and her Broadway and national tour credits include Beauty and the Beast; Carousel; Cinderella; End of the Rainbow; LES MISERABLES; Next to Normal; Sunset Boulevard; Taboo; The Boys from Syracuse; The Light in the Piazza; and Tenderloin.

Quentin Earl Darrington was Lucas in Goodspeed's production of Abyssinia and has appeared in Broadway productions and national tours of Memphis; Ragtime; The Color Purple; and The Lion King.

James Snyder starred as Billy Bigelow in Goodspeed's Carousel and led the cast of Crybaby on Broadway. His additional New York and national stage credits include Broadway: Three Generations; Fanny; Happy Days; Mama!; Oedipus the King; Rock of Ages; Star Wars Trilogy in 30 Minutes; and The Fantasticks.

"We are thrilled to kick off Goodspeed's year-long celebration of our 50th anniversary with this one-of-a-kind concert event," said Michael Price, Executive Director of Goodspeed Musicals. "It is a rare occasion when two of Connecticut's cultural treasures join together but when they do, the result is a magical collaboration that will be remembered for many years to come."

HSO President & CEO Carrie Hammond says, "It truly is a dream for us to collaborate with Goodspeed's incredible talents. Goodspeed has been a driving force behind the development and excellence of American Musical Theatre. This concert will bring together two of Connecticut's cultural treasures and ambassadors for the arts to this community."

Celebrating The Impossible Dream - 50 Years of Goodspeed Musicals will take place on Saturday, February 23, 2013, 7:30 p.m. at the Mortensen Hall at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts. Featuring Michael O'Flaherty, conductor, Sarah Uriarte Berry, Quentin Earl Darrington, James Snyder, soloists, and performers from The Hartt School Musical Theatre Department, Class of 2013, with Alan Rust, Director and Michael Morris, Director of Music.

Tickets range in price from $20-$67.50. Student tickets are $10 and
$25 tickets are available for patrons age 40 and under. To purchase tickets or for more information, contact HSO ticket services at (860) 244-2999 or visit
www.hartfordsymphony.org.

Dedicated to the preservation and advancement of musical theatre, Goodspeed Musicals produces three musicals each season at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn., and additional works at The Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn., which was opened in 1984 for the development of new musicals. The first regional theatre to receive two Tony Awards (for outstanding achievement), Goodspeed celebrates another milestone, its 50th Anniversary, in 2013. In addition to the two theatres and production facilities, Goodspeed maintains The Scherer Library of Musical Theatre and The Max Showalter Center for Education in Musical Theatre. Goodspeed gratefully acknowledges the support of the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism.