David Benoit News

Emma Grimsley will assume the role of 'Christine Daae' beginning August 7 when the spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, currently on tour in North America, starts performances in Honolulu, HI for the first time in almost 25 years.

Casting has been announced for Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA for its highly anticipated return to Orange County at Segerstrom Center for the Arts July 10 - 21, 2019. With newly reinvented staging and stunning scenic design, this new version of PHANTOM is performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this one of the largest productions on tour in North America.

The Asia America Symphony Association (AASA) and Guild will hold their annual Bravo Awards gala recognizing the Roland Corporation, Helen Ota and Gail Gerding Mellert for their contributions to AASA and the community. Master of Ceremonies is David Ono, KABC 7 News Anchor.

The All-American Boys Chorus, one of the nation's premier boys' choirs, will perform its season finale concert in Southern California at Calvary Church in Tustin on July 3, 2019 before setting off on a 3-week national tour. Serving as one of two full-chorus concerts open to the public each season and led by Artistic Director Wesley Martin, the season finale summer concert will cover patriotic favorites and modern classics.

Art enthusiasts gathered last night (May 22) at Montalvo Arts Center for an exclusive members-only unveiling of its 2019-2020 Carriage House Theatre Concert Series line-up. The historic Silicon Valley venue announced a thrilling roster of performers from Meow Meow to The Second City, from Pablo Cruise to Loudon Wainwright III, tributes to The Beatles, Cream, and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, and an appearance by NPR's hit radio show and podcast "Selected Shorts." The season launches in October, offering a stellar line-up of theatre, comedy, magic, Grammy Award nominees/winners performing jazz, bluegrass, pop, rock, classical, new age, folk, Hawaiian music, and more. Tickets are now available to Montalvo members, and go on-sale to the general public beginning May 30. For more information or to purchase tickets, the public can visit montalvoarts.org or call 408-961-5858.

The Executive Director of the Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Megan Kline Crockett, unveils the 2019-20 season featuring a captivating collection of music, dance, comedy, speakers and family shows across five different performance series: Wit & Wisdom, Dance, WOW!, Sunday Afternoon Concert, and Cabaret. Located on the campus of California State University, Long Beach, the Carpenter Center launches its 25th anniversary season on Saturday, September 21, 2019. New series subscriptions are on sale now with single tickets on sale starting May 21, 2019. The Carpenter Center showcases a dazzling array of talent every year, enriching the Cal State Long Beach campus and the Southern California community, says Executive Director Megan Kline Crockett. We're inviting back some of our favorite performers for our 2019-2020 season as well as welcoming extraordinary artists new to our stage who reflect the broad cultural landscape of Southern California. As we begin our 25th anniversary season, we renew our commitment to celebrate wonder, diversity, and exceptional artistic achievement today and for the next 25 years. Find all the upcoming events from the new season below, along with artist links and date information.

The Asia America Symphony Association (AASA) presents a Benefit Concert for youth in arts featuring internationally acclaimed vocalist, Oleta Adams on Saturday, June 29, 2019. Oleta will be joined by Music Director, Pianist and Conductor, David Benoit, and members of the Asia America Youth Symphony Orchestra (AAYS).

The ASIA AMERICA YOUTH SYMPHONY (AAYS) will premiere its first ever, 'Music On Canvas'. DAVID BENOIT, Music Director and Conductor, will lead the prestigious AAYS in a performance of Gershwin's classic 'An American In Paris' while young artists from RYMAN ARTS create inspired artworks live on stage to the music.

Derrick Davis will return to the new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA as the man behind the mask, 'The Phantom,' beginning June 6 in Los Angeles at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre through the final national tour engagement in Toronto, Ontario at the Princess of Wales Theatre.

Casting has been announced for Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA for its highly anticipated return to Dallas, presented by Dallas Summer Musicals and Broadway Across America at The Music Hall at Fair Park December 19 through January 6.

Rob Lindley, performing the role of Monsieur Andre' in the National Tour of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, has local roots. Currently based in Chicago, Lindley spent his youth in Northwest Iowa. I spoke with him this week about growing up in a small town and making it in the big city. PHANTOM is Lindley's first national tour, but it is not his first time on stage. A Jeff Award winner and five time nominee, Lindley has performed a wide variety of roles in FUN HOME, SECRET GARDEN, CAROLINE OR CHANGE, CAROUSEL and many more. He is an accomplished vocalist, actor, and director.

Technically the effects still work, and I watched as the shocked younger members of the audience witnessed practical effects to contrast all the CGI they had grown up on. PHANTOM OF THE OPERA still has the same magic three decades later.

Thirty years after its Broadway premiere - and just two-and-a-half years since its last run at Nashville's Tennessee Performing Arts Center - Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera returns to Music City in celebration of that momentous anniversary with another stand in Andrew Jackson Hall, replete with all the firepower and starpower one so readily associates with the production. And Nashville aduiences once more respond with rapt attention and thunderous applause, almost as if they are witnessing the Phantom's exploits for the very first time.

The Empress Theatre, a historical landmark theatre located in downtown Vallejo, California, is pleased to present four-time Grammy nominee and multi-platinum-selling artist Boney James for an exclusive Bay Area performance on Wednesday, November 7th at 8pm.

What about the story keeps audiences coming back again and again to see The Phantom of the Opera? Is it the lushly romantic score composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber? Or could it be the costumes and scenery, so widely seen across the globe - and so easily identifiable as being from The Phantom - that they are considered iconic? Or could it be the mysteriously intriguing and sumptuously romantic Gaston Leroux story?

The Phantom is back at Broadway San Diego and he's brought his famous, if slightly ominous chandelier with him! Playing through September 3rd this Cameron Mackintosh restaging of the popular musical brings a new focus, energy, and even more spectacle to this popular tale.

The Phantom is back, and he's here to bring you dreams and nightmares, music and mystery, opulence and wrath. Cameron Mackintosh's production of The Phantom of the Opera at the Paramount Theatre is a masterpiece of spectacle. From heavily adorned costumes to pyrotechnics to shimmering chandeliers, this show sparkles from top to bottom. The Phantom of the Opera has long reigned as one of the jewels in the pantheon of musical theater. The current national tour retains the beauty of the old while incorporating new technical marvels. The sets and costumes are fit for a palace while the staging ensures that the story is not lost among the grandeur. Compelling and mesmerizing, Phantom hits all the high notes.

Casting has been announced for Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA for its highly anticipated return to Seattle's Paramount Theatre from August 8 - 19. With newly reinvented staging and stunning scenic design, this new version of PHANTOM is performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this one of the largest productions on tour in North America.  To purchase tickets, visit STGPresents.org, Ticketmaster.com, by calling 1-800-982-2787 or in person at The Paramount Theatre Box Office (Monday through Friday, 10am to 6pm). Tickets start at $35.