Hershey Felder to Helm Nathan Gunn's FLYING SOLO at San Diego REP

San Diego Repertory Theatre (San Diego REP), has announced a special addition to its 2017-18 season, Nathan Gunn, FLYING SOLO, written and directed by Hershey Felder.

The show's run begins on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 and plays through Sunday, June 10, 2018 with a press opening on Thursday, May 24, 2018 at 8 p.m. on the Lyceum Stage Theatre at San Diego REP in Horton Plaza.

"We are thrilled that Hershey Felder is teaming up with the astonishing singer Nathan Gunn to create a new piece of music theatre based on Nathan's extraordinary life," says San Diego REP Artistic Director Sam Woodhouse. "San Diego REP is proud to have hosted many works that showcase the virtuosity of Hershey as a writer and performer. Hershey wrote and directed 'The Pianist of Willesden Lane,' which introduced San Diego to the powerful life, music and history of the unforgettable Mona Golabek. Our advance introduction to the talents of Nathan Gunn has us very excited for the San Diego premiere of his new show in 2018."

Grammy winner Nathan Gunn, America's leading baritone (Carousel, Camelot, Showboat with the New York Philharmonic, and many more international operas), is known throughout the world as the first HUNKITONE. A Grammy winner, Metropolitan Opera star, musical theatre star and named by People Magazine as a Sexiest Man Alive - "Naked Opera" started with him!

But there's much more to this story about a boy who wants nothing more than to please his Dad by becoming an elder of his heritage, the Scottish Clan GUNN. In doing so, he ends up realizing what life is really about. Written and directed by Hershey Felder in his signature style (Our Great Tchaikovsky, Gershwin, Bernstein, Berlin, Beethoven), Nathan Gunn, FLYING SOLO features one of America's greatest baritone voices telling his own true story and singing selections from classic American musicals, contemporary songs and a little bit of opera fun.

Nathan Gunn has appeared in internationally renowned opera houses such as the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Royal Opera House, Paris Opera, Bayerische Staatsoper, Glyndebourne Opera Festival, Theater an der Wien, Teatro Real in Madrid, and the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie. His many roles include the title roles in Billy Budd, Eugene Onegin, IL Barbiere di Siviglia and Hamlet; Guglielmo in Cosí fan tutte, the Count in Le Nozze di Figaro, Malatesta in Don Pasquale, Belcore in L'Elisir d'Amore, Ottone in L'incoronazione di Poppea, Tarquinius in The Rape of Lucetia, Danilo in The Merry Widow, and The Lodger in The Aspern Papers.

A noted supporter of new works, Mr. Gunn most recently created the role of Inman in Jennifer Higdon's Cold Mountain at the Santa Fe Opera. Because of this dedication to new works, he held the title of Director of the American Repertoire Council at the Opera Company of Philadelphia, a steering council that focused on advancing the company's American Repertoire Program which was committed to produce a new American work in 10 consecutive seasons.

Mr. Gunn has recently ventured outside the standard opera repertoire with appearances in Camelot and Carousel with the New York Philharmonic (both broadcast on PBS), Show Boat at Carnegie Hall and the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the title role in Sweeney Todd with the Houston Grand Opera. He also appeared in the New York Philharmonic's 80th birthday gala celebration for Stephen Sondheim and appeared with the Orchestra in an evening of Broadway classics with Kelli O'Hara. Other engagements have included a series of cabaret shows at the famed Café Carlyle in New York City, special guest artist in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's annual Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, and a performance of Sting and Trudie Styler's work, Twin Spirits in the Allen Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Previews run Wednesday, May 23 at 7 p.m. and Thursday, May 24 at 8 p.m. Opening Night is Friday, May 25 at 8 p.m.

Regular Performances:

Saturday, May 26 at 2 p.m.

Saturday, May 26 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, May 27 at 2 p.m.

Wednesday, May 30 at 7 p.m.

Thursday, May 31 at 8 p.m.

Friday, June 1 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, June 2 at 2 p.m.

Saturday, June 2 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, June 3 at 2 p.m.

Wednesday, June 6 at 7 p.m.

Thursday, June 7 at 8 p.m.

Friday, June 8 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, June 9 at 2 p.m.

Saturday, June 9 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, June 10, 2017 at 2 p.m.

All performances play the Lyceum Space at San Diego Repertory Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101-6144.

Tickets range from $48 to $79 and can be purchased in-person at the San Diego REP Box Office, by calling 619.544.1000 or online at sdrep.org. Active military, teacher and senior discounts are available. Student tickets are available for all performances for just $20 each. Prices subject to change.

Parking is available in the Horton Plaza parking garage for $8 with validation. Enter the garage from 4th Ave just South of the Balboa Theatre. Follow entrance lanes, then turn right & continue to the 3rd level to park. Horton Plaza Parking Tickets (issued from machines at entry) may be validated in the Lyceum Theatres Lobby during your show. Validation will allow patrons to pay flat $8 rate.

Please note: if you do not validate your ticket at the theatre, Westfield Horton Plaza Parking is free for the first hour only. After this time, the current rate charged at exit is $2.00 for every 15 minutes (daily maximum charge = $48.00). Westfield Horton Plaza Parking Garage rates are subject to change at any time. For any additional ABM Parking information, contact ABM Parking at 619.233.1491

San Diego Repertory Theatre (San Diego REP) produces intimate, exotic, provocative theatre. Founded in 1976, San Diego Repertory Theatre is downtown San Diego's resident theatre, promoting a more inclusive community through work that nourishes progressive political and social values and celebrates the multiple voices of our region. The company produces and hosts over 550 events and performances year-round on its three stages at the Lyceum Theatre. Since moving to the Lyceum, The REP has produced 45 main stage productions by Latino playwrights, and more than 40 world premieres. The company has received more than 200 awards for artistic excellence from the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle, Patté Theatre Awards, NAACP, BackStage West, Dramalogue and StageSceneLA. In 2005, the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle presented The REP with the Craig Noel Award For 30 Years of Artistic Dedication to Downtown and Diversity. San Diego Repertory Theatre feeds the curious soul. To learn more about San Diego Repertory Theatre, to purchase tickets, or make a donation, visit www.sdrep.org. Join us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/sandiegorep) and follow us on Twitter (@SanDiegoREP)