Chad Kimball To Perform At Boston Conservatory Building Opening

The Boston Conservatory, the oldest performing arts conservatory in the nation, today announces a series of celebratory performances and events to commemorate the grand opening of the Conservatory's new and improved theater building. Marking the Conservatory's first major facilities project in 50 years, the "Hemenway Project" is a $32 million, 16-month-long renovation and expansion project that effectively adds 16,000 new square feet of rehearsal and performance space to the building, as well as a completely renovated, state-of-the-art 300-seat theater with new orchestra pit, air conditioning and a host of technical upgrades and accoutrements.

To commemorate this grand opening, the Conservatory is presenting a special celebration performance, Opening Note: Building Dreams, October 13-16 in the new Boston Conservatory Theater at 31 Hemenway Street. Featuring the work of students, faculty, alumni and special guests, the opening performance will include musical numbers from Sister Act, Curtains and A Chorus Line, a special guest appearance by Joseph Silverstein (former concertmaster of the Boston Symphony Orchestra) with the Conservatory's Hemenway Strings, a new world premiere by Gianni DiMarco (dance faculty member) and more. The series of performances will culminate Saturday evening, October 16, with a special guest performance by Boston Conservatory Alumnus and 2010 Tony Best Actor Nominee Chad Kimball from hit Broadway show Memphis, winner of the 2010 Tony Award for Best Musical.

"The Boston Conservatory is turning a tremendous corner," says Richard Ortner, President of The Boston Conservatory. "With the opening of the new theater building, our music, dance and theater students can now study, rehearse and perform in facilities every bit as good as the work that takes place in them. This is our gift to our students, faculty and audiences and, indeed, to the City of Boston."

The opening festivities will also include a ribbon-cutting ceremony and free guided tours of the renovated and expanded theater building. Detailed schedule as follows:

WEDNESDAY, October 13
8pm: Performance ($35 general admission; $25 Conservatory alumni and students)

THURSDAY, October 14
8pm: Performance ($35 general admission; $25 Conservatory alumni and students)

FRIDAY, October 15
12:30pm: Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony (FREE and open to the public)
1-2:30pm: Guided tours of new building (FREE and open to the public)

SATURDAY, October 16
12:30-2:30pm: Guided tours of new building (FREE and open to the public)
8pm: Performance featuring special guest Chad Kimball followed by Champagne & Dessert Reception ($150 general admission; $110 Boston Conservatory alumni & students)

All events take place at 31 Hemenway Street, Boston. Tickets can be ordered through The Boston Conservatory box office at (617) 912-9222.

About The Boston Conservatory
The Boston Conservatory trains exceptional young performing artists for careers that enrich and transform the human experience. Known for its intimate and supportive multidisciplinary environment, the Conservatory offers fully accredited graduate and undergraduate programs in music, dance and theater and presents more than 200 performances each year by students, faculty and guest artists. Since its founding in 1867, The Boston Conservatory has shared its talent and creativity with the city of Boston, the region and the nation, and continues to grow today as a vibrant community of artists and educators.

Photo credit: Monica Simoes

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