Moore & Hale in 'Back 2 Back' Concert at Weill Hall Oct.25

Making their US performing debuts at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall on Thursday, October 25 at 8PM are the acclaimEd English soprano singer/actress (London's original The Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, and Les Miserables) Claire Moore and Spring Awakening's Simon Hale (Strings and Additional Orchestrations) in "Claire Moore and Simon Hale: Back 2 Back in Concert," presented by Josephine Buchan.

"Back 2 Back" features Claire Moore on vocals accompanied by Simon Hale on piano with a string trio from Spring Awakening - Olivier Manchan, Hiroko Taguchi and Benjamin Kalb.  The evening's program features songs by Kander and Ebb, Stephen Sondheim, Bricusse and Newley, along with some original songs by Moore and Hale, with arrangements by Claire Moore and Simon Hale, with orchestrations by Hale.  

Claire Moore, the notEd English soprano singer and actress, is perhaps best known for her leading role as Christine in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera.  She took over the role of Christine in The Phantom of the Opera, initially for six months as part-time understudy when the lead Sarah Brightman fell ill, then full-time. In 1989 she left Phantom to create the role of Ellen in the original London production of Miss Saigon.

Other work includes appearing alongside Richard Harris in the 1982 London production of Camelot; playing the lead role of Audrey in the 1983-85 Comedy Theatre production of Little Shop of Horrors; two weeks in 2000 as Anna in the London Palladium production of The King and I; Madame Thenardier in Les Miserables; and in the musicals of Bernard J. Taylor.  Apart from musicals, her work also includes opera, and acting roles with the McKellen/Petherbridge Company's Royal National Theatre productions of The Duchess of Malfi, The Critic, The Real Inspector Hound and The Cherry Orchard.  She also features on album recordings including the original cast albums of Miss Saigon, The Phantom of the Opera - Highlights, Cabaret, Oliver! and Les Miserables, as well as "The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber," "Leading Ladies" and two solo albums of songs by Bernard J Taylor. Living and working in London, she returns regularly to perform at her home town at events such as Bolton Choral Union concerts.

After graduating from the University of London with an honors degree in composition, Simon Hale's acclaimed solo album, East Fifteen, led to recordings with many artists, including George Benson, Simply Red, Jamiroquai and Björk. In 1996 he orchestrated Duncan Sheik's first album, and their musical collaboration has continued ever since. Simon is very proud to be involved with Spring Awakening, as it not only marks his tenth year of working with Duncan, but also his Broadway debut.

"Claire Moore and Simon Hale: Back 2 Back" will be presented at Weill Recital Hall (881 Seventh Avenue) on Thursday, October 25 at 8:00pm.  Tickets are $35 by calling the Carnegie Hall box office at 212-247-7800 or visit www.carnegiehall.org.