McDonald, Sondheim, Rivera & more Lead 2011-12 Cabaret Season

On Monday, March 7, Segerstrom Center for the Arts (formerly the Orange County Performing Arts Center) announced its brand new Cabaret Series for the 2011 – 2012 Season, a year which also coincides with the Center's 25th Anniversary. The Center's very first performance was held on September 29, 1986. Now, nearly 25 years later, Segerstrom Center for the Arts will honor its history and tradition of presenting acclaimed artists, renowned companies and exciting shows with performances spanning an array of disciplines in each of the venues of its expanded campus.

Once again, Broadway talent will also make up most of the Center's exemplary Cabaret Season which will feature four-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald, musical theater icon Stephen Sondheim, two-time Tony winner Chita Rivera, South Pacific's Tony-winning baritone Paulo Szot, Grammy winning singer Steve Tyrell, and Tony winning funny girl Andrea Martin accompanied by Seth Rudetsky.

CABARET SERIES
Audra McDonald • Stephen Sondheim & Friends • Chita Rivera: My Broadway • Paulo Szot • Steve Tyrell • Andrea Martin

The best songs from the Great American Songbook, Broadway and beyond will be front and center as Segerstrom Center celebrates living legends – including Stephen Sondheim and Chita Rivera – and legends in the making.

Audra McDonald
October 15, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. – Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall

Four-time Tony Award winner and star of ABC's hit series Private Practice, Audra McDonald last appeared in the Center's Cabaret Series in 2007. Now she is back by popular demand. Like all the legendary performers she is compared to, McDonald is a unique force. She blends her rapturous voice with inspired truth-telling performances that embrace her captivated audiences.

Stephen Sondheim AND FRIENDS • Center Premiere
Stephen Sondheim in conversation with Michael Kerker (with very special guests to be announced)
October 29, 2011 at 8 p.m. – Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall

Spend the evening with an American musical theater legend as the master himself, Stephen Sondheim, comes to the Center for a not-to-be-missed evening of story and song. Sondheim, a Kennedy Center honoree and eight-time Tony Award-winning composer/lyricist, will share stories with ASCAP's Michael Kerker, and very special guest performers will showcase his greatest songs. Few audiences have the privilege of seeing and hearing this great artist in such a personal engagement – and the Center is fortunate to welcome him for this special one-night-only opportunity.

Chita Rivera: MY BROADWAY • Cabaret Series Debut
November 10 – 13, 2011 – Samueli Theater

Chita Rivera's quintessential razzle dazzle has fueled some of Broadway's most historic performances, from West Side Story and Chicago to Sweet Charity, Kiss of the Spiderwoman and many more. Don't miss this rare opportunity to see this extraordinary singer/dancer/actress, a two-time Tony winner, in her Cabaret Series debut in the intimate setting of Samueli Theater.

Paulo Szot • Center Debut
December 15 – 18, 2011 – Samueli Theater

The operatic star turned Broadway heartthrob received the 2008 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Emile DeBecque in Lincoln Center Theater's South Pacific. The Brazilian-born baritone has sung leading roles at the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera and Canadian Opera Company among others. His debut will feature beloved favorites from the Great American Songbook.

Steve Tyrell
January 5 – 8, 2012 – Samueli Theater
With a style and voice that recalls paragons such as Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, Grammy winner Steve Tyrell has become a leading standard-bearer of the Great American Songbook. A Center favorite last seen here in 2004, Tyrell makes his long-awaited return with his debut in the Center's popular club-style ambience of Samueli Theater.

Andrea Martin • Center Debut
With Seth Rudetsky
February 16 – 19, 2012 – Samueli Theater

Andrea Martin brings an entertaining twist to Segerstrom Center's popular Cabaret Series. Martin is an incomparable Emmy and Tony Award-winning comedienne, actress and writer as well as a talented vocalist. Get set for an evening of Broadway tunes, outrageous comedy and tales of her life, career and famous Hollywood friends from the star of Second City Television. For her Center debut, Martin is paired with Seth Rudetsky, pianist, actor and the Broadway host on Sirius Satellite Radio.

Photos (top to bottom): Audra McDonald by Michael Wilson. Stephen Sondheim courtesy of SCFTA.
Chita Rivera by Laura Marie Duncan.

-----

Season tickets for the Cabaret Series are $408. Priority renewal information for the 2011 – 2012 Season is being sent to current subscribers. Single tickets will go on sale approximately six weeks prior to individual engagements.

Tickets and additional information may also be obtained by contacting the Box Office at (714) 556-2787 or visiting 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 92626.

Please visit SCFTA.org/25th for more information about the 2011 – 2012 Season.