Broadway and Opera Stars to Perform at Commonwealth Youthchoirs Gala 6/6

Commonwealth Youthchoirs has announced that Broadway star Alison Fraser and opera star Lauren Flanigan, will appear as guest artists at its 6th Annual Gala Concert at the Kimmel Center on June 6, 2010.

"a soprano known for passionate commitment, drama and the exploration of unusual repertory"
Hailed by New York Times critics Anne Midgette as "a soprano known for passionate commitment, drama and the exploration of unusual repertory" and Anthony Tommasini as "vocally blazing," Lauren Flanigan has performed all over the world with the most venerable opera companies, including the Metropolitan Opera, Teatro alla Scala, Glyndebourne, and New York City Opera.

In the past eleven years, Ms. Flanigan has sung eighty-five different operas, including five world premieres written for her. Most recently she joined Broadway legend Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell, Pippin) performing the role of Myra in his first opera Séance on a Wet Afternoon. Named by TIME Magazine as, "the thinking man's diva," and compared to Maria Callas by The New York Times, Ms. Flanigan has achieved popular and critical acclaim at every juncture in her illustrious career with her keen musicality and electric stage presence.

Two-time Tony Award nominee for The Secret Garden and Romance/Romance, Alison Fraser recently starred on Broadway in renowned director Arthur Laurents' Gypsy with Patti LuPone. Simon Saltzmann heralded her as "the toast of Broadway" in Romance/Romance. The first ever recipient of Philadelphia's Barrymore Award for Best Actress, Ms. Fraser is known and lauded for her versatility as an actress on Broadway, in feature films, television and audio-books. In addition to Broadway, she has appeared at notable venues including Carnegie Hall, The White House, and New York's Town Hall.

With over twenty-one recordings to her credit, The Secret Garden, Romance/Romance, and Falsetto's include roles Ms. Fraser originated on Broadway. She has appeared many times on the award-winning Children's Television series Between the Lions on PBS. In addition to Patti LaPone, Alison Fraser has appeared with such luminaries as Paul Reiser, Peter Falk, Andrea Marconvicci, Tony Randall, Jack Klugman, Mandy Patinkin, Elaine Stritch, among countless others. Ms. Fraser's skills as an actress, sense of timing, and commitment as a performer have secured her position in the annals of Broadway.

In announcing the appearance of Alison Fraser and Lauren Flanigan, Commonwealth Youthchoirs Executive Director Susan S. Ashbaker said, "What a treat we have in store for this years' Gala Concert, Broadway Bound. Our young singers will get to experience the magnitude of talent that these ladies bring to the stage. And to share the stage with them is a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

The June 6 Gala Concert at the Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts marks the sixth such performance for Commonwealth Youthchoirs. Now in its ninth year, the organization provides music education and performance opportunities for over 300 young singers, aged seven through high school, representing the greater Philadelphia area, New Jersey and Delaware, who sing with one of its two member-choirs, Keystone State Boychoir and Pennsylvania Girlchoir.

Photo Credit: BWW-Staff

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