Ivan Rutherford Set for AISU Benefit Concert, 3/27

Ivan Rutherford played the role of Jean Valjean in over 2,000 performances of Les Mis on Broadway, and now he's coming to Utah to do a benefit concert for the new American International School of Utah (AISU) on March 27.

How does a major Broadway star from New York City find himself singing in a concert in Murray, Utah?

It all started in 2013. Utah-native Erica Glenn was living in Boston when she was accepted into the Marvin Hamlisch Broadway Conductor's Program--an all-expense paid, week-long intensive workshop in NYC for aspiring Broadway conductors.

The program culminated in an opportunity for the participants to conduct the orchestra from "Wicked" and Broadway vocalists Tiffany Haas, Vicki Noon, and Ivan Rutherford.

Erica and Ivan chatted afterward. "I had fallen in love with his gorgeous voice and I told him that I wanted him to star in a future Broadway musical of mine someday," said Erica, who is also a composer and lyricist. They "friended" each other on Facebook and kept in touch.

After completing an Arts in Education graduate program at Harvard last spring, Erica was hired as the Performing Arts Director of the new American International School of Utah in Murray (where the old 49th Street Galleria used to be). Last summer, as the new school was preparing to open its doors, Erica was interviewed by a local TV station. During the course of the interview, Erica mentioned that they hoped to have a state-of-the-art performing arts venue by early 2015. The interview was posted on YouTube where it caught the eye of Ivan Rutherford. He contacted Erica immediately.

"He said that he was very impressed with the philosophy of the school and our performing arts programs and wanted to help," said Erica. He told her that he had a one-man show that he'd toured all over the world and that he'd be happy to bring it to AISU. "I jumped right on that!" said Erica.

Joining Ivan for this Grand Opening Benefit Concert is YouTube sensation, Jessie Funk, the Salt Lake Pops Orchestra, Nick Bloxsom-Carter from So You Think You Can Dance, and the choirs, bands, orchestras, and dancers of the American International School of Utah. All proceeds will benefit the performing arts programs at AISU.

General admission tickets for the concert are $25 and VIP seating begins at $100/ticket. VIP Packages (which includes premium seats, recognition in the program, plus an autographed CD and a special backstage pass to meet Mr. Rutherford) start at $500.

Tickets may be purchased at the front office of the American International School of Utah (4998 S 360 W, Murray, UT) or online at bit.ly/154QZMN.