San Diego Repertory Theatre Presents NATHAN GUNN - FLYING SOLO

As the final show of Season 42, San Diego Repertory Theatre presents The Hershey Felder Production of Nathan Gunn - Flying Solo, written and directed by Hershey Felder. The show runs May 23-June 10, 2018, with the press opening on Friday, May 25 at 8pm on the Lyceum Stage in Horton Plaza.

"We are thrilled that Hershey Felder is teaming up with the astonishing singer Nathan Gunn to create a new piece of music theatre based on Nathan's extraordinary life," stated Sam Woodhouse, artistic director of San Diego Repertory Theatre. "We are proud to have hosted many works that showcase the virtuosity of Hershey as a writer and performer, from Berlin to Tchaikovsky to Bernstein. Hershey wrote and directed The Pianist of Willesden Lane, which introduced San Diego to the powerful life, music and history of the unforgettable Mona Golabek. The talented Nathan Gunn has us very much looking forward to the San Diego premiere of Hershey's newest creation."

Nathan Gunn has appeared at the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House and Paris Opera with leading title roles in Billy Budd, Eugene Onegin, The Barber of Sevilleand Hamlet along with performances in Camelot and Carousel with the New York Philharmonic and Show Boat at Carnegie Hall and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Gunn also originated the role of Sid Taylor in Jake Heggie's Great Scott, which was part of the San Diego Opera's 2015-2016 season.

While he is noted for his vocal prowess and acting, Grammy-winning Gunn has received almost as much fame for his physique, a peculiar feat for an opera singer. He has been dubbed a "barihunk," and he was named one of People Magazine's "Sexiest Men Alive" (an even stranger feat for an opera singer, but amusing nonetheless).

Having earned international acclaim, the core of Gunn's performance in Flying Solo is the true story of Nathan and his father with many of life's twists and turns. It is the story of a Midwestern boy focused on sports and influenced by his Scottish heritage who would grow up to take the musical world by storm.

Of the recent world premiere of Flying Solo at the Laguna Playhouse, Broadway World noted, "Nathan Gunn has one of those deeply lush singing voices that can pierce your heart just as it can effortlessly command the room's attention. This riveting autobiographical musical is a stunner both with its touching, relatable, family-centric narrative and Gunn's entertaining, charismatic performing style."

A noted supporter of new works, Gunn most recently created the role of Inman in Jennifer Higdon's Cold Mountain at the Santa Fe Opera. He also held the title of Director of the American Repertoire Council at the Opera Company of Philadelphia, a steering council focused on advancing the company's American Repertoire Program which is committed to producing a new American work in 10 consecutive seasons. Gunn's other endeavors have included a series of cabaret shows at the famed Café Carlyle in New York City, special guest artist in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's annual Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square and a performance of Sting and Trudie Styler's work, Twin Spirits in the Allen Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Flying Solo features a cross-section of the world's greatest music from Broadway musicals Camelot and Carousel to Figaro's aria from The Barber of Seville to John Denver's touching Perhaps Love. As Felder says, "Nathan Gunn will mesmerize you with his voice, make you laugh and maybe even cause you to shed a tear."

Photo credit: Ed Krieger

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