Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra presents Classic FM: Radio Hits of the Decades in Marsh Symphony on the Prairie concerts July 18-19
Patrons encouraged to wear school colors on “College and Alumni Night” – Friday, July 18
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s own Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly will lead the Orchestra in a program of classic songs heard on the FM dial in MarshSymphony on the Prairie concerts, Friday and Saturday, July 18 and 19, at 8 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m. at the Conner Prairie Amphitheater for picnicking.
Featuring vocalists Jim Hogan, N’Kenge, Ron Remke, Melissa Schott and Josh Turner, the ISO will perform radio hits from the 1960s-1980s from artists Frankie Valli, Elton John, Paul Simon, Chicago and The Beatles, among others. For Friday night’s performance, college students and alumni are encouraged to sport their colors and represent their schools for “College and Alumni Night at the Prairie.”
Marsh Supermarkets is the Title Sponsor of the entire 2014 Marsh Symphony on the Prairie season and Erie Insurance is the Premiere Sponsor for the summer series. Barefoot Wine is the official wine sponsor of Marsh Symphony on the Prairie. Associate Sponsors for this weekend are DCG: Digital Color Graphics, Enflora, Fifth Third Bank, FirstPerson Benefit Advisors, Flashpoint Human Resource Consulting, Indianapolis Power & Light Company, ITT Technical Institute, The National Bank of Indianapolis, Renewal by Andersen, Roche and Vectren.
Ticket Information
Marsh Symphony on the Prairie advance tickets are $24 for adults and $12 for children (ages 2-12) at the Hilbert Circle Theatre Box Office or online at www.IndianapolisSymphony.org. At the Conner Prairie Amphitheater gate, adult tickets are $28, and child tickets are $14.
Patrons can save an additional $1 per adult ticket when purchasing with a Marsh Fresh Idea card at all Marsh Supermarket locations.
Venue and Parking Information
General admission parking is free, and premium parking passes may be purchased for $20 each through the Hilbert Circle Theatre Box Office.
Patrons can bring their own food, beverages (including alcohol) and blankets or lawn chairs to the natural grass amphitheater. Or, patrons may reserve a table for $59 ($79 for premium concerts) which seat up to 10 people near the stage.
Inclement Weather Policy
The ISO and its guest artists make every attempt to perform, even in rainy weather. If severe weather is possible on concert days, patrons can stay up-to-date by listening to radio station WIBC (93.1 FM), the official station for Marsh Symphony on the Prairie weather and traffic, or follow the ISO on Facebook or Twitter (@Indy_Symphony) for the latest information. For concerts that have been cancelled due to inclement weather, rain checks will be issued and confirmed the day after the cancellation on www.IndianapolisSymphony.org.
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Artist Biographies:
A North American leader in symphonic pops, Jack Everly is principal pops conductor of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. He is widely known for his innovative approach to programs that have brought new audiences to the time-tested and beloved pops genre. During his tenure in Indianapolis, he has added positions as Principal Pops Conductor of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Principal Pops Conductor of the National Arts Centre Orchestra of Ottawa, Canada, and the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra. This season, Mr. Everly will appear as guest conductor with the Pittsburgh, Seattle, Dallas, Toronto, Detroit, and Milwaukee symphony orchestras.
Maestro Everly is the Music Director of Duke Energy Yuletide Celebration. These theatrical symphonic holiday concerts are presented annually in December in Indianapolis and are seen by more than 40,000 concert-goers. Last season, Mr. Everly led the ISO in its first Pops recording, Yuletide Celebration, Volume One, that included three of his own arrangements.
Originally appointed by Mikhail Baryshnikov, Mr. Everly was conductor of the American Ballet Theatre for 14 years, where he served as Music Director. In addition to his ABT tenure, he has teamed with Marvin Hamlisch in Broadway shows that Mr. Hamlisch scored, including The Goodbye Girl, They’re Playing Our Song, and A Chorus Line. He conducted Carol Channing inHello, Dolly! in two separate Broadway productions and Donald O’Connor in Show Boat.
In television and film, Jack Everly has appeared on In Performance at the White House and conducted the songs for Disney’s animated classic, The Hunchback of Notre Dame. He has been music director on numerous Broadway cast recordings, and conducted the critically praised, Everything’s Coming Up Roses: The Complete Overtures of Broadway’s Jule Styne. A CD released in July 2005, In the Presence, features tenor Daniel Rodriguez with the Czech Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra of Prague conducted by Mr. Everly.
Jim Hogan is a New York-based actor, singer and musician. He is thrilled to return to the ISO after making his symphony premiere with The Beat Goes ON in November under the direction of Maestro Jack Everly and as a featured soloist in Yuletide Celebration this past December. He made his professional debut as Georg in the national tour of Broadway’s Spring Awakening. After leaving the tour, he returned to Penn State University, where he earned his BFA in musical theatre in May 2013. While at Penn State, he played such roles as the Baron in Grand Hotel, Man #1 in Songs for a New World and the Celebrant in Leonard Bernstien’s MASS. Regional credits include Henrik in Arden Theatre Company’s 25th anniversary production of A Little Night Music and Buddy Foster in the 11th Hour Theatre Company’s concert version of Side Show.
NY Post calls N’Kenge “Electrifying” in her current role of Mary Wells in Broadway’s Smash Hit Motown: The Musical. N’Kenge made her Broadway debut in Sondheim on Sondheimalongside Barbara Cook and Vanessa Williams which was directed by Pulitzer Prize winner James Lapine. In London, N’Kenge made her West End debut starring in The Genius of Ray Charles. She was hailed by NY Times as “a classically trained diva that can stretch from Broadway, Pop Soul to Opera.” N’Kenge starred in the Michael Jackson Tribute Show World Tour and recently made her Carnegie Hall debut as a soloist with the NY Pops Orchestra. Nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress by Helen Hayes Awards in DC for her performance in 3 Mo’Divas ,N’Kenge had the honor to perform for President Obama at the Commander-in-Chief’s Inaugural Ball. N’Kenge is also a journalist and is currently the Celebrity Correspondent for the publication Spotlight Magazine.
Ron Remke was a featured soloist with the renowned “12 Irish Tenors” and is a guest artist with symphonies throughout the United States and Canada. He is also a sought after performer on the high seas and has had the privilege of visiting more than 70 countries while performing on board the Silver Spirit and the Regent Voyager. Select credits include, “Lead Tenor” in The Producers (Westchester Broadway Theater, Pioneer Theater), “Hugo” in Aspects of Love, Captain Tarnitz in The Student Prince (Media Theater), Dance Captain of Kiss Me, Kate (US National Tour) and appearances at The Fulton Opera House, Marriott Lincolnshire, The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Struther’s Library Theater and Cortland Repertory among others. He has also worked with Sesame Street and Nickelodeon as a voice-over character artist and is the voice of “Juan” in Sonia Monzano’s (Maria from Sesame St.) “No Dog Allowed!”
Melissa Schott was recently seen in the ISO’s world premiere of Anything Goes! In Concert. A featured singer/dancer in Cirque du Soleil’s Original Company of Banana Shpeel, choreographed by Jared Grimes and directed by David Shiner, she performed at New York City’s Beacon Theatre, Chicago’s own Chicago Theatre and Toronto’s Canon Theatre. She was also with the National Company of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (Judy Understudy), choreographed by three-time Tony Award-nominee Randy Skinner and directed by Tony Award-winner Walter Bobbie. Regionally, she has appeared in 42nd Street (Peggy), Always…Patsy Cline (Patsy), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Millie) and MTI’s Broadway Jr. recordings of Pirates of Penzance (Ruth), Willy Wonka (Violet and Mrs. Gloop) and Into The Woods (Witch). Melissa is a choreographer for Music K-8 Magazine and Director of Dance Connection. She resides in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis native Josh Turner is a senior at Butler University where he is studying classical guitar. He sings in the Butler Chorale and is music director of the school’s premier all-male a capella group, Out Of the Dawg House. Josh’s YouTube channel has garnered nearly five million views collectively, and his performance of Paul Simon’s Graceland recently earned him an appearance on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
In Brief:
The ISO performs Radio Hits of the Decades, a musical journey through the decades.
Performers: Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Jack Everly
Soloist: Jim Hogan, N’Kenge, Ron Remke, Melissa Schott, Josh Turner: Vocals
Location: Conner Prairie Amphitheater – 13400 N. Allisonville Rd., Fishers, IN
Date & Time: Fri. & Sat., July 18 & 19, 8 p.m.
Repertoire: Classic FM: Radio Hits of the Decades
Tickets:
Adults – $24 (Advance); $28 (At Gate)
Children (Ages 2-12) – $12 (Advance); $14 (At Gate)
Available at Hilbert Circle Box Office in-person at all Marsh Supermarket stores, or online at www.IndianapolisSymphony.org.
