Billy Porter, Norm Lewis and More Continue LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER's 2015 Lineup
By: TV News Desk Jan. 19, 2015
LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER - the pioneering, award-winning performing arts series - today unveiled programming for the second half of its 40th anniversary season on PBS.
Following acclaimed broadcasts featuring musical theater, ballet and symphonic music, the 40th season continues with programs that illustrate the diverse and world-class performances presented on the 30 iconic stages of Lincoln Center, the world's largest performing arts center.
The three broadcasts in winter and spring offer a front-row seat for programs celebrating singing at its best through opera and the American songbook. Six-time Tony Award-winning actress and singer Audra McDonald continues as the series host.
The announcement of the winter and spring programs was made today at the Television Critics Association Winter 2015 conference by Andrew C. Wilk, executive producer of Live From Lincoln Center.
Live From Lincoln Center's 40th anniversary season winter and spring broadcasts:
Richard Tucker Opera Gala: A New Century
Friday, January 23, 2015 (check local listings)
This January, LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER will broadcast one of the most celebrated opera events of the year, the Richard Tucker Foundation's annual gala concert. This year's concert features performances by opera's brightest lights and rising stars, including Joseph Calleja, Angela Meade, Željko Lucic, Ildar Abdrazakov, Pretty Yende, as well as the 2014 Richard Tucker Award winner Michael Fabiano in solo and ensemble selections from works by Puccini, Mozart, Bellini, Massenet, Donizetti, Verdi, Bernstein and Rossini. The broadcast event was taped in October 2014 at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall and follows last year's centennial celebration of the great operatic tenor Richard Tucker. This broadcast is directed by Annette Jolles. For more information on the Richard Tucker Music Foundation, visit: richardtucker.org.
Friday, April 3, 2015 (check local listings)
This spring, LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER will offer two highlight events from this winter's American Songbook series, celebrating the best in American singing and songwriting. First up is Tony and Grammy Award-winner Billy Porter, a singer, composer, actor, playwright and director from Pittsburgh. He currently stars as Lola in the Broadway hit Kinky Boots, a role that won him 2013 Tony, Grammy, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards. His other theater credits include Miss Saigon, Five Guys Named Moe, Grease, Smokey Joe's Café, Dreamgirls, Angels in America, The Merchant of Venice, Radiant Baby, Birdie Blue, Songs for a New World, Ghetto Superstar (one-man show), Topdog/Underdog and King Lear. Porter has appeared in films and on television, including "Law & Order: SVU," "So You Think You Can Dance" (as a guest judge) and "The Big C" among other shows, and will appear in the upcoming film The Humbling, starring Al Pacino. Porter's solo albums include his first CD, Untitled, on A&M records, At the Corner of Broadway + Soul - LIVE on Sh-K-Boom Records and his most recent recording, Billy's Back on Broadway, on Concord Records. Porter's concert credits include opening for Rosie O'Donnell and Aretha Franklin, Carnegie Hall, John McDaniel and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Buffalo Philharmonic, Peter Nero and the Philly Pops, soloist for President Bill Clinton and various benefits throughout the United States. His concert for Lincoln Center's American Songbook series, which airs on LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER , will include selections from his latest solo album and feature a guest appearance by Kinky Boots composer Cyndi Lauper. This episode features music direction by James Sampliner and directed for television by Andrew C. Wilk. For more information on Billy Porter, visit: billyporter.com.
Friday, April 10, 2015 (check local listings)
Last winter, The New York Times called Norm Lewis' performance in Lincoln Center's American Songbook ("Norm Lewis: Who Am I?") series a "high point of the year." Audiences clamoring for a chance to experience this multi-talented singer and actor have another opportunity as LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER presents his reprise in this year's American Songbook season. Lewis holds the distinction of being the first African American to play the title role in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. For two decades, he has brought his powerful timbre and creamy tone to roles as varied as Porgy opposite Audra McDonald in The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess (for which he received a 2012 Tony nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Musical), Javert in the Broadway and 25th anniversary London productions of Les Miserables, the Broadway revue Sondheim on Sondheim, Billy Flynn in Chicago and Valentine in Two Gentlemen of Verona in Shakespeare in the Park. In 2005, he captured particular attention and a Drama Desk Award nomination for his role in the Lincoln Center Theater's production of Dessa Rose. On television, Lewis played Senator Edison Davis on the ABC hit series Scandal, and reprised the role of Javert in the star-studded 25th anniversary O2 Arena Concert. He recently appeared in the New York Philharmonic's production of the iconic musical Showboat (to be seen on a future LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER broadcast) and on Live From Lincoln Center's New Year's Eve broadcast singing Gershwin selections with Dianne Reeves and the New York Philharmonic. Lewis also recently released a solo album of Broadway, pop and classical songs entitled This Is the Life. This episode is directed for the stage by Richard Jay-Alexander, with musical direction by Joseph Joubert, and directed for television by Annette Jolles. For more information on Norm Lewis, visit: normlewis.com.
Andrew C. Wilk, Executive Producer, LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER - Andrew C. Wilk is an Emmy Award-winning producer and director whose career has encompassed leading roles in many areas of television and media content. He arrived at Lincoln Center in 2011, and has served as executive producer of Live From Lincoln Center, combining his extensive television, music and theater backgrounds. Prior to his work at Lincoln Center, Wilk served as chief creative officer at Sony Music Entertainment, where he oversaw all visual content for Sony's label groups and spearheaded Sony's digital expansion. He also served as founding programmer and executive vice president of Programming, Production and News for the National Geographic Channel -- where he launched the channel and developed its initial programming, as well as scheduled and commissioned new programs, including specials with PBS and NBC. Wilk has won four Emmy Awards and has received 13 nominations, in addition to other distinguished industry awards for programming excellence. Over the course of his career, he has produced or directed more than 1,000 television shows ranging from children's programming to news to commercial entertainment. Additionally, Wilk has maintained a second career in music and theater, having conducted and directed hundreds of musicals, symphonic and concert performances.
About LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER - LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER is a cornerstone of performing arts broadcasting, presenting the world's greatest artists and performances in music, dance and theater from Lincoln Center's renowned stages. Now in its 40th season on PBS, the pioneering series -- produced by Lincoln Center -- has been seen by hundreds of millions of viewers since its debut and has celebrated 13 Emmy Awards and other honors for its broadcasting excellence. Additional LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER content is accessible online at PBS.org and livefromlincolncenter.org.
Further information on LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER and its programming history and milestones can be found here.
About Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts - Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (LCPA) serves three primary roles: presenter of artistic programming, national leader in arts and education and community relations, and manager of the Lincoln Center campus. A presenter of more than 3,000 free and ticketed events, performances, tours, and educational activities annually, LCPA's series include American Songbook, Great Performers, Lincoln Center Festival, Lincoln Center Out of Doors, Midsummer Night Swing, Mostly Mozart Festival, White Light Festival, and the Emmy Award-winning Live From Lincoln Center. As manager of the Lincoln Center campus, LCPA provides support and services for the Lincoln Center complex and the 11 resident organizations: Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, The Film Society of Lincoln Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Juilliard School, Lincoln Center Theater, The Metropolitan Opera, New York City Ballet, New York Philharmonic, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, the School of American Ballet and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. In addition, LCPA led a series of major capital projects, now complete, on behalf of the resident organizations across the campus. For more information, visit lincolncenter.org or aboutlincolncenter.org.
About PBS - PBS, with its over 350 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches nearly 109 million people through television and over 28 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS' broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry's most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS' premier children's TV programming and its website, pbskids.org, are parents' and teachers' most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing CURIOSITY and love of learning in children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the Internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile devices.
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