Boston Conservatory Honors Tommy Tune, 10/16

The Boston Conservatory, the oldest performing arts conservatory in the nation, today announces Tommy Tune as the honoree and special guest at the celebratory performance commemorating the grand opening of the "Hemenway Project," a $32 million, 16-month-long renovation of the Conservatory's theater building, Saturday, October 16th.

Known as one of the most prolific theater men of the Twentieth Century, Tommy Tune has enchanted audiences for the past 50 years with his charisma, vision and innovation. He has won nine Tony Awards for Broadway favorites such as My One and Only, Grand Hotel, The Will Rodgers Follies, Nine and Seesaw. Mr. Tune's talents extend beyond the stage, however. His film credits include Hello Dolly, The Boyfriend, Mimi Bluette, Fiore Del Mio Giardino and Hollywood Blvd. He has been honored with a star on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame. Throughout his career he has toured extensively in productions of Irma La Douce, Seesaw, Tommy Tune Tonight, My One and Only, Bye, Bye, Birdie and his act with The Manhattan Rhythm Kings. On several occasions, he collaborated with the late Thommie Walsh, a fellow Broadway director, choreographer and actor who attended The Boston Conservatory in the 1970s. Mr. Tune was recipient of the The National Medal of Arts, the Country's highest honor for artistic achievement. This year, Mr. Tune marks his 50th year in show business with his latest tour, Steps in Time, A Broadway Biography in Song and Dance.

"With Tommy Tune's career success, versatility and longevity, he models the talent, drive and work ethic our students aspire to achieve; we congratulate him on 50 phenomenal years in the industry," says Richard Ortner, President of The Boston Conservatory.

The Saturday evening performance --- which will feature a wide range of music dance and theatrical numbers performed by Conservatory students, faculty and guests --- will include a special return performance by Boston Conservatory Alumnus and 2010 Tony Best Actor Nominee Chad Kimball from hit Broadway show Memphis, winner of the 2010 Tony Award for Best Musical.

"I am honored to be a part of the grand opening event of the Hemenway Project," says Kimball. "Approaching 400 shows doing Memphis on Broadway, I've used every tool that was imparted to me through my education at The Boston Conservatory. I know this new facility will allow current and future students to learn and practice their craft on their path to successful careers as the next generation of highly trained artists - taught at the best conservatory training program the world over."

The Conservatory's Opening Note! performance --- running October 13-16 --- will also include:

· Former BSO Concertmaster Joe Silverstein performing with The Boston Conservatory's Hemenway Strings (honors ensemble): Program: Winter" from the Four Seasons Op. 8, No. 4
· Alwin Nikolais's visual masterpiece, "Tensile Involvement," reconstructed by Alberto del Saz and performed by current students;
· Fully-staged scenes from Puccini's La Rondine performed by current students
· A premier of new classical ballet work by dance faculty member Gianni DiMarco and performed by current students;
· Musical theater numbers from The Last Five Years, Sister Act, Curtains and The Wiz

Full schedule of performances and events as follows:

WEDNESDAY, October 13
8pm: Performance ($35 general admission; $25 Conservatory alumni and students)

THURSDAY, October 14
8pm: Performance ($35 general admission; $25 Conservatory alumni and students)

FRIDAY, October 15
12:30pm: Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony (FREE and open to the public)
1-2:30pm: Guided tours of new building (FREE and open to the public)

SATURDAY, October 16
12:30-2:30pm: Guided tours of new building (FREE and open to the public)
8pm: Performance featuring special guests Chad Kimball and Tommy Tune followed by Champagne & Dessert Reception ($150 general admission; $110 Boston Conservatory alumni & students)

All events take place at 31 Hemenway Street, Boston. Tickets can be ordered through The Boston Conservatory box office at (617) 912-9222. Details at www.bostonconservatory.edu/openingnote.

Photo Credit: Peter James Zielinski