PBS Great Performances to Air 'Sondheim: The Birthday Concert' this Fall

According to published reports, NY Philharmonic's "Sondheim: The Birthday Concert," will be recorded for PBS' "Great Performances" series. The concert will take place March 15-16 at Avery Fisher Hall.

The concert will probably air in the fall, but an exact date has not yet been chosen.

This celebration of the 80th birthday of the great Broadway and film composer/lyricist will include Stephen Sondheim's most enduring orchestral music and songs, in addition to rarely-heard material, performed by a cast of Broadway stars. Paul Gemignani, Mr. Sondheim's longtime collaborator, will conduct the New York Philharmonic; Lonny Price is the director; and Mr. Price and Matt Cowart are the producers. Tony Award winner David Hyde Pierce (CURTAINS, SPAMALOT) will host the event.

The concert will feature Laura Benanti, Matt Cavenaugh, Michael Cerveris, Victoria Clark, Jenn Colella, Jason Danieley, Joanna Gleason, Nathan Gunn, George Hearn, Patti LuPone, Marin Mazzie, Audra McDonald, John McMartin, Donna Murphy, Gillian Murphy, Laura Osnes, Mandy Patinkin, Bernadette Peters, Bobby Steggert, Ethan Stiefel, Elaine Stritch, Jim Walton and Chip Zien.

With 2009-10 marking its 37th season on PBS, GREAT PERFORMANCES (along with its sub-series GREAT PERFORMANCES@The Met and DANCE IN AMERICA) brings the best in the performing arts from across America and around the world to a US television audience.

The only continuing primetime performance showcase on American television, GREAT PERFORMANCES presents a diverse programming portfolio of classical music, opera, popular song, musical theater, dance, drama, and performance documentaries. With its programs garnering 64 Emmy Awards and four George Foster Peabody Awards, the series has received every major television honor.

Regardless of geographic or economic limitations, GREAT PERFORMANCES insures its audiences "the best seats in the house" with a roster of artists and performing arts companies that represent a "Who's Who" of excellence and virtuosity in the international performing arts.

For more information, visit online at www.pbs.org.

 

 

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.