Annapolis Symphony Orchestra Presents Annual Family Concert, THE LOST ELEPHANT, Today

The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra will present its annual Family Concert, The Lost Elephant, with Dan Kamin today, February 8, 2014 at 2:00pm and 3:30pm at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts. These concerts are designed for the entire family to enjoy. Families are invited to attend 'Meet the Musicians' at 1:15pm or 4:30pm for an interactive experience with ASO musicians and their instruments. Tickets to the Family Concerts are $12 in all sections, and the performances are recommended for ages 4 and up. Tickets are available by calling the ASO Box Office at 410-263-0907 or online at www.annapolissymphony.org.

Elmer the Elephant has escaped from the zoo, and he's on a collision course with the Annapolis Symphony. Dan Kamin, who created Johnny Depp's physical comedy routines in "Benny and Joon" and trained Robert Downey, Jr. for his Oscar-nominated performance in "Chaplin," joins the orchestra for The Lost Elephant. He'll conjure up a jungle full of animals with a few simple props, his amazing movement skills, and the music of the ASO. It's a thrilling show for kids and a great way to introduce them to classical music.

Kamin plays a zookeeper frantically searching for Elmer, his missing elephant. When he shows up at the concert hall Elmer is nowhere in sight, but a host of other creatures are magically summoned up by the music: A large bumblebee terrorizes Kamin during Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumblebee"; he involuntarily becomes a galloping horseman to Rossini's "William Tell Overture"; and when the orchestra plays Camille Saint-Saëns' haunting "Swan," he finds himself dancing a romantic adagio, a la Fred Astaire, with a life-sized doll. Eventually, conductor José-Luis Novo and narrator Susan Chapek lure the elusive pachyderm to the hall by playing some elephant-friendly music and putting out cake-baking ingredients. It seems that Elmer has a sweet tooth, and he can't resist the opportunity to bake a cake-right in front of the audience.

Kamin's "Comedy Concertos," which combine comedy with classical music, have become popular with symphonies worldwide. In addition to The Lost Elephant his programs include Stop the Music, The Classical Clown, Charlie Chaplin at the Symphony, and The Haunted Orchestra. Among the orchestras that invite him back repeatedly are Atlanta, Dallas, Singapore, Shanghai and Malaysia. This will be his fourth appearance with the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra.

In addition to working with Johnny Depp and Robert Downey, Jr., Kamin played the wooden Indian that came to life in the cult classic "Creepshow 2," and created Martian movement for Tim Burton's "Mars Attacks!"

Education and season support for the ASO is generously provided by Elizabeth Richebourg Rea, Baltimore / Annapolis Lexus Dealers, Maryland State Arts Council, Arts Council of Anne Arundel County, the Friends of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra,The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, The Helena Foundation, CFG Community Bank, PNC Wealth Management, Bank of America, M&T Bank, and Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour.

The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra features 70 professional musicians who perform a variety of symphonic music for audiences of all ages. Additionally, the non-profit organization provides educational programs through its partnerships with local schools, as well as various other community outreach efforts.

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