Amy Grant, The Midtown Men, Gladys Knight, et al. to Perform at Pacific Symphony 2012-2013

The Pacific Symphony launches an exciting 2012-13 Pops season starring big-name guest artists, spectacular shows and some of the most treasured songs and genres of our time. From the "Empress of Soul," Gladys Knight, to Broadway showstoppers, the "Wicked Divas." Patrons may spend Valentine's Day with Kenny G, Christmas with Amy Grant and end the season with a little "Singin' in the Rain"–on the big screen, accompanied by the sumptuous sounds of the orchestra. The Symphony's Pops season, led by Principal Pops Conductor Richard Kaufman, also includes '60s hits sung by four stars from the original cast of JERSEY BOYS, ("The Midtown Men")and an evening devoted to the music of the legendary Gershwin brothers, featuring some of the most popular songs of their time.

Seven-concert subscriptions for Pops range from $170 to $1,050; single tickets are $25-$150 (on sale August 19). For more information or to purchase tickets, call (714) 755-5799 or visit www.PacificSymphony.org.

"I'm very excited about our 2012-13 Pops season for many reasons," says Maestro Kaufman. "The programs are extremely varied and our audience will find there's something for everyone. Of course, the wonderful musical experience at each of our Pops weekends begins with the ladies and gentlemen of Pacific Symphony-that in itself guarantees an exciting and inspired night of great entertainment."

The Symphony's 2012-13 Pops season opens in celebratory style with a wickedly delicious evening packed with Broadway hits sung by some of today's most captivating voices on Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 15-17, at 8 p.m., in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. "Wicked Divas," led by Maestro Kaufman, with stars from the smash musical "Wicked"-Alli Mauzey (Glinda) and Julia Murney (Elphaba)-sing all-time favorites from Broadway, Hollywood and other popular music. This includes hits from "My Fair Lady," "Chicago," "Titanic," "The Wizard of Oz," "Phantom of the Opera" and, of course, "Wicked."

Mauzey first became a Wicked diva when she earned the starring role as Glinda in the San Francisco Company and Broadway Company production of "Wicked." She is credited with multiple awards including the Theatre World Award and the Theatre Critics Circle Award for her rendition of Lenora in the musical, "Cry-Baby." Her voice can also be heard on the animated television series "Alpha Teens on Machines." Murney last appeared on Broadway as Elphaba in "Wicked" after playing the role on the national tour for which she received an Acclaim Award. Her television credits include appearances on "30 Rock," "Sex and the City," "Brothers and Sisters," "Ed," "NYPD Blue" and all three "Law and Order" shows.

For those looking for a warm, uplifting new way to enjoy the holiday season, American-music icon and six-time Grammy-Award winner Amy Grant makes her debut with the Symphony in "Christmas with Amy Grant." Grant's artistry has resonated with audiences since she first hit the national spotlight a couple decades ago as a fresh-faced teen with a guitar. She now brings her fresh voice, engaging personality and talent for erasing the lines between genres to the Symphony for a perfect-for-the-family holiday program that includes a mix of cherished standards and newer seasonal fare. Led by Kaufman, this Christmas extravaganza takes place Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 13-15, at 8 p.m., in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

Romance is in the air when the Symphony is joined by the quintessential sultan of jazz-saxophone superstar Kenny G-for a Valentine's Day weekend celebration on Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 14-16, 2013, at 8 p.m., in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Maestro Kaufman leads this special evening of stirring, silky-smooth sounds, "Valentine's Day with Kenny G," featuring the best-selling instrumental musician of the modern era, as he makes his debut with the Symphony. With global sales totaling more than 75 million albums, over the decades, Kenny G has mixed elements of R&B, pop and Latin to his smooth jazz foundation-solidifying his reputation as the premier artist in contemporary jazz. In 1997, he set a Guinness world record for longest saxophone note-45 minutes 47 seconds!

The audience won't want to leave when the iconic music of George and Ira Gershwin takes the spotlight for "The Gershwins: Here to Stay," featuring renowned Gershwin interpreter and pianist Kevin Cole, vocalists Sylvia McNair and Ryan VanDenBoom, and guest conductor Albert-George Schram, on Thursday-Saturday, March 14-16, 2013 at 8 p.m., in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. This new concert is more than just great music-it's also a multimedia event with family photos, rare audio and video footage, artwork, privately held manuscripts and new musical arrangements. Performances include "The Man I Love, "I Got Rhythm," "Strike up the Band," "They All Laughed," "'S Wonderful" and many more! A widely admired American pianist, Cole is regarded as the foremost interpreter of George Gershwin compositions.

Next up for Pops is a special appearance by the "Empress of Soul," seven-time Grammy winner and current "Dancing with the Stars" contender Gladys Knight, appearing with the Symphony for the very first time on Thursday-Saturday, April 18-20, 2013, at 8 p.m., in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Led by Kaufman and accompanied by the orchestra, Knight-who has recorded nearly 40 albums featuring her soulful voice, scoring chart toppers in pop, R&B and adult contemporary music-sings a number of her signature hits, including "Every Beat of My Heart," "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" and "Midnight Train to Georgia."

Knight earned her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1995 and in 1996, Gladys Knight & The Pips were inducted into the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame. In 2004, she received the "Lifetime Achievement Award" at the Annual Black Entertainment Television Awards ceremony. Knight has dedicated much of her life to humanitarian and philanthropic causes including the American Cancer Society, the Minority AIDS Project, amFAR and Crisis Intervention. She is currently the national spokesperson for the American Diabetes Association.

Following on the heels of the 2011-12 sold-out presentation of "Casablanca," next season the Symphony performs the score to the American-made classic film "Singin' in the Rain"-for an all-new symphonic night at the movies! Led by Maestro Kaufman, the live orchestral soundtrack accompanies a beautifully restored version of the 1952 musical starring Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds, shown on the big screen in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Taking place Thursday-Saturday, May 9-11, 2013, at 8 p.m., "Singin' in the Rain's" comedic depiction of Hollywood and its transition from silent films to "talkies" is regarded as one of the best musicals ever made, topping the AFI's 100 Years of Musicals list and ranking fifth in its updated list of the greatest American films.

An electrifying, one-of-a-kind concert experience revisiting the music that defined the 1960s rounds up the Pops season with "The Midtown Men," reuniting four stars from the original cast of Broadway's long-running hit "Jersey Boys." Joining the Symphony on Thursday-Saturday, June 13-15, 2013, at 8 p.m., in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, "The Midtown Men" includes Tony-Award winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and Tony-Award nominee J. Robert Spencer. Conducted by Kaufman, this "jump-to-your-feet" show features top hits from The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Temptations, The Jackson 5, The Four Seasons and more.

With appearances on the "Today Show," "The Late Show with David Letterman" and on "Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve," the stars of "The Midtown Men" have performed at Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall, the US OPEN, Yankee Stadium and on Broadway in Times Square. They are also featured on the show's Grammy-Award-winning album.

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