The Los Angeles Philharmonic's 10-week 2009 Weekend Spectaculars series kicks off at the Hollywood Bowl with Ultimate Mancini!, a tribute to the unforgettable legacy of film, television and concert composer Henry Mancini, Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11, at 8:30 p.m. The LA Phil, under the baton of award-winning conductor/composer Bill Conti and joined by special guests Dave Grusin, Monica Mancini, and Brian Stokes Mitchell, perform the music that earned this impressive icon and Hollywood Bowl Hall of Famer his legendary status. As a special treat to audiences, selected works on the program feature accompanying film clips or montages on the Hollywood Bowl's screens as the LA Phil performs Mancini's music to classics such as Breakfast at Tiffany's, Victor/Victoria, The Pink Panther and The Thorn Birds. As an added bonus, The Thorn Birds star, Richard Chamberlain, appears to provide commentary during the film montage of the classic television mini-series. The concerts also include a special video appearance by Julie Andrews, taped exclusively for these concerts. In true Hollywood Bowl-style the evenings culminate with a spectacular fireworks show, making for two unforgettable evenings.
"Performing Henry's music with the LA Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl is truly a homecoming for us," said Mancini's daughter, Monica. "Dad conducted the orchestra many times over the years, and hearing the Los Angeles Philharmonic perform his music with these guest artists is very emotional for our family as well as the musicians, many of whom worked with Henry on his films."
Other special treats of the evenings include the performance of the Oscar-nominated Charade, performed for the first time by
Brian Stokes Mitchell, celebrated film composer and pianist Dave Grusin performing his own special jazz arrangement of Mr. Lucky (which he recorded on his album Two for the Road: The Music of
Henry Mancini), and the appearance of Plas Johnson, the original saxophone player who on The Pink Panther soundtrack,
Henry Mancini was one of the first composers from the world of jazz to break into the world of movie scoring. During his illustrious 40-plus-year-career, he won four Oscars, 20 Grammys and two Emmy nominations, and many of his tunes have become standards. His commercial and critical success made him one of the first American film composers to become a household name.
Richard Chamberlain has created a singular position with the world of mini-series, having starred in some of the most dramatic and powerful productions in the history of television. Over the last two decades Chamberlain has starred in six of the most acclaimed mini-series: Shogun, Wallenberg, The Thorn Birds, The Bourne Identity, Dream West, and Centennial. Shogun, The Thorn Birds and Wallenberg are all epic dramas that speak a humanistic and universal language, translating into stories and characters with appeal to viewers worldwide. Indeed, the impact of these shows has established Chamberlain as an international star. Chamberlain was born in Los Angeles, and first wanted to become an artist but switched gears when he scored successfully in theatrical productions at Pomona College. Following college, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he gained his sergeant's stripes in Korea. Returning to Los Angeles, Chamberlain made the move away from painting and furthered his acting ambitions by studying under Jeff Corey. He was also a founding member of Company of Angels, the Los Angeles theater company. He was then featured in a dozen American television programs in minor roles until he landed the lead in the ill-fated series pilot Paradise Kid. Then suddenly, in 1961,
Richard Chamberlain's luck changed when the title role of the TV series Dr. Kildare made him a household name, virtually overnight. He played the popular physician for five years, and at the height of his fame was receiving over 12,000 fan letters a week, far more than even
Clark Gable ever received. Aside from acting, Chamberlain has long been known for his interest in environmental affairs. He lobbied long and hard in Sacramento, California, as well as in Washington, DC, to save the Tuolumne River flowing from Yosemite National Park. His efforts helped to win a "Wild and Scenic" designation for the river. He has also been very active with the environmental group, The Outdoor Circle in Honolulu. Frequently, he donates his talents to the Honolulu Symphony, doing numerous narrations on classical and contemporary works. His adventure away from acting has been his love of painting and sculpture. His works can currently be viewed at Celebrity Gallery in Lahaina and Wailea on Maui, as well as on the Web.
One of the largest natural amphitheaters in the world, with a seating capacity of nearly 18,000, the HOLLYWOOD BOWL has been the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic since its official opening in 1922, and is home to the best and brightest in all genres of music. The 2004 season introduced audiences to a revitalized Hollywood Bowl, featuring a newly-constructed shell and stage and the addition of four stadium screens enhancing stage views in the venue. To this day, $1 buys a seat at the top of the Bowl for many of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's concerts. While the Bowl is best known for its sizzling summer nights, during the day California's youngest patrons enjoy "SummerSounds: Music for Kids at the Hollywood Bowl," the Southland's most popular summer arts festival for children, now in its 42nd season. In January 2009, the Hollywood Bowl was named Best Major Outdoor Concert Venue for the fifth year in a row at the 20th Annual Pollstar Concert Industry Awards; the Bowl's summer music festival has become as much a part of a Southern California summer as beaches and barbecues, the Dodgers, and Disneyland.
FRIDAY, JULY 10, AT 8:30 PM
SATURDAY, JULY 11, AT 8:30 PM
HOLLYWOOD BOWL, 2301 N. Highland Ave.
ULTIMATE MANCINI! with Fireworks
LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC
BILL CONTI, conductor
MONICA MANCINI, vocalist
DAVE GRUSIN, piano
Brian Stokes Mitchell, vocalist
Special appearance by
Richard ChamberlainJuly 10 Media Sponsor: KCET
July 11 Media Sponsor: Gelson's
Tickets ($10 - $116) are on sale now at
HollywoodBowl.com, at the Hollywood Bowl Box Office (Tuesday-Saturday, 12 p.m.-6 p.m.), or by calling Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000, and at all Ticketmaster outlets. Groups of 10 or more may be eligible for a 20% discount, subject to availability; call 323.850.2050 for further details or group sales. For general information or to request a brochure, call 323.850.2000.
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