The Hollywood Reporter - 29/Sep/2011

[Source]

Los Angeles Philharmonic Opens its 2011/2012 Season With Herbie Hancock

1:46 PM PDT 9/29/2011 by Degen Pener

Herbie Hancock with Los Angeles Philharmonic Association President and CEO Deborah Borda

The jazz pianist makes a special appearance playing Gershwin with conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Phil

Jazz met clasical music at the Walt Disney Concert Hall on Sept. 27. For its annual opening night performance and fundraiser, the Los Angeles Philharmonic presented an evening of Gershwin featuring Herbie Hancock improvising Rhapsody in Blue on the piano in concert with the orchestra under the direction of conductor Gustavo Dudamel.

PHOTOS: Hollywood Bowl Through the Years

Following the performance, guests—who included Disney Concert Hall architect Frank Gehry, William Shatner, composer John Williams, music producer/songwriter and David Foster —enjoyed a gala dinner in a tented space on Grand Avenue decorated with a 1930s-thirties theme in blue, of course.
Here's what the bold-faced names said about the evening:

PHOTOS: New York Philharmonic's 'Company'

"It was awesome and just so accessible for everyone and the orchestra was amazing," said board member Jane Eisner, there with husband Michael Eisner. When asked how long the young hotshot conductor Dudamel had been with the orchestra, she answered: "Two years. He's now 30 so he’s an old man."

"It was a fantastic combination of Herbie Hancock and the LA Philharmonic was pretty powerful. My wife is on the board so we come fairly regularly both to Disney Hall and the Hollywood Bowl," said Craftsman Films’ Kerry McCluggage.

"It's a very exciting mix of classical music with Herbie Hancock improvising. Anybody who cares about culture should have been here tonight. I think this is a very lovely party too. The food was good and I'm gonna be in bed by 11," said Decades boutique owner and international fashion arbiter Cameron Silver.

“I thought it was the most fabulous evening. This music is so beautiful and this young man [Dudamel] has really brought something to this town. He’s adorable, has a divine wife and he’s cute,” said socialite Betsy Bloomingdale.

"I really really enjoyed Herbie. I felt like he brought something incredibly different to Rhapsody and I don't know if it’s going to be everybody's cup of tea but for me it was really watchin a jazz musician play orchestral music. I leaned into him and that's what he wanted us to do,” said Brothers & Sisters actor Luke Macfarlane.

Hollywood Bowl - 27/Sep/2011

[Source]

Press Release

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Launched 2011/12 Season With Rhapsody in Blue: Opening Night Concert and Gala Featuring Gustavo Dudamel and Herbie Hancock at Walt Disney Concert Hall

An All-Gershwin Concert Opened the Evening of Vintage Glamour

Performance Was Broadcast Live on Classical KUSC, APM Affiliated Stations, ClassicalAPM.org, and NPR.org, and Taped for International PBS Telecast

The 2011 LA Phil Rhapsody in Blue Gala was Made Possible with the Proud Support of Rolex, the Official Timepiece of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

This evening’s concert was recorded for telecast by Bernhard Fleischer Moving Images, THIRTEEN for WNET, WDR/Arte, C Major Entertainment, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic as part of the PBS performing arts series Great Performances.

Proceeds support the LA Phil and its education programs, including YOLA (Youth Orchestra LA). The orchestra and Gustavo Dudamel generously donated their services for this concert.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic opened its 2011/12 season with Music Director Gustavo Dudamel and Creative Chair for Jazz Herbie Hancock with an all-Gershwin concert and evening of vintage glamour, Tuesday, September 27, at Walt Disney Concert Hall. The evening – Rhapsody in Blue: Opening Night Concert and Gala – was taped by PBS for broadcast in the U.S. and Europe at a later date, and the audio was broadcast live on Classical KUSC, APM affiliated stations, ClassicalAPM.org and NPR.org. 

The evening began with the arrival of music stars Quincy Jones and Wayne Shorter, Los Angeles Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, film composer John Williams, music producer David Foster, and actors Don Johnson and Luke McFarlane, who walked a signature-blue carpet up to the Grand stairway of Walt Disney Concert Hall. Local officials in attendance included Los Angeles County Supervisors Zev Yaroslavsky and Glora Molina; Los Angeles City County President Pro Tempore Jan Perry; and LA City Council President Eric Garcetti. They were joined by Gala Co-Chairs Joan Hotchkis and David C. Bohnett, along with more than 600 Gala patrons for the special evening.
At the pre-concert reception in BP Hall, guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while surrounded by a décor of blue damask-draped cocktail tables, gardenias floating in tall cylindrical vases, and a center bar topped with a white ostrich-plumed centerpiece. 

The all-Gershwin concert featured some of the composer’s best-loved orchestral pieces: Cuban Overture, American in Paris, followed by Herbie Hancock’s improvisation of Embraceable You and Someone to Watch Over Me. The concert closed with Rhapsody in Blue, which brought the audience to their feet for a rousing standing ovation. Final bows were accompanied by a confetti drop of blue and silver mylar.

Following the concert, the celebratory atmosphere continued on Grand Avenue where costumed showgirls lined up outside the “Rhapsody in Blue” supper club to welcome guests to dinner with a martini or champagne cocktail. The interior was a nod to the glamour of the ‘30s era: palm trees framed the doorways and the two standing bars on either side of the “club,” and the tables were set either in ivory or deep blue and decorated with silver lamps and gardenias or orchids with ostrich feathers. The décor was complemented by a row of banquette tables, with classic film posters and mirrors hung above them. 

Following welcoming remarks by LA Phil President Deborah Borda and Chairman David C. Bohnett, guests were treated to a menu created by Patina Chef Joachim Splichal, which showcased favorite classics with a modern update. The meal started with a pre-set Crab Louis with shrimp, followed by a “deconstructed” Beef Wellington with bordelaise, pomme duchesse and a timbale of broccoli, with dessert being an individual Baked Alaska. The wines served were Beckmen Vineyards 2010 Estate Sauvignon Blanc and a 2009 Cuvée le Bec, generously donated by LA Phil Board member Thomas L. Beckman. 

During dinner, the guests were treated to a “Ziegfeld Follies”-style production number with showgirls and a ballroom and tap performance that culminated with a confetti drop. The dance band “Impulse” provided a combination of swing and contemporary tunes to lure guests to the dance floor throughout the evening. 

The Rhapsody in Blue Gala Committee included Gala Co-Chairs David C. Bohnett and Joan Hotchkis; Honorary Chair Eloisa Maturén Dudamel and Gigi Hancock; Maria Bell, Lynn A. Booth, Carey Cullinane, Margaret Eberhardt, Jane B. Eisner, Kimberly Marteau Emerson, Lenore S. Greenberg, Joyce A. Kresa, Ginny Mancini, Soraya Sarah Nazarian, Nancy S. Sanders, Carla Sands, Sutton Stracke, Alan J. Vorwald and Alyce Williamson. The Grand Avenue Gala party was created by Gai Klass Event Productions. 

All Gala proceeds support the Los Angeles Philharmonic and its education programs, including YOLA, the signature program of Gustavo Dudamel. The Gala concert was made possible with the proud support of Rolex, the Official Timepiece of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Rhapsody in Blue: Opening Night Concert and Gala was recorded for future telecast by Bernhard Fleischer Moving Images, THIRTEEN for WNET, WDR/Arte, C Major Entertainment and the Los Angeles Philharmonic as part of the PBS performing arts series Great Performances. Additionally, the concert was broadcast live on Classical KUSC and other radio stations throughout the country and audio streamed live on ClassicalAPM.org and NPR.org, with a live chat room at ClassicalAPM.org, NPR.org and KUSC.org. The concert also will be available via on-demand streaming on NPR.org, KUSC.org and ClassicalAPM.org until October 5, and broadcast on APM’s SymphonyCast on radio stations across the country during the week of October 17th. 

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, under the vibrant leadership of Music Director Gustavo Dudamel, presents an inspiring array of music from all genres – orchestral, chamber and Baroque music, organ and celebrity recitals, new music, jazz, world music and pop – at two of L.A.’s iconic venues, Walt Disney Concert Hall (www.laphil.com) and the Hollywood Bowl (www.hollywoodbowl.com). The LA Phil’s season at Walt Disney Concert Hall extends from October through May, and throughout the summer at the Hollywood Bowl. With the preeminent Los Angeles Philharmonic at the foundation of its offerings, the LA Phil aims to enrich and transform lives through music, with a robust mix of artistic, education and community programs.

Rolex, headquartered in Geneva, is recognized worldwide as a leader in the watchmaking industry for both its enduring style and the peerless performance of its exquisite timepieces. The brand’s pioneering spirit and perpetual quest for perfection and innovation have distinguished Rolex since its inception in 1905, starting with the first truly waterproof watch, the Oyster, in 1926 and the first self-winding watch in 1931. Rolex has long been associated with the quest for greatness and was on the wrist of Mercedes Gleitze in 1927 as she swam the English Channel and then in 1953, was part of the first successful ascent of Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary. Keeping with its tradition of encouraging individual excellence and the pursuit of perfection, Rolex has forged lasting relationships with many of the world’s cultural icons, legendary institutions and most prestigious events and is present at more than 150 events in the areas of culture and the arts, sports including golf, yachting, tennis, equestrian events, and select motorsports, as well as philanthropic awards programs. Continuing its commitment to extraordinary artistry, Rolex is proud to be the Official Timepiece of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and sponsor of the 2011 Los Angeles Philharmonic Gala at the world-renowned Walt Disney Concert Hall on September 27, 2011. 

About WNET New York Public Media
WNET is America’s flagship public media outlet, bringing quality arts, education, and public affairs programming to more than 5 million viewers each week. The parent company of public television stations THIRTEEN and WLIW21 and operator of NJTV, WNET produces such acclaimed PBS series as Great Performances, American Masters, Nature, Need to Know, Charlie Rose, Tavis Smiley, and a range of documentaries, children’s programs, and local news and cultural offerings available on air and online. Pioneers in educational programming, WNET has created such groundbreaking series as Get the Math, Noah Comprende, and Cyberchase and provides tools for educators that bring compelling content to life in the classroom and at home. WNET highlights the tri-state’s unique culture and diverse communities through SundayArts, Reel 13, NJ Today, and the new online newsmagazine MetroFocus. Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GreatPerformances

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011, AT 7 PM
Walt Disney Concert Hall,
111 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles

Rhapsody in Blue: Opening Night Concert and Gala

LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC
GUSTAVO DUDAMEL, conductor
HERBIE HANCOCK, piano

ALL-GERSHWIN

Cuban Overture
An American in Paris
Herbie Hancock improvises on Gershwin
Rhapsody in Blue
The 2011 LA Phil Rhapsody in Blue: Opening Night Gala and Concert is made possible with the proud support of Rolex, the Official Timepiece of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

This evening’s concert is being recorded for telecast by Bernhard Fleischer Moving Images, THIRTEEN for WNET, WDR/Arte, C Major Entertainment, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic as part of public television’s performing arts series Great Performances.

Proceeds support the LA Phil and its education programs, including YOLA (Youth Orchestra LA). The Los Angeles Philharmonic and Gustavo Dudamel are generously donating their services for this concert.
Contact: Sophie Jefferies, sjefferies@laphil.org, 213.972.3422; Lisa White, lwhite@laphil.org, 213.972.3408; Photos: 213.972.3034

Broadway World.com - 08/Sep/2011

[Source]

Luke Macfarlane to Play Title Role in City Theatre's SAM BENDRIX AT THE BON SOIR
Thursday, September 8, 2011; Posted: 09:09 AM - by Alexandra Strycula

The drinks and the music flow at the legendary Bon Soir. In 1958 Greenwich Village, a young singer and his band take the stage for a final performance before he quits New York City forever. While a chair he's holding for a special someone sits empty all night, Sam Bendrix tells a classic tale of an era not yet ready for the revolutionary changes on the horizon.

City Theatre has announced that Luke MacFarlane, star of ABC's hit series Brothers & Sisters, will perform the title role in the world premiere of Keith Bunin's SAM BENDRIX AT THE BON SOIR. Mark Rucker will direct the play, also featuring music by legendary songwriters like Cole Porter, Leonard Bernstein and the Gershwins. SAM BENDRIX AT THE BON SOIR plays on City Theatre's intimate Hamburg Studio Stage November 12 - December 18, 2011. The Opening Night performance is Friday, November 18 at 8 pm.

Mr. Macfarlane recently playEd Scotty Wendell on ABC's Brothers & Sisters and appeared in the 2011 Broadway production of THE NORMAL HEART. Audiences will also recognize him from FX's Over There and the feature film Kinsey.


"Sam Bendrix requires an actor loaded with charisma and charm," states City Theatre Artistic Director Tracy Brigden, "someone who can tell an emotional story, and - most importantly - someone who can perform these wonderful songs. Luke's magnetic star power on the very intimate Hamburg stage is going to make for an unforgettable evening of theatre."

City Theatre will announce the entire production team, including musicians and designers, shortly.

Tickets are available at 412.431.CITY (2489) or CityTheatreCompany.org. Single tickets start at $30.

City Theatre is Pittsburgh's largest producing company located outside of downtown's Cultural District. Now in its 37th year and settled on Pittsburgh's historic South Side, City Theatre specializes in contemporary and new plays and has brought to Pittsburgh playwrights such as Adam Rapp, Christopher Durang, Eric Simonson, and Jeffrey Hatcher. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Tracy Brigden, Managing Director Mark R. Power, and a 45-member Board of Directors, City Theatre's mission is to provide an artistic home for the development and production of contemporary plays of substance and ideas that engage and challenge a diverse audience.

topix - 07/Sep/2011

[Source]

 Wednesday Sep 7 | Posted by: roboblogger

Luke Macfarlane Will Star in Show Tune-Studded Sam Bendrix at the Bon Soir in Pittsburgh

Full story: Playbill

Luke Macfarlane, star of the TV series "Brothers & Sisters" and Broadway's recent Tony Award-winning production of The Normal Heart, will play the title role in the fall world premiere of Keith Bunin's 1950s-set Sam Bendrix at the Bon Soir at City Theatre in Pittsburgh.

Playbill.com - 07/Sep/2011

[Source]

Luke Macfarlane Will Star in Show Tune-Studded Sam Bendrix at the Bon Soir in Pittsburgh
By Kenneth Jones
07 Sep 2011

Luke Macfarlane

Luke Macfarlane, star of the TV series "Brothers & Sisters" and Broadway's recent Tony Award-winning production of The Normal Heart, will play the title role in the fall world premiere of Keith Bunin's 1950s-set Sam Bendrix at the Bon Soir at City Theatre in Pittsburgh.

Mark Rucker will direct the play, which features music by Cole Porter, Leonard Bernstein and the Gershwin brothers. Performances will play on City Theatre's intimate Hamburg Studio Stage Nov. 12-Dec. 18. Opening night is Nov. 18.
According to City Theatre notes, "The drinks and the music flow at the legendary Bon Soir. In 1958 Greenwich Village, a young singer and his band take the stage for a final performance before he quits New York City forever. While a chair he's holding for a special someone sits empty all night, Sam Bendrix tells a classic tale of an era not yet ready for the revolutionary changes on the horizon."
Macfarlane recently played Scotty Wendell on ABC's "Brothers & Sisters. His credits also include FX's "Over There" and the feature film "Kinsey."

"Sam Bendrix requires an actor loaded with charisma and charm," City Theatre artistic director Tracy Brigden said in a statement, "someone who can tell an emotional story, and — most importantly — someone who can perform these wonderful songs. Luke's magnetic star power on the very intimate Hamburg stage is going to make for an unforgettable evening of theatre."
City Theatre will announce the entire production team, including musicians and designers, shortly.
Visit CityTheatreCompany.org.

City Theatre’s Backstage Blog - 07/Sep/2011

[Source]

Luke Macfarlane, of ABC’s Brothers & Sisters, to star at City Theatre!
Published September 7, 2011

Luke Macfarlane  at the Bon Soir!  

Don’t miss Luke Macfarlane, of ABC’s Brothers & Sisters and FX’s Over There, in the title role of Sam Bendrix at  

the Bon Soir!

World Premiere

November 12 – December 18, 2011

by Keith Bunin

directed by Mark Rucker

music director Douglas Levine 

with music by Cole Porter, Leonard Bernstein, the Gershwins, and more!

The drinks and the music flow at the legendary Bon Soir. In 1958 Greenwich Village, a young singer and his band take the stage for a final performance before he quits New York City forever. While a chair he’s holding for a special someone sits empty all night, Sam Bendrix tells a classic tale of an era not yet ready for the revolutionary changes on the horizon.

Tickets now on sale!
412.431.CITY (2489)
CityTheatreCompany.org

Broadway World.com - 07/Sep/2011

[Source]

Luke Macfarlane Joins City Theater's SAM BENDRIX AT THE BON SOIR 11/12-12/18
Wednesday, September 7, 2011; Posted: 11:09 AM - by BWW News Desk

City Theatre has announced that Luke MacFarlane, star of ABC's hit series Brothers & Sisters, will perform the title role in the world premiere of Keith Bunin's Sam Bendrix at the Bon Soir. Mark Rucker will direct the play, also featuring music by legendary songwriters like Cole Porter, Leonard Bernstein and the Gershwins. Sam Bendrix at the Bon Soir plays on City Theatre's intimate Hamburg Studio Stage November 12 - December 18, 2011. The Opening Night performance is Friday, November 18 at 8 pm.

Mr. Macfarlane recently playEd Scotty Wendell on ABC's Brothers & Sisters and appeared in the 2011 Broadway production of The Normal Heart. Audiences will also recognize him from FX's Over There and the feature film Kinsey.

"Sam Bendrix requires an actor loaded with charisma and charm," states City Theatre Artistic Director Tracy Brigden, "someone who can tell an emotional story, and - most importantly - someone who can perform these wonderful songs. Luke's magnetic star power on the very intimate Hamburg stage is going to make for an unforgettable evening of theatre."

City Theatre will announce the entire production team, including musicians and designers, shortly.

The drinks and the music flow at the legendary Bon Soir. In 1958 Greenwich Village, a young singer and his band take the stage for a final performance before he quits New York City forever. While a chair he's holding for a special someone sits empty all night, Sam Bendrix tells a classic tale of an era not yet ready for the revolutionary changes on the horizon.

CITY THEATRE PRESENTS THE WORLD PREMIERE OF
Sam Bendrix at the Bon Soir
When: November 12 - December 18, 2011

Preview Schedule
Saturday, November 12 at 5:30 pm; Sunday, November 13 at 7pm;
Tuesday, November 15 and Wednesday, November 16 at 7pm;
Thursday, November 18 at 8 pm

PRESS / OPENING NIGHT
Friday, November 18 at 8 pm

Regular Run Schedule
Tuesday and Wednesday at 7 pm; Wednesday at 1 pm;
Thurs. and Fri. at 8 pm; Sat. at 5:30 & 9 pm; Sun. at 2 pm

Where: City Theatre, 1300 Bingham Street on Pittsburgh's South Side

Single tickets start at $30.

Students and age 26 and younger may reserve $15 tickets, subject to availability.

Seniors (age 60 and older) may purchase $22 rush tickets at the Box Office beginning two hours before show time, subject to availability.

Groups of 10 or more are eligible for discounts.
Call Kari Shaffer at 412.431-4400 x286.

Tickets are available at 412.431.CITY (2489) or CityTheatreCompany.org.

City Theatre is Pittsburgh's largest producing company located outside of downtown's Cultural District. Now in its 37th year and settled on Pittsburgh's historic South Side, City Theatre specializes in contemporary and new plays and has brought to Pittsburgh playwrights such as Adam Rapp, Christopher Durang, Eric Simonson, and Jeffrey Hatcher. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Tracy Brigden, Managing Director Mark R. Power, and a 45-member Board of Directors, City Theatre's mission is to provide an artistic home for the development and production of contemporary plays of substance and ideas that engage and challenge a diverse audience. www.citytheatrecompany.org

Pittsburgh Tribune - 06/Sep/2011

[Source]

City Theatre casts 'Brothers and Sisters' star for 'Bon Soir' role
By Alice T. Carter, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Luke Macfarlane, who appeared regularly as Scotty Wendell on ABC's "Brothers and Sisters," will perform the title role in City Theatre's "Sam Bendrix at the Bon Soir."
Macfarlane made his Broadway debut in the 2011 Broadway revival of "The Normal Heart" and also has had roles in FX's "Over There" and the feature film "Kinsey."
The play, which features music by legendary songwriters like Cole Porter, Leonard Bernstein and the Gershwins, will have its world premiere Nov. 12 through Dec. 18 in City Theatre's intimate Hamburg Studio on the South Side.
At the legendary Bon Soir in 1958 Greenwich Village, Sam Bendix and his band take the stage for a final performance in this tale of an era not yet ready for the revolutionary changes on the horizon.
Tickets are on sale now. Admission is $30 to $60; some discounts are available for seniors and those 26 and younger.
Details: 412-431-2489 or CityTheatreCompany.org.

Broadway World.com - 01/Sep/2011

[Source]

Plan B Signs on to Produce NORMAL HEART Film
Thursday, September 1, 2011; Posted: 10:09 AM - by BWW News Desk

According to DarkHorizonscom, Brad Pitt's Plan B has signed on to produce Ryan Murphy's upcoming big screen adaptation of "The Normal Heart". No word yet on when production may begin.

The Normal Heart, which closed on Broadway on July 10, won three 2011 Tony® Awards, including Best Revival of a Play, Best Featured Actress in a Play (Ellen Barkin) and Best Featured Actor in a Play (John Benjamin Hickey). The play was also honored as this season's Best Revival of a Play by the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Drama League Awards and has received Drama Desk Awards for Best Ensemble and Best Direction of a Play, along with a Special Citation from the New York Drama Critics Circle.

The award-winning cast of The Normal Heart included Ellen Barkin, Patrick Breen, Mark Harelik, John Benjamin Hickey, Luke MacFarlane, Joe Mantello, Lee Pace, Jim Parsons, Richard Topol, and Wayne Alan Wilcox.

The story of a city in denial, The Normal Heart unfolds like a real-life political thriller -- as a tight-knit group of friends refuses to let doctors, politicians and the press bury the truth of an unspoken epidemic behind a wall of silence. First produced by Joseph Papp at New York's Public Theater, the play was a critical sensation and a seminal moment in theater history. So ahead of its time was this play that many of the core issues it addresses - including gay marriage, the healthcare system and, of course, AIDS - are just as relevant today as they were when it first premiered.