Woodbine Productions announces upcoming performances
Woodbine Productions is proud to announce its next three outstanding concert presentations: Broadway icon Patti LuPone, longtime “Tonight Show” bandleader Doc Severinsen and the internationally acclaimed Soweto Gospel Choir.
All three performances will take place at the Performing Arts Center on the campus of South Dakota State University. The dates are:
- Patti LuPone on Thursday, Oct. 27;
- Doc Severinsen and His Big Band on Feb. 28, 2012; and
- Soweto Gospel Choir on March 30, 2012.
For ticket information, call the SDSU Music Department at (605) 688-5188.
Woodbine Productions is a project of the SDSU Foundation and is underwritten by an anonymous benefactor who is committed to bringing great performances and entertainment to Brookings and South Dakota, as well as helping the next generation of musicians. Proceeds from all ticket sales directly benefit competitive scholarships for talented students of the SDSU Music Department.
“We are thrilled to be able to bring these three high quality, diverse musical acts to Brookings,” said David Reynolds, head of the SDSU Music Department. “We are happy that we can announce all three of the upcoming shows now so that people from near and far can begin making plans to attend.”
About the Artists:
‘The Gypsy in My Soul’ with Patti LuPone on Thursday, October 27
Patti LuPone
LuPone is best known for her Tony-award winning performances as Eva Peron in the 1979 stage musical “Evita” and as Rose in the 2008 revival of “Gypsy” and for her Olivier-award winning performance as Fantine in the original London cast of “Les Miserables.”
She began her career as part of the first graduating class of Julliard’s Drama Division and as an original member of John Houseman’s The Acting Company, a nationally touring repertoire theater company.
She can be heard on recordings such as the 2006 Broadway revival cast of “Sweeney Todd,” “Heatwave with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra” and “Patti LuPone Live.”
Equally successful in film and television, she has played roles in films such as “Driving Miss Daisy” and “Witness.” She also portrayed Lady Bird Johnson in the television movie “LBJ: The Early Years.” Television credits include numerous PBS performances with artists such as Yo Yo Ma and John Williams, and cameos in network comedies such as “30 Rock,” “Frasier,” and “Will and Grace” (the latter of which she portrayed herself).
LuPone performs regularly across the country in her solo shows such as “The Gypsy In My Soul.” Her solo shows have sold out venues such as Carnegie Hall. She also appears regularly across North America in concerts with fellow Broadway legend Mandy Patinkin.
Doc Severinsen and His Big Band on Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Doc Severinsen
“Heeeeere’s Johnny!” That lead-in, followed by a big band trumpet blast, was the landmark of late-night television for three decades. The ‘Johnny’ was Johnny Carson, the announcer was Ed McMahon and the bandleader was Doc Severinsen. Beginning in October 1962, “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” ruled the night air for 30 years. On May 22, 1992, it came to an end, but it also marked the beginning of a new career for Doc Severinsen.
Within a week of the final telecast, Doc Severinsen and His Big Band was on the road. Their repertoire includes Ellington and Basie standards, pop, jazz, ballads, big band classics and, of course, “The Tonight Show” theme. Audiences are finally able to hear the depth of talent belonging to a band that rarely played a whole tune on the air. Many of his band members get their well-deserved turns in the spotlight. Doc’s tour dates are consistently sold out. Ask Severinsen about retirement and the answer you will get leaves you with a very clear impression: he is not ready to hang up his horn or his traveling shoes.
Severinsen’s accomplishments began in his hometown of Arlington, Ore., population: 600. Carl H. Severinsen was nicknamed “Little Doc” after his father, Dr. Carl Severinsen a dentist. Little Doc had originally wanted to play the trombone. But the senior Severinsen, a gifted amateur violinist, urged him to study the violin. The younger Severinsen insisted on the trombone, but had to settle for the only horn available in Arlington’s small music store — a trumpet.
After touring with Ted Fio Rito, Tommy Dorsey, and Benny Goodman, Doc arrived in New York City in 1949 to become a staff musician for NBC. After years of playing with the peacock network’s studio bands, Severinsen was invited to do a gig with the highly respected Tonight Show Band. An impressed conductor, Skitch Henderson, asked him to join that band in 1962 as first trumpet. Five years later, Doc took over as music director for “The Tonight Show” and stayed with the show until Johnny Carson retired from late-night television in 1992. Today, Doc has not lost his flair for outrageous fashions and witty banter. Yet, he is highly regarded as one of the most technically proficient trumpeters. He can blow a horn like few others…he is a high-note virtuoso, a genuinely funny man, and always a fashion fiend.
The Soweto Gospel Choir on Friday, March 30, 2012
Soweto Gospel Choir
When it comes to vocal talent, South Africa has spawned some of the most evocative sounds on earth. The Choir’s 26 singers, dancers, and instrumentalists deliver a flawless performance of traditional and contemporary songs infused with an irrepressible African spirit.
Since Soweto Gospel Choir’s introduction to the world eight years ago, this amazing choir has amassed a growing international fan base and received many local and international awards. Bringing recognition, pride and honor to South Africa, they have won numerous Grammy Awards in the Best Traditional World Music category (“Blessed” and “African Spirit”), and also in the Best Song in a Movie category the film, “Wall-E.”
The Soweto Gospel Choir has been heralded internationally as the most exciting group to emerge in World Music in recent years, touring extensively at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, and the Royal Festival Hall in London. They performed during the FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Concert in Soweto, the night before the opening of the World Cup, along with the Black-Eyed Peas, Shakira, and John Legend. They have also performed to sell-out crowed alongside superstars Bono, Queen, Celine Dion, Josh Groban, Aretha Franklin, and Stevie Wonder.