HSO Celebrates 50 Years of America's Musicals at Goodspeed

Hartford Symphony Orchestra and Goodspeed Musicals will join to celebrate the music and the magic of Goodspeed’s golden anniversary in a spectacular concert event on Saturday, Feb. 23 at 7:30 pm. at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford. 

For 50 years, Goodspeed has been recognized around the world as the “home of the American musical”. This special collaboration will feature selections from Goodspeed originals that moved to Broadway including Annie and Man of La Mancha, plus audience favorites from dozens of shows like Brigadoon, Finian’s Rainbow and No, No Nanette.

James Snyder

Led by guest conductor Michael O’Flahertywho is now in his 21st year as Resident Music Director for Goodspeed Musicals, the program will feature the talents of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, as well as performances by special guests Sarah Uriarte Berry, Quentin Earl Darrington, and James Snyder, plus aspiring professional performers from The Hartt School Musical Theatre Department’s Class of 2013.

With a set list that comprises musical theatre’s greatest hits, the evening will include songs from 42nd Street; A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum; A Little Night Music; Annie Get Your Gun; Anything Goes; Babes In Arms; Big River; Carousel; Gentleman Prefer Blondes; Kiss Me, Kate; Lady, Be Good!; Mame; On The Town; On the Twentieth Century; Promises, Promises; Red Hot & Blue; The Fantasticks and more.

 

Berry starred as Magnolia in Goodspeed’s Show Boat and her Broadway and national tour credits include Beauty and the Beast; Carousel; Cinderella; End of the Rainbow; Les Misérables; Next to Normal; Sunset Boulevard; Taboo; The Boys from Syracuse; The Light in the Piazza; and Tenderloin.

Darrington was Lucas in Goodspeed’s production of Abyssinia and has appeared in Broadway productions and national tours of Memphis; Ragtime; The Color Purple; and The Lion King.

Snyder starred as Billy Bigelow in Goodspeed’s Carousel and led the cast of Crybaby on Broadway. His additional New York and national stage credits include Broadway: Three Generations; Fanny; Happy Days; Mama!; Oedipus the King; Rock of Ages; Star Wars Trilogy in 30 Minutes; and The Fantasticks. 

“We are thrilled to kick off Goodspeed’s year-long celebration of our 50^thanniversary with this one-of-a-kind concert event,” said Michael Price, executive director of Goodspeed Musicals. “It is a rare occasion when two of Connecticut’s cultural treasures join together but when they do, the result is a magical collaboration that will be remembered for many years to come.” 

HSO President and CEO Carrie Hammond says, “It truly is a dream for us to collaborate with Goodspeed's incredible talents. Goodspeed has been a driving force behind the development and excellence of American Musical Theatre. This concert will bring together two of Connecticut's cultural treasures and ambassadors for the arts to this community.”

Tickets range in price from $20-$67.50. Student tickets are $10 and $25 tickets are available for patrons age 40 and under. To purchase tickets or for more information, please contact HSO ticket services at (860) 244-2999 or visit www.hartfordsymphony.org.