MEDIA CONTACT:
Jayce Keane
Director of Public Relations
(714) 876-2383
jkeane@pacificsymphony.org

Broadway's "Wicked Divas" defy gravity to jump start Pacific Symphony's 2012-13 Pops concert series with songs from the Broadway smash hit musical and more!

Pops Opening Night Celebration, hosted by the Pacific Symphony League, takes place Friday, Nov. 16, at the Center Club in Costa Mesa

Orange County, Calif.—Oct. 16, 2012—Two star-studded singers with powerhouse voices from the Tony-award winning musical "Wicked" join Pacific Symphony for a thrilling, high-energy concert of Broadway and popular tunes to kick off the 2012-13 Pops series. Led by Principal Pops Conductor Richard Kaufman, the Symphony's collaboration with Alli Mauzey (Glinda) and Julia Murney (Elphaba)—two lead performers from the Broadway and national tours of "Wicked"—add up to a captivating concert of musical favorites illuminated by the full symphony orchestra. Featuring audience favorites from "Chicago," "Phantom of the Opera," "Titanic," "Wicked," "The Wizard of Oz" and more, the concert takes place Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 15-17, at 8 p.m., in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Tickets are $25-$185; for more information or to purchase tickets, call (714) 755-5799 or visit PacificSymphony.org.

"I am thrilled to be joining the extraordinary Pacific Symphony musicians as we begin another exciting season," says Maestro Kaufman. "Our audiences are in for a real treat as the orchestra is joined by two of Broadway's brightest stars—Alli Mauzey and Julia Murney—singing music from some of most legendary shows. Pit orchestras on Broadway are usually only around 24 musicians, so just imagine the incredible sound of Pacific Symphony playing this music! It's going to be something very special."

Pops Celebration!
Adding to the extravagant evening of music and entertainment—and in celebration of the opening of the Pops concert series—the Pacific Symphony League hosts a pre-concert party on Friday, Nov. 16, at 5:30 p.m. Taking place in the newly remodeled Center Club, the evening, chaired by League member Marion Brockett, includes dinner, signature cocktails and a special appearance by Principal Pops Conductor Richard Kaufman and the Divas themselves (!), as well as live music. Tickets for the event are $150, with funds benefiting Pacific Symphony's educational programs. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Leslie Fay Vaeth at lvaeth@pacificsymphony.org or call (714) 876-2374.

"We begin with a lovely dinner at the beautiful Center Club before enjoying a fantastic Pacific Symphony Pops experience with the 'Wicked Divas,'" says event-chair Brockett. "Music lovers will come together for an elegant evening of food, great music and fun, including cocktails—pink (for Glinda) and green (for Elphaba)—and a special appearance by the Divas themselves! How could there be a better way to spend an evening?

"I was brought up with classical music," says Brockett. "I was not permitted to listen to the radio, rock and roll, folk, jazz or any modern music. Then I married a man who loves it all! He has added so much to my life by broadening my experiences through a love of all music. I always learn something new and appreciate the musical journey. Education, in all its forms, offers the best of what we have to give to future generations. Supporting Pacific Symphony and their educational programming is just a natural extension of trying to give back to the community and give others opportunities to grow."

More about the concert
The orchestra opens the program with the Overture from "Gypsy" and selections from Bizet's Spanish-infused "Carmen," followed by Mauzey and Murney singing "All That Jazz"from "Chicago," hits from "Ragtime," "Think of Me" from "Phantom of the Opera" and "Ring Them Bells," in the style of the diva herself—Liza Minnelli. They return to the stage after intermission for "My Heart Will Go On" from "Titanic," "Over the Rainbow" from the "The Wizard of Oz" and give a finale of songs from "Wicked."

Mauzey, an Anaheim Hills native, made her first Broadway debut in 2003 as Brenda in "Hairspray," though her "big break" came from starring as Lenora in the Broadway hit, "Cry Baby;" from which she won a Theatre World Award and was nominated for a Drama League Award. Mauzey has also starred as Glinda on Broadway and the national tour of "Wicked." She recently re-joined the Broadway cast.

Murney last appeared on Broadway as Elphaba in "Wicked" after playing the role on the National Tour for which she received an Acclaim Award. Other New York credits include a myriad of shows such as "Lennon," "The Vagina Monologues," "Saved" and more. She has also appeared in a number of television shows such as "30 Rock," "Sex and the City," "Brothers and Sisters" and more. Her recordings include the Grammy-nominated Actor's Fund Benefit of "Hair" and her first solo album, "I'm Not Waiting."

Friday's concert is sponsored by the Pacific Symphony League. The Symphony's Pops series receives additional support from The Westin South Coast Plaza, American Airlines, K-Earth 101 and PBS SoCal.