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PLENTY OF HEART, PLENTY OF HOPE

POH - About

Photos by Haoyuan Ren

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The magic of the Broadway musical begins in 1943 with Oklahoma!.

On stage, the stories and songs of Broadway’s best musicals teach us about the power of defying the odds, facing obstacles head-on, and holding on to the hope of a brighter dawn when the night feels the darkest. In fact, the Broadway musical may be the most distinctly American art form that best understands the love, optimism, and resiliency of the American conscience.

Off stage, the journey to create and produce some of our most beloved pieces of musical theater share the same profound themes. Broadway is about constant reinvention of a classic formula and carving your own path forward even, and especially, when that path has never been tread before.

The constant evolution of the Broadway sound

Artistic & Music Director Rachael Worby leads us through the inspiring history behind our most inspiring and revolutionary musicals. We start in 1943 with Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein’s first collaboration: the daring Oklahoma!.

 

Rodgers & Hammerstein were the first to successfully achieve an integrated musical, combining complex storytelling of the typical stage play with the music and movement of traditional musicals. They perfected a new Broadway model and opened the door for decades of revolutionary musicals yet to come.

Without Oklahoma!, we wouldn’t have Jerome Robbins’ and Leonard Bernstein’s opus West Side Story, the reimagination of Romeo & Juliet that explores violence and racism, but most of all, fierce and enduring love. 

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​Each new generation of Broadway artists has challenged us to dream bigger, both narratively and emotionally with bold new genres—blending in elements of rock, soul, R&B, and hip-hop— and innovative shifts in storytelling perspective—West Side Story, The Wiz, and Hamilton. These artists push us toward a brighter future of American life and the American spirit painted through the book and lyrics of the Broadway musical.

PLENTY OF HEART, PLENTY OF HOPE

Program Repertoire

Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’ from Oklahoma! - Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II

Brandon Victor Dixon, DC6 Singers Collective, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra

The Surrey with the Fringe on Top from Oklahoma! - Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II

Michael Abraham, Alan Steinberger, Jamey Tate, Michael Valerio

Lonely Room from Oklahoma! - Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II

Abi Levis, Herman Cornejo, Michael Abraham, Pete Korpela, Alyssa Park, Alan Steinberger, Charlie Tyler, Michael Valerio

People Will Say We’re in Love from Oklahoma! - Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II
Brandon Victor Dixon, Abi Levis, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra

Somewhere from West Side Story -  Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim

Abi Levis, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra

Cool Fugue (Allegretto) from Symphonic Dances from West Side Story  - Leonard Bernstein

Herman Cornejo, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra

Being Alive from Company -  Stephen Sondheim

Abi Levis, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra

Aquarius / Let the Sunshine In from Hair - Galt MacDermot, Gerome Ragni, James Rado, arr. David Lee

DC6 Singers Collective

Home from The Wiz - Charlie Smalls, arr. Michael Valerio

Brandon Victor Dixon, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra

Wait for It from Hamilton -  Lin-Manuel Miranda

Brandon Victor Dixon, DC6 Singers Collective, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra

Alexander Hamilton from Hamilton -  Lin-Manuel Miranda

Brandon Victor Dixon, Abi Levis, DC6 Singers Collective, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra

The Flesh Failures (Let the Sunshine In) from Hair - Galt MacDermot, Gerome Ragni, James Rado

Brandon Victor Dixon, Abi Levis, DC6 Singers Collective, MUSE/IQUE Orchestra

PLENTY OF HEART, PLENTY OF HOPE

Program

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Brandon Victor Dixon, vocals

Brandon Victor Dixon is an Emmy, Grammy (2x), and Tony (2x) Award Nominated Actor, Producer, and Social advocate. He has produced multiple works including the Tony Award winning Hedwig and the Angry Inch starring Neil Patrick Harris and Tribeca Film Selection the political thriller, 88, now available on all streaming platforms. 
A Presidential Scholar Semi-finalist, Brandon studied at the British Academy of Dramatic Acting in Oxford, is a graduate of Columbia University, and a recipient of the university's I.A.L Diamond Award for achievement in the Arts. 


Broadway: HELL’S KITCHEN, HAMILTON, SHUFFLE ALONG (Tony nom.), THE COLOR PURPLE (Tony nom.), MOTOWN THE MUSICAL (Grammy nom.), Kander and Ebb’s CHICAGO; THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS (Olivier, Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics Circle, Drama League, and AUDELCO noms.). TV: NBC’s The Best Man, Judas in NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar. Terry Silver on the STARZ hit drama Power, NETFLIX’s She’s Gotta Have it, Amazon’s Modern Love, ABC’s The Good Wife, NBC’s This Is Us, DISNEY’s Firebuds, PEACOCK’s The Best Man. FILM: 88 (STARZ, HULU, APPLE)

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HERMAN CORNEJO, DANCE AND CHOREOGRAPHY

Argentine born Herman Cornejo is one of the most celebrated dancers of our time. He began his training at the Arts Institute of Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. At age 14 he was awarded a full scholarship from the School of American Ballet, after which he was summoned by Julio Bocca to join the Ballet Argentino, alternating the major roles of the repertoire with him during the world tour of the company.  He officially joined American Ballet Theatre in 1999. He was promoted to soloist in 2000 and to Principal Dancer in 2003. Since then, he has been one of the greatest stars of the company. Considered a prodigy by teachers and critics alike, he has received numerous awards and honors: he was appointed Messenger of Peace by UNESCO; ‘Dancer of the Year’ by The New York Times. This year, he reaches a fundamental milestone in his career celebrating 25 years with American Ballet Theatre, continuing to represent the prestige of the company around the world

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Abi Levis, vocals

Named “Debut Artist of the Year” by the Joy in Singing Foundation, Mezzo-Soprano Abi Levis is quickly being recognized as an exciting singer of immense talent, with critics around the world describing her artistry as “fearless”, “dazzling”, “impressive”, and “breathtaking”. In the 2022-2023 season, Ms. Levis sang the roles of the Officer’s Wife/Martha in The Secret Garden with Hawaii Opera Theater, joined the Portland Baroque Orchestra for Handel’s Messiah and returns to Promfest Estonia as Prince Charmant in Cendrillon. During the 2023-2024 season, Ms. Levis will make debuts with Brooklyn Art Song Society, and the Reno Chamber Orchestra, while also returning to Intermountain Opera Bozeman and the Portland Baroque Orchestra. Overseas, Ms. Levis has joined Deutsche Oper Berlin in roles such as Zweite Dame in Die Zauberflöte, Siébel in Faust, Mercédès in Carmen and Dido in Dido and Aeneas. She has also performed with the Luzerner Theater as Stéphano in Roméo et Juliette, Zerlina in Don Giovanni and Orfeo in Orfeo ed Euridice

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dc6 singerS collective, vocals

The DC6 Singers Collective are a Los Angeles-based ensemble of dynamic and energetic a cappella, gospel, and Motown singers. Together, the DC6 Singers Collective have brought their shared passion for music as well as their uplifting and charismatic performances to audiences across the country. In harmony, the DC6 Singers Collective delivers a unique approach to gospel and Motown standards and breathes new life into classic and current pop standards. 

MUSE/IQUE orchestra

Led by Artistic & Music Director Rachael Worby

This special group works closely with MUSE/IQUE to develop and produce arrangements, advise on repertoire, and help bring the music to life.

Principal Arranger and Special Advisor to the Music Director Michael Valerio. Resident arrangers Alan Steinberger, and David Lee (DC6 Singers Collective). Guest arranger Chris Walden.

Violin I

Alyssa Park, Lisa Dondlinger, Mina Hong, Marisa Kuney, Adam Millstein, Loránd Lokuszta, Haesol Lee

 

Violin II

Neel Hammond, Mona Tian, Xenia Deviatkina-Loh, Kayvon Sesar, Cheryl Kim

Viola

Shawn Mann, Rodney Wirtz, Diana Wade, Zachary Hamilton

Cello

Charlie Tyler, Ginger Murphy, Marshall McDaniel, Sarah Kim

 

Bass

Ian Martin

Woodwinds

Amy Tatum (flute), Damon Zick (flute/alto sax), Michele Forrest (oboe), Sierra Allen (clarinet), Pat Posey (clarinets/bari sax), Amber Wyman (bassoon)

Brass

Sarah Bach and Preston Shepard (horn), Rob Schaer and Chris Gray (trumpet), Nick Daley (trombone)

 

Rhythym

 Alan Steinberger (keyboard), Michael Abraham (guitar), Michael Valerio (bass) Jamey Tate (drums), Pete Korpela (percussion)

Brady Steel, Orchestra Manager. Caroline Boyce, Librarian. 

Sponsors - MH

This season is presented by LeeAnn and Ron Havner / JCS Family Foundation.

Additional Sponsors:

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Anonymous, Avery and Andrew Barth, Michael Casey, Nancy and Michael Harahan, Ellen and Harvey Knell, Ambassador Robert Kohorst and Shelley Allen, The Jerry and Terri Kohl Family Foundation, Debbie and Rick Powell, and Alyce de Roulet  Williamson.

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