Past event
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Forthcoming shows featuring the same performers:
Speakers | Christina Bianco, Edward Seckerson, Julian Ovenden, Ryan MacKenzie |
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Chair | Petroc Trelawney |
80 years after Leonard Bernstein’s early triumph On The Town hit Broadway, the classic New York musical provides our title as we celebrate him in conversation and song.
Working with fellow theatrical legends such as Stephen Sondheim, Jerome Robbins, Betty Comden and Adolph Green he created iconic shows, ballets and concert works including West Side Story, Candide, Mass and Dybbuk, winning numerous Emmy, Grammy and Tony awards. With reference to some very special recordings writer, broadcaster and Bernstein aficionado Edward Seckerson will reflect upon this pioneering composer, conductor and teacher, the first American to lead a major American symphony orchestra.
He will be in conversation with Radio 3 Breakfast presenter Petroc Trelawny, alongside live performances from West End stars Julian Ovenden (Annie Get Your Gun, the Bernstein Prom) and Christina Bianco (Wizard of Oz, The Rise & Fall of Little Voice), accompanied by musical director Ryan MacKenzie.
This event will last approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, without an interval.
A two-time Drama Desk Award nominee, Christina Bianco’s stage credits include Glinda in The Wizard Of Oz at The London Palladium, Forbidden Broadway (Off-Broadway & West End), LV in The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice (UK Tour), and Fanny Brice in the Theatre Marigny’s celebrated production of Funny Girl in Paris, for which she was awarded the Trophees De Le Comedie Musicale.
Writer, Broadcaster, Podcaster, and musical theatre aficionado; Edward Seckerson wrote and presented the long-running BBC Radio 3 series Stage & Screen, in which he interviewed many of the most prominent writers and stars of musical theatre. He also regularly produces podcasts of interviews with notable musical and theatrical artists and makes regular appearances on the BBC Radio 2 Arts Show, BBC Radio 3 and Radio 4. He has interviewed everyone from Paul McCartney to Pavarotti, and Julie Andrews to Andrew Lloyd Webber and conducted one of the last major interviews with Leonard Bernstein.
Julian Ovenden is known for his many TV and stage roles, and has peformed internationally as a concert and recording artist. He recently starred in South Pacific at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in Summer 2022.
Ryan MacKenzie’s prodigious versatility makes him one of the UK’s most sought after composer-arrangers. He has written for such celebrated ensembles as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra and Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and for a diverse range of artists, including Pixie Lott, Alan Cumming, Gabrielle Aplin and Donna McKechnie. Recent projects include Terry Gilliam’s revival of Into the Woods, World War II: From the Frontlines on Netflix, as well as various projects for the EFG London Jazz Festival, London Fashion Week, the Edinburgh International Festival and Celtic Connections.
Petroc Trelawny is one of the best known voices in classical music. He presents the Breakfast programme each weekday morning on BBC Radio 3. He is a regular contributor to BBC News’ long running radio series From Our Own Correspondent and its new sibling, From Our Home Correspondent.