NJSO presents all-Gershwin pops program

GERALD STEICHEN CONDUCTS FAVORITES INCLUDING   AN AMERICAN IN PARIS  , SELECTIONS FROM  PORGY AND BESS  AND GIRL CRAZY, ‘EM  BRACEABLE YOU’ AND MORE

NEWARK, NJ (March 22, 2013)—The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra presents an all-Gershwin NJSO POPS program in New Brunswick and Newark, April 19–20. Conductor Gerald Steichen returns to the NJSO stage to conduct the Orchestra in Gershwin favorites including    An American in Paris   ,   Cuban Overture   and  selections from  Porgy and Bess  and Girl Crazy,   along with songs from the composer’s rich canon.  

Soprano Katrina Thurman and baritone Jim Weitzer join Steichen and the Orchestra on stage for songs including “I Got Rhythm,” “Embraceable You,” “Someone to Watch Over Me” and “’S Wonderful.”

Performances take place on Friday, April 19, (8 pm) at the State Theatre in New Brunswick and Saturday, April 20, (8 pm) at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark. The April 19 performance is presented in collaboration with the State Theatre.

The NJSO presents its annual fundraising gala, Spring into Music, on Saturday, April 20, at NJPAC. The event—“An Evening of Gershwin”—includes cocktails, dinner and a silent auction, followed by the NJSO POPS concert. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and First Lady Mary Pat Christie are honorary gala chairs.

CONCERT TICKETS
Concert tickets start at $20 and are available for purchase online here, by phone at 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476) or in person. The NJSO ticket office is located at 60 Park Place, 9th floor, in Newark; tickets are available by phone or in person Monday–Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. Tickets are also available, by phone only, on concert-weekend Saturdays, 11 am to 5 pm. Tickets are also available from the State Theatre ticket office online at www.StateTheatreNJ.org, by phone at 732.246.SHOW (7469) or in person. The State Theatre ticket office is located at 15 Livingston Ave in New Brunswick—hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 am to 6 pm; Wednesday, 11 am to 7 pm; Saturday, 1 to 5 pm, and at least three hours prior to curtain on performance dates unless otherwise specified.

FOOD DRIVE
The NJSO is partnering with The Community FoodBank of New Jersey to fight hunger. At NJSO subscription concerts in April, the Orchestra and volunteers will collect non-perishable food items to donate to The Community FoodBank, which assists more than 900,000 people in 18 counties across New Jersey. Patrons can bring food donations to the concert hall and drop off items at a collection table in the lobby. More details, a full list of concerts at which the Orchestra will collect food donations and a list of acceptable food items are available at www.njsymphony.org/fooddrive.

SPRING INTO MUSIC GALA EVENT ON APRIL 20 AT NJPAC
The annual fundraising gala’s honorees are PNC—represented by NJSO trustees Daria Placitella and Linda Bowden—and NJSO life trustee Robert C. Waggoner and his wife, Mary Ellen. The Orchestra recognizes the honorees for their extraordinary support of and dedication to the NJSO and the arts, education and community development in New Jersey.

All proceeds from the gala event will support the NJSO as it enriches lives through outstanding artistic, music education and community engagement programs. For further event information or to purchase tickets, packages or journal ads, contact Alice Golembo, Senior Manager of Special Events, at 973.735.1729 or agolembo@njsymphony.org.