The Plano Symphony Orchestra (PSO) will continue its 40th anniversary season, Celebrating Connections, with Bravo Broadway! Saturday, November 19 at 8 p.m. at the Eisemann Center. Featuring Broadway stars Scarlett Strallen, LaKisha Jones and Hugh Panaro, the PSO’s Ruby Anniversary also commemorates Maestro Héctor Guzmán’s inspiring 40 years as Music Director of the Symphony Orchestra and each concert of the season is linked to his journey with the PSO. This concert features songs from Tony Award-winning Broadway shows like Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera, Dreamgirls, and more.

Tickets, which range in price from $37 to $103, can be purchased through the Plano Symphony Orchestra box office at 972.473.7262 or planosymphony.org.

“Broadway has produced some of the greatest composers in the world,” said Gregory Patterson, executive director of the Plano Symphony Orchestra. “Bravo Broadway! promises to be an incredible evening of the most recognizable songs the Great White Way has generated in decades.”

“Broadway music has always been one of my favorites – not only mine – but also that of our loyal audience,” commented musical director Maestro Héctor Guzmán. “Over the years the PSO has featured many outstanding artists singing the best of the genre and this concert will be no different. It features three fabulous singers: Scarlett, LaKisha and Hugh, who will once again grace our stage with some of Broadway’s best-known music How’s that for a lineup Enjoy selections from Les Miserables, Gypsy, The Wiz, My Fair Lady, Hairspray, Hello Dolly, Chicago, Cabaret, The Bodyguard, The Phantom of the Opera and so much more, so much more,” Guzman continued. “Our musicians, guest artists, and I look forward to sharing the beauty, power, and joy of Broadway with you. It will be an unforgettable evening!”

About the guest artists:

Scarlett Strallen performs with symphonies all over the world and has been invited by Her Majesty The Queen three times to sing for her. Scarlett has starred in productions on Broadway, London’s West End, including Singin’ in the Rain at the Chichester Festival Theater and the Palace Theater in London, for which she was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Comedy musical. She recently starred on Broadway as Gwendolyn in Crossdressers and appeared in the title role of Mary Poppins, a role she also played in the West End, and as Sibella Hallward in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. Additional theater credits include the title role in Nell Gwynn at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Pirates of Penzance at the Barrington Stage Company, Macbeth at the Armory in New York, Candide at the Menier Chocolate Factory, A Chorus Line at the London Palladium, She Loves Me at the Chocolate Factory and Passion at Donmar Warehouse. In 2014, Scarlett received the “Whatsonstage” award for best actress in a musical for A Chorus Line at the London Palladium and Candide at the Menier.

Best known to millions of viewers as one of four finalists for the 2007 season of “American Idol,” LaKisha Jones is ready to take center stage once again in music, theater and television. Her latest album, “So Glad I’m Me” was full of Jones’ expressive, full-bodied and gripping vocals, the same voice that electrified viewers of “American Idol” with Dreamgirls showstopper “And I Am Telling You and later the Broadway stage in the Oprah Winfrey-produced, Tony Award-winning musical The Color Purple. Having worked with successful songwriters and producers including Tony Nicholas (Patti LaBelle, Luther Vandross), Ro & Sauce (Brandy, Ne-Yo) and Greg Curtis (Keyshia Cole, Yolanda Adams), Jones’ album featured a fiery mix of R&B and spirit. A few notable songs included the single “Same Song,” written by award-winning songwriter Dianne Warren, Whitney Houston’s “You Give Good Love,” the gospel song “Just As I Am,” and Jones’ up-and-coming ballad to his daughter. , “Beautiful Girl.”

Hugh Panaro is perhaps best known for playing the coveted role of the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway over 2,000 times, including the 25th anniversary production. In fact, Hugh is one of the few actors to be portrayed by Harold Prince as both The Phantom and Raoul in the Broadway production and recently starred in Sweeney Todd’s New York production. Hugh made his Broadway debut in the original production of Les Miserables as Marius, the role he originated in the First National Company. He also originated the roles of Buddy in the original Side Show (Sony cast recording); Julian Craster in Jule Styne’s latest musical, The Red Shoes; and the title role in the American premiere of Cameron Mackintosh’s Martin Guerre. Hugh was nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award for his performance in the title role of Elton John’s Lestat, based on Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles.

The 2022/2023 PSO season continues with guest artists Fela, Christopher Adkins, Mariachi Vargas and many more! For more information or to purchase single or subscription tickets, including our NEW Boutique Sampler series, visit planosymphony.org.

ABOUT THE PLANO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA:

Founded in 1983, the Plano Symphony Orchestra (PSO) has gradually expanded its mission and programming to serve the far north of Texas. Originally named the Plano Chamber Orchestra, the move to “Symphony” in 1998 reflected an expansion in scope and repertoire. Currently presenting eight subscription concerts, an interactive five-concert Family Symphony Sunday series, and more than 100 solo, ensemble, and educational programs, the PSO embodies exceptional artistic excellence, active community engagement, and sound fiscal responsibility.

The Plano Symphony Orchestra is supported, in part, by the City of Plano, Tammy and Charles Miller, the Andrea-Mennen Family Foundation, TACA, the National Endowment for the Arts, Texas Commission on the Arts, the Rea Charitable Trust, the Perot Foundation, Atmos Energy, AWARE Foundation, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center Plano, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, The Dallas Morning News, The Plano Symphony Orchestra Guild, Dianne and Marion Brockette, City of McKinney, City of Richardson, First United Bank & Trust, Frisco Association for the Arts, Frost Bank, HEB/Central Market, Medical City Plano, Sandy Nachman, NYLO Hotel Plano, Wanda and Cliff Parker, SoloShoe Communications, LLC, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, Veritex Community Bank and hundreds of individual donors, foundations and corporations who give transformative gifts to the OSP.