February 4, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore. … Tony-winning actor and comedian Martin Short and a musical journey to Middle Earth with the epic music from “The Lord of the Rings” film trilogy highlight the Oregon Symphony’s 2005-2006 Special Events concerts. Other Special Events include the return of the ever-popular Gospel Christmas and Yuletide Celebration holiday concerts.
Multi-talented star of film, television and stage Martin Short continues to push the boundaries of wackiness with his unique brand of comedy. In his tenure on “SCTV” and “Saturday Night Live” in the mid-1980’s, Short honed his distinctive style, a combination of original characters, wickedly accurate impressions and a zany off-the-wall unpredictability. No stranger to classical music (his mother was a concert violinist), Short will bring his distinctive brand of humor, along with some surprises, to the Oregon Symphony on Sept. 10, 2005.
On Sept. 17 and 18, 2005, audiences can journey to Middle Earth in a unique concert event that features more than 200 musicians performing music from “The Lord of the Rings” film trilogy. The Symphony is joined by the Portland Symphonic Choir and the Pacific Youth Choir to present this unusual concert, which features the Oscar-winning music from the third film of the series, “The Return of the King” as well as storyboards projected above the stage, which guide the audience on the heroic quest for The Ring.
Gospel Christmas returns for the seventh straight year of expressive, soul-stirring Christmas music rendered in classic Gospel style on Dec. 9-11, 2005. The best-selling special concert in Symphony history, Gospel Christmas features the exciting harmonies and swinging rhythms of the Northwest Gospel Choir, a group of more than 100 singers who represent the finest of the Portland area’s gospel choirs. Nationally known conductor, pianist and arranger Charles Floyd will return to conduct these performances, as he has done for the past several seasons.
There will be an added performance of the Pops series’ “Yuletide Celebration” on Dec. 18, 2005. This multi-media theatrical production, now a Portland holiday tradition, includes seasonal costumes and sets, show-stopping choreography, and virtuoso soloists. This season the Symphony will present its own production of Yuletide, conducted by Charles Prince and directed by Vivienne Elborne, with a dazzling array of both local and national talent, and exciting new segments, as well as the return of audience favorites including the chorus line of tap dancing Santas.
Tickets to Special Events concerts go on sale first to Symphony subscribers, who receive first-choice seating and discounts on all Special Events tickets.
Tickets for Martin Short range from $14 to $104 for subscribers and $15 to $115 for non-subscribers. Tickets for “The Lord of the Rings” range from $18 to $90 for subscribers and $20 to $100 for non-subscribers. Tickets for Gospel Christmas range from $21 to $66 for subscribers and $23 to $73 for non-subscribers. Tickets for the Yuletide Celebration range from $26 to $65 for subscribers and $29 to $76 for non-subscribers. Additional information on subscriber benefits may be obtained by calling the Oregon Symphony Ticket Office at 503-228-1353, (800) 228-7343 or (503) 416-6383 after 5 p.m.or by visiting the Symphony’s Web site at www.orsymphony.org.
Single tickets for Special Events and other Symphony concerts will be available to the general public beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 22, 2004.
