NORMAN LEYDEN TO CONDUCT THE BEST OF IRVING BERLIN
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Portland, Ore. … "Say it With Music," an Oregon Symphony Bank of America Pops concert dedicated to one of America's greatest songwriters, Irving Berlin, will feature Associate Conductor Norman Leyden, the Leyden Singers and vocalist Susannah Mars Jan. 12 through 14 at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Oregon Symphony Pops concerts are sponsored by Bank of America. Media support is provided by KPTV-Oregon's 12, News Talk 750 KXL and Media America.

The program will feature over 30 of Irving Berlin's best-loved works, including "Cheek to Cheek," "God Bless America" and "Puttin' on the Ritz." The program also will include "There's no Business Like Show Business," "Doin What Comes Naturally" and "What'll I do?"

Susannah Mars is a local vocalist last seen with Portland Center Stage as the title role in "Gypsy" and recently as soloist with the Oregon Symphony in a tribute to Cole Porter. Mars also recently performed "Mars on Life, There's More" at Artists Repertory Theatre. She also performed in "Chaps," for which she won the Portland Drama Critics Award.

Performances are scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 12, at 8 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 13, at 3 and 8 p.m., Monday, Jan. 14, at 8 p.m. in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Tickets range in price from $25 to $63 and may be purchased at the Oregon Symphony Ticket Office (923 S.W. Washington), Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or charged by phone at 503-228-1353 or (800) 228-7343. Tickets also may be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets (503-790-ARTS) or through Ticketmaster Online, via the Symphony's Web site at www.orsymphony.org. Service fees may apply.

Susannah Mars

One of the brightest stars of musical theatre and cabaret hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Susannah Mars was last seen as soloist with the Oregon Symphony in a tribute to Cole Porter, and in the Summer Symphony series with Norman Leyden conducting. She recently performed "Mars on Life, There's More" at Artists Repertory Theatre, where she also performed in "Chaps," for which she won the Portland Drama Critics Award.

Ms. Mars opened the Bullitt Cabaret at ACT in Seattle with her show "Mars on Life," which premiered at Danny's Skylight Room and Don't Tell Mama's in New York City to rave reviews.

In addition to her performance in "Chaps," Ms Mars has been the recipient of the Portland Drama Critics Award four times, as Reno Sweeny in "Anything Goes," Lucy in "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," and Sister Robert Anne in "Nunsense." Regionally, Susannah has appeared as Eva in "Evita," Trina and Dr. Charlotte in "Falsettos," Adelaide in "Guys and Dolls" and The Ghost of Christmas Past in "A Christmas Carol." She originated the role of Mary Reade in the world premiere production of "A Pirate's Lullaby." Other favorite roles include Debbie, Betsy and April in "The Heidi Chronicles" as well as multiple roles in "Das Barbecu" at ACT, Seattle, and "Closer Than Ever."

Her debut solo recording, "Take Me to the World" was released on the Los Angeles-based label, LML Music, and was nominated best CD 1998 by the Manhattan Association of Cabaret Artists and Clubs. Ms. Mars currently lives in Gresham, Ore. with her husband Gary and daughters Kate and Olivia.

Program

Say It With Music
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Call Me Up Some Rainy Afternoon
I Love A Piano
That Beautiful Rag
I'm on My Way Home
Everybody's Doin' It
Always
Russian Lullaby
Remember
Let Me Sing and I'm Happy
What'll I Do
Shaking the Blues Away
Heat Wave
******
Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning
This is the Army, Mr. Jones
Cheek to Cheek
Slumming on Park Avenue
Puttin' on the Ritz
Say it Isn't So
Let's Face the Music and Dance
Let Yourself Go
How Deep is the Ocean?
There's No Business Like Show Business
I Got the Sun in the Morning
They Say It's Wonderful
Doin' What Comes Naturally
You Can't Get a Man With a Gun
The Song is Ended
Easter Parade
God Bless America