December 13, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore. … Henry Mancini’s music and Johnny Mercer’s lyrics share top billing as Associate Conductor Norman Leyden leads the Oregon Symphony, the Leyden Singers and guest vocalist Judy McLane in a Bank of America Pops concert on Jan. 11, 12 and 13 at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall and Jan. 14 at Salem’s Smith Auditorium. Media support is provided by News Radio 750 KXL and Oregon Business Magazine.
Mancini’s music dominated the sound of both film and TV music during the mid-1960s. Some of his many hits, including the theme from the TV series “Peter Gunn” and the memorable instrumental music for the many “Pink Panther” films, have entered the pop music lexicon. When Mancini’s music was combined with Mercer’s stylish lyrics, the resulting songs became instant successes. Together they won two Oscars for Best Song with “Moon River,” from the film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” and “The Days of Wine and Roses,” from the film of the same title.
By the time Mercer paired up with Mancini, he’d already published over 250 songs, many of which became hits; collaborated on a number of musicals; scored several movies; co-founded Capitol Records and won two Oscars of his own. Mercer also worked with a number of other noted composers, including Hoagy Carmichael and Harold Arlen, with whom he produced signature hits, including “Skylark” and “Come Rain or Come Shine.”
Pops audiences will remember McLane, who hosted this season’s Yuletide Celebration, as she returns to the Symphony to sing some of Mercer’s classic tunes, including “That Old Black Magic,” and “Charade.” McLane has been a featured soloist with many orchestras both in the United States and abroad, including the Bolshoi Orchestra in Moscow; the National Orchestra of Lyon, France; and the St. Louis, Detroit, Milwaukee and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestras. She has also appeared on Broadway in a number of musicals, including “Kiss of the Spider Woman” and “Chess.” She has also toured with productions of “Into the Woods,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and “Side by Side by Sondheim.”
Leyden opens the concert with Mercer’s “In the Cool Cool Cool of the Evening,” Mancini’s “Theme from ‘Peter Gunn’” and “Theme from ‘The Pink Panther.’” The first half continues with a number of Mercer’s songs, including “Charade,” “I’m an Old Cowhand,” “I Remember You,” and “Day In, Day Out.” The second half of the concert features Mancini and Mercer’s best-known song, “Moon River,” and many of Mercer’s other well-known tunes, including “You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby,” “Too Marvelous For Words,” “Goody Goody” and “Something’s Gotta Give,” as well as Mancini’s instantly recognizable instrumental theme from the movie “Hatari,” “Baby Elephant Walk.”
Performances are scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 11 at 8 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 12 at 3 and 7 p.m. and Monday, Jan. 13 at 8 p.m. in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. An additional performance is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 8 p.m. in Salem’s Smith Auditorium. Tickets range in price from $23 to $65 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.
Judy McLane, a native of Pennsylvania, currently resides in NYC and has appeared on Broadway in “Kiss Of The Spider Woman,” “Aspects Of Love” and “Chess.” Her national and international tours include the Baker’s Wife in “Into The Woods,” the Narrator in “Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” with Donny Osmond, Mrs. Baskin in “Big,” and “Side By Side By Sondheim.” Ms. McLane has performed as a soloist with many symphony orchestras including the Bolshoi Orchestra in Moscow, the National Orchestra of Lyon, France (Joel Revzen, conductor), St. Louis, Detroit, Milwaukee and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestras, (Jack Everly, conductor), the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (Emile de Cou, conductor), and “Chess In Concert” at Carnegie Hall (Paul Bogaev, conductor).
Some of her other roles include Victor / Victoria in “Victor/ Victoria,” Aldonza in “Man Of La Mancha,” Nancy in “Oliver!” Luisa in “Nine,” Florence in “Chess,” Lily in “Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde” (all at Paper Mill Playhouse); Eva Peron in “Evita” (Papermill & St. Louis MUNY); Fiona in “Brigadoon,” Rebecca in “Rags,” Mrs. Walker in “Tommy” (American Musical Theatre of San Jose); Mary Magdalene in “Jesus Christ Superstar” (Sacramento Music Circus); and Ann in 1940’s “Radio Hour” (Repertory Theatre of St. Louis). She appeared as Darla on “Another World.” Ms. McLane studies voice with Bill Schuman. Thanks, Bill!