The life and music of legendary lyricist, librettist and theatrical producer Oscar Hammerstein II take center stage in “The Hammersteins: A Musical Theatre Family,” an intimate retrospective at Hodgson Concert Hall on May 5 at 7:30 p.m.
Starring a quartet of Broadway singers and hosted by grandson Oscar Andy Hammerstein III, the performance features songs from Hammerstein’s most significant creative triumphs—”Show Boat,” ”Oklahoma!,” ”Carousel,” ”South Pacific,” ”The King and I” and ”The Sound of Music”—and lesser-known gems.
From “The Carousel Waltz” to “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” with “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” “Some Enchanted Evening,” and “My Favorite Things” along the way, this is an unforgettable evening of musical theatre favorites.
The cast includes Michelle Liu Coughlin, who toured with Lincoln Center’s “The King and I,” directed by Bartlett Sher, playing Lady Thiang and Tuptim. She starred in the 50th anniversary West Coast premiere of “Flower Drum Song” and The Kennedy Center’s “Barrio Grrrl!” Her screen credits include “FBI,” “New Amsterdam,” “Madam Secretary,” “The OA” and “Instinct,” among many others.
Ali Ewoldt has appeared as Christine Daaé in “The Phantom of the Opera” on Broadway, Cosette in “Les Miserables” (Broadway, national tour), “The King and I” (Broadway, Lyric Opera of Chicago) and Maria in “West Side Story” (national tour, international tour). Her concert work includes performances at Alice Tully Hall, the NY Pops at Carnegie Hall, Houston Symphony, Kaohsiung Symphony and The Boston Pops.
Nicholas Rodriguez recently completed the national tour of “The Sound of Music,” directed by Jack O’Brien, playing Captain Georg von Trapp. Rodriguez starred on Broadway in “Tarzan” and at Carnegie Hall in “Guys and Dolls.” He has sung with symphony orchestras throughout North America and has also starred in national tours of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Evita” and “Hair.” He appeared in “Sex in the City II” and is also on the soundtrack. His television credits include “Madam Secretary” and Nick Chavez on ABC’s “One Life to Live.”
Alan H. Green has appeared on Broadway in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “School of Rock,” “Sister Act” and “Play On!” His recent regional roles include “The Griswolds’ Broadway Vacation” with 5th Ave Seattle, “The Karate Kid” with Stages St Louis and “A.D. 16” with Olney Theater. TV appearances include “Almost Family,” “Unforgettable,” “Murphy Brown,” “30 Rock,” “Law & Order SVU” and “Peter Pan Live!”
Pianist Laura Bergquist has served as musical director and conductor of the Broadway show “Allegiance: A New Musical” starring George Takei and Lea Salonga and the Off-Broadway show “Fiddler on the Roof” in Yiddish. Her national tours include “The King And I,” “Titanic,” “Miss Saigon,” “Camelot,” “The Music Man” and “My Fair Lady.”
Hammerstein III has appeared a number of times with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir as a host. He is a published author, lecturer, painter and family historian, and has devoted much of his life to studying and preserving his family’s heritage and contribution to American culture. He has also hosted with symphony orchestras throughout North America.
This performance is supported by Carol and Paul Kurtz. There is a free pre-performance talk in Ramsey Concert Hall at 6:45 pm by Hammerstein III.
Free shuttle transportation to this performance is available for Clarke County seniors, thanks to a partnership between the Performing Arts Center and the Athens Community Council on Aging. For more information, call the box office at 706-542-4400.
Three ways to get tickets
- Purchase tickets online at pac.uga.edu.
- Call the Performing Arts Center box office at 706-542-4400, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Visit the UGA Performing Arts Center box office, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (five-minute parking is available in the drop off circle at the Performing Arts Center for purchasing or picking up tickets.)
Single tickets begin at $25, and UGA student tickets are just $10. Parking is free.
To learn more about all UGA Performing Arts Center events, visit pac.uga.edu.