New Haven Symphony Orchestra to Play Shelton

Shelton Intermediate School will host the New Haven Symphony Orchestra series The Great American Songbook with Tony-Award winner Debbie Gravitte and acclaimed Broadway conductor Todd Ellison.

Tickets for the Oct. 20 show are $35 and $45 at www.NewHavenSymphony.org. The show starts at 3 p.m.

"In the first of four Pops performances, travel from Tin Pan Alley to the Great White way, as the program takes audiences from classic American Songbook pieces like 'I Got Rhythm' from Girl Crazy and 'Don’t Rain on My Parade' from Funny Girl, to new additions including 'All That Jazz' from Chicago and 'Defying Gravity' from Wicked," according to press release.

Gravitte received the Tony Award for her critically acclaimed performance in Jerome Robbins Broadway, along with the New York Showstopper Award and a Drama Desk Award nomination.  She has sung with over 100 orchestras worldwide. She was featured in Peter Martin’s ballet Thou Swell with the NYC Ballet, as well as on multiple recordings, including her three solo CDs:  Defying Gravity, The Alan Menken Album, and The MGM Album.  

Ellison has been hailed by The New York Times as one of “Broadway’s electric conductors,” and is one of the most accomplished and sought after Music Directors working today.  Currently Music Director and Conductor of the new Broadway production of Annie, his credits include Monty Python’s Spamalot and La Cage aux Folles, which won Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Musical Revival, respectively.

He was the Music Director of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular for several seasons.  He has conducted over 20 albums, including the Grammy Award winning cast albums of his shows.

Tickets can also be purchased by calling 203.865.0831 x10.

The Symphony’s KidTix program provides a free ticket to anyone under age 18 when accompanied by a paying adult.

R.D. Scinto is sponsoring the performance.

The school is at 675 Constitution Blvd. North.