This September, Seattle Symphony Orchestra presents the first program of the 2007–2008 Seattle Pops series, Sci-Fi Favorites, featuring music by John Williams.
Renowned pops conductor Jack Everly will lead the Orchestra in performances of music from popular science-fiction films, including E.T., Star Wars, Harry Potter, Star Trek and 2001: A Space Odyssey. George Takei, best known for his role as Mr. Sulu in Star Trek, will serve as narrator. He will be joined on-stage by soprano Kristen Plumley, tenor Mike Eldred and Vocalpoint! Seattle. Performances will take place Thursday, September 20, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, September 21, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, September 22, at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, September 23, at 2 p.m. Performances include a laser light show and costumes are welcome.
Jack Everly is widely known for his innovative approach to programs that have brought new audiences to the time-tested genre of symphonic music. His current positions include Principal Pops Conductor of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO); Principal Pops Conductor of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; Principal Pops Conductor of the National Arts Centre Orchestra of Ottawa, Canada; and Music Director of the First Indiana Bank Yuletide Celebration, seen by more than 40,000 concert-goers annually. In 1998, Everly created and served as Music Director for the Symphonic Pops Consortium, which produces a new theatrical pops program each season. Originally appointed by Mikhail Baryshnikov, Everly was conductor of the American Ballet Theatre for 14 years, where he served as Music Director. Among his many accomplishments, he teamed with Marvin Hamlisch in Broadway shows, including The Goodbye Girl, They’re Playing Our Song and A Chorus Line.
George Takei, best known for his portrayal of Mr. Sulu in the Star Trek series, is currently a recurring guest star on NBC's Heroes and Thank God You're Here. Takei’s television debut was on the drama series Playhouse 90. His motion picture debut was in Ice Palace. Some of his many film credits include six Star Trek motion pictures, Disney's Mulan and Mulan II, Trekkies, Return from the River Kwai, and Hell to Eternity. He has made guest appearances on television shows such as Will & Grace, Scrubs, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Miami Vice, Hawaii Five-0, MacGyver and Murder, She Wrote.
Takei received a Grammy nomination in 1987 in the Best Spoken Word or Non-Musical Recording category, has a star on Hollywood Boulevard's Walk of Fame and was given the Order of the Rising Sun from the Government of Japan. Orchestra appearances include narrating both Copland's Lincoln Portrait with the Honolulu Symphony and The Lord of the Rings Symphony with the Long Island Philharmonic, Denver Symphony, Orange County Wind Orchestra (California) and the Imperial Symphony Orchestra of Lakeland, Florida. -- www.seattlesymphony.org
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