Ashley Brown, star of the hit Broadway production of Mary Poppins, will perform with the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra and special guests the Pensacola Children's Chorus Saturday, February 9 at Olive Baptist Church.
The concert, sponsored by Whitney Bank and Cox Communications, is Brown's first major appearance in Pensacola since starring as the title character in the new Broadway production of Mary Poppins. The program will include a mix of Disney and Broadway favorites, including music from shows that have launched her career, Beauty and the Beast and Mary Poppins.
A native of Gulf Breeze, Florida, Brown began singing in her church choir at age six and was a member of the Pensacola Children's Chorus. She began acting in musicals with the drama department at Gulf Breeze high school in her freshmen year. She earned her BFA in Musical Theater from the University of Cincinnati's College Conservatory of Music in 2004, where she was classically trained as a singer. After graduation, Brown caught the attention of casting director Tara Rubin and, after a successful audition, was cast in Disney's national tour of On the Record. She made her Broadway debut in September, 2005 as the lead character, Belle, in Disney's Broadway production of Beauty and the Beast, the sixth longest-running show in Broadway history.
Her previous musical theater credits include Cunegonde in Candide, Adriana in the Boys from Syracuse, Rosa Bud in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, the title role in Violet, Johanna in Sweeney Todd and Ermengarde in Hello, Dolly. Her summerstock credits include Rose Smith in Meet Me in St. Louis, Phoebe in Breakfast at Tiffany's, Annie, Guys and Dolls, Side by Side by Sondheim, Cinderella and Crazy for You.
Brown has received five nominations for her role in Mary Poppins including the Outer Critics Circle Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Musical, the Drama League Award nominations for Distinguished Performance, the Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Musical and the Broadway.com Audience Award nomination for Favorite Onstage Pair with Gavin Lee.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear Broadway star Ashley Brown perform with the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra. The program includes Ms. Brown singing such works as "Children will Listen," "Someone to Watch Over Me," and music of Rodgers and Hart and the Girl from 14 G. Tickets for this one-night-only concert start at $35 per person. -- www.pensacolasymphony.com
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