'Grand Night,' 19 Years and Counting …
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LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 10, 2011) − When "It's a Grand Night for Singing!" opens this weekend at Singletary Center for the Arts. University of Kentucky Opera Theatre will be celebrating 19 years of performances of the popular musical revue. But that is just one number associated with the show featuring hits from Broadway and the Billboard charts.
When you look historically at the staging of "Grand Night" there have been 50 performances in the show's previous 18 years showcasing around 235 hit songs. And, the production has touched several music lovers selling approximately 45,000 tickets over the years.
But what are a few of the numbers associated with staging one year's six shows? For the 19th year of "Grand Night," audience members will be treated to the talents of 72 vocalists, 35 orchestra members and 2 pianists. At each of this year's six performances, the cast of more than 100 will present 33 songs while navigating thousands of costume changes as a group.
And to stage such a large production, lots of work goes on behind the scenes. The cast has put in more than 150 hours at around 35 rehearsals. More than 30 sponsors have come together to help support the production with donations of services, time and funds. Finally, to make "Grand Night" run seamlessly on stage a team of more than 50 crew members is at work.
This year's production of "Grand Night" takes the stage at 7:30 p.m., June 10, 11, 17 and *18, and 2 p.m., June 12 and 19. The June 18 performance will be presented in honor of the tenure of President Lee T. Todd Jr. and UK First Lady Patsy Todd, a well-known patron of the arts. This special performance will include guest appearances by local celebrities. All performances will be presented at the Singletary Center for the Arts.
Ticket prices for "It's a Grand Night for Singing!" range from $10 to $37 for reserved seating, and are $50 for the special program dedicated to President Todd on June 18. Tickets to the June 18 performance of "It's a Grand Night for Singing!" will include admission to the production, a post-show dessert reception and parking. A processing fee will be applied upon completion of transaction. To purchase tickets, contact the Singletary Center ticket office at (859) 257-4929 or visit online at www.singletarytickets.com.
Parking for June 18 will be available in Parking Structure 5, located next to Kennedy Bookstore on South Limestone, with shuttle service running from Administration Drive. To access the shuttles, use the pedestrian bridge on level 3. After the performance and reception, shuttles will pick up at Flag Plaza on Avenue of Champions and return to Administration Drive. Regular valet parking will be available for all other performances.
UK Opera Theatre is part of the award-winning UK School of Music at the UK College of Fine Arts.
MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, (859) 257-1754 ext. 229; Whitney.Hale@uky.edu
