Arts & Culture

'Grand Night' to return with musical theatre favorites

"It’s A Grand Night for Singing!" returns June 9-18, at the Singletary Center for the Arts.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 31, 2023) — The University of Kentucky Opera Theatre announces the return of everyone’s favorite summertime singalong spectacular, "It’s A Grand Night for Singing!," June 9-18, at the Singletary Center for the Arts. A Lexington tradition for more than 30 years, "It’s A Grand Night for Singing!" features some of Central Kentucky's brightest talents singing Broadway's biggest hits.  

In 1992, the UK School of Music’s opera program debuted a summer show celebrating the talent of its students, creating a platform for students to practice the musical theatre songbook. Over the years, this intimate musical revue has grown into a spectacular production with more than 70 performers, a full orchestra, sets and costumes to rival professional companies. The show represents an important partnership between the university and the Lexington community, bringing students and local artists together to share the limelight.  

“'Grand Night' is a kick-off to the summer for the Lexington community and this all-out salute to Broadway is celebrating its 31st year,” says Everett McCorvey, D.M.A., director of UK Opera Theatre. “We are excited to showcase a talented cast of stars from the UK and Lexington community, many of whom have gone on to have professional careers in musical theatre and opera! We have an exciting program in the works including some popular Billboard standards from 'Hello Dolly,' 'Hair' and the 'Greatest Showman' to 'Cinderella' and 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show,' and everything in between, this year’s 'Grand Night' will be an incredible experience.” 

Reserved seating in the Singletary Center Concert Hall. Tickets range from $20 for students and $65 for adults. Tickets are only available at SingletaryCenter.com, 859-257-4929, or in person at the venue. 

Valet parking will be available in the Singletary Center circle on Rose Street.   

The highly acclaimed UK Opera Theatre program is part of the School of Music at the UK College of Fine Arts. The school has garnered a national reputation for high-caliber education in opera, choral and instrumental music performance, as well as music education, music therapy, composition, theory and music history. 

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.