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Contact: Christina Chapple
Date: xx/xx/05
 
Best of BroadwayClick on image for publication quality photo 
THE BEST OF A MUSICAL GIANT -- Musical theater stars, clockwise from top left, Scott Harlan, Raymond Saar, Diane Ketchie and Valeri Perri will blend their talented voices in the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts’ “Best of Broadway featuring the songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber” at 7 p.m., June 4, at the downtown Hammond theater.
JUNE 4 COLUMBIA THEATRE SHOW FEATURES BEST SONGS OF MUSICAL THEATER GIANT ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER 
       HAMMOND – “The Best of Broadway featuring the songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber,” coming June 4 to Southeastern Louisiana University’s Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, is an unforgettable journey through the greatest hits of a musical theater giant.
       The musical showcase, scheduled for 7 p.m at the historical downtown Hammond theater, also features the vocal talents of a quartet of singers with impressively extensive Broadway, off-Broadway and concert credentials, said Columbia Director Donna Gay Anderson.
       “What makes this Webber show so special is that three of the four performers actually starred in Andrew Lloyd Webber shows on Broadway and in national and international tours,” she said. “The combination of the performers’ extraordinary talent and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical genius create a memorable and exciting evening of entertainment.” 
       Tickets for “The Best of Broadway featuring the songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber” are available at the Columbia box office, 220 E. Thomas Street, 985-543-4371. Tickets are $30, Orchestra 1 and Loge; $23, Orchestra 2 and Balcony 1; $18, Orchestra 3; and $15, Balcony 2. Box office hours are noon-5 p.m., weekdays.
       Beginning with a driving, exciting rendition of “Sunset Boulevard,” the show travels through the powerful rock musical “Jesus Christ Superstar,” the thrilling strains of “Evita,” the fun of “Cats,” the heart-pounding rhythm of “Starlight Express,” and the soaring passion of “The Phantom of the Opera.”
It even includes a light-hearted Webber spoof and selections from his shows “Song and Dance” and “Aspects of Love.”
       The singers – Raymond Saar, Diane Ketchie, Valerie Perri and Scott Harlan -- have combined credits from Broadway and off-Broadway that also include guest artist appearances with major symphony orchestras, concerts in venues from Carnegie Hall to the White House, and television and movie appearances.
       Saar starred as Marius in “Les Miserables” on Broadway and Raul in “The Phantom of the Opera” in San Francisco, while Ketchie was Carlotta in “The Phantom of the Opera” on Broadway and in San Francisco. Perri had the lead role of Eva Peron in the first national tour and second world tour of “Evita.” 
While Harlan’s previous credits do not include a Webber show, he has had numerous roles in off-Broadway and national tour company musicals. He also has a long list of television and movie acting credits, including starring as a regular in the CBS dramatic series “WIOU,” and appearing in the films “Risky Business” and “Power.” 
       Andrew Lloyd Webber has won a Golden Globe award, and six Tonys, four Drama Desk, and three Grammy awards. At one time, eight of his shows were running simultaneously in London and on Broadway.  
       In 1992 he was awarded a knighthood for Services to the Arts. He was inducted into the American Songwriters’ Hall of Fame and given the Praemium Imperiale Award for Music in 1995. In 1996 he received the Richard Rogers Award for Excellence in Musical Theatre. In Britain’s 1997 New Year’s Honors List he was elevated to the peerage as The Lord Lloyd-Webber of Sydmonton. 
       For additional information about the performance, contact the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, 985-543-4366.