Friday, April 12, 2013

BIG APPLE TO RECEIVE HONORS

Donna Murphy to Host Little Orchestra Society's Spring Benefit Following Disney's FANTASIA Live, 4/26
Big Apple Circus to receive award.


Donna Murphy
from:   broadwayworld.com
by BWW News Desk
April 11, 2013
The Little Orchestra Society announces its Spring Benefit, hosted by two-time Tony Award winning actress Donna Murphy, to follow the premiere of Disney Fantasia Live in Concert on Friday, April 26 at Avery Fisher Hall. The Arts and Education Honoree of the evening is the Big Apple Circus and its co-founders Paul Binder and Michael Christensen. A special benefit reception for adults will take place after the concert on the Grand Promenade of Avery Fisher Hall. Saturday's two encore performances of this Happy Concerts For Young People program are already sold-out.

Host Donna Murphy is best known for her award-winning roles in the Broadway hits The King & I and Passion, and as the Witch in the recent Shakespeare in the Park production of Into the Woods. Murphy has also lit up the children's music world this past year with her performance of Mother Gothel in the animated Disney film Tangled.

"The Little Orchestra Society is thrilled to host this magical evening that will help us continue to share classical music in bold, new ways with young audiences and will support our music education and community engagement programs," said Joanne Bernstein-Cohen, Executive Director of The Little Orchestra Society.

One of the original animators of Fantasia, 99-year old Willis Pyle, will be in attendance for this special evening. Mr. Pyle is also known for his work on original Disney features Bambi and Pinocchio, as well as the development of popular cartoon characters of the early fifties, such as Mr. Magoo.

Ilana and David Adelman; Brigid and William S. Ohlemeyer; and Carol and Chuck Schaefer are the benefit co-chairs. At this concert, The Little Orchestra Society will present the Arts and Education Award to the Big Apple Circus - a nonprofit dedicated to entertaining children and adults with the joy and wonder of the circus.

Accepting the award will be Paul Binder and the Big Apple Circus Board Chairman Richard E. Mayberry, Jr. Mr. Binder has been Artistic Director and Ringmaster for 32 years, and has earned the honor of "NYC Living Landmark," by the New York Landmarks Conservancy. He started out as a performer with the San Francisco Mime Troupe, traveled throughout Europe as a circus performer, landed on the legendary stage of the Casino de Paris and eventually brought his dream to create an American circus with a dedication to theatrical excellence and artistic intimacy to New York City.

"The Big Apple Circus, New York's hometown circus, and its founders Paul Binder and Michael Christensen, are delighted to be honored by a beloved fellow New York institution, The Little Orchestra Society. Over the years, our organizations have partnered to present wonderful, family-oriented educational events for lovers of both music and the circus arts. As we celebrate our achievements and look forward to more collaborative occasions, we salute The Little Orchestra Society and wish for it a fanfare - a 'Fantasia!' - of musical success!" said Lynn M. Stirrup, Executive Director of the Big Apple Circus.

Ms. Bernstein-Cohen added, "We share a common goal with the Big Apple Circus, and that is to create unique experiences in the arts that will resonate with children and their parents for years to come."
Read more :
http://broadwayworld.com/article/Donna-Murphy-to-Host-Little-Orchestra-Societys-Spring-Benefit-Following-Disneys-FANTASIA-Live-426-20130411

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