The program will feature the talents of Broadway stars Cris Groenendaal, Gary Mauer and Craig Schulman, all of whom have played the starring role of the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit musical "The Phantom of the Opera." An ensemble made up of West Michigan Symphony musicians will accompany the vocalists.
Currently the longest running Broadway show in history, Webber's musical version is based on the novel of the same name by French writer Gaston Leroux. The concerts will mark the final Pops concert series for West Michigan Symphony's 2009-10 season.
"This is just an exceptional showcase of Broadway talent," said Scott Speck, music director for West Michigan Symphony. "Our three brilliant guest artists will sing many of the greatest songs ever written for the Broadway stage."
Highlighting the individual artistic talents of the three tenors and featuring solo numbers from the shows that made them stars - as well as duets and trios from the all-male revue - the musical repertoire will include selections from "Les Misérables," "Miss Saigon," "Guys and Dolls," "Company," "Kiss Me Kate," "The Secret Garden," "Sweeney Todd" and others.
The only actor in the United States to have portrayed three of the greatest men's musical theater roles, Schulman is known for his performances as the Phantom, Jean Valjean in "Les Misérables" and the title roles in "Jekyll and Hyde." Groenendaal originated the role of André in the Broadway production of "The Phantom of the Opera" before going on to play the lead role for 860 performances with the New York, Toronto and Canadian National companies. And in addition to the Phantom, Mauer's credits include Raoul in "Phantom," Enjolras in the Broadway production of "Les Misérables" and Gaylord Ravenal in the national tour of "Showboat."
They will be accompanied by pianist and conductor Dan Riddle, music director of the musical theatre department at Penn State University.
Our newest major undertaking allows visitors to discover Michigan's dynamic history and learn how the land has changed over time. A Dunkleosteus greets you as you enter the gallery. This plated fish had self-sharpening plates for jaws and could grow to enormous sizes. In the Shallow Sea section, visit a coral reef and see crinoids, brachiopods, trilobites and cephalopods. Special lighting and sound create an underwater feeling.
Michigan became a swampy, hot forest during the Pennsylvanian Period. The Coal Forest explores the ferns and club mosses which grew to the size of modern trees. See a replica of the Sigillaria tree which could grow up to 90 feet tall. A dragonfly called Meganuera with a wingspan of over two feet was a predator during this period and fed on other insects and small amphibians.
The Age of the Dinosaurs is considered a lost chapter in Michigan history. Glacial activity destroyed most rock and fossil evidence and no dinosaur bones have been found in Michigan. However, scientists believe there were dinosaurs in our state based on evidence discovered in surrounding states. Deinonychus, a familiar face to Museum visitors, appears in this section of the new exhibit. This small aggressive predator with sickle shaped claws lived over 65 million years ago.
The first glacier probably advanced into Michigan over two million years ago grinding and scraping everything in its path. Museum visitors will meet some of the animals who grew to giant sizes during the Ice Age including the Castorides Ohioensis or giant beaver which weighed up to 400 pounds and grew up to eight feet in length. Mastodons were prevalent in Michigan at this time and the remains of a mastodon found near Rothbury in the late 1960s are on display. Audio components of the exhibit may cause some guests to shiver as they walk through a simulated glacier.
After exploring Michigan's extinct habitats, visitors will enter the Habitat Gallery and meet the plants and animals that call Michigan home today.
The concept for the exhibit was developed using the results of a MAISD survey of teachers and other professionals about what they needed from the Museum to help teach their students about Michigan's natural history. The museum serves over 20,000 school children each year.
Dr. Seuss has been a beloved children's author for generations, with stories shared together between parents and their children. March is reading month for the Lumberjacks, too. Throughout the month of March, Lumberjacks players will often be found around the Lakeshore at schools and libraries. Players take time out of their day to read to classes in the community. Dr. Seuss and hockey related books are typically the most requested.
Of course the Lumberjacks do not limit their reading appearances to just March. Players can be found reciting "The Cat in the Hat" or "Z is for Zamboni" all season long!
Besides reading to the children, players encourage kids, teachers, and parents to ask questions. The Jacks talk about their lives growing up, what it is like to be a professional athlete and all the hard work it takes to get there, plus much more.
The Lumberjacks also visit physical education classes during the season to discuss the benefits of staying active and eating healthy. The Jacks will often play floor hockey with students during their visits to the school gym.
Interacting with children at local schools is very important to the Muskegon Lumberjacks. Players understand the importance of students working hard, staying active, and striving to be the best they can be as they are the future of the Lakeshore community.