Proceeds for the Season-Opening Event Benefit the Los Angeles Philharmonic and its Education Programs

WHAT:      Actor and musician Darren Criss, star of television’s “Glee,” has been confirmed to participate in the 2013 Opening Night at the Hollywood Bowl, Saturday, June 22, at 8 pm. Before introducing Music Director Gustavo Dudamel’s Youth Orchestra LA (YOLA), a program inspired by Venezuela’s revolutionary El Sistema, the versatile and sought-after Criss will perform a song, joined by the John Burroughs High School Powerhouse Show Choir. Following the introduction by Criss, a group of 65 to 70 of the top YOLA students across its two sites will perform the conclusion of Stravinsky’s Firebird, conducted by Thomas Wilkins.

Opening Night at the Hollywood Bowl features the induction of noted artists into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees are Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of AEROSMITH, vocalist/entertainer Patti Austin, and recording artist John Legend, who will be inducted by Stevie Wonder. Additional presenters will be announced.

Through YOLA, the LA Phil and its community partners that share in the program’s managerial and fiscal responsibilities, provide students ages 6 to 17, from underserved neighborhoods free instruments, intensive music training and academic support. The YOLA program has two sites – YOLA at EXPO Center, established in 2007 and located in a City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks facility in South Los Angeles, and YOLA at HOLA (Heart of Los Angeles), established in 2010 and located in L.A.’s Rampart District.

Multi-charting musician and composer Darren Criss is currently on his first-ever North American solo tour. Entitled LISTEN UP, the sold-out tour will visit 17 cities including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Toronto. Additionally, Criss will make his theatrical debut this July in the film Girl Most Likely, alongside Kristen Wiig, Annette Bening and Matt Dillon. Criss has gone from YouTube sensation to a six-time Billboard charting musician and composer, who currently stars as Blaine Anderson on Fox's Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning series “Glee.” Prior to his television career, the San Francisco native pursued his acting degree at the University of Michigan. In his senior year, Criss and his friends created a Harry Potter musical parody entitled, A Very Potter Musical, which Criss and his writing partners used as a springboard to launch StarKid Productions. Criss and StarKid Productions appeared on the Billboard charts through four separate releases – all within the year 2012. When not writing music for StarKid, Criss continues to write music for himself as an artist, drawing from various aspects of his life and incorporating styles ranging from soul, folk, rock, jazz and classic show tunes.

Repeatedly featured in Parade Magazine’s annual list of America’s Top 10 Favorite Show Choirs, the 2013 National Champion Powerhouse Show Choir (under direction of Brendan Jennings) has helped redefine contemporary show choirs over the past decade. The inspiration for the hit television series, “Glee,” Powerhouse has made multiple appearances on national television, recently on NBC’s “The Voice,” as well as appearing on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” and NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.”

Proceeds from the evening benefit the LA Phil and its education programs, which reach more than 120,000 children, teachers and adults every year.

Established in 2000, the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame identifies and pays tribute to artists whose unique achievements embody the spirit of the world-renowned Hollywood Bowl. The Hall of Fame is now part of an exhibit on the main floor of the Hollywood Bowl Museum that includes photos and film of inductees over the years. The “Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame” was conceived on behalf of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association by Wayne Baruch and Charles F. Gayton, who have created and produced all of the Hall of Fame opening concerts.

WHO:        HOLLYWOOD BOWL ORCHESTRA
YOUTH ORCHESTRA LA (YOLA)
THOMAS WILKINS, conductor
STEVEN TYLER and JOE PERRY, inductees
PATTI AUSTIN, inductee
JOHN LEGEND, inductee
STEVIE WONDER, presenter
DARREN CRISS, presenter                  

WHEN:     SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013, 8 PM

WHERE:    HOLLYWOOD BOWL
2301 N. Highland Avenue in Hollywood

HOW TO PURCHASE:     Patron packages for this annual benefit concert include a VIP pre-concert reception at 5 p.m., followed by a gourmet dinner prepared by Patina and served in guest boxes prior to the concert. Proceeds benefit the Los Angeles Philharmonic and its education programs. Opening Night Concert packages ($2,300 to $15,750) may be purchased through the LA Phil’s Special Events office. Please call 213.972.3051 for details and reservations. Tickets for the concert only ($12 - $130), which begins at 8 p.m., are on sale online at HollywoodBowl.com, at the Hollywood Bowl box office, through Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000, and by credit card phone order at 323.850.2000.

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06.07.13