Kick off the Midsummer Night Music series

Broadway favorites featuring Tony Award-winning soloist Debbie Gravitte will kick off this summer’s Midsummer Night Music with the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra Saturday evening concert series on July 10, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Lasdon Park, Arboretum and Veterans Memorial in Somers.

Beginning at 6 p.m., the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra will perform an instrumental salute to the music of Broadway with popular tunes from hit shows. Then, Ms. Gravitte will perform “Let Me Entertain You” (from the musical Gypsy), followed by “Don’t Rain on My Parade” (Funny Girl), “Memory” (Cats), “I Got Rhythm” (Girl Crazy), “Might As Well Be Spring” (State Fair) and “Defying Gravity” (Wicked). Following a brief intermission, Ms. Gravitte will peform a medley of tunes by composer Cole Porter, followed by “All That Jazz” and “When You’re Good to Mama” (Chicago); “Maybe This Time” (Cabaret); a Mamma Mia medley, and concluding with “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” (Evita).

Debbie Gravitte won her Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Jerome Robbins’ Broadway, and has received several Drama Desk Award nominations and New York Showstopper Award. She has performed with the National Symphony, the Boston Pops and the Atlanta Symphony, and has appeared on several specials for the Public Broadcasting Station and on several major network television series.

Since its debut in 1965, the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra has become an outstanding orchestral ensemble with first-rate soloists, plays to near-capacity houses and garners rave reviews. The orchestra performs under the direction of Maestro Petko Dimitrov.

Tickets are priced at $17 for adults, $12 seniors, and $7 for children 5-12; admission is free for children under age 5. All proceeds from sales of tickets benefit the Friends of Westchester County Parks, Inc. for the purpose of construction the Glass House Conservatory – a large greenhouse – at Lasdon Arboretum.

 The gates open at 5 p.m. for picnicking; the music begins at 6 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the gate on the evening of the performance. In the case of rain, concerts will be cancelled; call (914) 864-7268 for information.
 “Midsummer Night Music” continues on Saturday, July 17, with ”Fabulous Strings,” followed by “Purely Classical” on July 24, and concludes with “Immortal Beloved” on July 31. 

The series is presented by the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra and Westchester County Parks. It is sponsored by Diversified Investment Advisors, Friends of Westchester County Parks, Inc. and Friends of Lasdon Park and Arboretum.

Lasdon Park and Arboretum, is located on Route 35 in Somers.

Concert-goers should bring blankets or chairs for seating on the lawn. Refreshments will be available for purchase throughout the concert. No pets are allowed at the park. Parking is approximately one-third mile from the concert area. Shuttle bus transportation and parking for the disabled are available. Restrooms are accessible to the disabled.
 

Go to westchestergov.com/com or ridgefieldsymphony.org. or call (914) 864-PARK.