West Michigan Symphony brings Broadway to Muskegon for April Concerts

Muskegon, Michigan, March 17, 2016 – West Michigan Symphony’s April 15 Broadway Gentlemen concert and its April 16 concert at The Block will feature actors from the Great White Way.

The Broadway Gentlemen join the symphony for a pops concert that features favorite songs from Broadway musicals. Music Director Scott Speck will direct the symphony as it accompanies the three vocalists who have all been leading men in Broadway hit musicals and national tours. The Broadway Gentlemen are comprised of New York-based actors Cooper Grodin, Sean MacLaughlin and Nathaniel Stampley.

Born and raised in Manhattan, Cooper Grodin is an avid singer of all genres and an accomplished pianist, composer and music director. His numerous stage credits include the new national tour of “The Phantom of the Opera” as The Phantom and the original cast of the 25th Anniversary National Tour of “Les Misérables.” Cooper has also sung numerous concerts with the New York Philharmonic, Brooklyn Philharmonic and the American Symphony Orchestra.

Sean MacLaughlin recently garnered much praise across the U.S. performing the role of Juan Peron in the successful revival of “Evita.” Among his Broadway credits include Raoul in “The Phantom of the Opera,” Elton John’s “Lestat” and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Woman.”

Nathaniel Stampley has appeared in London’s West End as Mufasa in “The Lion King” and has toured with “Ragtime” and “Orpheus Returns.” His off-Broadway/regional credits include “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess,” “The Color Purple,” “Showboat” and more. Stampley recently performed a Rogers and Hammerstein tribute concert at Lincoln Center. He has also performed in The Weill Music Institute concert series, Musical Explorers and Link Up with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s at Carnegie Hall.

The April 15 West Michigan Symphony concert will feature songs from the musicals “Phantom of the Opera,” “Jersey Boys,” “Wicked,” “Spamalot,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Rent,” “Cats” and more. The Broadway Gentlemen should feel right at home in the historic Frauenthal Theater, where the concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Single tickets range from $22 to $52; student tickets are $10. Tickets may be purchased online at www.westmichigansymphony.org; by calling 231.726.3231; or in person at 360 W. Western Ave.

The following evening, Saturday, April 16, Nathaniel Stampley will perform a solo concert at The Block, the symphony’s smaller, alternative venue at 360 W. Western Avenue, second floor, in downtown Muskegon. Stampley’s concert will feature songs from well-known musicals such as “Smokey Joe’s Café,” “Ragtime,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Man of La Mancha” and more.

Tickets for The Block performance start at $10 for students and $25 for adults. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. the concert begins at 7:30. Reservations can be made by calling the WMS ticket office at 231.726.3231 x223, in person at 360 W. Western Avenue, or online at www.theblockwestmichigan.org

Michigan Arts & Culture Council
National Endowment for the Arts