Thank you for joining us as we bring our 2025/2026 concert season indoors. Many of you may have already joined us this summer at the Ogden Amphitheater for our inaugural Summer Concert series. Whether this is your first performance of the season or a welcome return, we’re glad you’re here.
This fall’s concerts highlight the balance between tradition and innovation. With the Utah Symphony, we’ll hear works by Mendelssohn and Beethoven that are cornerstones of classical music. In a very different setting, the Symphony will also take on the music of Phil Collins and Genesis, giving familiar songs a new life through orchestral sound. Rakish brings us Celtic-Americana fiddle and guitar rooted in folk tradition, while The DooWop Project revisits the harmonies of the 1950s and 60s in a way that feels fresh and fun.
Together, these performances reflect what Onstage Ogden strives to do each season: honor the legacy of live performance in Ogden while presenting work that speaks to today’s audiences. It’s a mix of the timeless and the new, and we’re proud to share it with you.
To all our subscribers, donors, and sponsors—thank you! Your support makes these performances possible and helps ensure that live performances remain a part of life Northern Utah. We invite you to join us throughout the season, explore the range of performances still to come, and discover something new with us at onstageogden.org.
Utah Symphony | The Music of Phil Collins & Genesis
Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 7:30PM
Rakish
Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 7:30PM
The Doo Wop Project
Friday, October 17, 2025 at 7:30PM
Eternamente: A Día de los Muertos Spectacular
Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 7:30PM
Cirque Kalabanté
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 7:30PM
Utah Symphony | Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6
Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 7:30PM
National Geographic Live: The Rise of T-Rex Friday, November 7, 2025 at 7:30PM
Grupo Bella Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 7:30PM
Ballet West’s The Nutcracker Friday, November 28, 2025 at 2:00PM & 7:00PM Saturday, November 29, 2025 at 2:00PM & 7:00PM Sunday, November 30, 2025 at 12:00PM
Mariachi Herencia de México Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 7:30PM
Utah Symphony | Holiday Pops Extravaganza
Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 7:30PM
The Second City Friday, January 16, 2026 at 7:30PM
BYU Young Ambassadors Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 7:30PM
Peppa Pig: My First Concert Wednesday, February 25, at 6:00PM
LP And The Vinyl Friday, February 27, 2026 at 7:30PM
International Guitar Night Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 7:30PM
Voctave
Monday, March 9, 2026 at 7:30PM
Barron Ryan Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 7:30PM
Candlelight Celtic Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 7:30PM
Women of Americana Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 7:30PM
Tonality
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at 7:30PM
Utah Symphony | The Music of Harry Potter
Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 7:00PM
Utah Symphony | La Vida Loca Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 7:30PM
Prokofiev Piano Concerto #3 Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 7:30PM
Sybarite5
Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 7:30PM
Val A. Browning Charitable Foundation
The Onstage Ogden’s 2025–2026 season is funded in part by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Utah Division of Arts and Museums, Weber County Recreation, Arts, Museums, Stewart Education Foundation, and Parks (RAMP) program, and Val A. Browning Charitable Foundation.
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ONSTAGE OGDEN BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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President
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President-Elect
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Secretary
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FOUNDATION
Russel King Chair
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STAFF
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Executive Director
Andrew Barrett Watson Outreach & Events Manager
Alex Crowley
Clairesse Miljour
Deborah Uman
Flor López
Franco Cirillo - At Large
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Kate Holbrook Clark
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Mendelssohn’s
VIOLIN CONCERTO & BEETHOVEN’S SYMPHONY NO. 4
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 AT 7:30 PM
BROWNING CENTER AT WSU, AUSTAD AUDITORIUM
DELYANA LAZAROVA , conductor
GENEVA LEWIS , violin
UTAH SYMPHONY
RAVEL
Le tombeau de Couperin (17’)
I. Prélude
II. Forlane
III. Menuet
IV. Rigaudon
MENDELSSOHN
Concerto in E minor for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 64 (30’)
I. Allegro molto appassionato
II. Andante
III. Allegretto non troppo - Allegro molto vivace
INTERMISSION
BEETHOVEN
Symphony No. 4 in B-flat major, Op. 60 (34’)
I. Adagio - Allegro vivace
II. Adagio
III. Allegro vivace
IV. Allegro ma non troppo
CONCERT SPONSOR
Artists’ Profile
Delyana Lazarova is the Principal Guest Conductor of the Utah Symphony, whose wide-ranging repertoire has been influenced by her international musical education. Born in Bulgaria, she has a natural affinity to Eastern European and Russian repertoire but feels equally at home in the Viennese Classical period, influenced by her studies in Switzerland. She is passionate about music from the 20th and 21st centuries.
Lazarova has won conducting competitions and prizes worldwide and was assistant to Sir Mark Elder and Cristian Măcelaru. She is also an accomplished violinist with a master’s degree from the Jacobs School of Music in Indiana.
In addition to conducting multiple Utah Symphony concerts this season, she will serve as Principal Guest Conductor of BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Debuts in 202526 include the BBC Proms with BBC Scottish Symphony, Colorado Symphony, Orchestre Symphonique de Quebec, Madrid’s Orquesta Sinfonica y Coro de RTVE, Orquesta Sinfónica de Galicia and Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra. She returns to the Oregon Symphony Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg, Munich Chamber Orchestra, and embarks on a European tour with Kammerorchester Basel.
Named a BBC New Generation Artist (2022-24), Geneva Lewis is also the recipient of a 2022 Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award and a 2021 Avery Fisher Career Grant. She was also Grand Prize winner of the 2020 Concert Artists Guild Competition, winner of the Kronberg Academy’s Prince of Hesse Prize (2021), Musical America’s New Artist of the Month (June 2021), a Performance Today Young Artist in Residence and a YCAT Concordia Artist.
Geneva received her Artist Diploma from New England Conservatory as the recipient of the Charlotte F. Rabb Presidential Scholarship, studying with Miriam Fried, and went on to study with Professor Mihaela Martin in the Professional Studies Program at Kronberg Academy. Prior to that, she studied with Aimée Kreston at Colburn School of Performing Arts.
Geneva currently performs on a composite violin by Giovanni Battista Guadagnini, c. 1776, generously on loan from a Charitable Trust.
DELYANA LAZAROVA conductor
GENEVA LEWIS violin
By Noel Morris
Key Notes to Know
• Maurice Ravel was a genius orchestrator, but almost all his orchestral works began as piano compositions. For this reason, much of his orchestral music is also core repertoire for pianists.
• Mendelssohn burned twice as bright and half as long. He wrote his first masterpiece at 16, led a major orchestra, and founded a conservatory. Sadly, he burned himself out and died at 38.
• Beethoven had a big belly laugh and loved to joke around. He packed his boisterous Fourth Symphony with good humor—notice how his serious intro sets up, not a dark and heavy piece, but a galloping romp. It’s Beethoven’s version of peekaboo!
What to listen for
Ravel used a modest-sized orchestra for Le tombeau de Couperin. Still, notice the difference in color between his piece and Beethoven and Mendelssohn. Ravel gave the wind players far more sunlight.
MAURICE RAVEL
born Mar 7, 1875 in Ciboure, France died Dec 28, 1937 in Paris
Le tombeau de Couperin
composed 1914–1919
premiered in Paris 1920
History of the Music
The Backstory
When Germany declared war on France in August 1914, the 39-year-old composer Maurice Ravel made several attempts to enlist. He aspired to be a pilot or perhaps an observer in the French air force, but he was rejected as physically unfit. And so it was, in 1915, he volunteered as a driver.
“I admired him for it because at his age and with his name, he could have had an easier place—or done nothing,” his friend and fellow composer Igor Stravinsky said. “He looked rather pathetic in his uniform. So small. He was two or three inches smaller than I am.”
Ravel was just over 5’. The war, as it did for so many others, nearly broke him.
The Music
In the early months of WWI, Ravel expressed his patriotism through music: He started composing a piano suite based on French Baroque dances, an homage to the 18th-century composer François Couperin and to a golden age in French composition.
“No, it isn’t what you think: La Marseillaise will not be in it. But it will have a forlane and a gigue; no tango, however,” he joked. At that time, the tango was all the rage in Paris (and quite scandalous).
In 1916, Ravel served on the front lines at the Battle of Verdun. By 1917, he suffered from what was in all likelihood PTSD, as well as a heart condition, frostbite, and complications from dysentery.
During a long recovery, he returned to work on his French suite, now titled Le tombeau de Couperin. He designated each movement as a memorial to a friend who
History of the Music
had died in the War (tombeau means tomb or musical memorial). The last was a toccata dedicated to Joseph de Marliave, husband of pianist Marguerite Long, the woman who played the first performance in 1919.
Some listeners noted at the time that Le tombeau de Couperin is not particularly somber, to which Ravel replied: “The dead are sad enough in their eternal silence.”
He arranged four of the movements for orchestra in 1920.
FELIX MENDELSSOHN
born Feb 3, 1809 in Hamburg,Germany died Nov 4, 1847 in Leipzig, Germany
Violin Concerto composed 1838–1845 premiered in Leipzig 1845
The Backstory
You could say the story of the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto began in a townhouse in Hamburg. The composer was born there in 1809. Ferdinand David, the original violin soloist, was born in the same house a year later.
The Mendelssohns didn’t stay in that flat for long. In the chaos of the Napoleonic wars, Abraham Mendelssohn literally pulled his family from their beds and fled to Berlin.
Felix Mendelssohn was a man with more than one brilliant career. He wrote his first masterpiece at sixteen. He founded the Leipzig Conservatory and was a major conductor. He’d had a charmed upbringing. His father, Abraham, became a prominent banker. His mother championed the arts and
brought a steady stream of famous people to the family home. Not only was young Felix a celebrated child prodigy (along with his sister), he excelled at sports, writing poetry, painting, and foreign languages.
Ferdinand David also proved to be a gifted child. At thirteen, he went to live in Kassel to study with the prominent violinist Louis Spohr. At fifteen, he and his pianist-sister went on tour. Along the way, they stopped in Berlin where they reconnected with the Mendelssohn family, and the two boys became best friends.
At that time, Mendelssohn’s violin teacher wrote to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe about his impressions of the boy composer: “My Felix has entered upon his fifteenth year. He grows under my very eyes. His wonderful pianoforte playing I may consider as quite exceptional. He might also become a great violin player.”
As teens, David and Mendelssohn whiled away the hours playing music together. In 1829, the violinist moved to Estonia. Mendelssohn went to university and was asked to chair the music department when he was 21 (he declined). By that time, Felix Mendelssohn was composing some of his most famous works.
The Music
When 26-year-old Mendelssohn took the reins of the Gewandhaus Orchestra in Leipzig, he hired his old friend Ferdinand as his concertmaster. In July of 1838, he wrote to him, “I should also like to compose for you a violin concerto for the winter; one in E minor sticks in my head, the beginning of it leaves me no peace.”
Soon, Mendelssohn began to buckle under the strain of his hectic existence. Work on the concerto went slowly. Although he
could play the violin, he often conferred with his friend on technical matters. (In fact, David is credited with having written the first-movement cadenza.) Mendelssohn completed the piece in 1844 but was too frail to conduct its premiere. David played the first performance in Leipzig with Niels Gade on the podium.
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN
born Dec 1770 in Bonn, Germany died Mar 26, 1827 in Vienna, Austria
Symphony No. 4
composed in Upper Silesia in 1806 premiered in Vienna 1807
The Backstory
1806 was a fraught year for Beethoven personally, but it was a wondrous year for his music. He wrote his Violin Concerto, his Fourth Piano Concerto, his Razumovsky Quartets, and his Fourth Symphony, and began the piece we know today as “Beethoven’s Fifth.”
In November 1805, he was trying to launch his career as an opera composer and having a bitter time. He tangled with friends, singers, and the Emperor’s censors. And then, incredibly, Napoleon seized Vienna a week before his opera’s opening night. (That opera would go on to become Fidelio, which Utah Opera will present January 1725, 2026.)
The French occupation lasted just long enough to drive Beethoven’s audience away. His private life caused further headaches. He suffered hearing loss and quarreled with his brother. Clearly, he needed a break. That’s when his friend Prince Lichnowsky suggested a country getaway. With the promise of a private
History of the Music
room and a piano, Beethoven packed up his scores, including the unfinished C minor Symphony (the Fifth), and boarded a carriage to join his friend in Upper Silesia in what is now the Czech Republic.
Word spread of his arrival. Count Franz von Oppersdorff, a neighboring nobleman had a flare for hospitality and an interest in glomming onto the famous composer. He invited them over to his castle.
The Music
Beethoven and the Count became friends and negotiated plans for a new piece. Setting aside the manuscript that would become the Fifth Symphony, the composer wrote a spirited symphony in B-flat. To accommodate the Count’s more modestsized orchestra, Beethoven’s Fourth Symphony uses a leaner orchestra (more like the one used in his Second Symphony than his Third).
Unfortunately for him, the aggravations of 1806 continued to mount. When French army officers dropped in on the Lichnowsky estate, the Prince urged Beethoven to sit at the piano and play for them—not a good idea. Beethoven couldn’t stand to be treated like a lapdog— especially for enemy officers—and flatly refused. The two friends fell into a shouting match. In some versions of the story, Oppersdorff had to block Beethoven from beaning the Prince with a chair. That night, the composer packed up his scores and left, walking for miles in the rain to catch a ride back to Vienna. Indeed, the original manuscript of the Appassionata Sonata has water stains.
The Fourth Symphony received a private premiere in Vienna in 1807 at the palace of Prince Lobkowitz. The public had to wait another year to hear the piece.
THE MUSIC OF PHIL COLLINS & GENESIS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 AT 7:30 PM
BROWNING CENTER AT WSU, AUSTAD AUDITORIUM
STUART CHAFETZ, conductor
AARON C. FINLEY, vocalist
BROOK WOOD, vocalist
BRIAN KUSHMAUL, drums
UTAH SYMPHONY
TONY BANKS/PHIL COLLINS/MIKE RUTHERFORD
TONY BANKS/PHIL COLLINS/MIKE RUTHERFORD
TONY BANKS/PHIL COLLINS/MIKE RUTHERFORD
TONY BANKS/PHIL COLLINS/MIKE RUTHERFORD
PHIL COLLINS
PHIL COLLINS
PHIL COLLINS
PHIL COLLINS
PHIL COLLINS
TONY BANKS/PHIL COLLINS/MIKE RUTHERFORD
TONY BANKS/PHIL COLLINS/MIKE RUTHERFORD
PHIL COLLINS
PHIL COLLINS
TONY BANKS/PHIL COLLINS/MIKE RUTHERFORD
PHIL COLLINS
PHIL COLLINS
“Turn It on Again” (03’30)
“Follow You, Follow Me” (03’30)
“That’s All” (04’)
“No Reply at All” (04’)
“I Missed Again” (03’45)
“One More Night” (04’15)
“Another Day In Paradise” (04’)
“I Don’t Care Anymore” (05’)
“Sussudio” (04’30)
INTERMISSION
“Abacab” (04’)
“Invisible Touch” (03’15)
“In the Air Tonight” (04’30)
“Hold On My Heart” (04’30)
“Throwing It All Away” (04’)
“Don’t Lose My Number” (03’45)
“Take Me Home” (06’)
CONCERT SPONSOR
Artists’
Stuart Chafetz is the Principal Pops Conductor of the Columbus Symphony and Principal Pops Conductor of the Chautauqua and Marin Symphonies. Chafetz, a conductor celebrated for his dynamic and engaging podium presence, is increasingly in demand with orchestras across the continent. This season Chafetz will be on the podium in Detroit, Naples, Buffalo, Kansas City, Vancouver, and Seattle. He enjoys a special relationship with The Phoenix Symphony where he leads multiple programs annually.
Chafetz’s original programs are a signature of his artistic profile. His popular programs including “Symphonic Genesis & Phil Collins” and “Totally 80’s” showcase the orchestra in an especially entertaining way and attract large audiences throughout North America.
Chafetz previously held posts as resident conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and associate conductor of the Louisville Orchestra. As principal timpanist of the Honolulu Symphony for twenty years, Chafetz also conducted the annual Nutcracker performances with Ballet Hawaii and principals from the American Ballet Theatre.
Born and raised in Montana, Aaron C. Finley’s career has spanned coast to coast as a professional actor and singer. Educated at Pacific Lutheran University in Seattle, he quickly rose to prominence in the Pacific Northwest, performing in Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus/ Judas), Rent (Roger), Fiddler on the Roof (Perchik), Hairspray (Link Larkin), It Shoulda Been You (Greg Madison), and The Gypsy King (Drago). He originated the role of Billy in the musical Diner, with music by Sheryl Crow and direction by Kathleen Marshall. Finley made his Broadway debut in Rock of Ages (2013), later starring in It Shoulda Been You and Kinky Boots. In New York, he also joined a lab production of George Takei’s Allegiance. He currently stars in Broadway’s Moulin Rouge and performs a symphony pops concert celebrating 1980s and Phil Collins music. Finley enjoys mountain biking, skiing, golf, basketball, and lives in Montclair, NJ with his family.
STUART CHAFETZ conductor
AARON C. FINLEY vocalist
Artists’ Profile
Brook Wood is a versatile singer based in New York City, known for her powerful vocals and dynamic stage presence. She recently appeared on Season 27 of NBC’s The Voice, showcasing her vocal talents to a national audience. In summer 2023, she brought the music of Queen and Journey to life at Prima Theatre in Lancaster, PA. She has performed with major symphonies including the San Diego Symphony at the Rady Shell, the Nashville Symphony at the Schermerhorn, and the Philly Pops. Wood currently tours with 50 Years of Rock and Roll, alongside top Broadway vocalists. She has also toured internationally with Postmodern Jukebox On Deck aboard Holland America Line. Originally from Indianapolis, IN, she is a proud graduate of Indiana University. Whether singing with an orchestra or in intimate venues, Wood brings passion and connection to every performance. Follow her on social media: @brookwoodmusic.
Brian Kushmaul grew up in Columbus, Ohio, playing rock and roll and pop music in several local bands. He was a jazz major at Capital University and earned a Master of Music degree in classical percussion from Temple University. He has drummed with many top orchestras, including Pittsburgh, Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo, Columbus, Vancouver, Kansas City, San Diego, The Philly Pops, North Carolina, Nashville, Calgary, and Phoenix. Kushmaul is the principal percussionist with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, and has been a member of the orchestra for over 30 seasons. When not on stage, there is a good chance he is on a golf course trying to break 80.
BROOK WOOD vocalist
BRIAN KUSHMAUL drums
Markus Poschner
Music Director Designate
The Maurice Abravanel Chair, endowed by the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation
Thierry Fischer Music Director Emeritus
David Robertson Creative Partner
Jessica Rivero Altarriba Assistant Conductor
Austin McWilliams
Chorus Director & Opera Assistant Conductor
VIOLIN*
Madeline Adkins
Concertmaster
The Jon M. & Karen Huntsman Chair, in honor of Wendell J. & Belva B. Ashton
Kathryn Eberle
Associate Concertmaster
The Richard K. & Shirley S. Hemingway Chair
Laura Ha 2nd Associate Concertmaster
Claude Halter Principal Second
Evgenia Zharzhavskaya Acting Associate Principal Second
Karen Wyatt
Acting Assistant Principal Second
Erin David
Emily Day-Shumway~
Joseph Evans
Wen Flatt
Lun Jiang
Rebekah Johnson
Tina Johnson~
Alison Kim
Amanda Kofoed~
Jennifer Kozbial Posadas~
David Langr
Hannah Linz
Yuki MacQueen
Alexander Martin
Rebecca Moench
Suni Norman~
Hugh Palmer
David Porter
Lynn Maxine Rosen#
Elina Rubio
Barbara Ann Scowcroft
Ju Hyung Shin
Bonnie Terry
Julie Wunderle
VIOLA*
Brant Bayless Principal
Yuan Qi
Associate Principal
Julie Edwards
Joel Gibbs
Carl Johansen
Scott Lewis
John Posadas
Leslie Richards~ Whittney Sjogren
CELLO*
Matthew Johnson Acting Principal
The J. Ryan Selberg Memorial Chair
Andrew Larson
Acting Associate Principal
John Eckstein
Walter Haman
Anne Lee
Louis-Philippe Robillard
Kevin Shumway
Hannah Thomas-Hollands~ Pegsoon Whang
BASS*
David Yavornitzky
Principal
Corbin Johnston**
Associate Principal
Andrew Keller
Edward Merritt
Masaru Podgorny~
James Stroup~
Jens Tenbroek
Thomas Zera
HARP
Louise Vickerman** Principal
FLUTE
Mercedes Smith
Principal
The Val A. Browning Chair
Lisa Byrnes
Associate Principal
Caitlyn Valovick Moore
PICCOLO
Caitlyn Valovick Moore
Utah Symphony
OBOE
Zachary Hammond
Principal
The Gerald B. & Barbara F. Stringfellow Chair
James Hall
Associate Principal
Lissa Stolz
ENGLISH HORN
Lissa Stolz
CLARINET
Tad Calcara
Principal
The Norman C. & Barbara Lindquist Tanner Chair, in memory of Jean Lindquist Pell
Erin Svoboda-Scott
Associate Principal
The Shane & Stacey Stowell Chair
Lee Livengood
BASS CLARINET
Lee Livengood
E-FLAT CLARINET
Erin Svoboda-Scott
BASSOON
Lori Wike
Principal
The Edward & Barbara Moreton Chair
Leon Chodos# Associate Principal
Jennifer Rhodes Jaquain Sloan~
CONTRABASSOON
Leon Chodos# Jaquain Sloan~
HORN
Jessica Danz Principal
The Marcia JS Richards Chair
Edmund Rollett** Associate Principal
Lauren Robinson~ Acting Associate Principal
Jonathan Chiou
Julia Pilant~ Stephen Proser
TRUMPET
Travis Peterson** Principal
Alex Mayon~ Acting Principal
Jeff Luke
Associate Principal
Seretta Hart~ Paul Torrisi
TROMBONE
Mark Davidson
Principal
The Nathan & Shannon Savage Chair In Memory of Neal Savage
Sam Elliot
Associate Principal/Second Trombone
BASS TROMBONE Graeme Mutchler
TUBA
Alexander Purdy Principal
TIMPANI
Micah Harrow~ Acting Principal
Eric Hopkins
Associate Principal
The Theodore & Elizabeth Schmidt Family Foundation Chair
Rooted in tradition with an ear toward the future, contemporary folk duo Rakish embodies earnest musical exploration and demonstrates an infectious playfulness on stage. In their sound together, it is evident the two friends share an unbridled love for the traditional sounds of Celtic and American music, and the tight ensemble of a group with years of collaboration under their belt. Strings Magazine says: “Explorative and versatile, the duo draws evident inspiration from not just the deep and wide history of Scottish and Irish Celtic composition, but also the precision-focused structures of classical chamber music and a whole array of improvisational styles.”
Known for her toneful and award-winning fiddle playing in the Celtic music world, Maura Shawn Scanlin grew up in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. Maura is a 2-time U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion and a winner of the Glenfiddich Fiddle Competition in Scotland. Her clawhammer banjo playing and songwriting, also featured in the duo, hold the regional music of her homeland close. Maura finds her niche combining influences from a widespread musical journey with the sounds she grew up around.
Steeped in the Irish music communities of Washington D.C. and Baltimore, MD where he was raised, acclaimed guitarist Conor Hearn developed a keen interest in literary theory and poetry, a unique well of material from which he draws unending musical inspiration. His settings of modernist poems, like James Joyce’s Chamber Music, epitomize the duo’s approach: the dexterous alchemy of the old and the new into something wholly Rakish. A keenly sought-after collaborative guitarist, Conor performs with many of the most renowned names in Celtic music today. His guitar style combines bass and rhythm for a uniquely powerful and precise sound.
THE DOO WOP PROJECT
ECHOES OF THE STREET
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2025 AT 7:30PM
BROWNING CENTER AT WSU, AUSTAD AUDITORIUM
A Brand New Show from America’s Premiere Doo Wop Group The dynamic Broadway stars of The Doo Wop Project are on a mission to put Doo Wop on everyone’s playlist! With their smokin’ hot band, they capture and deliver the classic sounds of the guys who, back in the day, harmonized with each other on stoops, in the subway, and on street corners, and they have also created a unique, exciting, fun way to “Doowop-ify” today’s biggest hits – reimagining them as though they had been written during the Doo Wop era! Once you experience The Doo Wop Project live on stage, you’ll see why everyone around the country calls them AMERICA’S PREMIERE DOO WOP GROUP. Their brand new 90 minute show – “Echoes of the Street” – keeps the classic sounds of Doo Wop alive for audiences of all ages. You’ll hear Doo Wop classics like the Del Vikings’ “Whispering Bells”, The Tymes’ “So Much in Love”, The Marcels’ “Blue Moon”, The Four Seasons’ “Sherry” and Motown’s “My Girl”. And you’ll fall in love with The Doo Wop Project’s Doowop-ified versions of contemporary songs by artists like Taylor Swift, Pharell Williams, Daft Punk and Chris Stapleton. This show celebrates a music genre that has never lost its cool….while making it cool for generations to come.
#SAVEDOOWOP
RUSSELL FISCHER (VOCALISTS)
Russell Fischer spent six years in the Broadway company of Jersey Boys, marking his Broadway debut. He was an understudy and eventually a standby for the role of Frankie Valli as well. Fischer made his professional stage debut at eight years old in The Sound Of Music starring Debby Boone. He starred as Billy in the second national tour of Big: The Musical, and most recently in Baby Fat, Act 1: A Rock Opera at NYC’s LaMama E.T.C. Regional credits include Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Music Man at Chautauqua Opera, the American premiere/ recording of Children of Eden at Paper Mill Playhouse, the Atlanta Musical Theatre Festival premiere of The Collins Boy starring opposite Lisa Howard, and Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys at Lakewood Center for the Arts. Fischer voiced a music video on an Emmy-winning episode Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and is featured in the HBO documentary, The Bronx, USA. He has appeared on the live broadcasts of the 2015 Belmont Stakes, the 2009 Tony Awards, several spots for TV Land’s 60 Second Sitcoms, and in The Doo Wop Project: Live In Concert on PBS. Instagram: @russell.a.fischer
DWAYNE COOPER (VOCALIST)
Dwayne (The Bass) is from Florence, SC and currently lives in New York City. He first began singing with a Christian a capella group called, “The Cunningham Singers” where he learned how to sing in tight harmonies. Often referred to
as a modern day Sammy Davis Jr. meets Barry White, he is what the industry calls a “triple threat” and has performed in the Broadway Casts of MOTOWN: The Musical, HAIRSPRAY, the 25 year NY Revival/Off- Broadway production of SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE and most recently the TONY and Grammy-nominated Broadway Revival of SWEENEY TODD starring Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford. As a songwriter/arranger, his music has charted on Billboard’s Top Ten Dance Chart and as a sketch comedy writer, his Youtube/Tiktok videos have been seen by over 20 million people. Dwayne’s tv/film credits include Law and Order, Difficult People, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and RuPaul’s Drag Race. He dedicates his performances to his mother and family for supporting his career as an artist. You can find him @itsdwaynecooper on all his social media handles.
DOMINIC NOLFI (VOCALIST)
Original Broadway Credits: Jersey Boys (Tony award best musical), Motown; The Musical, A Bronx Tale. He can be heard on all three Cast Albums. Off Broadway: Piece of My Heart NYS&F. TV: Orange is the New Black (Final season) Film: Zombie Prom starring RuPaul. Dominic was one of the original members of The Doo Wop Project which can be seen on PBS and Live on tour across North America. Dominic is married to Sonia Nolfi who he met
Artists’ Profile
performing in the European tour of Grease! They have a daughter Vivienne who attends LaGuardia High School (The Fame School) in NYC as a dance major. Dom is a purple belt at Park Slope Academy of Brazilian Jiujitsu. Dom loves performing doo wop with his artistic brothers! OSU
CHARL BROWN (VOCALIST)
Charl was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his role as “Smokey Robinson” in Motown The Musical; he reprised this role opening London’s West End production in 2016. He is also featured on the Grammy Nominated Original Broadway Cast recording. Charl was most recently seen on Broadway as “Steve Pieters” in Elton John’s Olivier Award winning musical Tammy Faye. Charl was honored to work with Stephen Schwartz playing the role of Adam/Noah in Children of Eden in Concert at the Kennedy Center. And returned to Kennedy Center in 2018 as The Specialist in The Who’s Tommy. Other Credits include; Jersey Boys on Broadway and Las Vegas (Hal Miller) Sister Act Broadway (Officer Eddie Souther, TJ, Pablo U/S, Ensemble) Hair (Hud) European Tour, Dreamgirls (Curtis) The Muny, Ragtime (Coalhouse Walker Jr) Moonlight Stage, Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Adrian) The Muny, The Who’s Tommy (Captain Walker) Denver Center, Ever After (Captain Laurent) Papermill Playhouse, Johnny Baseball (Tim Wyatt) ART, Six Degrees of Separation (Paul) Long Beach Playhouse, JC Superstar (Judas) Music at Westwood Theater, A Chorus Line (Richie) Starlight Theater, Star Wars Trilogy in 30 Minutes (Lando Calrissian) EdinburghFringe Festival. TV: FBI, Evil; Madam Secretary; America’s Got Talent (US & UK); Macy’s 85th & 87th Thanksgiving Day Parade, The 63rd Annual Tony Awards, A Capitol 4th 2013. Charl is also a proud Graduate of the University of Southern California School of Dramatic Arts where he currently sits on the advisory board for the inaugural BFA in Musical Theater Class.
JOHN MICHAEL DIAS (VOCALIST)
John Michael Dias recently appeared on Broadway as Neil Sedaka in the Tony and Grammy Award-winning hit Beautiful: The Carol King Musical. He originated same the role for the
Beautiful First National Tour. Dias gained a nationwide following starring as Frankie Valli of the Four Seasons in the smash hit Jersey Boys, playing the role on Broadway, as well as in the First National Tour, Vegas, and Chicago companies. Concerts: Breaking Up Is Hard to Do: Neil Sedaka’s Greatest Hits!. He can also be seen singing special appearances with the vocal group The Doo-Wop Project. Dias’ solo album, Write This Way, which features intimate takes on Broadway and pop favorites like “Can’t Take My Eyes of of You” and “New York State of Mind” is available on iTunes. Dias earned a BFA in musical theatre from Boston Conservatory.
SONNY PALADINO (MUSIC DIRECTOR)
Sonny Paladino was the Music Supervisor, Arranger, Orchestrator and Conductor for the Broadway Musical A Beautiful Noise and is currently the Music Supervisor for the National Tour. Music Supervisor for the Broadway Musical, Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, Music Director, arranger and orchestrator for the Broadway musical Getting the Band Back Together, and the off-Broadway revival of Smokey Joe’s Café. Coming soon, The Wanderer. Arrangements and orchestrations for The Indianapolis, Baltimore, Vancouver, Detroit and Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra’s and The Philly Pops. Associate Conductor for The Last Ship (written by 16 time Grammy Award winner, Sting), and the TONY winning best revival, Pippin. Other Broadway credits as a musician, Jesus Christ Superstar, Billy Elliot, Grease, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Guys and Dolls, Mama Mia, Promises, Promises, Addams Family, Women on the Verge. Music Supervisor for Disney’s High School Musical (Milan/Italy tour.) 1st National Tours: Disney’s High School Musical, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Grease. TV: Disney’s Encore!, The X-Factor (Australia), The Next Big Thing. Sonny is also a founding member and arranger of the hit group The Doo Wop Project, which tours the, country performing classic Doo Wop music and contemporary songs in that style.
Friends of Onstage Ogden
Onstage Ogden is grateful for the individuals, corporations, foundations, and government agencies who have made a charitable contribution in support of the performing arts in our community. Donors listed made their contributions between July 1, 2024, and August 30, 2025.
SEASON SPONSOR ($100,000+)
Stewart Education Foundation
SERIES SPONSOR ($25,000+)
Val A. Browning Charitable Foundation
The Franzen Family
SPONSOR ($10,000–$24,999)
Robert & Marcia Harris
Dr. Val Johnson
Richard & Shirley Hemingway Foundation
PROTECTOR ($5,000–$9,999)
Beaver Creek Foundation
Better Being
George S and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation
PARTNER ($2,500–$4,999)
CreativeWest
Marti M. Clayson ● Bill & Barbara Hughes
BENEFACTOR ($1,000–$2,499)
Diana Allison
Lisa Bailey ●
Danielle Bendinelli ●
Brian & Vicky Boyle
Geraldine and Evan Christensen
Dr. Rosemary Conover
Alan and Jeanne Hall
Utah Division Of Arts and Museums
Norman C. & Barbara L. Tanner
Charitable Support Trust
Weber State University
Marriner S. Eccles Foundation
Rosemary & Dave Lesser ● Christina & Shaun Myers ● Ogden City Arts
Anna and Daniel Neumann
Marty and Carolyn Rasmussen ● Glenn and Connie Wimer
Alex Crowley ● ●
Rick and Karen Fairbanks
Doug and Shelly Felt
Lucio Casillas and Cirilo
Franco ● ●
James & Nicole
Fredrick ● ● ●
Dr. Robert Fudge and Sylvia Newman ●
William and Deborah Hackett
George and Mary Hall
Pam and Rob Higginson ● ●
Catherine Clark ● ●
Friends of Onstage Ogden
Russel R. and Jane T. King ●
Chuck Leonhardt
Beth A. Mannino & Paul E. Schick
Willis McCree
Dr. Judith Mitchell ●
MSL Family Foundation
PATRON ($500–$999)
Joan Alf
Raymond and Betty Christian
Brent and Vicki Cox
Tim and Candace Dee
Allan & Kellie Diersman
Diana & Ralph Dunkley
Kay Hoogland & James O’Brien
Marlin & Kathleen Jensen
ADVOCATE ($250–$499)
Tom and Carolyn Austad
Jeffry and Linda Burton
Katrina Stoliker in memory of Carol Warren Daniel
Dr. Ann Ellis
Steve & Shellie Ericson
Steven Ewert
Dennis & Katherine Gladwell
Cliff and Elizabeth Goff in memory of Bill Tribe, Susan W.
DONOR (100–$249)
Zana Anderson
Clyde Baker
Daniel Bedford
Gracemarie Belvedere
Phil and Melanee Berger
Jean Branch
Frank Brown
Yaeko Bryner
Edwin Cannon
Brad and Lynn Carroll
Allison Chouinard
Dr. Allen and Janis Christensen
Phillip & Gail Coleman
Robert and Sally Neil
Scott and Pam Parkinson
Ralph Nye Charitable Foundation
Carolyn Rich-Denson ●
Harry and Becky Senekjian
Jonathan and Beverly
Michelle and Grant Ley ●
Flor Lopez ●
Frank and Sharon Markos
Meg and Mark Naisbitt ●
Paul and Sandra Perkin
Laurie & Greg Rives
Wendy and Cary Roberts ●
Eileen & Steve Santella ●
Nilson, Jean M. Frischknect, &
Judith Elertson Wilson
Scott and Deborah Greenwell ●
Becky & Kim Hale
Holly and Stephen Handy
Hayden Hernandez
Desiree Johns in memory of Renne L Ries
James & Deborah Lindstrom
Sandy and Phillip Maxwell
Deirdre Conway
Ludene Dallimore ●
Lynn and Natalie Dearden
Dr. Douglas Deis
Robert and Verlie Delange
David and Lisa Edwards
Stephen and Judy Farr
Rocky Stone & Judith Faulkner
William and Anita Ford
Pat Fuller
Dixie Funk
David and Ruth Ann Gladwell
Greg and Caitlin Gochnour
Souder
Jean A. Vaniman & Harry P. Schoen ● ●
Jennifer & Dr. Michael Webb ●
Deborah Uman and Michael Sander ●
Janice and Sheldon Ward
Kent and Trudy Whiteman
Korryn Wiese
Ned and Sheila Stephens
Joyce and Robert Stillwell
Gary and Marilyn Newman
Keith and Marlys Sorbo
Sandra S. Sowerby
Dr. John and Colleen Starley
Paula Weick and Carl Stuart
Aloha Whitney
ShaRon Williams
Carl and Helgard Wolfram
Douglas & Karen Yonemura
David and Joan Hadley ●
Terry Hartman-Smith
The Hearn Family
Linda Hearn
Heather Heileson ●
Tina and Robert Herman
Anthony Hirst
Grover and Carol Hoopes
Amy Huntington & Tom Parsons ●
Carol Jackson
Eric & Becky Jacobson
Matthew Janzen
Alisa Jenney
Earl Johnson
Melba and Denis Kirby
Marilyn Konieczny
Paul Kriekard
Sarah Kunz
Robert Lindquist
Eugene and Pat Low
Lexie Lunt
Rand and Cynthia Mattson
James and Jennifer McGregor
Robert Miller
Sandi Mohr
Roland & Amy Miller
Inga Newton
MEMBER ($50–99)
Olga Alvarado
Jerome Andersen
Marsha Ashby
Grant Baer
Randy and Laura Browne
Arthur & Marian Budge
Cathay Christiansen
Michael and Susan Deyoung
Randy Emery
Dana & David Gossner
Friends of Onstage Ogden
Claude & Barbara Nix
Cheryl Orme
Dr. Michael & Cindy Palumbo
Donald Pantone
Suzy Patterson
Jeff Paulson
Janet A. Petersen
Bobbie Ramer
Ralph Rowley
Craig Schriber
Shane & Pamela Schvaneveldt
Kathy Sedgwick & Ron Tymcio
Sempre Musical Society in memory of Helen Smith Rabe & Renee Warner
Mr. Henry Thomas Sledge
Denise Sly
Carol and Paul Sonntag
Dorothy & Dan Steimke in memory of Sherm Smith ●
Edna Stratford
Janet & Bob Tillotson
Ruth Turner
Patti Van Aarle
Kelly and Shelly Van Noy
Andrew and Suzanne Wall
Linda Watson
Barbara West
Janice Grajek
Blair & Teri Halverson
Mary Hargis
Walter and Karen Kunz
Anne Ladd
Diane Luke
Andy and Susan McCrady
Rex Miller
Alice Mulder & Dan Bedford
Brian & Marsha Namba
Peggy Plyer
JoAn Powell
Cindy Reaveley
Rema Sadak
Jonathan Shurts
Charlene Smith
Korte Wamsley
Amy Winkel
Please contact Onstage Ogden Development Coordinator, Sarah Bailey, at 801.612.0757 or sarah@ onstageogden.org, if you would like to make a donation or if your name has inadvertently been left off or is misspelled.
BEVERLY LUND & GINNY MATTHEI LEGACY CIRCLE
76 years ago, Beverly Lund and Ginny Matthei organized a concert by the Utah Symphony at Ogden High School. They did so believing in the power of live performance to elevate and connect a community. Over the decades their vision has evolved into what it is today, Onstage Ogden. To honor their legacy this 75th season, Onstage Ogden established The Beverly Lund & Ginny Matthei Legacy Circle.
Recognizing those individuals and families who have included Onstage Ogden as a beneficiary in their estate plan.
Nancy Pinto-Orton*
Kent & Joann Smith*
Jean Vaniman & Harry Schoen
*indicates donors being recognized posthumously
Glenn & Connie Wimer
If you would like to join the Beverly Lund & Ginny Matthei Legacy Circle or have already included Onstage Ogden in your will, estate plan, or beneficiary arrangement, please let us know by calling Sarah Bailey at 801-399-9214 or by emailing sarah@onstageogden.org. Visit onstageogden.org/give for more information.
