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MEDIA CONTACT:
Jayce Keane
Director of Public Relations
(714) 876-2383
[email protected]
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For Immediate Release
PACIFIC SYMPHONY REVISITS THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF
SINGING STAR ROSEMARY CLOONEY—IN A LOVING TRIBUTE
BY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW DEBBY BOONE
Orange County—Dec. 19—Long before she became the aunt of George Clooney or
married Hollywood director José Ferrer…legendary singer Rosemary Clooney became indelibly
stamped on America’s psyche over the radio waves and in timeless movies such as “White
Christmas.” Pacific Symphony revisits the standards of the American Songbook that made
Clooney famous—sung by daughter-in-law Debby Boone—on Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 15-17, at
8 p.m., in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Boone, along with music director John
Oddo (Clooney’s long-time arranger and musical director) pay fond tribute to Clooney—nearly
50 years after the heyday of songs like Irving Berlin’s melancholy “Blue Skies” and “It Might as
Well Be Spring,” from Rogers and Hammerstein’s musical “State Fair.” The evening’s music
includes such ageless hits as “You are There” and Duke Ellington's “Mood Indigo,” plus songs
that honor the relationships Clooney held most dear, such as Frank Sinatra’s “In The Wee Small
Hours of the Morning.”
The first half of the concert features the orchestra conducted by Principal Pops Conductor
Richard Kaufman and veteran country fiddler Tom Demer performing such American folk tunes
as “Ashoken Farewell” and “Swattin’ Flies.” Tickets are $25-$125; for more information or to
purchase tickets, call (714) 755-5799 or visit www.pacificsymphony.org.
“I wanted to select songs that would give an insight into Rosemary from a family
perspective, and from the more than 30 years that I spent with her,” says Boone.
Boone began to focus on the music her mother-in-law made famous in her 2005 release,
-more-
Pacific Symphony/Debby Boone
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“Reflections of Rosemary” and each selection she presents live is distinguished by Boone’s
vocal talents and a personal, emotionally rich story line. This intimate musical portrait of the
legendary singer leads the audience through songs that recall the friends and family that shaped
Clooney’s life; legends like Bing Crosby (her co-star in “White Christmas” and frequent
collaborator in the ’60s and ’70s), Frank Sinatra and José Ferrer, Clooney’s husband and director
of the movie adaptation of the musical “State Fair” starring Boone’s father, Pat Boone.
“With the songs of Rosemary Clooney, the audience will experience great music
performed with passion and excitement,” says Principal Pops Conductor Kaufman. “People love
hearing melodies that remain in their heads long after the performance. Combine these melodies
with lyrics that dig deep into our various emotions, and these songs become memorable, etched
into our minds and hearts forever.”
Boone earned instant fame in 1977 when “You Light up My Life” became an overnight
hit. The tune, which outranked even The Beatles by claiming the No. 1 spot on the Billboard
charts for 10 straight weeks, sold in excess of four million copies; the album went platinum with
sales in excess of two million. The song went on to win an Academy Award for Best Song in a
Motion Picture, and Boone received the Grammy Award for Best New Artist of the Year. Since
her remarkable entrance into the music industry, she has won two additional Grammy Awards
and has received seven Grammy nominations.
In addition to her recording career, Boone has starred as the lead in numerous stage
productions, such as “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” on Broadway and as Maria in Lincoln
Center’s 30th Anniversary production of “The Sound of Music,” which garnered a Drama Desk
nomination. She also starred as Rizzo in the Broadway production of “Grease,” and toured
nationally in “Meet Me in St. Louis”. Most recently, she performed the role of Anna in the 50th
anniversary staging of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The King and I” and launched her
symphony program “Debby Boone Sings Stage and Screen.”
The Symphony’s Pops series is supported by media sponsor, the Los Angeles Times; its
official television station, KOCE-TV; and Pops radio sponsor, KPCC 89.3.