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Gershwin music on tap at last Ogdensburg Command Performance show of the season

Posted 5/15/18

OGDENSBURG -- Ogdensburg Command Performances wraps up its 17-18 Season Friday, May 18, with “Embraceable You: The Music of George Gershwin.” Curtain time is 7:45 in George Hall Auditorium at …

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Gershwin music on tap at last Ogdensburg Command Performance show of the season

Posted

OGDENSBURG -- Ogdensburg Command Performances wraps up its 17-18 Season Friday, May 18, with “Embraceable You: The Music of George Gershwin.”

Curtain time is 7:45 in George Hall Auditorium at Ogdensburg Free Academy; preshow chat at 6:45.

For tickets, $19 to $43 [discounts for seniors, students, groups of 15 or more, and “Friends”] call 315-393-2625 or visit ILoveTheatre.org.

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” “I Got Rhythm,” “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off”…the music of George Gershwin is musical comedy at its finest.

“Embraceable You” features Dean and Lisa Balkwill two of today’s most talented young artists singing, dancing, and falling in love.

According to Mr. Gershwin, “Life is a lot like jazz…it’s best when you improvise.”

Hailing from Canada, Dean Balkwill began performing professionally at 14. Credits include “RENT” on Broadway where Dean thrilled audiences as Roger, the heart broken romantic lead. “The Lion King” then welcomed Dean as Ed the Hyena in this Broadway smash it.

Declining an offer for the original cast of “Mamma Mia,” its subsequent tour and final Broadway destination, Balkwill also starred in Canadian performances of “Tommy,” “West Side Story,” “Grease,” and countless commercials.

He now makes his living in Atlanta recording vocals for commercials, performing hundreds each week, and writing original musical works for the stage.

What began as a dance partnership in “Tommy” became a lifelong partnership between he and wife Lisa.

From Broadway to the silver screen, Lisa Balkwill has quite an impressive resume. In 2002 she was cast singing and dancing alongside Catherine Zeta Jones in the film “Chicago” working with Oscar-winning director Rob Marshall.

Mr. Marshall was so impressed with Lisa that he personally cast her in his Broadway production of “Cabaret,” where she understudied Teri Hatcher as the show stopping lead, Sally Bowles.

Ms. Balkwill was seen in the Tony-winning show “Tommy” where she performed as the show’s featured dancer in Germany and across Canada.

Other shows include Broadway’s “Beauty and the Beast,” shows abroad in Europe, and aboard several cruise ships.

This performance is made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts.