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<BR> <STRONG><EM><U>April 15 and 16 at 8pm</U></EM></STRONG><BR>
<BR>
The Akron Symphony Orchestra presents a semi-staged performance of George Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess" this weekend at Akron's E.J. Thomas Hall with a cast that includes nationally recognized leads and an incredible assembly of local talent<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<TABLE style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" border=0 cellSpacing=1 borderColor=#ffffff cellPadding=1 width=400>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Marquita Lister</STRONG> <EM>as Bess</EM></TD>
<TD><STRONG><A href="/music-director/"><FONT color=#9b4030>Christopher Wilkins</FONT></A></STRONG>, <EM>conductor</EM> </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Alvy Powell</STRONG> <EM>as Porgy</EM></TD>
<TD><STRONG>Frank McClain</STRONG>, <EM>stage director</EM></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Lester Lynch</STRONG> <EM>as Crown</EM></TD>
<TD><STRONG>Akron Symphony Gospel Choir</STRONG></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Emmanuel LeGrair</STRONG> <EM>as Sportin’ Life</EM></TD>
<TD><A href="/2010-11-artist-downloads/"><STRONG><A href="/2010-11-artist-downloads/"><FONT color=#9b4030>YEPAW 365</FONT></A></STRONG></A> <EM></EM></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Angela Renee Simpson</STRONG> <EM>as Serena</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Brian Keith Johnson</STRONG> <EM>as Jake</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Candice Hoyes</STRONG> <EM>as Clara</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Carla Davis</STRONG> <EM>as Maria</EM></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR>
<TABLE style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" border=0 cellSpacing=1 borderColor=#ffffff cellPadding=1 width=400>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Marquita Lister</STRONG> <EM>as Bess</EM></TD>
<TD><STRONG><A href="/music-director/"><FONT color=#9b4030>Christopher Wilkins</FONT></A></STRONG>, <EM>conductor</EM> </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Alvy Powell</STRONG> <EM>as Porgy</EM></TD>
<TD><STRONG>Frank McClain</STRONG>, <EM>stage director</EM></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Lester Lynch</STRONG> <EM>as Crown</EM></TD>
<TD><STRONG>Akron Symphony Gospel Choir</STRONG></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Emmanuel LeGrair</STRONG> <EM>as Sportin’ Life</EM></TD>
<TD><A href="/2010-11-artist-downloads/"><STRONG><A href="/2010-11-artist-downloads/"><FONT color=#9b4030>YEPAW 365</FONT></A></STRONG></A> <EM></EM></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Angela Renee Simpson</STRONG> <EM>as Serena</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Brian Keith Johnson</STRONG> <EM>as Jake</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Candice Hoyes</STRONG> <EM>as Clara</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Carla Davis</STRONG> <EM>as Maria</EM></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR>
<TABLE style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" border=0 cellSpacing=1 borderColor=#ffffff cellPadding=1 width=400>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Marquita Lister</STRONG> <EM>as Bess</EM></TD>
<TD><STRONG><A href="/music-director/"><FONT color=#9b4030>Christopher Wilkins</FONT></A></STRONG>, <EM>conductor</EM> </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Alvy Powell</STRONG> <EM>as Porgy</EM></TD>
<TD><STRONG>Frank McClain</STRONG>, <EM>stage director</EM></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Lester Lynch</STRONG> <EM>as Crown</EM></TD>
<TD><STRONG>Akron Symphony Gospel Choir</STRONG></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Emmanuel LeGrair</STRONG> <EM>as Sportin’ Life</EM></TD>
<TD><A href="/2010-11-artist-downloads/"><STRONG><A href="/2010-11-artist-downloads/"><FONT color=#9b4030>YEPAW 365</FONT></A></STRONG></A> <EM></EM></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Angela Renee Simpson</STRONG> <EM>as Serena</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Brian Keith Johnson</STRONG> <EM>as Jake</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Candice Hoyes</STRONG> <EM>as Clara</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Carla Davis</STRONG> <EM>as Maria</EM></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR>
<TABLE style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" border=0 cellSpacing=1 borderColor=#ffffff cellPadding=1 width=400>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Marquita Lister</STRONG> <EM>as Bess</EM></TD>
<TD><STRONG><A href="/music-director/"><FONT color=#9b4030>Christopher Wilkins</FONT></A></STRONG>, <EM>conductor</EM> </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Alvy Powell</STRONG> <EM>as Porgy</EM></TD>
<TD><STRONG>Frank McClain</STRONG>, <EM>stage director</EM></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Lester Lynch</STRONG> <EM>as Crown</EM></TD>
<TD><STRONG>Akron Symphony Gospel Choir</STRONG></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Emmanuel LeGrair</STRONG> <EM>as Sportin’ Life</EM></TD>
<TD><A href="/2010-11-artist-downloads/"><STRONG><A href="/2010-11-artist-downloads/"><FONT color=#9b4030>YEPAW 365</FONT></A></STRONG></A> <EM></EM></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Angela Renee Simpson</STRONG> <EM>as Serena</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Brian Keith Johnson</STRONG> <EM>as Jake</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Candice Hoyes</STRONG> <EM>as Clara</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Carla Davis</STRONG> <EM>as Maria</EM></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR>
<TABLE style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" border=0 cellSpacing=1 borderColor=#ffffff cellPadding=1 width=400>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Marquita Lister</STRONG> <EM>as Bess</EM></TD>
<TD><STRONG><A href="/music-director/"><FONT color=#9b4030>Christopher Wilkins</FONT></A></STRONG>, <EM>conductor</EM> </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Alvy Powell</STRONG> <EM>as Porgy</EM></TD>
<TD><STRONG>Frank McClain</STRONG>, <EM>stage director</EM></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Lester Lynch</STRONG> <EM>as Crown</EM></TD>
<TD><STRONG>Akron Symphony Gospel Choir</STRONG></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Emmanuel LeGrair</STRONG> <EM>as Sportin’ Life</EM></TD>
<TD><A href="/2010-11-artist-downloads/"><STRONG><A href="/2010-11-artist-downloads/"><FONT color=#9b4030>YEPAW 365</FONT></A></STRONG></A> <EM></EM></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Angela Renee Simpson</STRONG> <EM>as Serena</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Brian Keith Johnson</STRONG> <EM>as Jake</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Candice Hoyes</STRONG> <EM>as Clara</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Carla Davis</STRONG> <EM>as Maria</EM></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR>
<TABLE style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" border=0 cellSpacing=1 borderColor=#ffffff cellPadding=1 width=400>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Marquita Lister</STRONG> <EM>as Bess</EM></TD>
<TD><STRONG><A href="/music-director/"><FONT color=#9b4030>Christopher Wilkins</FONT></A></STRONG>, <EM>conductor</EM> </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Alvy Powell</STRONG> <EM>as Porgy</EM></TD>
<TD><STRONG>Frank McClain</STRONG>, <EM>stage director</EM></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Lester Lynch</STRONG> <EM>as Crown</EM></TD>
<TD><STRONG>Akron Symphony Gospel Choir</STRONG></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Emmanuel LeGrair</STRONG> <EM>as Sportin’ Life</EM></TD>
<TD><A href="/2010-11-artist-downloads/"><STRONG><A href="/2010-11-artist-downloads/"><FONT color=#9b4030>YEPAW 365</FONT></A></STRONG></A> <EM></EM></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Angela Renee Simpson</STRONG> <EM>as Serena</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Brian Keith Johnson</STRONG> <EM>as Jake</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Candice Hoyes</STRONG> <EM>as Clara</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Carla Davis</STRONG> <EM>as Maria</EM></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR>
<TABLE style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" border=0 cellSpacing=1 borderColor=#ffffff cellPadding=1 width=400>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Marquita Lister</STRONG> <EM>as Bess</EM></TD>
<TD><STRONG><A href="/music-director/"><FONT color=#9b4030>Christopher Wilkins</FONT></A></STRONG>, <EM>conductor</EM> </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Alvy Powell</STRONG> <EM>as Porgy</EM></TD>
<TD><STRONG>Frank McClain</STRONG>, <EM>stage director</EM></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Lester Lynch</STRONG> <EM>as Crown</EM></TD>
<TD><STRONG>Akron Symphony Gospel Choir</STRONG></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Emmanuel LeGrair</STRONG> <EM>as Sportin’ Life</EM></TD>
<TD><A href="/2010-11-artist-downloads/"><STRONG><A href="/2010-11-artist-downloads/"><FONT color=#9b4030>YEPAW 365</FONT></A></STRONG></A> <EM></EM></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Angela Renee Simpson</STRONG> <EM>as Serena</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Brian Keith Johnson</STRONG> <EM>as Jake</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Candice Hoyes</STRONG> <EM>as Clara</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Carla Davis</STRONG> <EM>as Maria</EM></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR>
<TABLE style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" border=0 cellSpacing=1 borderColor=#ffffff cellPadding=1 width=400>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Marquita Lister</STRONG> <EM>as Bess</EM></TD>
<TD><STRONG><A href="/music-director/"><FONT color=#9b4030>Christopher Wilkins</FONT></A></STRONG>, <EM>conductor</EM> </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Alvy Powell</STRONG> <EM>as Porgy</EM></TD>
<TD><STRONG>Frank McClain</STRONG>, <EM>stage director</EM></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Lester Lynch</STRONG> <EM>as Crown</EM></TD>
<TD><STRONG>Akron Symphony Gospel Choir</STRONG></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Emmanuel LeGrair</STRONG> <EM>as Sportin’ Life</EM></TD>
<TD><A href="/2010-11-artist-downloads/"><STRONG><A href="/2010-11-artist-downloads/"><FONT color=#9b4030>YEPAW 365</FONT></A></STRONG></A> <EM></EM></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Angela Renee Simpson</STRONG> <EM>as Serena</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Brian Keith Johnson</STRONG> <EM>as Jake</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Candice Hoyes</STRONG> <EM>as Clara</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Carla Davis</STRONG> <EM>as Maria</EM></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR>
<TABLE style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" border=0 cellSpacing=1 borderColor=#ffffff cellPadding=1 width=400>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Marquita Lister</STRONG> <EM>as Bess</EM></TD>
<TD><STRONG><A href="/music-director/"><FONT color=#9b4030>Christopher Wilkins</FONT></A></STRONG>, <EM>conductor</EM> </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Alvy Powell</STRONG> <EM>as Porgy</EM></TD>
<TD><STRONG>Frank McClain</STRONG>, <EM>stage director</EM></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Lester Lynch</STRONG> <EM>as Crown</EM></TD>
<TD><STRONG>Akron Symphony Gospel Choir</STRONG></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Emmanuel LeGrair</STRONG> <EM>as Sportin’ Life</EM></TD>
<TD><A href="/2010-11-artist-downloads/"><STRONG><A href="/2010-11-artist-downloads/"><FONT color=#9b4030>YEPAW 365</FONT></A></STRONG></A> <EM></EM></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Angela Renee Simpson</STRONG> <EM>as Serena</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Brian Keith Johnson</STRONG> <EM>as Jake</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Candice Hoyes</STRONG> <EM>as Clara</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Carla Davis</STRONG> <EM>as Maria</EM></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR>
<TABLE style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" border=0 cellSpacing=1 borderColor=#ffffff cellPadding=1 width=400>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Marquita Lister</STRONG> <EM>as Bess</EM></TD>
<TD><STRONG><A href="/music-director/"><FONT color=#9b4030>Christopher Wilkins</FONT></A></STRONG>, <EM>conductor</EM> </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Alvy Powell</STRONG> <EM>as Porgy</EM></TD>
<TD><STRONG>Frank McClain</STRONG>, <EM>stage director</EM></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR>
<STRONG>featuring:</STRONG><BR>
<STRONG></STRONG> <BR>
<STRONG>Marquita Lister</STRONG> <EM>as Bess</EM><BR>
<STRONG>Alvy Powell</STRONG> <EM>as Porgy</EM><BR>
<STRONG>Emmanuel LeGrair</STRONG> <EM>as Sportin’ Life</EM><BR>
<TABLE style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" border=0 cellSpacing=1 borderColor=#ffffff cellPadding=1 width=400>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Angela Renee Simpson</STRONG> <EM>as Serena</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Brian Keith Johnson</STRONG> <EM>as Jake</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Candice Hoyes</STRONG> <EM>as Clara</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Carla Davis</STRONG> <EM>as Maria</EM></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR>
<TABLE style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" border=0 cellSpacing=1 borderColor=#ffffff cellPadding=1 width=400>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Angela Renee Simpson</STRONG> <EM>as Serena</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Brian Keith Johnson</STRONG> <EM>as Jake</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Candice Hoyes</STRONG> <EM>as Clara</EM></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><STRONG>Carla Davis</STRONG> <EM>as Maria</EM></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR>
<STRONG>Angela Renee Simpson</STRONG> <EM>as Serena</EM><BR>
<STRONG>Brian Keith Johnson</STRONG> <EM>as Jake</EM><BR>
<STRONG>Candice Hoyes</STRONG> <EM>as Clara</EM><BR>
<STRONG>Carla Davis</STRONG> <EM>as Maria</EM><BR>
<EM></EM> <BR>
<STRONG>Akron Symphony Gospel Choir </STRONG><BR>
<STRONG>YEPAW 365 </STRONG><BR>
<STRONG>Christopher Wilkins</STRONG><EM>, conductor</EM><BR>
<STRONG>Frank McClain</STRONG>, <EM>stage director </EM><EM></EM><BR><BR>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: 14px"><STRONG></STRONG> </P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: 14px"><STRONG></STRONG> </P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: 14px"><STRONG>"Summertime," that sultry bluesy lullaby, opens the opera. Everyone knows it; it is part of the American musical landscape. Most people also know "It Ain’t Necessarily So" and "I Got Plenty of Nuttin'," high-spirited tunes wedded to two of the finest lyrics in all of American music. But before, in between, and after these unforgettable songs - and so many others - Gershwin unleashes his genius with such originality and visceral power that many are astonished to encounter <I>Porgy and Bess</I> for the first time. <I>~ Maestro Christopher Wilkins</I></STRONG></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: 14px"><STRONG><EM></EM></STRONG> </P>
<STRONG>Tickets </STRONG>for both performances are on sale now from <STRONG>$15-$40</STRONG>. Call the Akron Symphony ticket office at <STRONG>330.535.8131</STRONG> or purchase online at akronsymphony(dot)org<BR> </body>
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