By Shelbi LeMeilleur
Mark your calendars now, because April 28 is a night you don’t want to miss. As part of the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra’s final performance in their 2018-19 “New Heights” season, Leslie Odom, Jr., will accompany the orchestra for a night to remember.
“This is going to be incredible,” teases BVSO™ Executive Director Mary Koeninger. “You’re going to love it.”
Odom has an extensive background in radio, television, film, and stage. He made his Broadway debut at the age of 17 in Rent; has been featured in TV shows such as Smash, The Good Wife, and Grey’s Anatomy; and starred in the 2017 film Murder on the Orient Express. However, one of Odom’s biggest credits to date is originating the role of Aaron Burr in the smash hit Broadway musical Hamilton.
“I think it’s going to be a long, long time before Hamilton comes to College Station, but on April 28, you will have the opportunity to experience the gentleman who was the original Aaron Burr in Hamilton,” says Koeninger. “I know that the people of Bryan and College Station and the entire Brazos Valley will just thoroughly enjoy him. He is such an incredible talent and so in demand.”
Odom is currently touring the country performing in these symphony shows.
“Someone of that stature — of that background — everybody is wanting him and we were able to get him,” explains Koeninger. “The only other place in Texas that he is performing is in the Dallas symphony. ... The only symphonies he’s been performing with are just the really, really big ones. In fact, he leaves us and then he’s playing with the National Symphony in the Kennedy Center.”
The performance with Odom is another in the line of “pops” concerts the BVSO™ has been incorporating into their season lineups to appeal to a broader audience.
“We want to be a symphony that has something for everyone,” Koeninger explains. “There’s classical for those that that’s what they love, and then pops for those that [want that].”
Audience members can expect a little bit of everything at the Evening with Lelsie Odom, Jr. “He’s going to be doing Broadway pieces, he’ll be doing jazz pieces, he’ll be doing pops pieces as well, and there’s going to be something there for everyone,” Koeninger says.
Koeninger suggests that audiences will certainly hear some of the iconic songs they are hoping to, though none can be mentioned by name as the set list has not been released.
This concert is the pinnacle of the “New Heights” season. Koeninger gives credit to the BVSO™ board and supporters for the symphony to be able to reach new heights this season and every season.
“Due to the incredible support we have here in the Brazos Valley, and so many individuals and businesses have made it possible for us to be able to reach higher than most symphonies our size can,” says Koeninger. “It’s a tribute to the people of the Brazos Valley and as a result of that support, we are able to bring in artists that you would have to travel quite a bit of ways to get to go to see.”
Tickets are on sale now for An Evening with Leslie Odom, Jr. The performance is at 5pm on Sunday, April 28, in Rudder Auditorium at Texas A&M University. Tickets can be purchased by calling (979) 845-1234 or visiting www.bvso.org or www.boxoffice.tamu.edu.
“Get your tickets now; they are going very fast,” urges Koeninger. “Do not miss this opportunity. This won’t just be an opportunity to see someone who’s on the tour of Hamilton — you will see the guy that originated the role of Aaron Burr. You will have that opportunity. That’s not going to come around very often.”
