A Marvelous May for Bernstein!

Seattle Celebrates Bernstein May offerings include symphony programs, choral performances, film screenings, musical theater, and a visit from Jamie Bernstein

SEATTLE, WA –The city-wide Seattle Celebrates Bernstein Arts Festival continues throughout May with six of the region’s diverse arts groups producing works written and inspired by the legendary composer/conductor. The Festival focuses on the multi-faceted genius of Leonard Bernstein – composer, writer, conductor, thinker, media personality, and educator—in events that spotlight this uniquely American artist’s legacy as well as showcase the wealth and wonder of Seattle’s world class arts scene.

Four local musical groups present a diverse selection of Bernstein’s work. On Saturday May 8 and Tuesday May 11, the Seattle Symphony pairs up with Cascade Youth Symphony Orchestra to present A Tribute to Leonard Bernstein’s Young People’s Concerts. Inspired by Bernstein’s influential television specials, this special program brings together conductor Gerard Schwarz with musicians from both symphonies in a special event for families and secondary school students. On Saturday May 8, The Puget Sound Symphony Orchestra will present Symphonic Dances from West Side Story as part of their Spring Concert. And on Sunday May 16 at theFirst Presbyterian Church of Bellevue, Master Chorus Eastside presents Cathedral Glory, an afternoon of choral music that includes Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms.

The Seattle International Film Festival presents a trilogy of Bernstein’s work for film, including the 1949 film version of his madcap musical On The Town starring Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra (May 23); the Marlon Brando drama On The Waterfront, featuring Bernstein’s only original film score (May 30), and the composer’s masterpiece West Side Story, which swept the 1962 Academy Awards to take 10 Oscars (June 6). The showing of On The Waterfront will include a special question-and-answer session with the composer’s daughter Jamie Bernstein.

Then beginning its run on May 25, The 5th Avenue Theatre presents Bernstein’s mid-career masterwork Candide. The comic and dramatic adventures of a young man as he travels the world in search of his one true love, Candide is inspired by Voltaire’s wickedly satirical novel. This musical masterpiece includes some of the greatest music ever written (with brilliantly witty lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, John Latouche, Dorothy Parker, Lillian Hellman, Richard Wilbur and Leonard Bernstein himself). Ms. Bernstein will also be participating in Show Talks prior to the performance of Candide on May 29th and May 30.

To check for ongoing updates, along with a current calendar, ticketing information and a biography of Bernstein, visit seattlecelebratesbernstein.org.

Thanks to our sponsors Encore Arts Programs, City Arts Magazine, Boeing, US Bank, Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau and KUOW 94.9 Public Radio.