 | Jennifer Wright is president of the historic Orpheum Theatre in Wichita, which celebrated its 90th Anniversary in 2012. Wright began as a volunteer and was quickly hired as the marketing director until she was named President in 2011. Wright is responsible for the overall operations of the theatre, including the theatre's restoration efforts, capital campaign and future plans of organizational growth and enhanced programming. She can be reached at 316-263-0884 or via email at jennifer@wichitaorpheum.com |
Entertainment
2013-05-29 10:44:22
Exciting events at The Orpheum!
Q-What’s going on at the Orpheum Theatre this month?
A-There are several exciting events scheduled for this month that are sure to please every member of your family regardless of your interest and age.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - Monday, June 3rd - 6:00pm: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is the first film in the Harry Potter series based on the novels by J.K. Rowling. It is the tale of Harry Potter, an ordinary 11-year-old boy serving as a sort of slave for his aunt and uncle who learns that he is actually a wizard and has been invited to attend the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry is snatched away from his mundane existence by Hagrid, the grounds keeper for Hogwarts, and quickly thrown into a world completely foreign to both him and the viewer. Famous for an incident that happened at his birth, Harry makes friends easily at his new school. He soon finds, however, that the wizarding world is far more dangerous for him than he would have imagined, and he quickly learns that not all wizards are ones to be trusted.
The Tenors - Saturday, June 8th - 8:00pm: Since their inception only five years ago, The Tenors have been thrilling audiences around the world with their powerful voices and memorable melodies. Their blend of classical music and contemporary pop has garnered them international success. Their music is rich and soulful with powerful anthems and beautiful melodies.
For their live performance The Tenors will draw selections from their new album, Lead With Your Heart, as well as some of their past hits. Lead With Your Heart, their second studio album, stretches the boundaries of classical crossover by combining classic songs, modern tunes and Spanish and French world music. From cover features such as Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young” and Elton John’s “Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word” to the inspirational anthem “Amazing Grace”, and one of the most recognizable and heroic Tenor arias, “Nessun Dorma”, the diverse track list features a mix of pop favourites and classical staples along with new compositions written and co-written by The Tenors.
Over the past two years, The Tenors have performed worldwide and shared the stage with legendary artists such as Andrea Bocelli, Celine Dion (on the Oprah show) Sting, and Paul McCartney, to name a few. More recently, The Tenors were featured performers on two primetime international broadcasts: The Emmy Awards live from Los Angeles and The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations from Windsor Castle in the UK, where The Tenors performed for Her Majesty.
2013 Celebrity & Chef Cookoff: A Benefit for the Orpheum Theatre - Tuesday, June 11th - 6:00pm: Along with an exciting, fast-paced cooking competition, enjoy food and drinks from your favorite local restaurants, bid on auction items (live & silent), and mingle with your fellow foodies and Orpheum supporters!
Wichita Marriott Hotel – Grand Ballrom
9100 E. Corporate Hills Dr
2013 Celebrities
Jody Adams – WSU, Women’s Basketball Coach
Mark Bennett – City of Wichita, District Attorney
Linda Brantner – Delta Dental of KS, President & CEO
Wayne Chambers – High Touch, CEO
Jeff Korsmo – Via Christi Health, President & CEO
Mark Larson – KWCH, Meteorologist
Michael O’Donnell – State of Kansas, Senator
Roger Scholfield – Scholfield Honda, President
2013 Chefs
Kevin Dirks – Newport Grill
Ben George – Beechcraft Activity Center
Jake Lippincott – Petroleum Club
Martin Martinez – Candle Club
Peter Moretti – Marriott
Marshall Roth – Ambassador Hotel
Nathan Toubia – Bocconcini
The 80th Anniversary Screening of King Kong (1933) - Thursday, June 13th - 7:00pm: Carl Denham needs to finish his movie and has the perfect location; Skull Island. But he still needs to find a leading lady. This ‘soon-to-be-unfortunate’ soul is Ann Darrow. No one knows what they will encounter on this island and why it is so mysterious, but once they reach it, they will soon find out. Living on this hidden island is a giant gorilla and this beast now has Ann in it’s grasps. Carl and Ann’s new love, Jack Driscoll must travel through the jungle looking for Kong and Ann, while avoiding all sorts of creatures and beasts.
Bill Cosby - Friday, June 21st - 8:00pm: One of America’s most beloved comedians of all time, Bill Cosby has captivated generations of fans with his comedy routines, iconic albums and best selling books such as Fatherhood. His comedy transcends age, gender and cultural barriers.
Cosby broke television’s racial barrier with I Spy, becoming the first African American to costar on a television series while winning three consecutive Emmys. He created and produced the Emmy-winning cartoon Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, which began airing in the 1970s and was made into a film in 2004. The show, based on Cosby’s childhood in Philadelphia, was designed to educate and entertain.
The former Navy serviceman’s illustrious list of accomplishments includes roles on the children’s educational show Electric Company and creating and producing the Emmy award winning Little Bill, which is based on his bestselling book series.
Perhaps Cosby’s greatest contribution to American entertainment and culture is The Cosby Show, about a close-knit, upper class black family. Cosby said his intent was to portray an American family. Time magazine called the show “an encouraging sign of maturity in matters of race.” The Cosby Show dominated the Number One spot for years, earning nearly unanimous critical praise. Life magazine described the program as “a gentle, whimsical, warmhearted” show whose “delicious ordinariness of its pleasures and tribulations has given millions a fresh, laughter-splashed perspective on their own domestic lives.”
Bill Cosby’s current best seller, I Didn’t Ask to Be Born, But I’m Glad I Was. Cosby talks about the Bible, being a grandfather and his first love in his humorous and insightful manner.
Cosby has received the Kennedy Center Honors, the Presidential Medal of Freedom (America’s highest civilian honor), the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor and the Marian Anderson Award.
Cosby’s been busy raising a family, too. He married the former Camille Hanks on January 25, 1964, while she was still a student at the University of Maryland. They raised four daughters (Erika, Erinn, Ensa and Evin) and one son (Ennis) and now have three grandchildren. The family resides in New England.
