NEWS RELEASEVan Wezel Performing Arts Hall

777 N Tamiami TrlSarasota, FL 34236

For Immediate Release: 09/14/2015Contact: Ryan McCarthy/Aimee Sicora/Chuck Stevens 941-955-7676

INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED MULTI-PLATINUM SUPERSTAR JOSH GROBANSET TO ELECTRIFY VAN WEZEL FOUNDATION GALA

ON FEBRUARY 28, 2016

Sarasota, FL (Sept. 14, 2015) – Spend A Very Special Evening with Josh Groban. The internationally

renowned singer, songwriter, and actor’s baritone voice has taken the world by storm ever since his

double-platinum debut self-titled album in 2001. His follow-up album “Closer” went 5-times platinum and the

trend continues to this day. His tour, Stages, at the Van Wezel on February 28, 2016, is a unique musical

event featuring songs from the world’s greatest musicals. In serendipitous fashion, Josh Groban is also an

avid arts education philanthropist, making him the perfect star for the Van Wezel Foundation Gala which

helps support the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, its educational initiatives and programing. Tickets will

go on sale September 19, 2015 @ 10am.

“Josh Groban is the preeminent super star for our Foundation Gala. He appeals to all age groups and

concert-goers. When I heard Josh had recorded a CD of Broadway music called Stages, my goal was to

bring him to the Van Wezel. I couldn’t be more thrilled we were chosen as one of the three stops in Florida,

and I was delighted to lead the charge to bring him to the ‘Sunshine State’,” stated Mary Bensel, Executive

Director of the Van Wezel.

Josh Groban's Stages is a collection of some of the greatest musical theater songs of all time, which

Groban describes as “gorgeously arranged songs that have stood the test of time,” and which he was

drawn to because of their combination of “incredible melody with an incredible story.” Recorded with

producers Humberto Gatica and Bernie Herms in both Los Angeles and London’s Abbey Road (with a 75-

piece orchestra), Stages features songs from Les Misérables (“Bring Him Home”); Rodgers and

Hammerstein’s Carousel (“You’ll Never Walk Alone”); Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George

(“Finishing the Hat”), Sweeney Todd (“Not While I’m Around”) and Into the Woods (“Children Will Listen”);

The Fantasticks (“Try to Remember”); A Chorus Line (“What I Did For Love”); Andrew Lloyd Webber’s

Phantom of the Opera (“All I Ask of You”), The Wizard of Oz (“Over the Rainbow”), and others. Another

highlight is “Pure Imagination,” originally sung by Gene Wilder in the film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate

Factory.

Joining Josh on stage will be Tony® Award-winner, Lena Hall. Best known for her role in Hedwig & The

Angry Inch, she had previously been seen on stage in Kinky Boots, Tarzan, Dracula, The Musical, 42nd

Street and Cats. She will take the stage with Josh for a number of songs as well as to perform a few solo

hits.

Most recently, Josh Groban completed an 81-date World Tour “Straight To You,” during which he visited

the U.S., Europe, and South Africa. During the tour, he partnered with Americans for the Arts to launch a

joint text-to-give campaign to support his Find Your Light Foundation, which was established in July 2011,

and is dedicated to enriching the lives of young people through quality arts education.

Concert Tickets are $115-$230 and are available at VanWezel.org, the Box Office, or by calling 941-953-

3368. Tickets for the Van Wezel Foundation Gala which includes a cocktail party and dinner on the

Bayfront, followed by the show and an after party, can be purchased by calling 941-366-5578.

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Date of show: February 28, 2016 @ 8pm Tickets for the concert only, on sale: Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015 @ 10amSponsors: Van Wezel Foundation