Leslie Odom Jr. Replaces Kristin Chenoweth for BRAVO! Season Opener

[vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]The Brigham Young University 2016-17 BRAVO! Professional Performing Arts Series opens Sept. 2 and 3, 7:30 p.m. with two special performance from Leslie Odom, Jr., Tony Award-winning star of the hit musical, Hamilton. Odom makes his Utah concert debut—backed by a live band on a program of smooth jazz and classics from the American songbook—in the de Jong Concert Hall of the Harris Fine Arts Center. Odom was originally scheduled to perform only one night, but tickets immediately sold out for Friday’s performance. Tickets for the Saturday night performance go on sale Wednesday, July 27 at 9:00 a.m.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]Performance Date: Friday, Sept. 2, 7:30 p.m. Tickets on Sale: July 22 to current season ticket holders July 26 for the general public Ticket prices: $40-75 Available at byutickets.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Kristin Chenoweth, originally scheduled to open the BRAVO! Series, has been rescheduled for May 19-20, 2017 due to an unexpected scheduling conflict with her film schedule. All tickets will be honored for the new dates. “We understand going into these things that these people have busy schedules and have a lot of commitments to juggle,” said BRAVO! series presenter Jeff Martin. “She had a TV commitment that was extended longer than expected and wasn’t going to allow her to do the concert.” Closing the window on Chenoweth’s season opened the door to Odom, who happened to be finishing his contract with Hamilton. Odom’s powerful voice and bold portrayal of Aaron Burr garnered universal accolades in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s acclaimed retelling of the story of America’s Founding Fathers on Broadway this year. “I always keep my ear to the ground.” Martin said, in reference to how he had been able to secure such a high-profile guest artist at the last minute. Odom made his Broadway debut at the age of 17 in Rent, before heading to Carnegie Mellon University’s prestigious School of Drama, where he graduated with honors and went on to receive several awards including the 2012 Astaire Award for Outstanding Male Dancer on Broadway. On the small screen, Odom, Jr. is best-known for his portrayal of “Sam Strickland” in the NBC musical series “Smash,” and his recurring role as “Reverend Curtis Scott” on “Law & Order: SVU.” On the big screen he starred in the 2012 film Red Tails opposite Terrence Howard, Cuba Gooding, Jr. and David Oyelowo. This performance is presented by BRAVO! Professional Performing Arts at BYU, the university’s concert series that hosts world-renowned guest artists from across the globe. Writer: Jeff Dodenbier[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]