Cal Poly Arts Brings Broadway Vocalist to Spanos Theatre

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA – Acclaimed vocalist Sam Harris will be singing the blues. And the Broadway hits. And the best of popular songs and standards.

One star, one show, Saturday, January 5, 2008 at the Spanos Theatre. There will be a special early curtain at 7 p.m., with a hosted artist reception in the lobby immediately following the concert.

“Harris hits the ground running… One showstopper after another follows, punctuated by sidesplitting topical wit and audience hysteria.” (LA Times)

“Not only does Sam Harris have a spectacular voice, with a range that plumbs the depths of soulful blues and ballads and scales the heights of some classic rock and show tunes, he’s hilariously funny as well.” (LA Magazine)

“Sam Harris is awe-inspiring.” (Variety)

Harris’ recent role on the CBS comedy, “The Class” – which inspired popular columnist Liz Smith to write, "Sam Harris is the comic breakout of the television season!" – is the latest incarnation of a career than has spanned more than two decades.

While his success has run the gamut from singer/songwriter to Broadway stage, film, and television actor to writer, producer, and director, Harris is a consummate entertainer, with audience raves from the White House and Carnegie Hall to London’s celebrated West End.

Amid myriad projects, Harris continues to tour with his critically-acclaimed “SAM,” while still finding the time to perform in Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors" tour at Los Angeles' Greek Theatre.

Long before the days of “American Idol,” in an oversized tailcoat and Converse sneakers, a very young Harris became a household name on the innovative talent show, “Star Search,” in its premiere season.

25 million viewers tuned in weekly to follow Harris as he created his own pop, gospel, and theatre brand of emotionally-charged performances, finally winning the grand prize. His "Over the Rainbow" has remained signature (with a nod to friend Liza Minelli.)

He also received the Frank Sinatra Pop Singing Award, where the legendary Chairman of the Board himself said to an enthusiastic audience, "This kid's got 'it'! Sam, don't get any better ‘til I get out of the business."

Harris' phenomenal "overnight" rise catapulted him into recording industry, where he sold over a million copies of both his self-titled debut CD, “Sam Harris,” and the follow-up release, “Sam-I-Am.” Later successes entitled “Standard Time” and “Different Stages” have been listed on numerous “Top 100 Records of All Time” lists.

On Broadway, Harris received a Drama Desk nomination for his role in Tommy Tune’s Grease and a Drama-League Award as well as Tony, Outer Critic’s Circle and Drama Desk nominations for his work in Cy Coleman’s The Life.

Harris also appeared on Broadway in the Mel Brooks musical, The Producers, as the uproarious Carmen Ghia and as the lead in the extensive national tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Broadway production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Harris has starred in such musicals as Jesus Christ Superstar, Cabaret, Hair, Pippin, The Jazz Singer and the self-penned shows Hard Copy, Different Hats, Revival, and the LA smash hit one-man show, SAM.

A frequent favorite guest of Oprah Winfrey, Harris was invited to bring the music back to “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” performing a stirring rendition of "You'll Never Walk Alone" in the week following September 11, 2001. Harris agrees this remains one of the most special personal moments of his career.

Harris has appeared on numerous television specials and live productions, and has guested on and/or hosted virtually every talk show, among them “The Tonight Show,” “The Today Show,” “Rosie,” "The Barbara Walters Show" and “The View.”

At the request of Elizabeth Taylor, Harris became one of the first celebrities to lead the fight against AIDS. It would mark the beginning of his work as a tireless human rights activist and campaigner for political fairness, which are still integral aspects of his commitment today.

General public tickets for the performance range are $38, with student discounts available on all seats, and may be purchased at the Performing Arts Ticket Office, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

To order by phone, call 805/756-2787; to order by fax: 805/756-6088.

Order on-line at www.pacslo.org.

Sponsored by Jules and Brenda Hock.

For more information on all Cal Poly Arts events, including audio and video samples, please visit www.calpolyarts.org.

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