On Thursday, July 11th, the Hollywood Bowl transformed into a full-fledged wonderland of timeless Gershwin songs, and Angelenos with a penchant for the classics were treated to a magical night under the stars.
Camrose Picnic
The evening began with a touch of Hollywood glamour at the exclusive Camrose Picnic for Hollywood Bowl VIPs. Imagine rolling green lawns dotted with picnic tables and a symphony of delicious bites and fine wines curated by the Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine.
But the fun didn’t stop there. A charming photo booth captured the night’s joie de vivre, while a mini orchestra filled the air with a melody that could have been lifted straight from a Gershwin score. My personal highlight? The whimsical Melrose Poetry Bureau, where talented wordsmiths whipped up personalized poems on the spot, adding a touch of “I Got Rhythm” to the already vibrant atmosphere.
A Night of Gershwin
As the golden hues of dusk bathed the iconic Bowl in a warm glow, we made our way to our seats, anticipation buzzing like a jazz band warming up. The evening’s program was a love letter to Gershwin’s genius, a recreation of the history-making 1932 “all-Gershwin” concert. From the soaring melodies of “Rhapsody in Blue” to the bustling energy of “An American in Paris,” conductor Lionel Bringuier led the orchestra on a journey through some of your most beloved Gershwin songs. But the evening’s true stars were pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, whose fingers danced across the ivories with virtuosity, and the dynamic duo of Broadway star Tony Yazbeck and opera sensation Isabel Leonard.
These talented vocalists not only delivered the lyrics to the Gershwin songs with heart and soul, but their tap dancing routines added a touch of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers magic to the stage.
As the final notes of “Someone to Watch Over Me” faded into the starlit night, the audience erupted in a thunderous applause. It was a night that reaffirmed Gershwin’s enduring legacy, a night that left everyone humming their favorite Gershwin songs under the California sky.
Hollywood Bowl ‘Forever Summer’
And that, Angelenos, is just the beginning! The Hollywood Bowl season is in full swing, offering a dazzling array of concerts for every musical taste. From classical masters to contemporary trailblazers, the ‘Forever Summer’ is here at the Bowl, and expect nothing less than pure magic.
