By Kristen Cloyed, Entertainment Editor
Broadway star Patti LuPone has been announced as the latest addition to Omaha Performing Arts’ 2011-2012 Popular Series. LuPone will appear in place of Idina Menzel and will perform Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, at 8:00 p.m. in the Peter Kiewit Hall at the Holland Performing Arts Center.
Menzel was originally slated to perform in Omaha on November 16, but has cancelled all of her November tour dates due to scheduling conflicts between her tour and filming the television show “Glee.”
Aside from “Glee,” Menzel is also known for her big screen appearance as Maureen in “Rent” and her Broadway performance as Elphaba in “Wicked.” Menzel’s performance in the musical earned her a Tony Award in 2003.
LuPone has been called the “First Lady of the American Broadway Theatre,” and has been performing since she was 4-years-old. She is best known for her work in “Sweeney Todd,” “Evita,” “Gypsy,” “Sunset Boulevard” and “Les Misérables.” Her talents have earned her numerous prestigious awards and honors for her work on and off-Broadway and on London’s West End. She recently starred on Broadway in “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” and “Company.” LuPone also became a New York Times best-selling author last year with her autobiography, “Patti LuPone: A Memoir.”
This will be LuPone’s first appearance in Omaha. The singer is expected to perform her solo work, showcasing both Tony Award-winning hits and cabaret classics.
Other artists appearing as part of the Popular Series this season include rockers Huey Lewis and the News on Thursday, Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the Orpheum Theater and instrumental quartet Brooklyn Rundfunk Orkestrata on Thursday, Feb. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Holland Performing Arts Center.
All tickets purchased for Menzel’s performance will be honored for LuPone’s performance at no additional charge. For ticketing information call Ticket Omaha at 402-345-0606 or visit the Ticket Omaha office in the Holland Center on 13th and Douglas streets.
