By Joan C. McKinney, director, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Campbellsville University will present J. Mark McVey, who made his Broadway debut as Jean Valjean in “Les Misérables,” in a pops concert Friday, April 20 at 8 p.m. EDT in Campbellsville University’s Ransdell Chapel at 401 N. Hoskins Ave., Campbellsville.
McVey, who surpassed more than 3,200 performances in “Les Misérables,” will be performing with Campbellsville University’s Orchestra.
The concert costs $25, and you may call (270) 789-5211 for tickets.
“I love to play with young orchestras!” McVey said. “And it’s not just the youthful enthusiasm. The college years are those where most of the exploring who we are as people happens and so it goes with musicians.”
McVey said he applauds Campbellsville University for bringing a wide variety of performers in the concert. “The inclusion of all styles affords the students the opportunity to experience a broad base which can only serve to strengthen their education as well as the future of the profession in general.”
McVey’s music ranges from Irving Berlin, Andrew Lloyd Weber, Richard Rodgers and Marvin Hamlisch.
Dr. Tony Cunha, dean of the School of Music, said the orchestra is “honored and thrilled to be performing with Mr. McVey.
“Mr. McVey is an extremely talented musician, and we are excited to bring this concert to Campbellsville University and the surrounding community.”
McVey began his Broadway debut as Jean Valjean after having won the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Actor while in Washington, D.C. He was the first American to perform Valjean in London’s West End, and he reprised the role with the Los Angeles Philharmonic to sold out crowds at the Hollywood Bowl and once again in the 25th Anniversary Tour of “Les Misérables” where he won the Ovation Award and the Broadway.com Award.
McVey made his Carnegie Hall debut with Marvin Hamlisch and continues to perform with numerous symphonies around the country and the world.
His television credits include “America’s Got Talent” and “Days Of Our Lives.” He made his PBS debut with the Boston Pops and followed that performance with the PBS Christmas Special for the U.S. Military Troups where he was featured with Hamlisch and The National Symphony Orchestra. He also appeared in the PBS Special “A Tale of Two Cities in Concert.”
Other Broadway, New York and regional theatre credits include: The Who’s “Tommy,” “The Best Little Whore House Goes Public,” “Chess,” “Carousel,” “My Fair Lady,” “South Pacific,” “Seven Brides,” “Show Boat,” “Hey Love,” “A Helluva Town,” “Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil,” “Rocket Boys” and many more.
McVey earned a Double Platinum record for his participation on the Trans-Siberian Orchestra recording of “The Lost Christmas Eve.” He also has three solo CDs: “Broadway and Beyond” “If You Really Knew Me” and “One Among Few,” as well as a Family Christmas CD.
McVey considers his greatest achievements are his daughters, Grace and Kylie, who are a “a collaborative effort with God and his incredible wife, actress and singer, Mrs. Christy Tarr-McVey.”
You can visit McVey’s website at http://www.jmarkmcvey.com/.
Campbellsville University is a widely-acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 10,000 students offering over 90 programs of study including 20 master’s degrees, six postgraduate areas and seven pre-professional programs. The university has off-campus centers in Kentucky cities Louisville, Harrodsburg, Somerset and Hodgenville with instructional sites in Elizabethtown, Owensboro, Summersville and Liberty, all in Kentucky, and one in Costa Mesa, Calif., and a full complement of online programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.