ROCKTOPIA LIVE: A Classical (R)evolution

Date/Time: Sunday, April 9, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.

Location: Cobb Great Hall

Tickets: Tickets from $45

Ticket Office: whartoncenter.com

517.432.2000 or 1.800.WHARTON

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Wharton Center is thrilled to announce the inaugural live concert event ROCKTOPIA LIVE: A Classical (R)evolution. This groundbreaking live concert performance celebrates the fusion of classical music with classic rock. It features five world-class vocalists and five top rock musicians. Tickets to see ROCKTOPIA LIVE are available at the official source to purchase Wharton Center tickets online, whartoncenter.com, at the Auto-Owners Insurance Ticket Office, or by calling 1-800-WHARTON.

ROCKTOPIA LIVE is an inspiring and uplifting entertainment spectacle that brings a new way of enjoying the best of classical music and classic rock to audiences. ROCKTOPIA LIVE delivers one-of-a-kind musical arrangements blending Beethoven with Journey, Strauss with The Who, and more in musical mash-ups that surprise and delight. Conducted by Maestro Randall Craig Fleischer, the concert showcases the works of classical composers as well as rock bands, including the music of Mozart, Journey, Handel, U2, Tchaikovsky, Heart, Beethoven, Styx, Foreigner, Rachmaninoff, Pink Floyd, Copland, The Who and more.

Co-Creators of ROCKTOPIA LIVE, vocalist and recording artist Rob Evan, a member of the multi-platinumselling rock band, Trans- Siberian Orchestra; and Maestro Randall Craig Fleisher, a national leader in the area of symphonic rock and world music fusion have collaborated to bring together a world class cast of vocalists and musicians.

About RTT

ROCKTOPIA LIVE is produced and presented by RTT. The company is headed by William Franzblau, Rob Evan and Maggie Seidel who collectively have been creating, producing and presenting national tours, Broadway shows and concerts worldwide for over 30 years. William Franzblau has produced such award winning shows as the Tony Nominated Best Play Say Goodnight Gracie, and the tour of LITTLE HOUSE on the PRAIRIE the Musical starring Melissa Gilbert. Maggie Seidel has spearheaded multiple tours and live entertainment events associated with PBS including the global phenomenon Celtic Woman. Accomplished actor, singer and producer Rob Evan is best known as a member of the multi-platinum selling rock band, TransSiberian Orchestra, performing across the globe with Sir Elton John, Phil Collins, Michael Crawford among many others. ROCKTOPIA LIVE will be the first project of RTT which will tour North America in over 20 cities in the spring of 2017. They have offices in New York City, NY and Nashville, Tenn.

About Rob Evan

Rob Evan is an accomplished actor, singer and producer with 20 years of professional experience in the entertainment industry. During the span of his diverse career, he has performed in seven leading roles on the New York Stage including the original Broadway cast of Jekyll & Hyde, playing the title roles for three years and over 1,000 performances worldwide. As a vocalist and recording artist, Rob is a member of the multiplatinum-selling rock band, Trans- Siberian Orchestra. He can be heard on TSO’s The Lost Christmas Eve (Certified Double Platinum – Lava/Atlantic) and their latest release, Nightcastle, which debuted at #5 on Billboard’s Top 100 (currently certified Platinum – Atlantic Records). He has played in arenas across the country and the world for up to 20,000 people per show. Rob has toured Europe and the US with TSO as Beethoven in TSO’s Rock Opera, Beethoven’s Last Night. Rob has opened for and performed with Sir Elton John, Trisha Yearwood, Linda Eder, Phil Collins, REM, Bonnie Tyler, John Cougar Mellencamp, Joe Walsh, Usher and Michael Crawford, among others. He was also lead vocalist for Jim Steinman’s The Dream Engine and recently released the debut album for his progressive rock band, Menrva Realm.

About Randall Craig Fleisher

Mr. Fleischer has appeared as a guest conductor with many major orchestras in the United States and internationally including engagements with the Boston Pops, China Philharmonic Hong Kong Philharmonic, Israel Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Houston Symphony, Phillie Pops, Moscow State Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, Utah Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Festival Cesky Krumov (Czech Republic) and many others. “…There was purpose and meaning in the performance, and Fleischer let the lyricism of the music flow in seamless lines.” Deseret News – Salt Lake City, Utah. As Music Director/Conductor of three symphony orchestras, Youngstown Symphony, Hudson Valley Philharmonic and the Anchorage Symphony, Mr. Fleischer has led each orchestra through a dramatic period of artistic growth, demonstrating his abilities as a proven orchestra builder. This sounds like a different symphony orchestra, and this season should be an exciting experience.“ Arizona Daily Sun 1998. “The HVP’s music director was heartily affirmed by the extended standing ovation.” Times Herald Record.