About the Performance
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Audrey L. Weaver
Premier Sponsor
Media Support
The “blazing star power” (WTTW News) of Cynthia Erivo—a Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award-winning actress, singer, and producer—lights up the Ravinia stage for an unforgettable evening of music! Fresh off a triumphant year as Elphaba in Wicked: Part One, Erivo brings her breathtaking vocals, unmatched artistry, and electrifying stage presence to Ravinia, returning after her star turn in the 2021 Ravinia Gala.
Erivo burst onto West End and Broadway stages in The Color Purple and has since taken the world by storm. Erivo most recently starred as Elphaba opposite Ariana Grande’s Glinda in Universal’s record-breaking film adaptation of the hit musical Wicked from director Jon M. Chu, which opened at number one and has since become the highest-grossing movie ever at the domestic box office based on a Broadway musical. Erivo has received widespread critical acclaim and rave reviews for her performance as Elphaba, including Golden Globe, SAG, Critics’ Choice, NAACP, BAFTA, and Academy Award nominations.
In 2021, Erivo was nominated for an Emmy for her critically acclaimed portrayal of Aretha Franklin in National Geographic’s Emmy-winning global anthology series Genius: Aretha. In addition to her illustrious acting career, Erivo is a Grammy-nominated songwriter and performer, often headlining sold-out shows, symphonies, and music spaces, including the Kennedy Center Honors, the 2020 Academy Awards, the 2017 Governor’s Ball, and the 2017 Grammy Awards. Erivo released her debut album, Ch. 1 Vs. 1, in 2021.
Performers
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Edwin Outwater, conductor
Cynthia Erivo
Mark Meadows, music director and pianist
Acclaimed jazz pianist, music director, and composer/arranger Mark G. Meadows is a man on a mission: to create a unifying sound that harmonizes different walks of life. Venues everywhere have sought him for his ability to combine the raw, spontaneous nature of jazz with the storytelling component of live theater. Meadows currently serves as Associate Music Director, conductor, and pianist for The Outsiders, winner of four Tony Awards, including Best Musical. In addition to being the music director for Cynthia Erivo, he has performed alongside such world-renowned artists as Renée Fleming, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Bobby McFerrin, Terence Blanchard, Kurt Elling, and Warren Wolf as well as headlined premier venues like Jazz at Lincoln Center, Blues Alley, and The Kennedy Center. Meadows uses his artistry to bring forth a positive message of love, joy, and hope to his audiences.