FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 1, 2007

Contact: K.E. Schwab  

724.738.2199

 karl.schwab@sru.edu

Maureen McGovern brings wealth of talent 

to SRU Performing Arts Series show

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Maureen McGovern, the Dec. 1 artist in Slippery Rock University’s Performing Arts Series, has a career spanning nearly 35 years, including recordings, concerts, Broadway, theater, films, television, radio and composing.

              Tickets to the 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 performance in Miller Auditorium, are available at 724.738.2091. In addition to individual tickets for “An Evening with Maureen McGovern: Holiday and  Great American Songbook Favorites,” three-ticket packages, which includes the Feb. 8 performance of Philadanco!, the Philadelphia-based professional dance company, and the March 29 musical presentation of “Five Guys Named Moe,” are also available. 

              McGovern, who graduated from nearby Boardman High School, a Youngstown, Ohio, suburb, returned to Broadway's 2005 season, originating her Drama Desk-nominated role of Marmee in “Little Women, The Musical.” She reprised that role in the Broadway National Tour. 

              McGovern made her Broadway debut as Mabel in “The Pirates of Penzance,” starred as Luisa in “Nine” with the late Raul Julia, and as Polly Peachum in “The 3 Penny Opera” with Sting. Off-Broadway, she originated the role of Mary in “Brownstone” and recently won audience approval as Mrs. Anna in the Broadway National Tour of “The King and I.” 

              She performed in the West Coast premiere of William Finn's “Elegies” at the Canon Theatre and starred as Countess Aurelia in the historic revival of the Jerry Herman musical “Dear World” at the Sundance Institute Theatre. She appeared in the Boston world premiere of “Letters from 'Nam,” originating the role of Eleanor Bridges. Her other stage works include Eleanor of Aquitaine in “The Lion in Winter” at Oklahoma City’s Carpenter Square Theater and as Madame Emery in “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg” and Mary Turner in “Of Thee I Sing.”

              Her career has taken her to roles in “The Sound of Music,” “South Pacific,” “Guys and Dolls” and “I Do, I Do.” She appeared in the children's musical “The Bengal Tiger's Ball,” premiered in 1999. She wrote the music, co-created and also starred in the production. 

              Her film roles include work in “Towering Inferno,” “Airplane!” “Airplane II: The Sequel” and the independent film “The Cure for Boredom.” She was heard as the voice of Rachel in the DreamWorks animated video/DVD “Joseph: King of Dreams” with Ben Affleck. Her television roles include, “One Life to Live,” “The Tracey Ullman Show,” “Pacific Blue,” “Duckman,” and “Beyond Belief.”

              McGovern's recording career began with the No. 1 chart-topping, Academy Award-winning Gold Record "The Morning After" from the blockbuster film “The Poseidon Adventure” followed by a Grammy nomination for "Best New Artist." She replicated her success with another Oscar-winning Gold Record "We May Never Love Like This Again" from another hit film “The Towering Inferno.” She was the first singer to record and introduce two Oscar-nominated songs in the same year, in 1975 with "We May Never Love Like This Again" and "Wherever Love Takes Me" from “Gold.” 

              A recipient of International Gold Records from the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan and the Philippines, McGovern also won the Grand Prize award at the 1975 Tokyo Music Festival. Other hit records include the John Williams and Leslie Bricusse love theme "Can You Read My Mind" from the motion picture “Superman” and "Different Worlds," the theme from the ABC television series “Angie.” 

              She has recorded more than 25 albums, including songwriter tributes to George Gershwin, Harold Arlen, Richard Rodgers and Alan and Marilyn Bergman. She received her second Grammy nomination in 1999 for her CD “The Pleasure of His Company.” McGovern is featured singing a Brazilian jazz version of "This Is Just The Day" on the Grammy-winning, "Best Musical Recording for Children" CD/DVD, “Songs from the Neighborhood: The Music of Mister Rogers.”

              Her current releases are “Help Is On the Way,” in partnership with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and “Works of Heart: Songs of Hope” featuring a newly recorded 30th anniversary version of her signature song "The Morning After." 

              McGovern is a member of the national board for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and an artist/spokesperson for The American Music Therapy Association. 

Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania’s premier public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that make a positive difference in their lives.

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