ESO to perform music of Rodgers & Hammerstein Feb. 12-14

Resident conductor Stephen Squires and the Elgin Symphony Orchestra will present a concert of romantic favorites by Rodgers & Hammerstein on Valentine's weekend, Feb. 12-14, featuring Jenn Gambatese and Sean MacLaughlin, and narrated by Hammerstein's grandson, Oscar Andy Hammerstein III.

The performance includes songs from "Carousel," "The King and I," "Oklahoma," "The Sound of Music" and "South Pacific."

A Rodgers & Hammerstein Celebration will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12, at the Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, at Elgin's Hemmens Cultural Center.

Saturday concertgoers are invited to Mingle with the Musicians after the show at the Elgin Public House, 219 East Chicago Street. Concert tickets start at only $30 and can be purchased through the ESO box office at (847) 888-4000 or by visiting www.elginsymphony.org.

Jenn Gambatese starred as Maria in the Chicago Lyric Opera's 2015 production of "The Sound of Music" and has appeared on Broadway as Penny Pingleton in "Hairspray," Jane in "Tarzan" and as Natalie in "All Shook Up." Other Broadway credits include "Is He Dead?," "A Year with Frog and Toad," and "Footloose." Gambatese played Glinda in the 2013 national tour of "Wicked" and her off-Broadway and regional credits include "Carousel," "The School for Lies," "We Have Always Lived in the Castle" and "Annie Get Your Gun."

Sean MacLaughlin has appeared on Broadway as Raoul in "The Phantom of the Opera," as Lestat in "The Woman in White," and in "Bombay Dreams." MacLaughlin's off-Broadway credits include Transport Group productions of "The Audience" and "Requiem for William," and "South Pacific" at Carnegie Hall. His film/TV credits include "Something the Lord Made," "Trading Mom," and WTTW's "Great Performances: South Pacific."

Oscar Andy Hammerstein III is a painter, writer, lecturer, and family historian and has devoted much of his life to studying and preserving his family's heritage and contribution to American culture. He lectures frequently at universities, institutes, and theatrical and civic organizations on his family's pivotal role in shaping the development of musical theater and popular entertainment in this country from the 1860s to the present. In 1997, he cowrote/curated the exhibit, "Direct from Broadway, A 200-Year History of New York City Theatre," for the Paine-Weber Gallery space in New York City.

ESO Resident Conductor Stephen Squires has worked with Frederica von Stade, Samuel Ramey, Pinchas Zuckerman, Leon Bates, Ani Kavafian, Vadim Gluzman and with players from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera Orchestra. In addition to being the resident conductor of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, Squires is also the music director of the Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra, music director of the Millar Brass, and music director of the Illinois Brass Band. He has guest conducted the Chicago Symphony, the Syracuse Symphony, the Green Bay Symphony, the Columbus (OH) Symphony and the Chicago Composers Orchestra. In addition, he is an accomplished recital accompanist, freelance trumpeter, and frequent guest conductor at educational festivals throughout the country.

Squires received his musical training at the Preparatory School of the Eastman School of Music and the Crane School of Music in his home state of New York. He earned his master's degree in instrumental conducting/trumpet performance at California State University, Northridge. Squires is professor of conducting in the Music Conservatory of the Chicago College of Performing Arts, Roosevelt University. He also served on the faculty of the Northern Illinois School of Music for 19 years, where he received the prestigious "Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award."

The Elgin Symphony Orchestra, now in its 65th season, offers programming unmatched for an entertaining, informative and relaxing cultural experience. Known for their high-quality performances, ESO musicians represent some of the most talented musical artists in the region. In addition to magnificent music, patrons can also enjoy a drink, spend time with friends and even shop in the lobby of the Hemmens Cultural Center. After Saturday night performances, the audience is invited to the ESO's "Mingle with the Musicians" at the Elgin Public House, 219 E. Chicago St. From start to finish, the ESO brings world class, big city entertainment without the hassles of the big city.