by joshua ryan
LONG BEACH
SYMPHONY 80 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE
The Long Beach Symphony, like many others, has been challenged by the recession that
devastated arts organizations throughout almost every community. However, a strong board, strategic planning and the consistent leadership of Executive Director Kelly Rug- girello, has moved the venerable institution forward and ushered in a new era of financial health. The Long Beach Symphony will soon celebrate 80 years of excellence and is now positioned to reach new heights. “I have the best job in the world,” said Ruggirello, the genuinely warm and effusive
leader. “I have lived in Long Beach for 25 years and it is so good to be with my hometown orchestra!” She has an impressive resume with years of experience at Pacific Symphony, The Los Angeles Philharmonic and others, as well as being the current president of the Association of California Symphony Orchestras. “Long Beach Symphony is doing great,” she began, “We espouse excellence in everything that we do. But, excellence costs and this organization, our board, subscribers and volunteers are willing to put their money where their mission statement is to make our programs a reality.” In addition to the symphony’s pops series, which concludes Saturday, May 3 with
Broadway star, Susan Egan (see story below), its Classics Series runs through Saturday, May 31, ending with works by Rachmaninoff. The symphony is also dedicated to educa- tion and community outreach with programs such as ‘Sounds & Spaces,” which takes the symphony outside its typical settings. “We want to bring the Symphony to the community and we’re committed to making classical music available to everyone,” explained Ruggire- llo. “Programs like ‘Sounds & Spaces’ help us to do that.” Located between Los Angeles Philharmonic and Pacific Symphony, the Long Beach
Symphony continues to have a bit of an identity crisis. Ruggirello is determined to make sure South Bay music fans know they have a tremendous resource in their backyard, all accessible without traffic issues or expensive parking. “We want people to know what an amazing resource we are to the arts community and invite them back to Long Beach” Regarding the Pops! Series finale with Susan Egan, Ruggirello enthuses, “This is one of
our most fun events,” she begins, “We have 300 tables that people can decorate, bring in their own food, drinks and guests or have catered; It’s so special! People pass down their tables from generation to generation. It’s the largest musical indoor picnic in Southern California and we wouldn’t have it any other way.” She adds, “But buy your tickets soon! Buy them early as we will sell out!”
For tickets and more information call 562.436.3203 or go to
lbso.org
SUSAN EGAN Susan Egan is a hometown girl. Born just south of Long Beach, she attended Los Alami-
tos High School, Orange County High School of the Arts and later UCLA. Her first break came with the national tour of State Fair, later winning the coveted role of “Belle” in the original Broadway cast ofBeauty and the Beast for which she was nominated for a Tony and Drama Desk Award. She has also starred inThe Sound of Music, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Thoroughly Modern Millie and has earned the distinction as Cabaret’s longest-running Sally Bowles in Broadway history. Egan joins the Long Beach Symphony on Saturday, May 3, for its Pops! Series finale:
Broadway’s Greatest Hits, along with three-time Tony Award-winner, Todd Ellison. Hailed by The New York Times as one of “Broadway’s electric conductors”, Ellison has teamed with Egan on a completely new show just for Long Beach Symphony audiences. “We’ve prepared a show that is going to be amazing,” said Egan. “Because I know the Long Beach audience, we’ve done a less formal show. This one is going to be fun!”
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RAGE monthly | APRIL 2014
photography by kevyn major howard
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