MEDIA RELEASE

Champagne And Music Party Kicks Off Holiday Season

Joohee Choi

How often can one see a Tony nominee perform up close and personal in a “Salon Concert?”, said Frank Meyer, Hoku Concert Series Chair. The 9th Annual Hoku Concert Series takes place Friday, December 4, 2009 at a private estate overlooking Kona and the Coastline, with proceeds benefiting Aloha Performing Arts Company. Champagne is served poolside at intermission. The show, “I Have Dreamed” features hits from Broadway and beyond, with Joohee Choi who is joined by baritone Mike Montez and pianist Dr. Thomas Yee.

Headliner Choi is currently performing in the new production of Phantom of the Opera in Seoul, South Korea. The show, with its elaborate set and costumes, just opened for a one year run and is sold out for weeks ahead. Fortunately, Choi received a special release to join us in Hawaii this weekend, returning to Seoul on Sunday

Choi was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical and was the winner of the Theater World Award for Best Debut Actress for her performance in the Tony Award show, King and I on Broadway. She has also sung leading roles in West Side Story, Cats, and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Joohee Choi

The Los Angeles Times described her voice as “bell like”, when she was under contract with Los Angeles Opera for two years. On the stages of opera across America, she has sung in operas including La Traviata, Magic Flute, Der Rosenkavalier, Romeo and Juliette, La Boheme, Carmen, and the Marriage of Figaro. She has won numerous prizes in opera competitions and has a Masters Degree in Music from the world famous Julliard School in New York City.

For reservations and information, contact apachawaii.org or 322 1648. On December 5, there is an additional performance at the private estate exclusively for children accompanied by their parents.

The Series presents two concerts per annum. The second concert of the season is May 1, 2010 at a Hualalai estate, benefiting, Kona Hospital Foundation www.hokuconcertseries.com