Singer, Actor Leslie Odom, Jr. to Perform With the Spokane Symphony for Whitworth’s Fall President Leadership Forum Concert
Odom received two Academy Award nominations this year for the movie One Night in Miami. He was nominated for best supporting actor for his role as legendary singer Sam Cooke and received a nod for writing, composing and performing the film’s original song, Speak Now. Odom was also nominated for a BAFTA, Critics Choice, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild award for the same performance.
Odom is perhaps best known for his role as Aaron Burr in the highly acclaimed Broadway musical Hamilton, for which he won a Tony Award in 2016.
Odom will be performing two sets with the Spokane Symphony under the direction of Music Director and Conductor James Lowe.
“We are thrilled to be welcoming Leslie Odom, Jr. to Whitworth and to perform with the Spokane Symphony,” says Whitworth Interim President-Elect Scott McQuilkin. “His talents are immense, as a Tony Award winner for Hamilton, a Grammy Award winner, and most recently an Academy Award nominee. I believe this event will be a special opportunity for our community. Mr. Odom’s appearance aligns with the celebration of the university’s $155 million fundraising effort, The Campaign for Whitworth, for which the Cowles Music Center was a signature facility. We opened the public phase of the campaign celebrating the musical arts. We will close the campaign in similar fashion.”
Odom has released four studio albums, including two holiday records and his chart-topping, self-titled debut. He has performed at the White House, the Super Bowl, and on stages at the Lincoln Center and Rockefeller Center. In 2018, he published his first book, Failing Up: How to Take Risks, Aim Higher and Never Stop Learning.
His upcoming film projects include The Many Saints of Newark, a prequel to David Chase’s Award-winning HBO series The Sopranos set to be released this fall, and Needle in a Timestack, written and directed by John Ridley. Additional film and television credits include the limited series Love in the Time of Corona, Harriet, Murder on the Orient Express, Only, Red Tails and Smash.
Tickets can be purchased through the Fox Theater.
About Whitworth University: Whitworth, which has an enrollment of more than 3,000 students, offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Contacts:
Michelle Drennen, director of university events, Whitworth University, (509) 777-3449 or iaevents@whitworth.edu.
Alison Highberger, public relations manager, Spokane Symphony, (509) 842-2943 or alisonhighberger@spokanesymphony.org
Trisha Coder, media relations manager, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or tcoder@whitworth.edu.
