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Make Believe: A Jerome Kern Tribute
February 4 | 7 pm
Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW    

Gulf Coast Symphony presents Make Believe – Jerome Kern Tribute. Immerse
yourself in the glorious world of musical theater as we pay homage to the brilliant
Jerome Kern. From “Ol’ Man River” to “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” experience the
magic of Kern’s timeless masterpieces, brought to life by our exceptionally talented
performers. Get ready for an evening of pure theatrical delight!

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Meet the Stars of Make Believe


Erika Henningsen is a Bay Area native most known for originating the starring
role of Cady Heron in the Tony-nominated hit musical, Mean Girls. Prior to Mean
Girls, she played Fantine opposite Ramin Karimloo in the recent Broadway revival
of Les Miserables. She made her New York stage debut in the New York Philharmonic
production of Show Boat, conducted by Ted Sperling at Alice Tully Hall, which was
subsequently released on PBS as part of the Live From Lincoln Center concert series.
Other theater credits include Beth in the acclaimed musical adaptation of Barry
Levinson’s hit movie, Diner, helmed by Kathleen Marshall for Signature Theater in D.C.,
Nellie Forbush in South Pacific and Sophie in Mamma Mia! at the Pittsburgh Civic Light
Opera, as well as Nina in Dear World opposite Tyne Daly.


Jason Forbach, whose “Commanding tenor”- Kansas City Star “has charisma in spades” –
Washington Post, has a career ranging across the opera, symphony and Broadway stage.
Recently, Jason famously stepped into the lead role of The Baker last minute on opening
night in the acclaimed 2022 Broadway revival of Into the Woods alongside Sara Barielles
and is currently playing Rapunzel’s Prince in the National Tour of the same show. The
Daily News described his star turn as “excellent.” He also starred as Raoul, Vicomte de
Changy in The Phantom of the Opera at the Majestic Theater and Enjolras in the 2014
Tony nominated Broadway revival of Les Miserables, where he reprised the role he
played on the 25th Anniversary National Tour.


Nicholas Ward was recently featured in the hit Broadway revival of The Music Man star-
ring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster, playing Oliver Hix (the baritone in the quartet). His
past Broadway credits include playing the role of Mufasa in The Lion King, King Agnarr in
Disney’s Frozen, Chris in In Transit, and Miss Turnstile’s Announcer in On the Town. Ward
has also had the great pleasure of performing in eight New York City Center Encores! Pro-
ductions including: Brigadoon, Cabin in the Sky, Pipe Dream, The Golden Apple, 1776,
Zorba, Paint Your Wagon, and Annie Get Your Gun. Lincoln Center Productions include
Camelot, and Andrew Lippa’s I am Harvey Milk. On film and television, he has appeared
in Shmigadoon, Frozen 2, Ricky and the Flash, The Tony Awards, The Tonight Show with
Jimmy Fallon, Good Morning America, One Night Only: The Best of Broadway, The Disney
Holiday Sing Along, and Rockefeller Center’s Tree Lighting.  

BUY TICKETS 239.481.4849 | GulfCoastSymphony.org



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