On Saturday, March 14, the San Diego Symphony presents the timeless classics of George and Ira Gershwin in The Gershwins on Broadway with Rob Fisher at Jacobs Music Center. Headlining the concert are real-life married couple and Broadway favorites Colin Donnell and Patti Murin, whose natural chemistry and celebrated stage careers make them the perfect interpreters of the Gershwins’ love songs.

To get a glimpse behind the music, we recently spoke with Donnell and Murin about performing these special "Great American Songbook" classics together, their connection to the Gershwins’ repertoire, and what audiences can expect from this special one-night-only performance. Here’s what they had to say:

How did you meet each other?

Patti: We met through a mutual friend about seven years before we started dating. So, we were friends long before we got romantic. And then, when we did Love's Labour's Lost together at the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park, we just saw each other in a different light. We call it “The Summer of Love.”

What are you looking forward to in your mainstage performance at the Jacobs Music Center?

Patti: We've never done a full concert together before, much less one with such glorious music in one of our favorite cities in the country. We've both spent time in San Diego doing shows, so we are always excited to come back!

Colin: We don’t often get to perform together, and we’ve never really done a concert together and I’ve really enjoyed the process of putting the show together and can’t wait to perform this beautiful music together. We’ve also been very fortunate to work together a few times and one of those was in the Gershwin show Lady Be Good with Rob Fisher music directing for us at New York City Center.

Have you discovered anything in these great American songs working with Rob Fisher on this program?

Patti: I knew quite a few of these songs because my first show out of college was Crazy For You, and then of course there are the old standards that most people are aware of, like "'S Wonderful" and "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off." But it's fascinating to see how the Gershwins grew and matured through the years with their songwriting, and how many little phrases or motifs from very early songs make their way into later, more complex pieces.

Colin: Both Patti and I were familiar with quite a bit of the Gershwin catalog (Patti more than I, admittedly) but it’s been a joy getting to dive into music that I wasn’t as familiar with and any chance I get to work with Rob is always a joy.

How are you balancing life with two busy professional artistic careers?

Patti: We wouldn't be able to do what we do in our careers if we didn't have the village that we do. Our parents have provided a massive amount of support, plus we have excellent babysitters and friends who are always willing to step up in an emergency. We also have to be pretty selective with what we commit to. But both of our girls love music and singing, and our 5-year-old makes up songs constantly. So I think that's a good sign!

Colin: I think we are figuring it out as we go along! In so many ways it’s put everything in perspective and rearranged priorities in a wonderful way. Patti will probably put it much better, but for my money the secret is being able to make each other laugh. No one can make me laugh harder or smile bigger than Patti and it makes the tough moments a lot easier. Also, we are happy to encourage anything that our girls really enjoy doing. 

 

Are there any bucket list/dream Broadway roles you would like to perform together?

Patti: I would love to do a revised revival of Annie Get Your Gun with Colin!

Colin: I’ve had a long dream of doing a revival of Singing in the Rain and I can’t think of anyone I’d have more fun doing it with than Patti. Any chance I get to work with her feels like a dream come true.

What aspects of the stage bring you the greatest enjoyment, and what elements of screen acting resonate most with you?

Patti: I love performing for people who love theater and art and music. Anyone who purchases a ticket for a concert or a show or a performance piece has some level of passion for what we do and knowing that when I step out onstage is a gift every single time.

Colin: For me stage vs. screen is like apples and oranges. There are elements of both that you just can’t get when you’re doing one or the other, and I love them both. It’s worked out very fortunately that in between jobs on screen I’ve been able to come back to work in a play or musical and scratch that particular itch. I’ll consider myself very lucky if the rest of my career continues to work like that!

tickets

Please note: The San Diego Symphony does not appear on this program.