Sergio Mendes coming to Geffen Playhouse for four performances

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Here’s one to catalog in the strange pairings department. The Geffen Playhouse announced Thursday that it will team with Brazilian bossa-nova legend Sergio Mendes for four concerts March 10-13. The theater company said Mendes will perform with his 10-piece band on the Geffen mainstage. The special event is tied to the musician’s upcoming album, ‘Celebration: A Musical Journey.’

The Geffen said that Mendes will perform old bossa-nova favorites as well as more recent numbers. He also will perform songs from the new animated movie ‘Rio,’ which will be released April 15 and to which he contributed music. Tickets for the concerts range from $42 to $102. The top prices will get you access to a VIP lounge by Audi, which is the presenting sponsor of the concerts.

Mendes is set to appear after Neil LaBute’s drama ‘The Break of Noon’ closes on the main stage. While concerts are a rarity on the Geffen stage, they aren’t unprecedented. In its earlier life as the Westwood Playhouse, it played host to musicians including Wynton Marsalis. But the company’s bread and butter is theatrical dramas and, to a lesser degree, musicals.

Mendes, who turns 70 in February, released the albums ‘Bom Tempo’ and ‘Bom Tempo Brasil’ last year.

RELATED:

New plays by Jane Anderson, Neil LaBute announced for Geffen’s 2010-11 season

Join our live chat with playwright Neil LaBute

David Duchovny to star in Neil LaBute’s ‘The Break of Noon’

-- David Ng