Executive & Artistic Director
Thor Steingraber
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Jeremy Jordan
Sat Apr 11 | 8PM
Run time: approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes including a 20-minute intermission ________ Generously underwritten by Owen W. and Christine H. Smith Endowment (Deirdre Larkin-Tingstrom, trustee) ________ Program | Program Note
An Interview With Jeremy Jordan
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Securing The Soraya’s Future
Support the Thor Steingraber Fund for Artistic Innovation to help us continue to bring new works, world premieres, and bold collaborations to life
In the fall of 2015, my family and I attended a performance at the Valley Performing Arts Center at CSUN. My son, David, had received his undergraduate degree from CSUN many years prior, and we were pleased to see how the campus had grown. The recollections that stand out most in my memory from that evening were the extraordinary venue, its artistic excellence, and my first time meeting Thor Steingraber. For those reasons, my family decided in 2017 to invest in The Soraya’s future and long-term sustainability. In the 10 years since, we have come to know Thor and his vision. Through his leadership, we have witnessed values we so admire come to life on this stage — in the artists, their work, and the experiences they create for Los Angeles’ many communities and for CSUN students. Thor’s dedication and imagination serve so many, and it is my wish that his legacy be preserved. In honor and recognition of Thor’s accomplishments, I am pleased to announce a new fund supporting the art and artists who will continue this work: the Thor Steingraber Fund for Artistic Innovation. From the performance that first introduced my family to this majestic venue a decade ago, to the many moments of beauty and inspiration that have graced its stage since, we have Thor to thank. I hope you will join me and my family in supporting this effort — to ensure that these performances, and the spirit they embody, thrive long into the future.
— Soraya Sarah Nazarian
Program Note
On a trip to NYC last year, I had the opportunity to witness ubertalent Jeremy Jordan performing the title role in The Great Gatsby. His vocal range was endless, and he was riveting in his portrayal of the character made infamous in American literature and film. Broadway concerts are a regular feature at The Soraya each year, and Jordan is part of a long list of today’s leading artists to perform here, including Leslie Odom Jr., Joshua Henry, Aaron Tveit, and Kelli O’Hara. Two of Jordan’s leading ladies have also made appearances at The Soraya previously: Megan Hilty from the TV show “Smash,” and Eva Noblezada, Jordan’s co-star from Gatsby. In the coming season, we will welcome Audra McDonald in her Soraya debut concert. It’s an embarrassment of riches. At one of the past concerts, we noticed ticket buyers from zip codes all over the United States. We’ve established quite a reputation, and Broadway fans travel far to enjoy more of their favorite stars than they might experience in any single performance in New York, especially if they arrive at a Broadway performance to learn that the understudy is going on. Turns out The Soraya is the “room where it happens.”
Gratefully,
Thor Steingraber
Executive and Artistic Director, Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts
Jeremy Jordan
Jeremy Jordan will next star as Bobby Darin in Just in Time on Broadway. Recently, he originated the title role in The Great Gatsby, and he received Tony and Drama Desk nominations for the acclaimed Floyd Collins at Lincoln Center. On TV, Jordan has starred as a series regular in “Supergirl,” “Smash,” “Hazbin Hotel,” and “Tangled.” He’s best known on Broadway for his Tony- and Grammy Award-nominated portrayal of Jack Kelly in Newsies. Additional Broadway credits include Bonnie & Clyde (Theatre World Award), West Side Story, Waitress, American Son, and Rock of Ages. Off-Broadway: Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors. Films include: The Last 5 Years opposite Anna Kendrick; Joyful Noise with Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton; American Son with Kerry Washington; and Spinning Gold. Jordan is also the lead singer of the band Age of Madness. His concerts and cabaret shows have won raves and awards worldwide.
An Interview With Jeremy Jordan
The Soraya
The Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (The Soraya/Producer) is an award-winning, state-of-the-art 1,700-seat theater that opened in 2011 as the Valley Performing Arts Center. Through a transformative gift by Younes and Soraya Nazarian, the venue was renamed The Soraya in 2017. The Soraya is located on the campus of California State University, Northridge, the intellectual and cultural heart of the San Fernando Valley.
Executive and Artistic Director Thor Steingraber, in his 12th year leading the organization, sums up what makes The Soraya a central piece of Los Angeles arts and culture. “At The Soraya, we hold a high standard of excellence for every performance from a vast array of artistic disciplines, and we hold steadfast to our commitment to the value and impact of the performing arts in community-building, for the Valley’s 1.8 million residents and beyond.”
The Soraya’s 2025–26 Season is a journey through the expansive sounds of orchestras, the freestyle vibes of jazz, the innovations of dance luminaries, and a vast array of global voices. The Soraya continues its vigorous commitment to excelling, innovating, and amplifying access for Valley residents, students, and arts lovers across Southern California.