2018-19 SEASON
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PHILLYPOPS.ORG OR CALL 215.893.1999
OCTOBER 12, 2018
CONCERT PROGRAM
Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
Selections will be announced from the stage. Songs will include, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “I Will Always Love You,” and numbers from The Wizard of Oz, Aida, and The Wiz. There will be a 25 minute intermission.
Heather Headley Hugh Panaro, special guest artist Ron Colvard, conductor
THE PHILLY POPS ROSTER 1ST VIOLIN
CELLO
TRUMPET
Michael Ludwig Rachael Ludwig Blake Espy Robert Vieira Paul Reiser Alexandra Cutler-Fetkewicz Juliette Javaheri Joseph Kauffman
Uli Boeckheler Jon Fink George Atanasiu Brooke Beazley
Matt Gallagher Dave DiValentino
2ND VIOLIN
Ron Kerber
Michelle Bishop Tamae Lee Greg Teperman Gabriela Mandescu Louis Lanza Sarah Dubois
OBOE
VIOLA Marjorie Goldberg Ellen Trainer Scott Wagner Sarah Sutton
HARP Andre Tarantiles
FLUTE
David Schneider
CLARINET Mark Allen
HORN John David Smith George Barnett
TROMBONE Randy Kapralick Jarred Antonacci
DRUM SET Joe Nero
GUITAR Kevin Hanson
BASS Steve Beskrone
PIANO AJ Luca
guest artist
HEATHER HEADLEY Described by Billboard Magazine as “among the top singers with a vocal that absolutely astounds with its intensity ... This woman is one of the great entertainers of the day, on record and on stage.” Tony and Grammy Award winner Heather Headley originated the role of Nala in the original Broadway cast of Elton John and Tim Rice’s hit Tony-winning musical, The Lion King. She won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical for her portrayal as the title role of Aida. Heather followed up her Broadway success on the pop charts with her 2002 debut album This Is Who I Am. Two songs — “He Is” and “I Wish I Wasn’t” — both emerged as Top 5 R&B and Dance chart hits. The album earned numerous accolades, including Grammy Award nominations for Best New Artist and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards for R&B/Soul Album of the Year and Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist, NAACP Image Awards nominations for Outstanding New Artist and Outstanding Female Artist, and BET Awards in the “Cool Like That” category. The title track of her long-awaited second solo album In My Mind became Heather’s first #1 hit, topping the Dance charts. Her third studio album Audience of One won the Grammy Award for the Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album. In 2016, Heather made a triumphant return to Broadway as Shug Avery in The Color Purple. Over the past few years, she has displayed her versatility as one of Andrea Bocelli’s favorite singing partners in many of his American and international tours. She and the POPS performed in Bocelli’s 2015 and 2017 concerts at the Wells Fargo Center.
special guest artist
HUGH PANARO Hugh Panaro has been described as “the leader of Broadway’s dwindling supply of great leading men.” Critically lauded and adored by fans, he demonstrates versatility, charisma and tremendous vocal talent. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Hugh attended LaSalle High School, studied music at Temple University, and moved to New York City immediately after graduation. Hugh quickly found a role in I Have Found Home. In 1988, Hugh originated the role of Marius Pontmercy in the first national touring production of Les Misérables, moving up to the Broadway company several months later. In 1999, Hugh donned the iconic mask in The Phantom of the Opera at the Majestic Theatre. Six months later, he originated the title role in the U.S. tour of Martin Guerre. Following the tour, Hugh drew praise for performances in Gentleman Prefer Blondes and Merrily We Roll Along in Los Angeles and as Anthony Hope in the Kennedy Center’s 2002 production of Sweeney Todd. Hugh returned to play The Phantom in 2003. One of the most popular actors to fill the role, he remained with the show until October 2005, later returning on September 7, 2010 to lead the show’s historic 25th anniversary performance. In 2008, he starred as Jean Valjean in the Walnut Street Theatre’s outstanding production of Les Misérables, a role which earned him praise from audiences and reviewers alike, as well as the Barrymore award. The following spring, he played the title role in the 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of Sunday In The Park With George. He then starred in Oliver!, again at the Walnut Street Theatre in his native Philly, and also maintained an active concert schedule performing with symphonies around the world. His genuine charm and humility have made him a true fan favorite at many stage doors. Hugh is a self-described ‘animal freak’ with a particular fondness for dogs.
SPOTLIGHT The Philadelphia High School for Girls
The Treble Clef Choir of the Philadelphia High School for Girls is composed of 29 juniors and seniors who have demonstrated interest and skill in vocal arts and music. Girls High is known for its strong musical tradition. Led by Edda Aish, the choir performs regularly at assemblies, open houses, special programs, mother-daughter breakfasts, and recently at an alumnae luncheon. The choir is known for its performance of the first movement (the Procession) of “A Ceremony of Carols” by Benjamin Britten at its annual winter concert, which will be held this year on December 13.
SPOTLIGHT About Gelb Productions For more than four decades the Gelb family has been one of the leading independent music and entertainment producers and promoters in North America. During that time the Gelb family has worked with some of the world’s most notable acts in music including Andrea Bocelli; with whom Gelb has had the honor to work with for the past 19 years as Maestro Bocelli’s exclusive North American promoter. Additional notable acts include Luciano Pavarotti, The Three Tenors, Itzhak Perlman, Heather Headley, David Foster, Matisyahu, The Royal Philharmonic, and many others. The Gelbs have produced nationally broadcast PBS specials for Andrea Bocelli, included the famed Statue of Liberty Concert and Bocelli’s most recent PBS special Cinema. The Gelbs also created and executiveproduced the beloved David Foster & Friends television special along with a variety of other acclaimed live concert television specials and documentaries. More at gelbproductions.com
THE PHILLY POPS The Philly POPS, the largest standalone pops orchestra in the United States, delights audiences with the inspired performance of American popular music. The POPS celebrates this distinctive musical heritage through an expanding repertoire of innovative concert performances and a robust set of educational and engagement initiatives. Now in its 40th season, the official POPS orchestra of Pennsylvania serves a consistently growing audience of over 150,000 annually. Music Director Michael Krajewski and the 65-piece Philly POPS orchestra keeps listeners tapping their toes to an impressive repertoire of songs from American traditions of music up through today’s chart-toppers. The Philly POPS BIG Band, an 18-20 piece ensemble performing a rock and rhythm and blues repertoire, premiered in 2017 to enthusiastic response at the July 4 Welcome America Concert on the Parkway. Outside the concert hall, Salute Series performances — including POPS on Independence on July 3 and the I’ll Be Home for Christmas: A Salute to the Military and First Responders concert — celebrate the American tradition of service around important national holidays; POPS in Schools enhances music education for Philadelphia School District students; and POPS Outside brings POPS music to local communities. The Philly POPS performs as a founding resident company of The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, and at venues throughout the mid-Atlantic region.
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