JULY 3 2021-22 SEASON
COMCAST NBCUNIVERSAL
At the Mann Center for the Performing Arts
PROGRAM INFORMATION It's been 42 years since The Philly POPS performed its first Independence Day show! The Philly POPS continues its 42-year Independence tradition with POPS on Independence at The MANN. The POPS will perform an original program created and conducted by Music Director and Principal Conductor David Charles Abell, featuring Grammy & Tony nominee, Hamilton star Joshua Henry. A Philadelphia tradition, this performance is part of The Philly POPS Salute Series, honoring our nation’s traditions, values, and commitment to service. The POPS orchestra will perform patriotic favorites, showtunes, standards, and popular hits, along with a glimpse of the 2021–2022 LIGHTS UP! SHOWTIME! Season. POPS on Independence will also feature the live debut of “Madam (Vice) President,” a march that commemorates the 59th presidential inauguration. This work, composed by Marine Corps veteran Major Brian Dix (Ret.)—Director Laureate of the United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps, celebrates the extraordinary women in American politics present and future, namely Vice President Kamala Harris. The piece debuted virtually in 2021, with an all-women volunteer orchestra. “This performance is not only for women, but by women,” Dix said. “I want to pay tribute to their hard work over the past 100 years and to inspire younger women to march forward with their dreams.” Comcast NBCUniversal is the Presenting Sponsor of The Philly POPS Salute Series. This performance is presented in partnership with Wawa Welcome America. These free celebrations of community and tradition, which honor our shared commitment to service on holidays of American tradition, also rely on the generous support of Major Sponsors Bank of America, and Archer Law, as well as grants through partnership with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the City of Philadelphia.
POPS On Independence
PROGRAM “The Star-Spangled Banner” by John Stafford Smith “Strike Up the Band” by George Gershwin “Feelin’ Good” by Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley “Dear Theodosia” by Lin-Manuel Miranda American Salute Trad., arr. Morton Gould Souvenir d’Amérique Variations burlesques sur “Yankee Doodle” Trad., arr. Henri Vieuxtemps “Tomorrow” by Charles Strouse Madam Vice President March by Major Brian Dix (Ret.) United States Marine Corps Beatles!! Lennon and McCartney Favorites by John Lennon & Paul McCartney “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars et. al. “America the Beautiful” by Samuel A. Ward “The Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa
JULY 3, 2021 David Charles Abell music director and principal conductor
FEATURING Joshua Henry vocalist
music director and principal conductor
DAVID CHARLES ABELL Born in North Carolina, David grew up in the Mt. Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia. At the age of fourteen, he turned his attention to conducting and went on to study with Leonard Bernstein and Nadia Boulanger. He earned degrees from Yale University and the Juilliard School after intensive study of viola, piano, and composition. He has worked with such distinguished artists as Judi Dench, Emma Thompson, Idina Menzel, Heather Headley, Bryn Terfel, Josh Groban, Matthew Morrison and Michael Feinstein. Previously, as Guest Conductor and Principal Guest Conductor of The Philly POPS, he conducted Cole Porter’s Broadway: Too Darn Hot, Lenny’s Revolution, Blockbuster Broadway, and A Philly POPS Christmas in 2013, 2014, 2015, and again for the record-setting run of A Philly POPS Christmas in 2019 and the streamed performance in 2020. David has appeared regularly on television, most notably conducting the 10th and 25th Anniversary concerts of Les Misérables. He has conducted five times at London’s BBC Proms, including a live telecast of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!. Recordings include the musicals Miss Saigon, Martin Guerre and Man of La Mancha, Something’s Gotta Give with baritone Simon Keenleyside, Forever with soprano Diana Damrau, and highlights from La Bohème and Madama Butterfly with the Royal Philharmonic. In the UK, David recently conducted his own critical edition of Kiss Me, Kate for Opera North. He has conducted many of the premier British orchestras, including the London Symphony, City of Birmingham, Bournemouth, and Royal Philharmonic. His work with the BBC Symphony Orchestra includes a centenary concert honoring his mentor Leonard Bernstein in 2018. A much-respected artist in London’s West End, David conducted the Olivier Awards ceremony for four years and was Andrew Lloyd Webber’s personal choice to lead the world premiere of Love Never Dies at the Adelphi Theatre. David’s recent projects have included a series of Gershwin concerts at Kyiv National Theatre of Operetta in Ukraine, Carousel at the Vienna Volksoper and Sweeney Todd at the Zurich Opera House. David also conducted Barrie Kosky’s production of The Magic Flute at Opera Philadelphia, West Side Story at the Glimmerglass Festival, and Silent Night, Kevin Puts’ acclaimed opera about the World War I Christmas Truce, in Kansas City, Cincinnati and Detroit.
guest vocalist
JOSHUA HENRY Joshua Henry can currently be seen starring opposite Jason Momoa in SEE Season 1 for Apple TV. Stay tuned for Season 2! Most recently, Joshua appeared Off- Broadway in THE WRONG MAN at MCC Theatre. Prior to his critically acclaimed performance in THE WRONG MAN, Joshua starred on Broadway as the iconic ‘Billy Bigelow’ in the revival of CAROUSEL for which he received a coveted Tony and Grammy nomination. Before headlining in CAROUSEL, Joshua starred as ‘Aaron Burr’ in the cultural phenomenon, HAMILTON, in Los Angeles. Joshua has also starred on Broadway as ‘Noble Sissle’ in George C. Wolfe’s Tony-nominated musical SHUFFLE ALONG. Joshua was Tony- nominated for his star turn as ‘Flick’ in the musical VIOLET. He received Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Drama League Award nominations for his thrilling, show-stopping performance. He was previously nominated for a Tony Award for his leading role in Susan Stroman’s THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS. Other Broadway credits include leading roles in PORGY & BESS and Green Day’s AMERICAN IDIOT. Upcoming: Tick, Tick...Boom (Netflix/ Imagine Entertainment).
THE PHILLY POPS ROSTER 1ST VIOLIN
Michael Ludwig Rachael Ludwig Robert Vieira Guillaume Combet Paul Reiser Alexandra Cutler Fetkewicz Curtis Stewart Joseph Kauffman Rebecca Ansel Gabriela Mandescu
2ND VIOLIN
Michelle Bishop Yu-Hui Tamae Lee Gregory Teperman Diane Barnett Sarah Dubois Tess Varley James Finegan Natalie Rudoi
VIOLA
STRING BASS Daniel McDougall Mary Javian Elizabeth Cochran
HARP
Andre Tarantiles
FLUTE
Ed Schultz Ron Kerber Frances Tate
TRUMPET Matt Gallagher Bob Gravener George Rabbai Dan Wright
TROMBONE Paul Arbogast Brian Pastor Dave Cianci
TUBA
Brian Brown
OBOE
David Schneider Geoffrey Deemer
CLARINET
Joe Smith Kaj Hansen Mark Allen
TIMPANI Dave Nelson
PERCUSSION
William Kerrigan Victor Pablo Ralph Sorrentino
Davis Barnett Marj Goldberg Scott Wagner Sarah Sutton Gerry Rice Nina Cottman
Norman Spielberg Greg Riley
Jeffrey Smith
FRENCH HORN
Steve Beskrone
CELLO
John David-Smith Adam Lesnick Todd Williams George Barnettt
Ulrich Boeckheler Jon Fink George Atanasiu Brooke Beazley Glenn Fischbach Talia Schiff
BASSOON
PIANO
ELECTRIC BASS
GUITAR
Kevin Hanson
DRUMS
Joe Nero
CREDITS David Charles Abell Music Director & Principal Conductor Joshua Henry Vocalist Karen Corbin Executive Producer Keith Obaza Director of Production Austin Berner Producer John F. Meko Associate Producer Dan McCain Associate Producer Will Farr Graphic Design
Gabe Cohen Motion Graphics Bauder Audio Audio and Mixing Support Michael Comstock Live Sound Mix for Broadcast Andrew Bennum Monitor Engineer Craig Kaufmann Front of House Mix Debbie Lobel Director of Operations at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts Metropolitan Flag and Banner Co. Decor Clair Global Backline Produced in part by Live Nation
Production Company Our People Entertainment Mark Haney Director Will Horrocks Producer Greg Brown Technical Director Ryan Murray Jeremy Theopulos Justin Wyatt Camera Operators Gabe Cohen Editor
Presented by Wawa Welcome America
About the Salute Series The Philly POPS Salute Series encourages recognition of service and commitment through an expanding set of events and activities — each transformative moments of celebration for our community. Salute performances recognize the service and sacrifice of those dedicated to a collective identity of American values and tradition.
SALUTE SERIES 2021 EVENTS POPS ON VETERANS SALUTE INDEPENDENCE November 11, 2021 July 3, 2021
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Mann Center for the Performing Arts
I’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS: A SALUTE TO THE MILITARY AND FIRST IN CELEBRATION OF RESPONDERS INDEPENDENCE DAY December 3, 2021
July 4, 2021
The Kimmel Center, Verizon Hall
• POPS at the Celebration of Freedom Ceremony • WAWA Welcome America July 4th Concert at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts
PRESENTED BY SALUTE SERIES PRESENTING SPONSOR
SUBSCRIPTION SERIES PRESENTING SPONSOR THE ETHEL SARGEANT CLARK SMITH MEMORIAL FUND