BWW Exclusive: Montego Glover Gets Ready to Sing Boublil and Schonberg with New York Pops

On Monday, May 2, 2016, The New York Pops presents its 33rd birthday gala, celebrating the revolutionary collaborations of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, the songwriting team behind LES MISERABLES, Miss Saigon, and more. Serving as Honorary Co-Chairs for the event are musical theatre legends Sir Cameron Mackintosh and Patti LuPone.

The event begins at 7:00 PM with a concert in Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage, featuring a spectacular lineup of guest artists under the baton of Music Director Steven Reineke. The performance will highlight Boublil and Schönberg's tremendous four-decade partnership. Guest artists Jesse Tyler Ferguson,Montego Glover, Robert Marien, Laura Osnes, and Kyle Scatliffe join the previously announcedStephanie J. Block, Jon Jon Briones, Jeremy Jordan, Norm Lewis, Patti LuPone, Eva Noblezada, John Owen-Jones, Hugh Panaro, Lea Salonga, and Marie Zamora. The concert will also feature Judith Clurman's Essential Voices USA, as well as students from The New York Pops' Kids on Stage music education program and Camp Broadway Kids.

In anticipation of the big event, BroadwayWorld is checking in with some of the performers. Today, check out what Montego Glover had to say...

Do you have a favorite memory from working with Alain Boublil & Claude Schonberg?

My favorite memory of working with Alain & Claude-Michel would be when they came to the Imperial Theatre to see my performance as Fantine in Les Miserables. They used such simple but effective words, I'll never forget them: "'I Dreamed A Dream' is quite lovely. You are quite lovely. Keep doing what you're doing. It is beautiful." I was so grateful for their kindness and encouragement.

Do you have a favorite song or moment from a Boublil & Schonberg show?

My favorite moment from a Boublil/Schonberg show would be the final moments of "One Day More". It's sung with the full company and is loaded with the angst and the energy of the Revolution. I loved singing it every night on Broadway. Exhilarating.

Is there a role in a Boublil & Schonberg show that you'd like to play someday?

The other role I'd like to play in a Boublil/Schoenberg piece would be Gavroche from Les Miserables. He's spunky, smart, brave, and driven. He's awesome.

This year's gala will feature music students from The New York Pops' extensive education programs. What single piece of advice would you give to any young, aspiring performers?

My advice to aspiring artists would be study, study, study; see as much art as you can; and listen more than you talk.

What projects are coming up for you in future that you can share?

Upcoming projects for me include work on a new musical with a stellar company of actors and creatives. And a number of thrilling concert programs celebrating artists like Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra to name a few.

Advance benefit tickets to the concert-only range from $65 to $160 and can be purchased at www.newyorkpops.org.