Sutton Foster, Seth MacFarlane, Marin Mazzie, Mandy Patinkin and More Slated for Boston Pops' 2016 Season
By: BWW News Desk Feb. 19, 2016
We have a feeling Broadway fans are going to love the 2016 Boston Pops season, running May 6-June 18, under the direction of conductor Keith Lockhart. Featuring classic Boston Pops programming, including film scores of the silver screen, ballads from Broadway and the great American Songbook, classic rock anthems, and a Gospel Night spectacular, along with an impressive lineup of Boston Pops debuts, new programs that spotlight the best of the worlds of dance and puppetry, and the return of last year's audience favorite -- Pops On Demand: You Choose the Tunes -- the lineup features a slew of Broadway talent, including Sutton Foster, Mandy Patinkin, and Marin Mazzie & Jason Danieley.
The 2016 Boston Pops season opens and closes with the debuts of two widely popular artists from the entertainment world: on Friday, May 6, the season opens with Seth MacFarlane singing American Songbook classics from the '40s and '50s; the season closes on June 17 and 18 with Brian Wilson performing Pet Sounds, widely acclaimed as one of the greatest albums of all time.
The 2016 Boston Pops season will also see the debuts of Sutton Foster, in an evening of song and dance, reprising many of her hit songs from her versatile Broadway career (5/26 & 27), and American conductor David Charles Abell, leading a Gershwin celebration, featuring the Pops's acclaimed arrangements from its extraordinary library of more than 3,500 of exclusive works (5/18&19).
Keith Lockhart and the Pops also welcome first-time appearances by performers from Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance (5/7&8), and the first-ever collaboration with the University of Connecticut's highly acclaimed puppet arts program, whose alumni have created and performed puppets for Avenue Q, The Lion King, and The Muppets, among many other mainstream movies and Broadway shows (5/21). In addition, the legendary Darlene Love, in her Boston Pops debut, joins conductor Charles Floyd for the annual Gospel Night program (6/11).
One of the most versatile entertainers working today, Mandy Patinkin, who last performed with Keith Lockhart and the Pops on the maestro's inaugural concert at Symphony Hall in 1995, returns to the orchestra for the Fidelity Investments Young Artists Competition Night (June 7) and the 35th annual Presidents at Pops corporate fundraiser (June 8). Tom Scholz joins Keith Lockhart and the Pops for performances of some of BOSTON's biggest hits of the 70's and 80's (5/10&11). The 2016 Boston Pops season welcomes the return of favorite artist Liz Callaway, featured in a full symphonic tribute to Carole King (6/9&10).
The season will also feature annual traditions such as the ever popular Film Night with Boston Pops Laureate Conductor John Williams and Keith Lockhart leading the orchestra in an evening of film music classics, as well as music from Mr. Williams' new score to Star Wars: The Force Awakens (5/12&13). Keith Lockhart leads two recent programming favorites, including a special film presentation of Raiders of the Lost Ark, with a full orchestral score performed by the Boston Pops (6/3&4). Following its highly successful debut last year, Pops on Demand: You Choose the Tunes, under the direction of Mr. Lockhart, returns to the Pops lineup, inviting audience members to use their mobile phones in real time to choose the music they want to hear performed (5/25, 6/1&14). Detailed program descriptions for the 2016 Boston Pops season appear below.
Tickets to the 2016 Boston Pops season, priced from $24 to $130, go on sale to the public on February 22, at 888-266-1200 or www.bostonpops.org. Audience initiatives include a 50% off ticket deal for the May 8 and May 21 concerts for children ages 17 and younger, a Choose-Your-Own custom subscription, and 15% off for groups of 25 or more. Tickets may be purchased online at www.bostonpops.org or by phone through SymphonyCharge at 617-266-1200 or 888-266-1200.
Affectionately known as "America's Orchestra," the Boston Pops, founded in 1885, is the most recorded and arguably the most beloved orchestra in the country, beginning with the establishment of the modern-era Pops by Arthur Fiedler (1930-1979) and continuing through the innovations introduced by John Williams (1980-1993) and the new-millennium Pops spearheaded by Keith Lockhart (1995-present). Having led more than 1,700 Boston Pops concerts, Keith Lockhart marks his twenty-second season as Boston Pops Conductor in 2016. The Boston Pops season takes place in the festive atmosphere of world-famous Symphony Hall, where patrons sit at cabaret-style tables and order food and drink with family and friends, all while taking in the music and entertainment presented by the one and only Boston Pops. The 2016 Boston Pops season, May 6-June 18, under the direction of conductor Keith Lockhart, presents a wide spectrum of musical styles, representing both timeless favorites from the orchestra's 131-year tradition of music-making and new programming directions that feature current pop culture trends designed to appeal to both the orchestra's treasured loyal audiences and newcomers to the Boston Pops experience.
2016 BOSTON POPS SEASON:
Opening Night with Seth MacFarlane
Keith Lockhart, Conductor
Friday, May 6, 8 p.m.
Best known as the creator of Family Guy, Ted, and American Dad!, Oscar- and Grammy-nominated producer/actor/director Seth MacFarlane is also a baritone with a love of the Great American Songbook. MacFarlane, who was raised in New England and lived and worked in Boston, joins Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops for a program of classic songs from the '40s and '50s including "Old Devil Moon,""I Have Dreamed," and "Some Enchanted Evening."Mr. MacFarlane has some surprises in store for Boston Pops audiences, including several brand-new arrangements. Seth MacFarlane's third studio album, No One Ever Tells You, was released in September 2015. Learn more about the album from this interview with "Access Hollywood" and listen to the title track here. Learn more about Seth MacFarlane on Facebook or by following him on Twitter.
Dancing with a Twist
Keith Lockhart, Conductor
TBA, special guests
Saturday, May 7, 8 p.m. & Sunday, May 8, 3 p.m. (Mother's Day)
In a Boston Pops first, dancers from the wildly popular competitive television programs Dancing With the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance will join the Boston Pops and American Idol vocalists for an evening of music and dance on the Symphony Hall stage. These extraordinary performers will be featured in a wide spectrum of dance styles, including ballroom, contemporary, swing, jazz, and tap, accompanied by the Boston Pops performing music as varied as "Singin' in the Rain," "Walking in Memphis," "The Prayer," and "Zoot Suit Riot." Both performances will also feature the Boston Symphony Youth Concerto competition winner Hojoon Kim performing Liszt's Totentanz. Learn more about the Dancing with a Twist program on Facebook!
Classic Rock from Beatles to Led Zeppelin
Tom Scholz, special guest
Keith Lockhart, Conductor
Tuesday & Wednesday, May 10 & 11, 8 p.m.
Joined by legendary guitarist Tom Scholz of the band BOSTON, the Boston Pops and Keith Lockhart will present Classic Rock from Beatles to Led Zeppelin, showcasing some of the most famous rock and roll classics of the past 50 years, including songs by Led Zeppelin, Queen, and the Beatles. Mr. Scholz-an MIT graduate-blocked out time from BOSTON's busy tour schedule specifically to travel back to his hometown to perform "More Than a Feeling" and some of BOSTON's other biggest hits with Keith and the Pops. The orchestra will also take audiences on a classic rock odyssey, from the music of such R & B greats as Chuck Berry to the music of Meatloaf and U2.
The orchestra will also pay special tributes to two legends of rock, David Bowie and to Eagles frontman Glenn Frey, whose lives were lost in 2016. The concert will be hosted by WROR's Loren and Wally, two of Boston's most popular radio personalities. This video of Tom Scholz's surprise career switch from Polaroid employee to rock icon gives a taste of the type of energy and excitement the Pops set out to capture in the Classic Rock from Beatles to Led Zeppelin performances.
John Williams' Film Night
John Williams & Keith Lockhart, Conductors
Thursday & Friday, May 12 & 13, 8 p.m.
The one and only John Williams returns to the Pops stage to lead Film Night, one of the most treasured annual Pops traditions since 1997. Sure to be a highlight of the evening, Mr. Williams, who will share the evening's conducting duties with Keith Lockhart, will lead the orchestra in excerpts from his new score to Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The concert will also feature some of the most memorable movie music and film clips of all time, including several iconic movie themes by Williams himself-the brilliant composer of such scores as Jaws, Star Wars, the Indiana Jones films, and the Harry Potter series. Learn more about the Boston Pops Laureate Conductor in this 60 Minutes clip, and this interview about the creation of the Star Wars music. For a stream on the Boston Pops website of the orchestra performing John Williams music visit www.bso.org/mediacenter.
Gershwin Celebration
David Charles Abell, Conductor
Wednesday and Thursday, May 18 & 19, 8 p.m.
American conductor David Charles Abell, who has received critical and popular acclaim for his wide-ranging work with prominent orchestras, opera companies, and film music and musical theater projects in Europe and the United States, will make his Boston Pops debut leading a Gershwin Celebration. Mr. Abell will lead the Pops in some of George Gershwin's most beloved works including the iconic Rhapsody in Blue as well as music from Porgy and Bess and Gershwin's Broadway musicals. To learn more about David Charles Abell follow him on Twitter, check out his Facebook page, or visit him at www.davidcharlesabell.com. To view David Charles Abell's musical theater work, watch this video of the maestro conducting music from Follies during the Sondheim at 80 concert at the BBC Proms in 2010. This concert will also feature vocalists Nicole Cabell and Nmon Ford, as well as Charlie Albright on piano.
Puppets Take the Pops
University of Connecticut's Puppet Arts Program, special guests
Keith Lockhart, Conductor
Saturday, May 21, 3 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Tuesday, May 24, 8 p.m. (Arthur Fiedler Night / Harvard 50th Reunion night)
The Boston Pops partners for the first time with the University of Connecticut's acclaimed Puppet Arts Program-whose alumni include creators and performers of the iconic puppets of The Lion King, Sesame Street, and Avenue Q-for a program entitled Puppets Take the Pops. This special program will feature imaginative puppets created especially to tell the beloved story of Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf and new creations to accompany a suite of works by iconic American composer and Boston Pops arranger Leroy Anderson. The performances will demonstrate the amazing variety, size, scale, and creativity of puppet arts. The production will be the culmination of a semester-long seminar for Puppet Arts Program undergraduate and graduate students, who will visit Symphony Hall and work with Keith Lockhart to create puppets for the Pops. Learn more about UCONN's Puppet Arts Program by visiting the department's website and by watching this great video about the unique program.
Pops On Demand: You Choose the Tunes
Keith Lockhart, Conductor
Wednesday, May 25, Wednesday, June 1, and Tuesday, June 14, 8 p.m.
Based on the tremendous success of last year's debut of Pops on Demand, the Boston Pops will invite its audiences to help choose the music to be performed at the concerts they attend. This interactive concert experience-where audience members cast live votes from their mobile devices to help program a portion of the concert-will offer concertgoers three song options to choose from within several different genres of music, such as classical, film, Broadway, and rock (specific voting categories to be announced at a later date). This year will also feature a "Player's Choice" voting category, giving the Boston Pops musicians their pick of songs as they vote from the stage. For a taste of this series, take a look at this video of audience members dancing in the aisles to ABBA's "Dancing Queen" during the 2015 Spring Pops Pops on Demand concerts!
A Broadway Evening with Sutton Foster
Keith Lockhart, Conductor
Thursday and Friday, May 26 & 27 8 p.m.
Tony award-winning Broadway star Sutton Foster, who was elevated from Broadway chorus girl to playing the lead in Thoroughly Modern Millie, is now one of Broadway's most versatile leading ladies, having originated the leading roles in seven Broadway shows, including Anything Goes, Little Women, The Drowsy Chaperone, Young Frankenstein, and Shrek. The Boston Pops is proud to present Ms. Foster in her debut with the orchestra in performances of many of the great Broadway hits for which she is best known, among them "Gimmie Gimmie" from Thoroughly Modern Millie and "I Get a Kick Out of You" from Anything Goes. Ms. Foster delighted audiences as the lead in the ABC Family television series Bunheads from 2012 to 2013 and is currently sharing the screen with Hilary Duff as the star of surprise hit TV Land dramedy Younger. For a glimpse into Sutton Foster's theatrical charm read the rave reviews of Younger in the New York Times and The New Yorker. Learn more about Sutton Foster on Facebook, Twitter, or her personal website where you can watch numerous videos of the star. The May 26 performance will also feature the world premiere of a trumpet piece written by Boston Pops Trumpet Michael Martin for BSO Assistant Principal Trumpet Benjamin Wright.
Raiders of the Lost Ark Live with the Boston Pops: Special 35th Anniversary Celebration
Keith Lockhart, Conductor
Friday, June 3, 8 p.m. & Saturday, June 4, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Boston Pops maestro Keith Lockhart will perform the full score to Raiders of the Lost Ark, written by Boston Pops Conductor Laureate John Williams, during three special concerts this June. Steven Spielberg, Harrison Ford, and John Williams fans won't want to miss full screenings of this classic adventure story in its 35th anniversary. Raiders of the Lost Ark Live with the Boston Pops is a chance to appreciate first-hand how much great orchestral scores enhance the magic of the cinematic experience. Take a look through this article on Mental Floss to brush up on your Raiders of the Lost Ark trivia while listening to the March from Raiders or watching the film's original 1981 trailer.
Keith Lockhart, Conductor
Mandy Patinkin, special guest
Tuesday, June 7, 8 p.m. (& Wednesday. June 8, at 8 p.m., Presidents at Pops)
The Boston Pops and conductor Keith Lockhart welcome Mandy Patinkin, one of the most versatile entertainers working today, back to the Symphony Hall stage for Fidelity Investments Young Artists Competition Night on Tuesday, June 7, and for the 35th Annual Presidents at Pops corporate fundraiser on Wednesday, June 8. Known for a phenomenally diverse career across Broadway, film, and television, Mandy Patinkin has defined iconic roles such as the beloved Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride, the original Georges Seurat from Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park With George, and Ché from the first production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita. Most recently, Mr. Patinkin's broad artistic range has landed him the role of Saul Berenson on the dark and compelling Showtime series Homeland. Before heading to Jordan to film the next season of Homeland, Mr. Patinkin will join forces with Keith and the Pops to perform music from his concert repertoire including some of his Broadway hits. Mandy Patinkin last performed with the Pops in Keith Lockhart's first concert as Boston Pops Conductor in 1995. Learn more about the performer on his concert website. Now in its eighth year, the Fidelity Investments Young Artists Competition provides talented Massachusetts high school students the chance to perform with the Boston Pops on June 7. For more information or to apply, click here. The application deadline is March 21. Alongside its sister event, A Company Christmas at Pops, Presidents at Pops has raised 52 million dollars since its inception in 1982.
Tapestry: The Carole King Songbook
Michael Krajewski, Conductor
Liz Callaway, special guest
Thursday and Friday June 9 & 10, 8 p.m.
Tony Award nominee Liz Callaway will perform classic hits from the Carole King songbook, including "It's Too Late," "Locomotion," "So Far Away," "You've Got A Friend," "I Feel the Earth Move," "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow," "Natural Woman," and more. Callaway will also pay tribute to Carole King's career as the prolific songwriter of many tunes listeners may not directly associate with the celebrated performer. Here's an example of some songs listeners may be surprised to learn are part of the Carole King Songbook. Led by Philly Pops Music Director Michael Krajewski, who last appeared with the Boston Pops in 1993, the concert will also feature Broadway performers Allison Blackwell and Bryce Ryness, who recently played Woof in a Broadway revival of Hair. Learn more about Carole King's life and career on her website and watch some videos of Liz Callaway performing here.
Gospel Night
Charles Floyd, Conductor
Darlene Love, special guest
Saturday, June 11, 8 p.m.
The Boston Pops and the Boston Pops Gospel Choir will be led by conductor/pianist/composer Charles Floyd for the 24th annual Gospel Night at Pops. This rousing performance will feature legendary singer Darlene Love and the voices of the all-volunteer Boston Pops Gospel Choir. Called "one of the gratest singers of all time," by Rolling Stone, Darlene Love performed backup vocals for Dionne Warwick, Marvin Gaye, and Elvis Presley before breaking out as a star in her own right. She was also featured in the Academy Award-winning film Twenty Feet from Stardom, which explored the fascinating lives of some of the music industry's most prominent backup singers. The performance will showcase some of the most recognized tunes in gospel, jazz, R&B, and pop as well as such gospel hits as "Lean on Me" "Marvelous" "Who Under Heaven" and "Please Be Patient With Me." Watch the music video of "Forbidden Nights" from Darlene's 2015 album Introducing Darlene Love here.
The Golden Age of Broadway
Keith Lockhart, conductor
Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley, special guests
Wednesday and Thursday, June 15 & 16, 8 p.m.
The Boston Pops and conductor Keith Lockhart will perform two concerts devoted to "The Golden Age of Broadway," during which musical fans can sing along to tunes from such Broadway hits as The Sound of Music, Carousel, Cabaret, and more. The Pops boasts full orchestra scores of many of the great Broadway productions in its unparalleled library of 3500 exclusive arrangements, and will draw on some of the best-loved music for these concerts. The orchestra will be joined by Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley, the dynamic husband-and-wife Broadway power couple, to celebrate the best of musical theater. Learn more about Marin and Jason on their website or by following Marin and Jason on Twitter. Take a look at this inspiring New York Times article about Marin Mazzie's return to the concert stage after a difficult battle with cancer in 2015.
Brian Wilson: Pet Sounds & Greatest Hits
TBD, Conductor
Brian Wilson, special guest
Friday and Saturday, June 17 & 18, 8 p.m.
Named one of the best albums of all time, the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds-whose legendary tracks include "Wouldn't It Be Nice," "God Only Knows," and "Sloop John B"-revolutionized pop music with its unique approach to harmonies and by the introduction of new sounds such as bicycle bells, dog whistles, Coke cans, and the theremin. Headlined by the band's legendary co-founder, Brian Wilson with Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin, the Boston Pops will close the spring Pops season with cover-to-cover performances of Pet Sounds in celebration of the album's 50th anniversary. The concert is the only symphonic performance featured in the Pet Sounds 50th Anniversary World Tour, Brian Wilson's final performance of the album in its entirety. Follow Brian Wilson on Twitter and learn more about the Pet Sounds tour on Facebook.
BOSTON POPS FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR
The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular-one of the nation's proudest holiday traditions, which draws approximately 500,000 people annually to the Hatch Shell on Boston's Charles River Esplanade, will take place on Monday, July 4 celebrating its 43nd year. Following the success of the 2014 and 2015 live webcasts of the event, which garnered a cumulative 4 million viewers, this year's concert will once again be available for view at www.BostonPopsJuly4th.org; further program and broadcast details will be announced at a later date.
BOSTON POPS AT TANGLEWOOD AND ON THE CAPE
Boston Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart leads the Boston Pops in three performances, the first a concert featuring iconic guitarist Warren Haynes in the return of the Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration (7/1). Next, Mr. Lockhart and the Pops welcome Seth MacFarlane, who will sing favorites from the American Songbook (7/10), and perform the full score to "Raiders of the Lost Ark" to accompany a live showing of the popular film (8/26). Boston Pops Conductor Laureate John Williams makes a welcome return to the festival to lead the Boston Pops in the ever-popular John Williams' Film Night on August 13. One of Tanglewood's most beloved summer traditions, Tanglewood on Parade, will take place on August 2: a full day of performances and family fun activities throughout the grounds, culminating in a concert by the Boston Symphony, Boston Pops, and Tanglewood Music Center orchestras, with a grand finale performance of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, followed by a spectacular fireworks show over the Stockbridge Bowl. Following the success of their 2015 concert, members of the Boston Pops Brass and Percussion Sections again join forces with several of America's leading drum-and-bugle corps, including the Boston Crusaders, Phantom Regiment, Bluecoats, and The Cadets for a performance on July 6. Keith Lockhart and the orchestra will also be featured in annual appearances in Nantucket (8/13) and Hyannis (8/14).
Tickets for the 2016 Boston Pops season at Symphony Hall, priced from $24 to $130, go on sale at 10 a.m. on February 22 at www.bostonpops.org or 888-266-1200. All performances start at 8 p.m., except for the "Dancing with a Twist" concert on May 8, "Puppets with the Pops" concert on May 21, and "Raiders of the Lost Ark Live with the Boston Pops" performance on June 4; these Matinee Family Concerts start at 3 p.m. Tickets for the May 8 and May 21 concerts for children ages 17 and younger are 50% off. Subscription Packages will be available for the 2016 Boston Pops season, ranging from $54 to $270, including a Choose-Your-Own custom subscription. Groups of 20 or more receive 15% off regular ticket prices and waived handling fees. Please call the Group Sales Office at 800-933-4255 for these details.
In general, tickets may be purchased online at www.bostonpops.org or by phone through SymphonyCharge at 617-266-1200 or 888-266-1200, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 12 noon to 6 p.m. (with a $6.50 handling fee for each ticket ordered online or by phone). Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Symphony Hall box office, open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday. On concert evenings, the box office remains open until 8:30 p.m. Most major credit cards and cash are accepted at the box office. For group sales of 25 or more, call 617-638-9345 or 800-933-4255.
The Boston Symphony has a dedicated line for disabled patrons who would like to purchase tickets to BSO, Boston Pops, or Tanglewood concerts, or who need information about disability services at Symphony Hall or Tanglewood. This line can be reached by dialing 617-638-9431. For access via TDD/TTY, call 617-638-9289. Patrons with disabilities can access Symphony Hall through the Cohen Wing on Huntington Avenue or through the Massachusetts Avenue entrance.
Ticket packages to Presidents at Pops, the BSO's exclusive spring corporate gala, start at $5,500 and include floor and balcony tickets with a sponsor page in the evening's commemorative program book. Lead Sponsorships are available from $25,000 to $75,000, and include premium seating; full-color sponsor pages; sponsorship of children at Days in the Arts at Tanglewood (DARTS), the BSO's summer arts immersion camp in the Berkshires; membership in the BSO Business Partners; as well as recognition at the event and throughout the Pops season. For more information about Presidents at Pops contact Mary Thomson at mthomson@bso.org or 617-638-9278.Videos