York, Arnaz, Etc. Set for Philly Pops '07/08 Season

The 2007-08 Peter Nero and the Philly Pops' 2007-2008 season will open with The POPS' signature show, "Broadway Showstoppers."

This year's theme is Best of the Tony Awards, and the program features selections from an array of Tony-winning shows.  Special guests Lisa Vroman (The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables), Rachel York (Camelot tour, The Scarlet Pimpernel), and Doug LaBrecque (The Phantom of the Opera, Show Boat), sing the best that Broadway has to offer (September 30, October 3, 5-7, 2007). 

In addition, "We Love Lucie" features singer and actress Lucie Arnaz (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, They're Playing Our Song), daughter of TV's favorite couple, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.  "A charismatic and electric performer, Arnaz celebrates her 40th year as an entertainer with a special show that incorporates marvelous Broadway music along with fond anecdotes of what life was like growing up with her famous parents," state press notes on the show, which runs March 2, 5, 7-9, 2008. 

Other upcoming concerts include: "Motown Magic" (November 4, 7, 9-11, 2007), "Holiday POPS!" (December 9, 12, 14-16, 19, 21-23, 2007), "Vivo Latino!," with virtuoso jazz flutist and Latin Grammy Award-winner Nestor Torres, (February 3, 6, 8-10, 2008), "The POPular Vote" (May 4, 7, 9-11, 2008). 

A two-time Grammy Award-winner, Nero has built an impressive career as a conductor, arranger, composer, and master pianist.  Named "the epitome of the Pops Conductor/Performer" by the Washington Post,  Nero won the Grammy Award for "Best New Artist" in 1961, another in 1962, and since that time has garnered 10 additional nominations and released 67 albums.   Nero's recent guest performances include engagements with the Toledo Symphony, the National Arts Centre Symphony in Ottawa, the Charlotte Symphony, the Buffalo Philharmonic, and the Baltimore Symphony, among others.  He has made numerous television appearances on national networks as well as PBS.  He is the recipient of six honorary doctorates and in 1999 received the Pennsylvania Distinguished Arts Award.

More information about Peter Nero and the Philly Pops can be found at www.phillypops.org.

Photo of Rachel York by Rosalinda Monroy