Sutton Foster, Kristin Chenoweth, Vanessa Williams & More to Join Cincinnati Pops During 2016-17 Season
By: Tyler Peterson Feb. 26, 2016
The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and Conductor John Morris Russell are pleased to announce the Pops' 2016-2017 season, to be performed at Downtown Cincinnati's historic Taft Theatre, the Orchestra's "home away from home" while Cincinnati Music Hall undergoes a major renovation during the 2016-17 season. (The Pops will return to the renovated Music Hall for the 2017-18 season.) The star-studded season is a testament to the Orchestra's steadfast commitment to innovation and extraordinary artistry. Entering his sixth season as Conductor of the world-famous Cincinnati Pops, Mr. Russell introduces guest artists and concert programs that continue to develop the wide variety of orchestral programming. The Orchestra also announces its summer 2016 concerts, to take place both at the Taft Theatre and Riverbend Music Center.
"We are thrilled to be presenting phenomenal stars and a diverse cross section of the American musical tapestry during the upcoming Pops season at the Taft," said Mr. Russell. "The tradition of showcasing extraordinary popular music bathed in rich orchestral colors has made the Cincinnati Pops a worldwide sensation. It will be a season-long celebration of music's power to inspire and unite us all."
Highlights of the 2016-17 Taft Theatre season, presented by PNC along with the Pops Artist Series Sponsor, The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation, include performances by headliners Melissa Etheridge, Smokey Robinson, Ben Folds, Sara Evans, Vanessa Williams, Sutton Foster, Over the Rhine (in a one-night-only Christmas special) and more, along with the return of such popular programs as Holiday Pops and Lollipops Family Concerts. The season opens with an concert program dedicated to Hollywood's best action/adventure film scores narrated by acclaimed Emmy Award-winning actor Edward James Olmos (of the television show Battlestar Galactica), and also features a Disney in Concert weekend.
The Cincinnati Pops opens its summer season June 10-11 at the Taft Theatre with two presentations of the 1982 family sci-fi film, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. John Williams' iconic film score won the Academy Award, and the Pops will perform it under the baton of Mr. Russell live in synch with the film projected on the big screen above the Orchestra.
She has dazzled on Broadway, television and film throughout her luminous career, and on June 25, Kristin Chenoweth performs with the Pops at Riverbend Music Center. The Tony- and Emmy-winning actress is perhaps best known as the original Glinda in Wicked, her role on TV's Pushing Daisies and numerous film credits. She brings her powerhouse vocals to the Pops, performing hits from Broadway and the silver screen. Prominent Broadway music director Mary-Mitchell Campbell conducts this performance.
On July 2, the Pops celebrates Independence Day while continuing its excellent relationship with the USO. Mr. Russell and the Pops have performed for several USO fundraising events in Cincinnati and received the organization's prestigious Legacy of Hope Award in 2015. The patriotic concert at Riverbend Music Center celebrates the 75th anniversary of the USO and will include singers and dancers as well as a fireworks display after the concert.
On July 24, the undisputed Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, joins the Cincinnati Pops at Riverbend conducted by Mr. Russell. Her six decade career has made her a musical and cultural icon the world over. With eighteen Grammy Awards (plus a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and Grammy Living Legend Award), a Presidential Medal of Freedom and named No. 1 onRolling Stone's list of "The Greatest Singers of All Time," Aretha's legendary voice will soar over Riverbend.
Cincinnati Pops Orchestra: 2016-2017 Subscription Season at the Taft Theatre
§ Action & Adventure in Hollywood featuring Edward James Olmos (Sept. 16-18)
§ Vanessa Williams (Oct. 9)
§ American Voice featuring Sara Evans (Nov. 4-6)
§ Holiday Pops featuring Melinda Doolittle (Dec. 2-4)
§ Melissa Etheridge (Jan. 8, 2017)
§ Smokey Robinson (Jan. 21-22, 2017)
§ Sutton Foster's Broadway (Feb. 24-26, 2017)
§ Disney in Concert: Tale as Old as Time (Apr. 28-30, 2017)
§ Ben Folds (May 9, 2017)
Action & Adventure in Hollywood
8 p.m. Friday, September 16
8 p.m. Saturday, September 17
2 p.m. Sunday, September 18
Hollywood film scores are full of some of the most edge-of-your seat, thrill ride music ever written. In this concert for the whole family, Mr. Russell leads the Pops in music from action and adventure blockbusters such as Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Ark andMission Impossible as only the Pops can deliver. Edward James Olmos, the Academy Award nominated television and film actor perhaps best known for his roles in Miami Vice and Battlestar Galactica, will narrate the performances. (These concerts do not include video projections.)
Vanessa Williams: One Night Only
7 p.m. Sunday, October 9
As one of the most multi-faceted performers in entertainment history, Vanessa Williams' empire spans Broadway, television, film and the Billboard charts, with hits such as "Dreamin'," "Save the Best for Last," "Running Back to You," "Colors of the Wind" and countless others. For one night only, she brings her stunning vocals to the Taft Theatre as the Pops performs a rich selection of her contributions to the musical landscape.
American Voice featuring Sara Evans
8 p.m. Friday, November 4
8 p.m. Saturday, November 5
2 p.m. Sunday, November 6
In this program, the Orchestra celebrates the classic American voice and sound. Multi-platinum country artist Sara Evans, who has filled the charts with songs like "A Little Bit Stronger," "Born to the Fly" and "Suds in the Bucket," lends her talents to these performances in her Pops debut conducted by Mr. Russell celebrating the roots of American music.
Holiday Pops featuring Melinda Doolittle
8 p.m. Friday, December 2
2 p.m. Saturday, December 3
8 p.m. Saturday, December 3
2 p.m. Sunday, December 4
7 p.m. Sunday, December 4
It's one of Cincinnati's favorite December traditions, as Mr. Russell leads a full cast of Pops musicians, chorus singers and, in her Pops debut, American Idol sweetheart Melinda Doolittle. Delivering soulful holiday favorites, Ms. Doolittle and the Pops will fill the Taft Theatre with familiar warmth in this family-friendly program that includes an appearance from Santa himself.
Melissa Etheridge: One Night Only
7 p.m. Sunday, January 8, 2017
Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge has topped charts with hits like "Come Through My Window," "I'm the Only One," "Angels Will Fall," and dozens more over her decades-long career. Her iconic voice will be backed by the full power of the Cincinnati Pops, conducted by Bob Bernhardt, for one night only, giving new richness to her rock discography.
8 p.m. Saturday, January 21
2 p.m. Sunday, January 22
Once called America's "greatest living poet" by Bob Dylan, Smokey Robinson has spawned innumerable hits as both a performer and as a producer. A National Medal of the Arts recipient, a Kennedy Center honoree and a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the former Vice President of Motown Records has penned songs for such acts as The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Mary Wells, Brenda Holloway and more, not to mention his own chart-topping hits as a performing artist. His star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame serves as a testament to Mr. Robinson's influence on American music. In his Pops debut, Mr. Robinson and the Orchestra will perform some of his biggest hits such as "Tracks of My Tears," "Going to a GoGo," "I Second That Emotion," "Ooh Baby Baby," "Tears of a Clown," and more.Damon Gupton returns to conduct this performance.
Sutton Foster's Broadway
8 p.m. Friday, February 24, 2017
8 p.m. Saturday, February 25, 2017
2 p.m. Sunday, February 26, 2017
The music of Broadway has long represented the music of America, and musical theater's most prolific composers and lyricists have left a long list of masterworks to explore. The award-winning actress and singer Sutton Foster has starred in numerous Broadway productions (including Thoroughly Modern Millie for which she won a Tony Award), and now lends her considerable vocal talent to the Pops putting a contemporary spin on the Broadway songbook. The concert will also include a tribute to iconic composer Cole Porter on the occasion of his 125thbirthday.
Disney in Concert: Tale as Old as Time
8 p.m. Friday, April 28, 2017
2 p.m. Saturday, April 29, 2017
8 p.m. Saturday, April 29, 2017
2 p.m. Sunday, April 30, 2017
Mr. Russell and the Pops open the Disney vault with these performances, which include selections Frozen, The Little Mermaid, Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and more. The Pops has enjoyed a long history with Disney, including several recordings featuring some of the most memorable music from classic movies. These family-friendly performances will feature vocalists and movie clips projected on the screen above the Orchestra.
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 9, 2017
He's one of the most exceptional musicians of his generation, making headlines with everything from piano ballads to Dr. Dre covers. Ben Folds makes his Pops debut in this final concert of the Pops season, presenting his critically acclaimed Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, as well as showcasing his hit singles (characterized by his signature blend of rock, piano-pop and jazz) in orchestral light. Sarah Hicks returns to conduct this performance.
Other 2016-2017 Pops Concerts
Lollipops Family Concerts
The Pops will again present a three-concert series of Lollipops Family Concerts scheduled for Saturday mornings at the Taft Theatre. These concerts, geared towards children ages 3 to 10 and their families, serve as an opportunity to introduce young people to the joys of orchestral music. Pre-concert activities are fun and instructional preludes the concert and include arts and crafts, demonstrations, photo booths, and the ever-popular "instrument playground."
Mr. Russell conducts the first of these concerts, Peter and the Wolf, on November 19, with Prokofiev's children's classic providing a vehicle for an introduction to the sounds of varied orchestral instruments. Associate Conductor Keitaro Harada conducts Green Eggs and Ham on January 28, 2017, giving a musical twist to Dr. Seuss' iconic children's book. Finally, Mr. Russell and the Pops join forces with Cincinnati Children's Theatre on June 10, 2017 for Superheroes: Up, Up and Away!, featuring the story of the Pops' own musical superhero, Conduktor.
The Orchestra is grateful to Lollipops Series Sponsor UDF.
Christmas with Over the Rhine
After their enormously popular Pops debut for American Originals in January 2015, the Cincinnati native folk rock duo Over the Rhine returns for a one night only Christmas concert with the Pops on Tuesday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the Taft Theatre. Over the Rhine's holiday albums have earned enormous popularity, and they bring their signature evocative folk style to familiar classics while adding to the rich panoply of wintertime repertoire for this fresh collaboration with the Orchestra.
The Snowman: Film with Live Orchestra
The Snowman has been delighting children and families for over 30 years. The animated film tells the story of a young boy who builds a snowman that magically comes to life and their ensuing adventures. Howard Blake's enchanting score evokes the wonder and joy of winter's first snowfall. On Friday, December 23 at 7:30 p.m., the Pops performs the score live and in sync while the movie projects on the big screen above the stage. (Recommended for children aged 5-12.)
New Year's Eve 2016
Continuing a worldwide tradition of spirited New Year's Eve orchestral concerts, the Pops will again present a high-energy program to ring in 2017 in Downtown Cincinnati. More details will be announced at a later date.
Venue and Tickets
Information About the Taft Theatre
In order to select a venue for the season away from Music Hall, the Orchestra undertook a comprehensive analysis of all possible options. The Taft Theatre was selected for its wonderful historic characteristics, including its neo-classical/art deco architecture, its history as a performance venue for Broadway, jazz and classical artists (Katharine Hepburn, George Gershwin, Vladimir Horowitz, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Fritz Kreisler and other legends have performed here), and its proximity to downtown amenities and to Music Hall. Also importantly, it allows the Orchestra to perform in one venue for entire 2016-17 season.
"The Taft Theatre is a classic-I cut my teeth with our orchestra there a couple decades ago with 'Home for the Holidays' and am excited to return for the entire season," said Mr. Russell. "The Taft has an intimacy and immediacy of sound that warmly embraces every seat in the house. With a little smaller stage than Music Hall, our ensemble will be both physically and sonically tighter, which really helps when we get our groove on!"
As part of a $3.2 million renovation in 2011, the CSO integrated 21st-century comfort while returning the historic ambiance and character of Cincinnati's downtown gem. The renovation included new custom seating, the addition of air conditioning, and fully renovated restroom facilities that tripled the women's restroom capacity and doubled the men's capacity. The Orchestra remains committed to providing unparalleled concert experiences for audiences at the Taft Theatre.
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