Yesterday, the Philadelphia POPS announced their 2019-2020 season. The yearly announcement is always the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day- a POPS show will leave you on a high, swooning, and ready for another round. If you have yet to experience the Philadelphia POPS- the largest POPS orchestra in the United States- this upcoming season is your chance.
With the 41st season being dubbed the TOPS of the POPS, I’m certain this will be the season to beat. Take a look at the lineup and the songs we hope to hear!
POPS Goes to Hollywood: From Raiders to Gotham
September 27-29, 2019
Todd Ellison, conductor
John Williams, Danny Elfman, Howard Shore, Michael Giacchino, Hans Zimmer.
If you recognize any of these names, you’re definitely a movie buff. These composers have created the themes and scores for some of your favorite action-adventure movies. Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Lord of the Rings, The Incredibles. The list goes on. Costumes are encouraged! Details here: www.phillypops.org/hollywood
We hope to hear: Hans Zimmer’s work on Pirates of the Caribbean and Danny Elfman’s Simpsons theme!
POPS Rocks Abbey Road: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of The Beatles’ Masterwork
November 8–10, 2019
Todd Ellison, conductor featuring Classical Mystery Tour
Abbey Road was the final studio album released by the Beatles. And it’s turning 50 (!) this fall. The Beatles tribute band, Classical Mystery Tour, will also be on hand for these POPS performances. You may remember them from the 50th anniversary Sgt. Pepper Celebration concert series. Details here: www.phillypops.org/abbeyroad
We hope to hear: Uh…get back to us on this one. How do you even choose?!
A Philly POPS Christmas: Spectacular Sounds of the Season!
December 6-21, 2019
David Charles Abell, Principal Guest Conductor. Mandy Gonzalez, vocalist and special guest, The Melodica Men.
David Charles Abell returns with a new show featuring The Philly POPS Festival Chorus, The Philadelphia Boys Choir, and The St. Thomas Gospel Choir. Hamilton fans will be thrilled to see Mandy Gonzalez return to the POPS. Also on hand, The Melodica Men, a couple of Julliard and Peabody graduates who are widely popular online with their melodica covers of classical hits. Details here: www.phillypops.org/christmas.
We hope to hear: Classics! Give us “White Christmas” and maybe (just maybe!) “All I Want for Christmas Is You”.
HAMLISCH: With Love
January 17-19, 2020
Todd Ellison, conductor featuring Ashley Brown, vocalist.
Marvin Hamlisch was Todd Ellison’s mentor and longtime friend. Marvin is also one of history’s two PEGOTs (Pulitzer, Emmy, GRAMMY, Oscar and Tony) winners. Broadway fans will recognize his music from shows like A Chorus Line and The Goodbye Girl. At the movies, he composed more than forty movie scores, including The Way We Were and The Sting. Details here: www.phillypops.org/hamlisch
We hope to hear: “The Way We Were” and anything from A Chorus Line!
ARETHA: RESPECT
February 14-16, 2020
Todd Ellison, conductor featuring Capathia Jenkins, vocalist and Ryan Shaw, vocalist.
Does The Queen of Soul need an introduction? No. You know what this show’s about. The Philly POPS will also welcome Broadway’s Capathia Jenkins and GRAMMY-nominated singer Ryan Shaw. Details: www.phillypops.org/aretha
We hope to hear: “Chain of Fools” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”
POPS Rocks Phil Collins
March 6-8, 2020
Stuart Chafetz, conductor featuring Aaron Finley, vocalist and Brian Kushmaul, percussionist.
Phil Collins is well known not just as the drummer for Genesis in the ’70s, but also for his solo work. He was the only performer to play both London and Philly for LIVE AID in 1985. Rock star conductor Stuart Chafetz- we loved the recent POPS Rocks the ’80s with Stuart- will so bring back Broadway’s Aaron Finley (Rock of Ages and Kinky Boots) and percussionist/Temple University graduate Brian Kushmaul. Details: www.phillypops.org/philcollins
We hope to hear: “In The Air Tonight” please!
SONDHEIM: A 90th Birthday Celebration
April 17-19, 2020
David Charles Abell, Principal Guest Conductor featuring Liz Callaway, vocalist, Fra Fee, vocalist, and Damian Humbley, vocalist.
Stephen Sondheim awards include eight Tonys, eight GRAMMYs, a Pulitzer…and so much more. He began his career with lyrics for West Side Story, and composed/wrote lyrics for A Little Night Music, Into the Woods, Follies, and Sweeney Todd. Details: www.phillypops.org/sondheim
We hope to hear: Some songs from Dick Tracy! Not only did Sondheim write a few original songs for the movie, Danny Elfman composed the score.
SINATRA: A Man and His Music
May 1-3, 2020
Todd Ellison, conductor, featuring Michael Andrew, vocalist.
This show is inspired by Sinatra at the Sands, a 1966 album recorded live with Count Basie and the Orchestra, arranged and conducted by Quincy Jones! Sinatra’s nine-time GRAMMY-winning career includes songs like “Come Fly with Me,” “Luck Be a Lady,” “One for My Baby”, “Fly Me to the Moon,” “My Kind of Town” and “I’ve Got a Crush on You”. Details: www.phillypops.org/sinatra
We hope to hear: All of them!
SPECIAL EVENT: The POPS will ROCK You!
How about some Queen? We’re crossing our fingers for some Bohemian Rhapsody wins at the Academy Awards this year. No matter what, though, POPS fans will be winners when A Night at the Opera House: The Music of Queen comes to the Met Philadelphia on November 30th, 2019. The one-night-only performance will mark the POPS’ first performance at the recently restored venue.
What do we hope to hear: “We Will Rock You”, because how cool will that sound at the Met? But our top choice, “You’re My Best Friend”. The song was featured on their A Night at the Opera album, so it seems fitting!
Tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime show will start at $49.95 and will be available in a limited pre-show window from February 18th until February 24. Sales to general public will open on February 25. Grab your tickets here. For more details on this performance, visit www.phillypops.org/queen
More details and ticket sales information can be found at http://www.phillypops.org.
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