For Immediate Release
New York, NY — The New York Pops have announced program highlights and new additions to the concert lineup for “The Best Is Yet to Come: Celebrating the Legacy of Frank Sinatra”, the orchestra’s 27th birthday concert and gala celebration, led by Music Director Steven Reineke. On May 3 at 7:00PM in Carnegie Hall, The New York Pops will be joined by five-time Grammy Award nominee Michael Feinstein, Broadway veteran Norm Lewis, celebrated jazz artist John Pizzarelli, singer/songwriter Tony DeSare and Memphis star Montego Glover. Feinstein will sing the pop hit “For Once in My Life”, Pizzarelli will perform the Sinatra sensation “Witchcraft”, DeSare will take on the chart-topping classic “Night and Day”, and Lewis and Glover will charm audiences with “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me” and “The Best Is Yet To Come”, respectively. Stars of the current Broadway show Come Fly Away will also take the stage of Carnegie Hall with “One for My Baby”, featuring choreography by Twyla Tharp.
The concert will be hosted by distinguished columnist Liz Smith, and features special guest Frank Sinatra, Jr., who joins the orchestra on stage in this celebration of his father's legacy. Previously announced guest artists include Broadway and television actor Cheyenne Jackson, who will perform “Luck Be A Lady”; Tony Award-winner Michael Cerveris, slated to sing “High Hopes”; and Tony nominee John Tartaglia, "Ugly Betty" star Michael Urie, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who will come together as a trio for “New York, New York” from On the Town (1944). Grammy-winning crooner Steve Tyrell and young vocalist Haley Swindal complete the lineup with “Fly Me to the Moon” and “The Way You Look Tonight”.
Following the performance, guests are invited to The Plaza Hotel for a black tie dinner dance. The New York Pops Board Chair James A. Read and his wife Patty will be honored, along with MML Capital Partners for their continued support of The New York Pops.
There will also be an online auction on www.CharityBuzz.com/NewYorkPops from April 28 to May 10, featuring items generously donated by The Orchestra’s many friends from the world of arts and entertainment. Auction items include a behind-the-scenes visit to the Big Apple Circus, a cocktail party at the Double Cross Vodka Lounge and a chance to conduct The New York Pops.
Proceeds from the 27th Birthday Gala support The New York Pops and its free education programs.
ABOUT THE NEW YORK POPS
Steven Reineke began his tenure as Music Director of The New York Pops with the 2009-2010 season. Mr. Reineke conducts the orchestra’s annual concert series at Carnegie Hall as well as tours, recordings, and nationwide telecasts, including the annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular on NBC Television. Mr. Reineke is also Principal Pops Conductor of the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra and the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. He holds the title of Associate Conductor of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, where for fifteen years he served as a composer, arranger, and conducting protégé of the late celebrated pops conductor Erich Kunzel. Reineke’s notable conducting appearances include his 2007 Hollywood Bowl debut, his 2008 Carnegie Hall debut conducting The New York Pops, and his Boston Pops and Philadelphia Orchestra debuts in 2009. Mr. Reineke is also an established symphonic composer, with the most recent performances of his works by the New York Philharmonic and Los Angeles Philharmonic.
The New York Pops <www.newyorkpops.org> is the largest independent pops orchestra in the United States, and the only professional symphonic orchestra in New York City specializing in popular music. Led by Music Director Steven Reineke, the orchestra performs an annual subscription series and birthday gala at Carnegie Hall, enjoying one of the highest subscription renewal rates of any series at Carnegie Hall. The New York Pops was founded by former NBC Music Director Skitch Henderson in 1983 with a mission to create greater public awareness and appreciation of America’s rich musical heritage. Along with performing at Carnegie Hall, The New York Pops tours throughout the world and gives free concerts in New York City parks. The orchestra’s media projects include performing music for the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular on NBC since 2005, nationwide radio broadcasts, and numerous recordings. The New York Pops’ extensive education programs allow thousands of public schoolchildren to participate in concert and music-making experiences at Carnegie Hall and in schools throughout the five boroughs of New York City.
TICKET INFORMATION
Single tickets for the concert-only range from $55 to $85 and are open to the public. To purchase, call CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800, visit the Carnegie Hall Box Office at 57th St and 7th Ave, or online at www.carnegiehall.org.
Tickets to the full gala evening range from $1,000 for one concert ticket and dinner seating to $50,000 for a premier first tier box and dinner table for eight. For more information about the benefit dinner dance at The Plaza Hotel, call 212-765-7677.
PRESS CONTACT: For images and other information, contact Whitney Holden: 917-339-7188 / wholden@cohndutcher.com
The New York Pops 27th Birthday Gala
The Best Is Yet To Come: Celebrating the Legacy of Frank Sinatra
Monday, May 3, 2010
Featuring
Music Director and Conductor: Steven Reineke
Host: Liz Smith
Special Guest: Frank Sinatra Jr.
Guest Artists: Michael Cerveris, Tony DeSare, Michael Feinstein, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Montego Glover, Cheyenne Jackson, Norm Lewis, John Pizzarelli, Haley Swindal, John Tartaglia, Steve Tyrell, Michael Urie and the stars of Broadway’s Come Fly Away
Honorees: MML Partners and Patty & James A. Read
7:00PM Concert at Carnegie Hall | 57th Street & 7th Avenue
Black Tie Dinner Dance to Follow Performance at The Plaza Hotel | Fifth Avenue at Central Park South
ALL PROGRAMS AND ARTISTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
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