PHOTO CREDIT – RICHARD TERMINE
For avid theater fans, the Isaac Stern auditorium was the place to be on Friday November 18th. There, Conductor Steven Reineke and the New York Pops continued to celebrate their 40th season with an evening entitled “Broadway Blockbusters.”
Nikki Renee Daniels (Company revival, Hamilton), Jordan Donica (Hamilton, Phantom of the Opera), Tony award winner Matt Doyle (Company revival) and Melissa Errico (Amour) joined Essential Voices USA (Judith Clurman, Conductor), for some crowd favorites.
The quartet opened the show with “It’s Today” from Mame, followed by Doyle’s version of “Who Can I Turn To” from The Roar of the Greasepaint-The Smell of the Crowd.
Other highlights:
Stephen Sondheim, who passed away one year ago, was represented by Doyle and Errico (“Move On”), while Doyle performed the song for which he won his Tony (“Getting Married Today”). Later, Errico delivered the Sondheim soul-breaker “Losing My Mind.”
Daniels sang “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Miserables and paired with Donica for the quintessential love duet, “All I Ask of You” from Phantom of the Opera. The title song from the latter kicked off the evening, showcasing the always fabulous Pops Orchestra. After intermission, the Pops took the spotlight again for Jule Styne’s thrilling Overture to Gypsy.
The classic duo of Rodgers and Hammerstein were celebrated with the title song from Oklahoma! Featuring Essential Voices USA, Donica’s stirring interpretation of “Soliloquy” from Carousel, and a collective cover of “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” from The Sound of Music.
The New York Pops continue their anniversary season later this month with two holiday concerts on December 16 and 17. Essential Voices USA will join the festivities with special guest, Ingrid Michaelson.
For tickets and information, click here.