Jason Danieley, Steve Martin, Marin Mazzie, Bernadette Peters Set for Boston Pops 2012 Season
(© David Gordon)
The Boston Pops has announced details for its 2012 season under the direction of Keith Lockhart, which will have the unifying theme of “Visions of America,” and be dedicated to celebrating many of this country’s greatest musical traditions.
The season will open on May 9 with Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters performing many of her signature songs. Next up will be a Gershwin Spectacular (May 10-12), which will include a performance of Rhapsody in Blue featuring pianist Michael Chertock and Promenade: Walking the Dog featuring Pops principal clarinetist Thomas Martin.
Additional highlights will include Ann Hampton Callaway in A Barbra Streisand Songbook, which will also feature a special cameo performance from Alan Bergman (May 15 & 16); Steve Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers in an evening of comedy and bluegrass (May 29 & 30); married theater couple Jason Danieley and Marin Mazzie in A Tribute to Cole Porter (June 5, 6, & 8); and Gospel Night featuring American Idol‘s Melinda Doolittle and gospel singer Crystal Aikin (June 9).
The Pops will also present Visions of America (May 22 & 26, June 14-16), a multimedia work inspired by images of photo-historian Joseph Sohm depicting American life, set to music by Roger Kellaway and lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. The project will feature acclaimed vocalists Patti Austin and Steve Tyrell on June 14, 15, and 16, recorded narration by Clint Eastwood, a youth chorus, and the winning images from Joseph Sohm’s book Visions of America–Photographing Democracy. For the performance on May 26, vocalist Maureen McGovern will join the Pops to sing music from the Broadway musical Little Women.
Among the other Boston Pops events will be be a sports-themed concert, City of Champions (May 23-25); the 31st annual “Presidents at Pops” (May 31); Film Night with John Williams (June 1 & 2); and The Wild West (June 12 & 13).
