Theater News

Benson, Kennedy, Runolfsson, Schuur, et al. Set for Philly Pops Season

Lauren Kennedy
Lauren Kennedy

Peter Nero and the Philly Pops have announced the line-up for their 30th anniversary season at Philadelphia’s Verizon Hall.

The group will open with their Broadway Showstoppers! concert (October 5-12), which will feature special guests Lauren Kennedy, Gary Mauer, and Anne Runolfsson. Up next is the annual Holiday POPS! concert (December 5-20), which will feature the von Trapp Children and the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas Gospel Choir, along with the 150-member Pops Festival Chorus.

2009 begins with Visions of America (January 25-February 1), a multimedia collaboration between the Pops and photographer Joseph Sohm, pianist-composer Roger Kellaway, and legendary lyricists Alan and Marilyn Bergman. Next on the roster is A Celebration of Ol’ Blue Eyes (February 15-22), a tribute to Frank Sinatra, with special guest Steve Lippia.

Jazz great Diane Schuur will join Nero for 88 Keys and a Voice (April 19-26). The season will conclude with Hooray for Hollywood! (May 10-17) with guest vocalists Jodi Benson and Keith Butterbaugh, and Thanks for the Memories: 30 Years of Peter Nero and the Philly Pops (June 20).

For tickets and information, call 215-893-1999 or visit www.phillypops.org.