Two by Two: New York Pops’ 22nd Birthday Gala

Superstars from popular music, Broadway, film, television, jazz and cabaret take the stage with Skitch Henderson and The New York Pops in support of the orchestra and its education programs and free Summermusic concerts. The 22nd Birthday Gala, entitled Two by Two, is hosted by Liz Smith and features a special tribute to Cy Coleman.

American Idol winner Fantasia and Tony winner Heather Headley headline a who’s who of music. They are joined on stage by Broadway husband-and-wife artists Jason Danieley and Marin Mazzie, Tony winner Sutton Foster, multi-talented performer Michele Lee, star of popular music and theater Maureen McGovern, guitar virtuosos Bucky Pizzarelli and Frank Vignola, husband-and-wife jazz singers Jessica Molaskey and John Pizzarelli, and New York doyenne Kitty Carlisle Hart.

The gala raises funds for The New York Pops and its free education programs and free Summermusic concert. Honorees include legendary newsman Walter Cronkite, music industry leader Clive Davis, and philanthropist Mrs. Samuel J. LeFrak. The New York Pops was founded by former NBC Music Director Skitch Henderson in 1983 to give New York a permanent professional symphonic pops orchestra that would create greater public awareness and appreciation of America’s rich and diverse musical heritage. The orchestra is now the largest independent symphonic pops orchestra in the United States.