Philly Pops Broadway Showstoppers

[ashley0139]

Posted: 9/10/08 at 10:20am

Has anyone ever been to anything like this at Philly Pops? I'm thinking of going to this, but I have no idea what it is. The website says there are three performers for the evening. How many songs do they each sing? Is it like just a regular concert with three people? I just have no idea how this works and would love to get some idea before I purchase tickets. Thanks!

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 9/10/08 at 10:45am

Ashley,

I've covered this show for BWW several years.

Normally 3 Broadway performers who sing, solos, duets and group songs with the talented Philly Pops. Peter selects the artists and program.

They are very quality and popular perfomers. In my opinion, I'd like to see them rotate new performers more often. They tend to book from the same talent pool of performers too frequently. (This is Gary Mauer's 3rd time with the show) and once again, he may be out done by the two powerful female artists (Anne & Julia). I wish they'd put more thought into their lineup and the songs they choose.

Here's a mini PR and the line-up for this year.

"Peter Nero and the Philly Pops opens its season with its signature show and perennial favorite, the phenomenon known as
Broadway Showstoppers! Once again, Peter continues to combine Broadway’s most exceptional talent with the magic of the POPS. This season, Broadway star Anne Runolfsson (James Joyces’s The Dead, Victor/ Victoria), a sublime vocalist equally at home singing in a large concert venue or an intimate cabaret setting, joins Julia Murney (Wicked) and Gary Mauer (The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables) making this season’s Broadway Showstoppers absolutely unforgettable!"

To purchase tickets go to http://www.kimmelcenter.org.

Enjoy!

Pati b

Updated On: 9/10/08 at 10:45 AM

[ashley0139]

Posted: 9/10/08 at 10:51am

Thanks! I think I'll definitely be going to this. One other question - the seating chart looks extremely confusing. Where are the best places to sit, especially if I don't want to pay for the most expensive seat.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 9/10/08 at 11:04am

Ashley,

Of course the orchestra seats are the best(and more expensive). But the first tier are fine. Even though the venue is large, all the seats are very enjoyable and the acoustics are good in the entire house. Unlike a theater show, the concerts are easily enjoyed even in the top tier ($20) seats.

BTW, there is really fun seating section called the "Conductor's Circle" directly above and behind the orchestra.( You will see them in yellow in the "orchestra seating chart", about 75-100 seats). For the heck of it, I sat there once for a Showstoppers show. The tickets are about $30. You are facing the entire house and can look directly down into the orchestra. You will need to ask about them when you talk to ticketing.

The artists always turn around to "play" with these folks. It's really a cool place to see the show. I hope you have a fun time.




Kimmel's Verizon Hall seating chart

Updated On: 9/10/08 at 11:04 AM

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 9/10/08 at 1:18pm

I agree it's a great take. I went last year - Doug LaBrecque, Lisa Vroman and Rachel York were the vocalists. What a show! Like PB said, solos, duets and trios. Their voices were beautiful together. A great bari-tenor, opera quality soprano, and of course the mezzo belter. A few of the choices were a little stale - like the ones from The Sound of Music and Cabaret. But the (primarily older) audience LOVED it, so what do I know?

I sat in the orch and wondered about the seats above and behind the stage. It didn't look like the performers played to them, so I'm thinking people probably never saw their faces. Don't know, just seemed that way to me.

That show got recorded live - a 2-CD set. When I was there I could see the mikes strung everywhere above the stage. The gift shop had the CDs on sale last year. Don't know if they still do. It was called Best of the Tonys. I bought a copy. The sound quality is GREAT. The highlight for me was the orchestra's Act I closing number, a 20-minute (!) tribute to Richard Rodgers. Peter Nero did the arrangement and played incredibly! He's like 80 years old but is still a genius on the keys.

I'm sure you'll enjoy it.