By Kristen Levenick
The Columbus Symphony Orchestra is bringing the sounds of Broadway to Central Ohio through its new concert “Broadway Rocks.” The concert is at 8 p.m. March 27 at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 300 W. Broad St., and features performances of popular numbers from various Broadway musicals including The Wiz, Dreamgirls, Tommy Phantom of the Opera, RENT and Hairspray.
President and CEO of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Roland Valliere describes the show as a “’greatest hits’ of Broadway, rather than a complete Broadway play.”
Since Broadway plays often have full orchestras playing their music, the transition from musical to concert is essentially seamless.
“Broadway music can be quite stunning in an orchestral setting, and it’s just a lot of fun, both for the musicians to play and for the audience to hear,” says Valliere.
The CSO has put on Pops performances consisting of Broadway favorites before and the shows have been very popular. Valliere believes this comprehensive performance will also be received well accordingly.
“With the recent popularity of movie musicals like Hairspray and Mamma Mia!, the appeal for this sort of thing is very broad lately,” he says. “It’s quality music that tells powerful stories, so it will appeal to music lovers of all kinds, including those who are looking for a fun evening of show stopping performances.”
Broadway vocalists Rachel York, Rob Evans and Hugh Panaro will join forces with the CSO to generate the performance. Unlike the Broadway musicals its songs are derived from, “Broadway Rocks” is a concert and therefore is a combination of orchestral music and vocals, not theatrical representations.
“The focus is really on the music, but some acting does come through during the songs,” says Valliere.
The Ohio Symphony Orchestra’s Resident Staff Conductor, Albert-George Schram will conduct the performance. Valliere says Schram frequently conducts the orchestra’s Pops series.
“He really is a master at understanding these pops compositions and bringing the best out of the orchestra,” Valliere adds.
“Broadway Rocks” will also feature a collaborative performance with the Otterbein Vocal Ensemble, which is a choice group of 16 to 20 singers that performs throughout Central Ohio. Valliere notes that the ensemble’s last performance with the CSO was in 2007 during the “Video Games Live” concert.
“’Broadway Rocks’ is a high-energy concert,” says Valliere. “It’s a great combination of dynamic orchestrations, fantastic soloists and fun, memorable songs.”
Tickets range in price from $18-64. For more information, visit www.columbussymphony.com.