Friday Pops

John Morris Russell, conductor

Stephen Schwartz, piano & host
Shaleah Adkisson, vocalist

Scott Coulter, vocalist

Debbie Gravitte, vocalist

Michael McCorry Rose, vocalist
John Boswell, piano

Grammy and Oscar-winning composer and musical icon Stephen Schwartz joins conductor John Morris Russell and the Pops for breathtaking performances of his exquisite songs in an unforgettable evening of musical theatre from Godspell to Wicked and beyond. Featuring award-winning Broadway vocalists, the legendary songwriter and his friends open the season with classics like “Day by Day,”  “Corner of the Sky,” “Beautiful City” and “Defying Gravity.”

Damon Gupton, Conductor

Join Pops Principal Guest Conductor Damon Gupton and the Cincinnati Pops for a symphonic celebration of Disney music, animation, and memories — 100 years in the making! Favorite characters and soundtracks from Walt Disney Animation Studios and Disney Parks come together live on stage and on the big screen at Music Hall in a live-to-film concert like never before. Journey on a magic carpet ride through the most memorable song, score and movie moments of the first 100 years of The Walt Disney Company, including Peter Pan, Moana, Aladdin, The Jungle Book, Frozen, The Lion King, Fantasia, Encanto, Disney Parks classics and more.

John Morris Russell, conductor
Capathia Jenkins, vocalist

Rafael Moras, tenor

May Festival Youth Chorus

School for the Creative and Performing

Arts Chorale

Sycamore High School Select Ensemble

Winton Woods High School Varsity

Ensemble

QKidz Dance Team

Studio For Dance

Cincinnati Collaborative Ringing Project

It’s the most wonderful time of the year with JMR, the Pops and Cincinnati’s beloved Holiday tradition! Music Hall will be decked-out in the razzle-dazzle of the season as choruses, vocalists, dancers, handbell ringers and Queen City favorite Capathia Jenkins bring festive favorites and holiday classics to life.

Rob Fisher, conductor

Emily Skinner, Mama

Lewis Cleale, Billy

Dylis Croman, Roxie

Tari Kelly, Velma

Matthew Deming, Amos & Mary

Seductive hip thrusts, finger snaps, “wah-wah” trumpets and — murder! Or, rather, an alleged murder. Chicago’s electrifying tale of greed, corruption, exploitation, adultery and yes, murder, is the longest running American musical in Broadway history and has now been reimagined for the concert hall! Roxie, Velma, Amos, Billy, and the Merry Murderesses of the Cook County Jail will bring you everything you know and love about the “Cell Block Tango,” “Mr. Cellophane,” “Nowadays,” and the rest of the dynamic score, including “All That Jazz.” Whether it is your first experience or you’re a long-time fan, Chicago with the Cincinnati Pops will have a special razzle dazzle for you quite unlike any other.

John Morris Russell, conductor
Charl Brown, vocalist
Dwayne Cooper, vocalist
John Michael Dias, vocalist
Russell Fischer, vocalist
Dominic Nolfi, vocalist

Love the classic sounds of Frankie Valli, The Drifters, The Del Vikings? Join conductor John Morris Russell and the Pops for The Doo Wop Project. From foundational tunes of groups like the Crests and Flamingos through their influences on the sounds of Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, and The Four Seasons all the way to Doo Wop-ified versions of modern musicians like Michael Jackson and Jason Mraz. Featuring stars of Broadway’s smash hits Jersey Boys and Motown: The Musical, the Doo Wop Project brings unparalleled authenticity of sound and vocal excellence to recreate some of the greatest music in American pop and rock history!

John Morris Russell, conductor
Actors from Ensemble Theatre of

Cincinnati, D. Lynn Meyers Producing

Artistic Director

Conductor John Morris Russell and the Pops present Peter Boyer’s poignant Ellis Island: The Dream of America, celebrating the historic American immigrant experience and the American dream. Innovative in its format, bringing elements of theater and multimedia, including historical images from the Ellis Island archives, actors from Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati will share real stories of those arriving to America and the circumstances surrounding their journey.

The program opens by showcasing the vibrancy of Cincinnati’s international communities, with the Donauschwaben Schuhplattlers, Greater Cincinnati Indian Community Choir/Shanti Choir, Cincinnati Baila! Dance Academy, Ijo-Ugo Performing Arts Company, McGing Irish Dancers and Alliance of Chinese Culture & Arts, presenting cultural dance traditions from around the world alongside music from your Cincinnati Pops.