This year, as he has since 1998, Lippa—a tenor—served as cantor during High Holidays at Beth Tikvah synagogue in Vancouver, Canada. The two parties came together in 1997, when Lippa was understudying in an area production of the show Two Pianos, Four Hands. Asked where he might find a shul to observe Rosh Hashanah, he was told of Beth Tikvah. According to the temple's website, "he was immediately drafted into the choir by our Rabbi's wife and choir mistress Joan Freeman Cohen. The choir received him enthusiastically and he was quickly passed several cantorial solos." Ms. Cohen kept in contact and, along the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, commissioned Lippa to write a finale for a concert celebrating Israel's 50th birthday. Lippa wrote "Ayn Zo Aggadah," which was performed on April 30, 1998. He returned for the High Holidays to act as cantor.

Beth Tikvah congregants will get a chance to further taste of Lippa's artistry on Oct. 1, when he performs in From Bimah to Broadway, a concert to be held at Norman Rothstein Theatre (950 West 41st Ave.) For more information, please call 604-271-6262