Entitled By George! The Boston Pops Plays Gershwin, these concerts will be performed in Kansas City, Missouri (March 24); Iowa City, Iowa (March 5); Lincoln, Nebraska (March 26); Sioux Falls, South Dakota (March 27); Chicago, Illinois (March 31); Van Wert, Ohio (April 1); and Carmel, Indiana (April 2). Tony winner Bernadette Peters will join the Pops for the engagements at The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University in Chicago (March 31) and at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center’s 10th Anniversary Gala in Van Wert (April 1).
By George will kick off with a new arrangement of the overture from the George and Ira Gershwin musical Nice Work If You Can Get It. The program will also feature the Paul Whiteman version of George Gershwin’s “An American in Paris.” Audiences can also expect to hear “Fascinating Rhythm” and the “Rhapsody in Blue” and “I Got Rhythm” Variations, which will showcase the talents of longtime Pops collaborator, pianist Michael Chertock. After intermission, vocalists will entertain with such Gershwin standards as “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off” and a medley entitled “’S Wonderful, ’S Marvelous, ’S Gershwin.” Chertock, Justin Hopkins, and Erica Spyres will be the featured guest artists for concerts on March 24, March 25, March 27, and April 2.
In a statement Lockhart said, “For our By George! The Boston Pops Plays Gershwin program, the Boston Pops celebrates many of the classic masterpieces of George Gershwin, a singular, consummate musician, and one of our country’s greatest and most influential composers, beloved by music fans far and wide. Featuring dazzling one-of-a-kind arrangements from the Boston Pops exclusive library, our tribute to the incomparable George Gershwin no doubt encompasses the lively and innovative spirit of the Boston Pops. We are particularly thrilled to perform several of Gershwin's most iconic works, including ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ and ‘An American in Paris’ the way they were first heard—in the style of Paul Whiteman and the early jazz orchestras that brought jazz from speakeasies to the concert hall. We’ll also trace Gershwin’s scope of composition styles, from the popular song ‘Swanee’ to his brilliant concert music and extraordinary Broadway works. The exquisitely talented Bernadette Peters, Boston Pops’ favorite pianist Michael Chertock, and two exceptionally gifted young singers, Justin Hopkins and Erica Spyres, are sure to add luster and excitement to each performance. All of us at the Boston Pops hope that our fans throughout the midwest come away from these Gershwin programs with a newfound sense of pride and inspiration for this towering figure in the pantheon of American music.”
Itinerary and ticket information follow:
Friday, March 24, 7:30 PM
Kansas City, MO
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Tickets: $85
Saturday, March 25, 8 PM
Iowa City, IA
University of Iowa Hancher Auditorium
Tickets: $50 - $10
Sunday, March 26, 7:30 PM
Lied Center for the Performing Arts
Lincoln, NE
Tickets: $27.50 - $99
Monday, March 27, 8 PM
Washington Pavilion of Arts and Sciences
Sioux Falls, SD
Tickets: $90.50
Friday, March 31, 7:30 PM
Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University
Chicago, IL
Tickets: $35 - $146
Saturday, April 1, 8 PM
Niswonger Performing Arts Center
Van Wert, OH
Tickets: $100 - $250
Sunday, April 2, 7 PM
The Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts
Carmel, IN
Tickets: $65 - $145
