The RPO Makes A Little Night Music With Bright Lights, Big City
Rochester, NY – The best of Broadway hits the Rochester stage when two of musical theater’s brightest stars, Doug LaBrecque and Christiane Noll, join the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra for the March Wegmans Pops concerts, Bright Lights, Big City: The Best of Broadway, on Friday March 13 and Saturday March 14 at 8:00 pm each night at the Eastman Theatre. Lead by Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik, each half of the concert will shine the spotlight on 50 years of musical theater: from 1900-1957 (The Merry Widow through Brigadoon), and from 1966-2009 (Sweet Charity through Jersey Boys).
The RPO — along with Rochester favorites, tenor Doug LaBrecque and soprano Christiane Noll — will reveal the sparkle in a selection of musical theater jewels, including “I Could Have Danced All Night,” from My Fair Lady, a Cabaret medley, “Luck Be A Lady” from Guys and Dolls, and “The Music of the Night” from one of the most popular musicals of all time, The Phantom of the Opera. Favorite songs from other productions such as Les Miserables, Jersey Boys, and A Little Night Music will be performed, as well as those from early operettas which bridged the gap between opera and what eventually became musical theater.
Broadway veteran Doug LaBrecque has appeared as both the Phantom and Raoul in the Harold Prince production of The Phantom of the Opera. His other roles include Ravenal in the Broadway revival of Showboat as well as an appearance in Oscar Hammerstein’s 100th Birthday Celebration on Broadway. Regionally, Mr. LaBrecque has performed in such classics as Candide, A Chorus Line, and Man of La Mancha. He also has performed across the globe with some of the world’s finest orchestras, including The National Symphony, The Israel Philharmonic, The Chicago Symphony, and The Cleveland Orchestra, among many others. Mr. LaBrecque recently made his solo Carnegie Hall debut with the New York Pops in a tribute to Richard Rodgers; was featured in a live recording with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops; and starred with Carole Bayer-Sager at the famous Manhattan club, Feinsteins.
Christiane Noll made her Broadway debut in the starring role of Emma in the epic Broadway musical, Jekyll & Hyde. She also originated the roll of Vanna Vane in the new musical, The Mambo Kings. Her other theater credits include Hope Cladwell in the national tour of Urinetown for which she received an Ovation Award, and Jane Smart in the American premiere of The Witches of Eastwick, as well as the Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, Mabel in Mack & Mabel, Lizzie in Lizzie Borden, Carrie in Carousel, and Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance, among many others. Ms. Noll is a frequent soloist with Bravo Broadway, performing with symphony orchestras such as The National Symphony, The Cincinnati Pops, and the Jerusalem Symphony. She also has appeared in City Center’s Encores series as Kathie in The Student Prince. Ms. Noll has released three solo CDs titled Christiane Noll – a Broadway Love Story, The Ira Gershwin Album, and Live at the Westbank Café.
This performance celebrates the 175th Anniversary of the city of Rochester and the dedicated leadership of local and state officials.
Tickets for these performances are $20-58, available online 24/7 at www.rpo.org, by phone (454-2100) in person from the RPO Box Office and at area Wegmans. A convenience fee may apply. RPO Box Office hours are Monday-Saturday, 10:00 am-5:00 pm (non-concert Saturdays, 10:00 am-3:00 pm).
The Pops Series is sponsored by Wegmans; this concert is sponsored by Unity Health, Harter Secrest & Emery LLP, and Zimmer Sales and Services. Jeff Tyzik’s appearance is made possible by Friends of Jeff.
