David Bowie tributes, Star Wars soundtracks, and more on tap at the Pops this season
Here’s the full schedule for the 2016 Boston Pops season.
The Boston Pops return to Symphony Hall for its 2016 season, May 8 to June 18. The orchestra will be led by conductor Keith Lockhart, who will hold the baton for his 21st season with the Pops.
This spring will open with an evening featuring Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, and will close by welcoming Brian Wilson to perform in its entirety one of the great albums in American history. The full season boasts a lineup of special guests and themed nights, from a special show featuring the guitarist of Boston, to a night that lets the audience request the songs that will be performed.
Tickets to the 2016 Boston Pops season range in price from $24 to $130, and go on sale starting Monday, February 22 on the BSO website.
Opening Night with Seth MacFarlane Keith Lockhart, Conductor Friday, May 6 at 8 p.m. The Family Guy creator and Rhode Island native released his third album, No One Ever Tells You, this past fall. He joins the Pops to provide vocals on a set of arrangements from the ‘40s and ‘50s.
Dancing with a Twist Keith Lockhart, Conductor Saturday, May 7, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, May 8 at 3 p.m. (Mother’s Day) Dancers from TV shows such as Dancing With the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance will join the Boston Pops and American Idol vocalists for an evening of music and dance on the Symphony Hall stage.
Classic Rock from Beatles to Led Zeppelin Tom Scholz, special guest Keith Lockhart, Conductor Tuesday, May 10 at 8 p.m and Wednesday, May 11 at 8 p.m. Legendary guitarist and MIT graduate Tom Scholz of Boston joins the Pops to deliver a set of rock ‘n’ roll classics from the past 50 years. These performances will also pay tribute to the recently deceased David Bowie and Glenn Frey of The Eagles.
John Williams’ Film Night John Williams and Keith Lockhart, Conductors Thursday, May 12 at 8 p.m. and Friday, May 13 at 8 p.m. Legendary Laureate Conductor John Williams returns to the Pops stage for two nights to lead the orchestra through selections from his recent Star Wars: The Force Awakens score as well as several other iconic movie themes.
Gershwin Celebration David Charles Abell, Conductor Wednesday, May 18 at 8 p.m. and Thursday, May 19 at 8 p.m. David Charles Abell leads the Pops through a set of Gershwin classics including “Rhapsody in Blue’’ and music from Porgy and Bess.
Puppets Take the Pops University of Connecticut’s Puppet Arts Program, special guests Keith Lockhart, Conductor Saturday, May 21, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 24, 8 p.m. (Arthur Fiedler Night / Harvard 50th Reunion night) A first-time partnership between the Pops and the University of Connecticut’s Puppet Arts Program to to tell the beloved story of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf.
Pops On Demand: You Choose the Tunes Keith Lockhart, Conductor Wednesday, May 25 at 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 1 at 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 14 at 8 p.m. An interactive experience allows audience members to cast live votes from their mobile devices in order to help determine what the Pops will play for a portion of the concert. It’s like yelling “Free Bird!’’ from the back of the venue, except less obnoxious, and the orchestra likely won’t play “Free Bird.’’
A Broadway Evening with Sutton Foster Keith Lockhart, Conductor Thursday, May 26 at 8 p.m. and Friday, 27 at 8 p.m. Tony Award winner Sutton Foster, who has starred in Broadway roles in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Little Women, Young Frankenstein, and Shrek, will weave through a set of Broadway favorites.
Raiders of the Lost Ark Live with the Boston Pops: Special 35th Anniversary Celebration Keith Lockhart, Conductor Friday, June 3 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, June 4 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Keith Lockhart will lead the Pops through John Williams’ full score of Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Mandy Patinkin Keith Lockhart, Conductor Tuesday, June 7 at 8 p.m. and Wednesday, June 8 at 8 p.m. (Presidents at Pops) Broadway, film, and television star Mandy Patinkin, perhaps known best as Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride, will perform songs from his Broadway repertoire. It will be the first time Patinkin will join the Pops since Lockhart’s very first performance with the orchestra in 1995.
Tapestry: The Carole King Songbook Michael Krajewski, Conductor Liz Callaway, special guest Thursday, June 9 at 8 p.m. and Friday, June 10 at 8 p.m. Tony Award nominee Liz Callaway joins the Pops to honor the work of Carole King, performing songs such as “It’s Too Late,’’ “I Feel The Earth Move,’’ and “Natural Woman.’’
Gospel Night Charles Floyd, Conductor Darlene Love, special guest Saturday, June 11 at 8 p.m. Legendary vocalist Darlene Love, who has worked with the likes of Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, and Elvis Presley, will be the voice of Gospel Night at the Pops.
The Golden Age of Broadway Keith Lockhart, Conductor Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley, special guests Wednesday, June 15 at 8 p.m and Thursday, June 16 at 8 p.m. The Pops will be joined by Broadway power couple Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley in singing along to some of the most memorable Broadway selections from shows like The Sound of Music, Carousel, and Cabaret.
Brian Wilson: Pet Sounds & Greatest Hits Brian Wilson, special guest Friday, June 17 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, June 18 at 8 p.m. The great Brian Wilson will join the Pops to play Pet Sounds in full, as well as other Beach Boys classics. The concert is the only symphonic performance featured in Wilson’s Pet Sounds 50th Anniversary World Tour and will close out the Pops’ 2016 spring season.
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