FEBRUARY 10, 11   8:00 PM
FEBRUARY 12   2:00 PM

Richard Lee, conductor
Gavin Hope, lead vocals
Jeans ’n Classics Band:
Kathryn Rose – vocals
Lis Soderberg – vocals
Katalin Kiss – vocals
Peter Brennan – guitar
Donald Paulton – keyboard
Mitch Tyler – bass
Jeff Christmas – drums

“It was with great pleasure that we put together this tribute to Michael Jackson. As we thought about his incredible gifts and legacy we knew this show must happen….and we love it. It is a pure celebration of Michael Jackson’s staggering talent and the great music he created. We go back to the earliest Motown days of the Jackson Five and include ABC and the beautiful I’ll Be There.

As Michael broke away from the group he created amazing material, some of which we present from ‘Off The Wall’ before finally stepping into some of the best material from the Thriller and Bad albums.” – Peter Brennan, artistic director, Jeans ‘n Classics

With Michael Jackson classics like Billy Jean, Off the Wall, Beat It, The Way You Make Me Feel, Thriller, Ben, Never Can Say Goodbye, Man in the Mirror and so much more, this show will have you reaching for your white glove and sparkle shoes so you can dance up a storm in the aisles.

With four albums, constant touring, and a Juno nomination, Michael Jackson tribute artist Gavin Hope ventured into theatre, where highlights include RENT, and having the opportunity to play the role of Simba in the original Canadian company production of The Lion King.

MUSICIANS IN THE MAKING: Come and listen to various student groups perform on the Piano Nobile Level 45 minutes prior to concert.

DINNER & A SYMPHONY: Enjoy the return of Dinner & A Symphony with Bergmann’s on Lombard for our February 11 concert with American Cuisine, 3-course meal on the Piano Nobile at 5:30 pm. Dinner and concert start at $85!

Single tickets are on sale now at the WSO Box Office, 949-3999 or online.

DECEMBER 9, 10   8:00 PM
DECEMBER 11   2:00 PM

Colin Freeman, conductor
Lorna Luft, performer

“This show is dynamite! She walks out there…and that voice comes out!” – Liza Minnelli

“…a rousing, dramatically riveting musical event.”– Variety

“…heart-stopping and thrilling. An incandescent revelation not to be missed.” – Los Angeles Times

Born to legendary entertainer Judy Garland and producer Sid Luft, Lorna Luft has had an acclaimed career encompassing virtually every arena of entertainment. A celebrated live performer, stage, film and television actress, best-selling author, recording artist and Emmy-nominated producer – she continues to triumph in every medium with critics labeling her one of the most vibrant, versatile and exciting artists on stage today. At age 11, she made her television debut singing on her mother’s series, “The Judy Garland Show.” Since then, Lorna has had starring roles in both television and film.

Fabulous singing, video screen scenes of Lorna and Judy together, great arrangements, and Holiday cheer are all in store in this very special and unforgettably personal show!

MUSICIANS IN THE MAKING: Come and listen to various student groups perform on the Piano Nobile Level 45 minutes prior to concert.

Single tickets are on sale now at the WSO Box Office, 949-3999 or online.

NOVEMBER 4, 5   8:00 PM
NOVEMBER 6   2:00 PM

Richard Lee, conductor
Len Cariou, performer
Dry Cold Productions

When it comes to the legendary music and lyrics of Broadway great Stephen Sondheim, no one is more uniquely qualified than Winnipeg’s own Len Cariou! Len was the original Sweeney Todd on Broadway, winning the Tony Award for Best Actor. He was also nominated for his role in A Little Night Music which he repeated in the film version opposite Elizabeth Taylor. Presently he plays the father to Tom Selleck’s cop character in Blue Bloods, and has starred in other television shows such as: Damages; Murder, She Wrote; and The West Wing.

Len Cariou is a genuine Canadian theatre legend. We are proud to present an all-new show where you will get up close and personal to Sondheim’s classic music as never before, partnered by a terrific cast of singers from Winnipeg’s Dry Cold Productions.

Len, the cast and the WSO will perform the original Broadway arrangements from such shows as Sweeney Todd, Follies, A Little Night Music and more, interspersed with stories and insights to make a memorable evening of true Broadway classics!

Len Cariou Send in the Clowns

MUSICIANS IN THE MAKING: Listen to various student groups perform on the Piano Nobile Level 45 minutes prior to concert.

Single tickets on sale now: WSO Box Office, 949-3999 or online.

SEPTEMBER 30, OCTOBER   8:00 PM
OCTOBER 2   2:00 PM

Richard Lee, conductor
Tony Kishman, vocals as Paul
Jim Owen, guitars/vocals
John Merjave, guitars/vocals
Chris Camilleri, drums

“Tony Kishman is the quintessential Paul McCartney…” – Long Island Advance

Live and Let Die features a four piece band and a full symphony orchestra. You’ll hear, complete in every detail, the most famous songs of the Beatles era and Paul McCartney’s own solo works.

Some of the songs featured in the set include: Hey Jude, Penny Lane, Live and Let Die, Yesterday, My Love, Uncle Albert, Let It Be, Maybe I’m Amazed, Hello Good- Bye, Long and Winding Road, Get Back, Silly Love Songs, Jet, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club, plus many more.

Actor, singer, and recording artist, Tony Kishman starred for six years in both the national and international tours of Broadway’s smash hit, Beatlemania. Tony is regarded by “Beatlemaniacs” and Beatle connoisseurs as the world’s best McCartney look-alike/sound-alike. He has been performing Twist and Shout, his award-winning tribute to the most successful band of all time, around the globe for more than a decade, bringing the music and magic of Paul McCartney and the Beatles to a new generation.

MUSICIANS IN THE MAKING: Come and listen to various student groups perform on the Piano Nobile Level 45 minutes prior to concert.

Subscriptions on sale now via WSO Box Office & online; Single tickets on sale via WSO Box Office only: 949-3999.

SEPTEMBER 30, OCTOBER   8:00 PM
OCTOBER 2   2:00 PM

Richard Lee, conductor
Tony Kishman, vocals as Paul
Jim Owen, guitars/vocals
John Merjave, guitars/vocals
Chris Camilleri, drums

“Tony Kishman is the quintessential Paul McCartney…” – Long Island Advance

Live and Let Die features a four piece band and a full symphony orchestra. You’ll hear, complete in every detail, the most famous songs of the Beatles era and Paul McCartney’s own solo works.

Some of the songs featured in the set include: Hey Jude, Penny Lane, Live and Let Die, Yesterday, My Love, Uncle Albert, Let It Be, Maybe I’m Amazed, Hello Good- Bye, Long and Winding Road, Get Back, Silly Love Songs, Jet, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club, plus many more.

Actor, singer, and recording artist, Tony Kishman starred for six years in both the national and international tours of Broadway’s smash hit, Beatlemania. Tony is regarded by “Beatlemaniacs” and Beatle connoisseurs as the world’s best McCartney look-alike/sound-alike. He has been performing Twist and Shout, his award-winning tribute to the most successful band of all time, around the globe for more than a decade, bringing the music and magic of Paul McCartney and the Beatles to a new generation.

MUSICIANS IN THE MAKING: Come and listen to various student groups perform on the Piano Nobile Level 45 minutes prior to concert.

Subscriptions on sale now via WSO Box Office & online; Single tickets on sale via WSO Box Office only: 949-3999.

May 13, 14  8:00 pm
May 15  2:00 pm

“At no time have we seen anything like the Peking Acrobats. Feats of clowning, dexterity, grace, strength and coordination rippled from the stage in a series of pleasurable waves. One was left waterlogged in wonder.”
- Chicago Tribune

Welcome to the magnificent world of The Peking Acrobats! Here, the impossible is made possible, and daring only begins to describe their amazing performance. They are considered one of the finest acrobatic troupes in China today, and have received acclaim from countries around the world. An outgrowth of the Great China Circus, popular during the 1920s, this magical group became an integrated professional acrobatic company in 1958. Since then, they have consistently travelled the world sharing their special brand of enchantment with a global audience. In fact, company members were featured in Steven Soderbergh’s hit film Ocean’s 11, playing along with Hollywood elite such as Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt and George Clooney.

This concert will be the first time The Peking Acrobats will be performing with an orchestra in Canada! If you enjoyed one of our sold-out performances of Cirque de la Symphonie last year, then you don’t want to miss this sizzling show! Perfect for the whole family!

Richard Lee, conductor
Peking Acrobats

For more info, click here.

MUSICIANS IN THE MAKING: Come and listen to various local schools and student groups perform on the Piano Nobile Level at 7:15 pm.

March 25, 26  8:00 PM
March 27  2:00 PM

“This was one dazzling show resplendent with smart, refreshing arrangements, courtesy of Jeans ‘n Classics leader Peter Brennan. He has a talent for gingerly melding the worlds of ’70s rock and symphonic music into a harmonious duo for the Baby Boomer crowd.”
- Wichita Falls Times Record News

Since its inception, Jeans ‘n Classics has been a star performer in the arts and entertainment scene. Its concept of combining rock musicians and headlining stars with world-class symphony orchestras has drawn record setting capacity crowds. Jeans ‘n Classics is a group of musicians who understand orchestra culture and are committed to building younger, loyal audiences for symphony orchestras across
Canada and the United States.

Join us as we present a symphonic treatment of this ground-breaking album in its entirety with the full Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. This show features vocalist Jean Meilleur performing music from the Pink Floyd album, and will allow us to dust off the synthesizers and sequencers and take you back to 1973.

If you enjoyed “The Music of Queen” by the Jeans ‘n Classics Band this past season, then this is the place to be for another great performance.

Richard Lee, conductor
Jean Meilleur, lead vocalist
Jeans ‘n Classics Band

For more info, click here.

MUSICIANS IN THE MAKING: Come and listen to various local schools and student groups perform on the Piano Nobile Level at 7:15 pm.

APRIL 13, 14   8:00 PM
APRIL 15   2:00 PM

Yaron Gershovsky, conductor
The Manhattan Transfer:
Tim Hauser
Janis Siegel
Cheryl Bentyne
Alan Paul

“Significant as it is that The Manhattan Transfer has been around for 40 years, it is far more remarkable that those four decades have been marked by near-continuous artistic expansion and advancement.” – JazzTimes

In 1974, The Manhattan Transfer began performing at cutting edge cabaret venues in New York City. By the end of that year they were the number one live attraction in New York City, prompting Newsweek to send a writer to report on the growing phenomenon. Since then, The Manhattan Transfer has never looked back!

A seemingly endless stream of Grammy awards, hit recordings with worldwide sales in the millions and an ever-stunning creative energy has distinguished The Manhattan Transfer for four decades. A ten-year sweep (1980-1990) as “Best Vocal Group’’ in both the annual Downbeat and Playboy jazz polls typifies the dominance of this group as among the greatest vocal ensembles of all time.

Combine the original members of The Manhattan Transfer with the WSO and you get an event to remember long after the music ends!

MUSICIANS IN THE MAKING: Come and listen to various student groups perform on the Piano Nobile Level 45 minutes prior to concert.

Single tickets are on sale now at the WSO Box Office, 949-3999 or online.

MARCH 16, 17   8:00 PM
MARCH 18   2:00 PM

Richard Lee, conductor
Christiane Noll, performer
Capathia Jenkins, performer
Robert Evan, performer
Rainbow Harmony Project; Vic Hooper, director

“The next best thing to seeing a Broadway show is the Bravo Broadway experience. Great singers, wondrous arrangements, terrific pacing!” – Marvin Hamlisch

“Capathia Jenkins has the kind of voice that angels might envy.” – New York Daily News

“Mr. Evan wields the sort of rock-inflected theatrical baritone that brings to mind Billy Joel.” – New York Times

Bravo Broadway concerts have been smash hits at WSO Pops for years. Matching prominent and talented Broadway performers with symphonies has been the Bravo Broadway group’s goal since 1994, with hundreds of performances throughout the world.

Broadway Rocks features inspired performances of the best in up-tempo hits from rock- inspired smash shows such as Wicked, Jesus Christ Superstar, Tommy, Phantom of the Opera, Hairspray, The Wiz, Mamma Mia and more. Each guest artist brings an impressive list of leading-role performances in popular Broadway musicals. Together, they will light up the stage in a dynamic revue that will leave audiences breathless!

MUSICIANS IN THE MAKING: Come and listen to various student groups perform on the Piano Nobile Level 45 minutes prior to concert.

Single tickets are on sale now at the WSO Box Office, 949-3999 or online.

FEBRUARY 10, 11   8:00 PM
FEBRUARY 12   2:00 PM

Richard Lee, conductor
Gavin Hope, lead vocals
Jeans ’n Classics Band:
Kathryn Rose – vocals
Lis Soderberg – vocals
Katalin Kiss – vocals
Peter Brennan – guitar
Donald Paulton – keyboard
Mitch Tyler – bass
Jeff Christmas – drums

“It was with great pleasure that we put together this tribute to Michael Jackson. As we thought about his incredible gifts and legacy we knew this show must happen….and we love it. It is a pure celebration of Michael Jackson’s staggering talent and the great music he created. We go back to the earliest Motown days of the Jackson Five and include ABC and the beautiful I’ll Be There.

As Michael broke away from the group he created amazing material, some of which we present from ‘Off The Wall’ before finally stepping into some of the best material from the Thriller and Bad albums.” – Peter Brennan, artistic director, Jeans ‘n Classics

With Michael Jackson classics like Billy Jean, Off the Wall, Beat It, The Way You Make Me Feel, Thriller, Ben, Never Can Say Goodbye, Man in the Mirror and so much more, this show will have you reaching for your white glove and sparkle shoes so you can dance up a storm in the aisles.

With four albums, constant touring, and a Juno nomination, Michael Jackson tribute artist Gavin Hope ventured into theatre, where highlights include RENT, and having the opportunity to play the role of Simba in the original Canadian company production of The Lion King.

MUSICIANS IN THE MAKING: Come and listen to various student groups perform on the Piano Nobile Level 45 minutes prior to concert.

DINNER & A SYMPHONY: Enjoy the return of Dinner & A Symphony with Bergmann’s on Lombard for our February 11 concert with American Cuisine, 3-course meal on the Piano Nobile at 5:30 pm. Dinner and concert start at $85!

Single tickets are on sale now at the WSO Box Office, 949-3999 or online.