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

Yaron Gershovsky, conductor
The Manhattan Transfer:
Tim Hauser
Janis Siegel
Alan Paul
Margaret Dorn (replacing Cheryl Bentyne)

“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!

Manhattan Transfer: Boy from New York City

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 below:

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

Richard Lee, conductor
LaKisha Jones, performer – American Idol finalist
Christiane Noll, performer
Doug LaBrecque, 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

Broadway Rocks

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 below:

Purchase:

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 Billie 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.

CIRQUE MUSICA

FRIDAY, APRIL 26 • 8:00 PM
SATURDAY, APRIL 27 • 8:00 PM
SUNDAY, APRIL 28 • 2:00 PM

Cirque Musica blends grace and thrills of the world’s greatest circus performers – Ringling Bros., Barnum & Bailey and Cirque du Soleil veterans – with stunning symphonic music. Audiences are treated to a full sensory experience that will have them in awe of the beauty, adventure and majesty that is Cirque Musica!

Carmina Burana

Richard Lee, conductor
Cirque Musica

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PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL

FRIDAY, MARCH 22 • 8:00 PM
SATURDAY, MARCH 23 • 8:00 PM
SUNDAY, MARCH 24 • 2:00 PM

The film that began Disney’s blockbuster series will be screened in its entirety with live accompaniment by the WSO of the original soundtrack. In this screening of “The Curse of the Black Pearl,” the orchestra heightens the impact of the film’s soaring and dramatic music. Captain Jack Sparrow is waiting!

Richard Lee, conductor

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WOODSTOCK

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22 • 8:00 PM
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23 • 8:00 PM
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24 • 2:00 PM

With an all-star lineup including former Triumph guitarist Rik Emmett, we present a concert devoted to Woodstock, one of the most momentous events in rock history, featuring material by Crosby, Stills & Nash, The Who, Janis Joplin, Joe Cocker, Santana, Jimi Hendrix, The Band, Jefferson Airplane and more.

Jimi Hendrix cover: All Along the Watchtower
Janis Joplin cover: Piece of My Heart

Richard Lee, conductor
Rik Emmett, guitar and vocals
Jeans ‘n Classics Band:
Neil Donell, lead vocals
Jean Meilleur, lead vocals
Rique Franks, lead and backup vocals
Katalin Kiss, lead and backup vocals
Peter Brennan, guitars
John Regan, piano and host
Jeff Christmas, drums
Mitch Tyler, bass

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THE DREAM CONCERT

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25 • 8:00 PM
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26 • 8:00 PM
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27 • 2:00 PM

Michael Burgess and Rebecca Caine are two of Canada’s most distinguished stars of musical theatre. They’ve joined forces to present an enchanting evening of classic and contemporary songs from great shows of Broadway and London’s West End including Les Miserables, the Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story, My Fair Lady, The Fantasticks and more.

Dream Concert Song 1
Dream Concert Song 2

Richard Lee, conductor
Michael Burgess, performer
Rebecca Caine, performer

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A SYMPHONIC NIGHT IN HAVANA

FRIDAY, JANUARY 11 • 8:00 PM
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12 • 8:00 PM
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13 • 2:00 PM

You’ll be transported to Havana with Cuban music created specifically for the orchestra and three-time Grammy-nominated Cuban music group Tiempo Libre. They’re one of the hottest Latin bands today, celebrated for its incendiary, joyful performances of timba, a dance-inducing mix of Latin jazz and the seductive rhythms of song.

Tiempo Libre

Richard Lee, conductor
Tiempo Libre:
Jorge Gomez, keyboard
Raúl Rodríguez, trumpet
Leandro Gonzalez, congas
Tebelio (Tony) Fonte, bass
Armando (Pututi) Arce, drums
Joaquin (El Kid) Diaz, lead vocal
Luis Beltran Castillo, saxophone & flute

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BARENAKED LADIES: HITS AND HOLIDAY SONGS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7 • 8:00 PM
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8 • 8:00 PM
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9 • 2:00 PM

More than fifteen million record sales, multiple Juno Awards, and fans throughout the world, Barenaked Ladies is no ordinary rock band. Over a 20 years history, they became a top-selling, award-winning concert draw across North America and the U.K. with their frenetic blend of high-energy melodic-pop, musicianship and spontaneous repartee.

Barenaked Ladies: If I Had A Million Dollars

Richard Lee, conductor
Barenaked Ladies:
Ed Robertson, guitar/vocals
Jim Creeggan, bass/vocals
Kevin Hearn, keyboard/guitar/vocals
Tyler Stewart, drums/vocals

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BIG NIGHTMARE MUSIC

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2 • 8:00 PM
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3 • 8:00 PM
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4 • 2:00 PM

Igudesman & Joo’s celebrated musical madness is now on a symphonic scale! When these dazzling musicians and masters of comedy perform with a symphony orchestra, the musical nightmares take on epic proportions. Now, everyone gets drawn into their zany world, from the first violinist to the last percussionist.

Richard Lee, conductor
Aleksey Igudesman, violin
Hyung-ki Joo, piano

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