"BROADWAY SHOWSTOPPERS"- IN CONCERT

Peter Nero celebrates his 25^th year as conductor of the famous Philly Pops with yet another block- buster Broadway Concert in Philadelphia. The lavish glass palace, The Kimmel Center is home to Verizon Hall, which was sold out to near capacity for another show stopping event. What is fast becoming its signature show, Broadway Showstoppers is a unique concert that features a world-class orchestra teaming up with some of Broadway's hottest stars.

We are treated to Broadway's Tony- award winning starlet, Sutton Foster, joined by veteran performers William Michals, Dee Hoty, Matt Bogart and Donna McKechnie. This year's event held some special surprises; a selection set of musical numbers from A Chorus Line, City of Angels, Little Shop of Horrors, some classic Rodgers and Hammerstein and finally West Side Story, presented in a mini-musical form for each show. The Pops own professional chorus, the Voices of the Pops, directed by Jeffrey S. Kern, joins this esteemed cast. This is truly an ensemble that would be the envy of any New York production. Also, for the first time, the Philly Pops welcomes The Kids from Wisconsin; three of the best of hundreds who audition in Wisconsin for a chance to perform in a concert series. Augie Haas, at 19, majors in jazz trumpet having played for 9 years and currently plays in a jazz band. Kelsey Klug, a 19-year-old soprano and sophomore majoring in Music Ed. for piano and voice at the University of Wisconsin and D. Eric Woolweber, 17, from Germantown WI, who has been performing in musical theater since he was 7 years old. These talented kids are thrilled to be part of such an exciting series.

The orchestra opens with the overture from Candide and moves right into a stirring rendition of Lullaby of Broadway joined by the entire cast. The first selections were from A Chorus Line. Dee Hoty offered a heartfelt "What I Did For Love" where she was joined by the Voices of the Pops. All three ladies Dee, Sutton & Donna shared the touching number " At The Ballet." City of Angels was next as Dee Hoty & Matt Bogart teased each other with a naughty, charming song simply called " The Tennis Song." Next we heard from Dee & Sutton in the cute number " What You Don't Know About Women." Finally, William Michals & Matt Bogart faced off in the battle of the split personality in " You're Nothing Without Me."