METRMAG Spotlight On: Keith Lockhart returns with the Boston Pops to the Hanover Theatre for "Holiday Pops" (Worcester, MA.)
(Cover Photo: Conductor KEITH LOCKHART and the BOSTON POPS ESPLANADE ORCHESTRA returns to The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Worcester, MA. for one performance only on December 6, 2024. Photo Courtesy of the Hanover Theatre and BSO.org)
METRMAG Spotlight On: Keith Lockhart returns with the Boston Pops to the Hanover Theatre for "Holiday Pops"
The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts
Presents
KEITH LOCKHART and the BOSTON POPS
"HOLIDAY POPS"
THE BOSTON POPS ESPLANADE ORCHESTRA
With Conductors KEITH LOCKHART and JAMES BURTON
One Night Only!
Performance:
December 6, 2024 at 8:00pm
Presented at the HANOVER THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester.
For More Information: 877-571-SHOW (7469) info@thehanovertheatre.org
TICKETS:
Tickets are $79, $95, $119 and $149 depending on seat location. Please contact the box office at 877-571-7469 for more information.
BUY TICKETS
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(Photo: Conductor KEITH LOCKHART and the BOSTON POPS ESPLANADE ORCHESTRA returns to The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Worcester, MA. for one performance only on December 6, 2024. Photo Courtesy of the Hanover Theatre and BSO.org)
METRMAG Spotlight On: Keith Lockhart returns with the Boston Pops to the Hanover Theatre for "Holiday Pops"
KEITH LOCKHART and the BOSTON POPS return to the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Worcester for "HOLIDAY POPS" a festive seasonal tradition.
This is not just a concert, but rather a full-on celebratory holiday experience and one, LOCKHART says, in which the audience is fully encouraged to sing along with holiday standards like “The 12 Days of Christmas,” “All I Want for Christmas” and more.
“Those songs are always a lot of fun,” LOCKHART says.
The party at the Hanover Theatre begins on December 6th at 8:00pm and, as usual, a certain "jolly old elf" from the North Pole is expected to make an appearance.
LOCKHART once again leads the renowned BOSTON POPS ESPLANADE ORCHESTRA in a family-friendly concert, delighting many with unbridled musical holiday spirit.
Born in November, 1959 in Poughkeepsie, NY, LOCKHART (Another belated happy birthday, by the way) began his musical studies on piano at the age of 7, and holds degrees from Furman University and Carnegie Mellon University.
LOCKHART also holds honorary doctorates from the Boston Conservatory, Boston University, Northeastern University, Furman University and Carnegie Mellon University, among others.
LOCKHART was also the 2006 recipient of the Bob Hope Patriot Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, and recipient of the 2017 Commonwealth Award, Massachusetts’ highest cultural honor.
Capturing the magic of the Christmas season and the winter charms of New England, the BOSTON POPS ESPLANADE ORCHESTRA will perform Holiday classics and new arrangements of seasonal favorites.
They are joined by the Metropolitan Chorale, known as one of Metro Boston’s premier chorale ensembles.
“We’ll be bringing back the Metropolitan Chorale like we have for past seasons,” says LOCKHART, adding “We’ll also be presenting some new material, including a new arrangement by David Coleman.”
According to a BSO press release, the centerpiece of this year’s program is a new work featuring the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, by local composer David Coleman, based on Ashley Bryan’s book “Carol of the Brown King,” which features poems by Langston Hughes and projections of Ashley Bryan’s illustrations.
“This is probably one of the greatest things we have ever commissioned here and something of which I am truly excited about,” says LOCKHART.
According to LOCKHART, “Carol of the Brown King” was set a couple of times to music.
“After discussing with David Coleman (who did the original music), I found it to be just such beautiful writing,” LOCKHART says. “HOLIDAY POPS has become one of Boston’s most enduring traditions, a yearly occasion for families and friends to share in music and mirth.”
(Photo: Conductor KEITH LOCKHART - seen here with a friend - and the BOSTON POPS ESPLANADE ORCHESTRA return to The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Worcester, MA. for one performance only on December 6, 2024. Photo Courtesy of the Hanover Theatre and BSO.org)
Last year, in conversation, LOCKHART pointed out how, “There are a great number of artists who I still work with and who still inspire me. I am always pleased to be enjoying working with extraordinarily talented people - and some of the younger people coming up, as well, are incredible."
“This year, we are especially thrilled to present a new work by our friend and frequent collaborator, David Coleman, that celebrates the immortal poetry of Langston Hughes and the work of one of our favorite illustrators, Ashley Bryan.”
LOCKHART and the POPS will offer the annual presentation of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," David Chase's perennially popular arrangement of "The Twelve Days of Christmas," Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride," and a new arrangement of “Jingle Bells” by composer Mason Bynes, a festive sing-along.
LOCKHART and the BOSTON POPS ESPLANADE ORCHESTRA have appeared at the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Worcester for many years.
"I think our first time was pretty soon after it opened (in 2008), while the paint was still fresh on the walls," LOCKHART says, adding, “We’ve been coming to Worcester almost every year (including times when performing at the DCU Center)."
Per LOCKHART, “We try to give audiences a great show that has a great ensemble and ORCHESTRA. Traditions are important because people expect to hear certain things. But often they also might come away surprised by something they might never have heard before."
(Video: Conductor KEITH LOCKHART and the BOSTON POPS ESPLANADE ORCHESTRA returns to The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Worcester, MA. for one performance only on December 6, 2024. Courtesy of BSO.org)
The POPS traditionally overlaps with the Hanover Theatre's production of “A Christmas Carol,” and every year a member of the cast of that show serves as a narrator, usually dressed in full Dickensian garb to perform with the POPS.
Confirmed by the Hanover Theatre, from this year’s “A CHRISTMAS CAROL” (December 15th through the 22nd) actor John Little (who plays “Ebenezer Scrooge”) will be the special guest joining the POPS in the reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas."
“We are always happy to play at the Hanover," LOCKHART says.
Last year, LOCKHART concluded our previous interview with a profound statement which seems even more relevant this year. He said:
"It has been 30 years now, and the POPS have brought joy to many people. We always look at the world around us and what is on people’s minds - their hopes, their aspirations. And, yes, sometimes, it seems, in this world, that some things just continue to get worse. Yet, having done this event, year after year, even at the Christmas just after 9/11 – we still hope that people can come together with us and that, (after watching us perform), that they will leave having more hope for the future and for community.”
"The idea that there is still much to celebrate - even when the news tells us otherwise - is something that I hope they can leave with," LOCKHART says, adding, "I hope they leave with a good feeling, as if they have been imbued with the Christmas spirit – that same sense of Christmas spirit one might see coming out of a Frank Capra movie."
Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with family, friends and merry music with KEITH LOCKHART and the "HOLIDAY POPS" this December.
KEITH LOCKHART and the BOSTON POPS ESPLANADE ORCHESTRA plays at The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Worcester, MA. for one performance only on December 6, 2024 at 8:00pm.
BUY TICKETS
Please contact the box office at 877-571-SHOW (7469) for more information.
Approximately two hours with one intermission
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
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(Photo: Conductor KEITH LOCKHART and the BOSTON POPS ESPLANADE ORCHESTRA returns to The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Worcester, MA. for one performance only on December 6, 2024. Photo Courtesy of the Hanover Theatre and BSO.org)
ABOUT THE SHOW
Join the BOSTON POPS ESPLANADE ORCHESTRA and conductor KEITH LOCKHART for their sparkling and beloved Holiday Pops concert.
Capturing the magic of the Christmas season and the winter charms of New England, the BOSTON POPS ESPLANADE ORCHESTRA will perform holiday classics and new arrangements of seasonal favorites.
They are joined by the Metropolitan Chorale, known as one of Metro Boston’s premier choral ensembles.
Santa Claus himself will make a guest appearance during the concert’s finale.
(Photo: Conductor KEITH LOCKHART and the BOSTON POPS ESPLANADE ORCHESTRA returns to The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Worcester, MA. for one performance only on December 6, 2024. Photo Courtesy of the Hanover Theatre and BSO.org)
Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with family, friends and merry music with "THE 2024 BOSTON POPS HOLIDAY TOUR" this December.
Performing festive favorites from cultural traditions around the world, conductors KEITH LOCKHART and JAMES BURTON, along with the POPS, will get you in the holiday spirit quicker than you can sing “fa la la la la.”
Approximately two hours with one intermission
BUY TICKETS
Please contact the box office at 877-571-SHOW (7469) for more information.
ABOUT HANOVER THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Worcester Center for Performing Arts is a registered not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, which owns and operates The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
HANOVER THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
2 Southbridge Street
Worcester, MA. 01608
# 877-571-SHOW (7469)
