Luker Joins Jones In NSO Pops THE MUSIC MAN Concert At The kennedy Center 11/27-28

On November 27 and 28, 2009 Rebecca Luker will join Shirley Jones and the National Symphony Orchestra Pops for NSO Pops: The Music of The Music Man. These concert reviews of songs from Meredith Willson's The Music Man will be led by Principal Pops Conductor Marvin Hamlisch and will also feature the City Choir of Washington. The performances will take place during Thanksgiving weekend in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall on Friday, November 27 at 1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., and on Saturday, November 28 at 8 p.m.

This Pops review of Meredith Willson's work will begin with a medley of the songwriter's best-known tunes. After the intermission, a line-up of Broadway stars will sing the beloved songs of The Music Man including "Seventy-six Trombones," "My White Knight," and many more.

Rebecca Luker will reprise the role of Marian Paroo, which she performed in the 2000 Broadway revival. Ms. Luker is currently starring in Mary Poppins for which she earned a 2007 Tony Award® nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. Other Broadway credits include Show Boat (Tony® nomination), The Music Man (Tony® nomination), The Phantom of the Opera, Nine, The Sound of Music, and The Secret Garden. Ms. Luker recently performed to sold-out audiences at her critically acclaimed American Songbook Series of solo concerts at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Her recordings include Leaving Home (PSClassics.com), Anything Goes: Rebecca Luker Sings Cole Porter, Aria, Aria 2 and Aria 3 (Koch records), The Boys From Syracuse, Wonderful Town, Annie Get Your Gun, Broadway Showstoppers, Jerome Kern Treasury, and Brigadoon. Ms. Luker's most recent appearances at the Kennedy Center were with the NSO during the 2007-2008 season, as well as an appearance in November 2008 as part of the Center's Barbara Cook's Spotlight series.

Shirley Jones will play the role of Mrs. Paroo. Noted for her lead roles in the film adaptations of Oklahoma, Carousel, and The Music Man, she received the Academy Award® for her performance in Elmer Gantry. Her Broadway credits include the original production of South Pacific, 42nd Street, and the title role in Maggie Flynn. Ms. Jones is known to television audiences for her portrayal of Mrs. Partridge in The Partridge Family. She was last seen at the Kennedy Center in Broadway: Three Generations in October 2008.

Marvin Hamlisch, now in his tenth season as Principal Pops Conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra, is the first person to hold that position with the NSO. Each season includes six different three-performance programs, as well as special single concerts.

Under Hamlisch's leadership, the National Symphony Orchestra Pops season is marked by a wide variety of musical forms - jazz, Broadway musicals, oldies, and more - and a distinctive mixture of major artists and emerging talents.

Upcoming NSO Pops performances include: Ben Folds Rocks the Pops, September 24*; An Evening with Chris Botti, October 29-31; Happy Holidays!, December 10-13; And the Winner Is..., February 11-13, 2010; Michael Cavanaugh in Concert: The Music of Billy Joel and More, April 17, 2010*; Sondheim at 80, May 6-8, 2010; and Classical Mystery Tour, June 24-26, 2010.

*One Performance Only

Performances for NSO Pops: The Music of The Music Man will take place on Friday, November 27 at 1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., and on Saturday, November 28 at 8 p.m. Tickets from $20 to $85 are available for purchase at the Kennedy Center box office or by calling Instant Charge at (202) 467-4600. Patrons living outside the Washington metropolitan area may dial toll-free at (800) 444-1324 or visit us online at www.kennedy-center.org.

Audi is the proud sponsor of the 2009-2010 National Symphony Orchestra Pops Season.

For more information about the NSO Pops, please visit www.kennedy-center.org.

Photo Credit: Linda Lenzi