NOTES: Jeremy Jordan and The New York Pops
Last night at Carnegie Hall, The New York Pops triumphantly launched its 37th season as the largest independent pops orchestra in the United States and the only professional symphonic orchestra in New York dedicated to the performance and celebration of popular music.
On hand to mark the occasion was guest artist Jeremy Jordan, star of Broadway shows like “Newsies” and “Waitress”, also known for his role on the short-lived/cult-status NBC series “Smash”, and the film adaptation of Jason Robert Brown’s “The Last Five Years”.
As always, music director and conductor Steve Reineke put together a terrific program that underlined exactly what makes the Pops such a special and singular institution.
Orchestral offerings included Dimitri Shostakovich’s rousing “Festive Orchestra”, Cole Porter’s beguiling “Begin the Beguine”, a suite from “Les Misérables”, which was a real treat, and an encore presentation of the brisk and melodious “Menken Medley”, which premiered at last April’s gala concert in honor of composer Alan Menken.
For his part, Mr. Jordan showcased the impressive range, fulsome voice, effortless high-notes, and humble but cool-guy swagger that have made him a darling of the musical theatre world over the past decade.
Highlights from his dozen or so songs included “Broadway, Here I Come!” from “Smash”, “Soliloquy” from “Carousel”, a swinging medley of songs made popular by Andy Williams, “Moving Too Fast” from “The Last Five Years” with a new symphonic arrangement by Jason Robert Brown, and “Santa Fe” from “Newsies”, which has become Mr. Jordan’s signature song—a good problem to have.
Mr. Jordan’s wife, Ashley Spencer—herself a Broadway veteran—made a surprise appearance onstage, joining him for a mashup of 80s pop songs from “Rock of Ages”—the show where they met—and returned for an encore set of five songs that blew the roof off the Stern Auditorium, including hits from “Ragtime”, “Urinetown”, “Wicked”, “Moulin Rouge”, and “Little Shop of Horrors”.
Next up, the Pops return for their annual holiday concerts on December 20th and 21st, this year featuring guest vocalists Tony DeSare and Capathia Jenkins.
