By Marilyn Lester*** Once a year, the The New York Pops holds the The New York Pops Underground cabaret event at 54 Below, hosted by Pops Music Director and Conductor, Steven Reineke. In addition to being a fundraiser beginning with a champagne reception, the evening is also a celebration of Pops education programs, plus a c
abaret show—this year starring Elizabeth Stanley.
Education initiatives by PopsEd are massive, reaching into the NYC school system and way beyond. Proceeds from The New York Pops Underground cabaret fundraiser support the many PopsEd programs, which provide music education, arts access and performance opportunities for New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds—a large part of the mission of Pops founders Skitch and Ruth Henderson. Now in its 40th year, The New York Pops has become the largest independent pops orchestra in the United States and the only professional symphonic orchestra in New York City specializing in popular music. With PopsEd music education programs, The New York Pops collaborates with public schools, community organizations, and senior centers throughout the five boroughs of New York City.
The program began with music by the The PopsEd Alumni Ensemble. Following were the presentation of an award to PopsEd honoree, Richard Peters, and the announcement of a new initiative, a conducting apprenticeship program, plus the all-important fundraiser portion of the evening.
In a full cabaret show, Elizabeth Stanley took the stage proving why she is a major Broadway talent. With an expansive vocal range, the diva is able to slide from the mezzo to the high soprano with ease. Opening with a mellow, very bluesy “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'” (Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein III), Stanley demonstrated that she knows how to use her power voice very well. From a raw display of rock ‘n roll to a controlled belt to a soft rendering—”You Learn” (Alanis Morissette), “There Won’t Be Tr
umpets” (Stephen Sondheim), “She’s Got a Way About Her” (Billy Joel)—Stanley exercised complete control of her abilities, with perfectly tailored precision. Operatic heights were hit with an in-character rendition of “When a Girl Grows Up in Napoli” (Jason Robert Brown) from The Bridges of Madison County.
Stanley’s narrative was personal, animated and performed with authenticity. She took great care to connect with the audience on a human level, buoyant and without airs and graces. Confessing that she secretly likes country music, she sang emotively from the 1995 musical, Floyd Collins—composed by Adam Guettel stylistically in bluegrass and Americana modes—”Through the Mountain.” With her encore, “Anyone Can Whistle” (Stephen Sondheim), the title song from the musica left contented hearts and high hopes that everything could be—easy.
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The 40th season of the New York Pops presents the first full roster of programing since the pandemic lockdown. In brief, it is as follows:
September 8, 2022: The Music of Star Wars on Friday, October 21, 2022 at 8:00 PM in Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage in Carnegie Hall. The brand-new comprehensive program includes music from all nine films in the epic Skywalker Saga as well as the two anthology films, Rogue One and Solo: A Star Wars Story, presented in chronological order.
November 18, 2022: Broadway Blockbusters with guest artists Nikki Renée Daniels, Jordan Donica, Matt Doyle, and Melissa Errico, and Judith Clurman’s Essential Voices USA
December 16, 2022: Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree with Ingrid Michaelson and Judith Clurman’s Essential Voices USA;
December 17, 2022: Winter Song with Ingrid Michaelson
February 10, 2023: One Night Only: An Evening with Heather Headley
March 24, 2023:The Marvelous Marilyn Maye, celebrating the cabaret legend’s 95th birthday
Visit https://newyorkpops.org for complete information on all matters New York Pops
All photos by Genevieve Rafter Keddy
