Celebrating Ten Wonderful Years!
A Letter From the Artistic Director
Dear Fellow Music Lovers,
Welcome to the Tenth Anniversary Season of the Key West Pops Orchestra. For me, music is about sharing. Sharing musical ideas with the performers and realizing great works of music on a very collaborative level is one way. Another way is sharing the energy and excitement of those performances with you, the audience. This is perhaps the most rewarding way for those of us who labor for your applause. We have, as always, a variety of offerings which will not only make this Anniversary Season memorable, but that will delight and entertain you.
Our two orchestra concerts are on Sunday evenings this season; January 25th and March 8th to be exact. Following our tradition of the last few seasons, our first offering on January 25th will be a concert version of Sondheim and Wheeler's 1973 Broadway hit A Little Night Music. A reworking of the Ingmar Bergman film, Smiles of a Summer Night, A Little Night Music is a comedy of manners, gentle in its admonishing of human frailty, but generous in its regard for human nature. Wheeler's book captures the mood and tension of the story while Sondheim's clever lyrics and glorious music delineate the characters superbly. It is certainly Mr. Sondheim's most haunting and lyrical score and includes the standard hit "Send in the Clowns." This production of Night Music is a wonderful reunion for me with a number of dear friends who have all worked together artistically over the years. The fabulous Art and Jackie Neill, who performed with the Pops in our Salute to Jerry Herman in 2000/01, return as Fredrick and Desiree, the older-but-not-wiser, former lovers whose paths again cross. Rounding out the cast are Kristen Bussiere, Laurie Breakwell, Jim Trainor, Billy Piscopo and the wonderful Susan Speidel, all of whom have appeared with the Pops in previous seasons. Newcomers to the Pops family for A Little Night Music include our five Leibesleider Singers: Valeska Cambron, Jennifer Boudette, Grace Brooks, Robert Vanaria and Matthew Campbell plus the incomparable Holly Logue making her Pops debut as Madame Armfelt.
On Sunday, March 8th we return to a more relaxed format with our official 10th Anniversary Concert. Heading the list of our guest artists is Lee Roy Reams. This gentleman is one of the most dynamic performers I know. He gives 110% every time he walks out on stage. You know you're in for a good time whenever Mr. Reams is on the program. He's a great entertainer, a terrific person and a good friend. It's wonderful having him back. I thought it would be a nice idea for this concert to bring together the people who appeared in the very first Pops concert in October of 1999. So, in addition to Mr. Reams, Fr. Alphonse Stephenson joins us as guest conductor along with singers Susan Speidel, Maria Zito-Kaufman and Michael Mulligan. To round out the program, my friends Joy Hawkins and Danny Weathers from The Red Barn Theatre and the Waterfront Playhouse, respectively, will also be appearing. I couldn't have such an important landmark concert go by without asking Randy Roberts to be involved. He has graced our stage with many different personas and thrilled us with his powerhouse voice many times over the years. Randy will be our MC for this March 8th concert. I hope that a number of surprise guests will find time in their busy schedules to stop by to say hello to you. All in all, it will be a concert not to be missed.
Finally, let me draw your attention to a very funny pair of ladies whose show, Duelling Divas, the Pops is sponsoring on Wednesday, January 28th in the lobby of the Tennessee Williams Theatre. You already know soprano Wendy Reynolds who has appeared twice with the Pops and in Island Opera Theatre's Key West production of La Traviata. Join Wendy, along with her cohort Birgit Fioavante, for an evening of opera with a twist. The singing is legit, but the slant on opera is at a decided angle. Please support them and treat yourselves to an evening that promises to be not only different but very entertaining as well.
In closing, let me say what a personal pleasure these past ten years have been for me. There are too many people to thank individually for helping to make our organization a rousing success, but a special tip of the hat to: Joan McGillis for giving us our first opportunity, Geremy Miller, my ever-faithful and ever-patient musical contractor, The South Florida Musicians Union Local 655, my very faithful band of locally-based musicians: Joe Dallas, Ken Fradley, Dave Parker, Donna Dallas, Mike Emerson, Tim McAlpin, Kaye Janecka, Patricia Roman, Virginia Snodgrass and Inga Wright who have been part of this orchestra for nine years now. Our other Key West players who have joined us over the years include Lisle Delanoux, Ashby Goldstein and Paul Dagle. But my greatest thanks goes to you, the audience, for taking us to your hearts, buying tickets, attending concerts, giving donations and supporting us. And so it is with heartfelt emotions that I look forward to sharing great music with you again not only this season, but in seasons to come.
Yours Truly,
Vincent P Zito,
Founder / Artistic Director
A Letter From the Chair
This year marks the Tenth Anniversary of the Key West Pops and my third year as president. I am proud to have been a part of the Pops organization since its inception, and this season promises to be the best one ever. As always, the Pops Board of Directors is grateful for the continued enthusiastic support from our Key West and Lower Keys community, and we promise to deliver the fine quality performances you have come to expect from us.
Hon. Lurana S. Snow,
President
A Letter From the Executive Director
We are excited to present a new VIP subscription level for the best seats in the house. Show your support of the Key West Pops and receive a special 10th Anniversary gift bag full of unique items as well as recognition in our season playbill. There are only three rows of these exclusive VIP subscription seats available, so be sure to reserve yours today!
Season subscriptions are available until Friday, November 28 by contacting me at 305.296.6059 or via our contact form. Beginning Monday, December 1, subscriptions as well as tickets to individual concerts will be available through the Tennessee Williams box office at 305.295.7676 or at www.keystix.com.
Enjoy the shows!
Stephanie Hellstrom,
Executive Director
