Ashley Brown, Steven Reineke Set for New York Pops' UNDER THE MISTLETOE at Carnegie Hall, 12/19-20

On December 19 and 20, 2013 at 8:00 PM, The New York Pops will present an evening full of holiday cheer at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage with Ashley Brown and Essential Voices USA. Music Director and Conductor Steven Reineke - described by The New York Times as a "polished, welcoming host" who is "young and vigorous, with a playful attitude" - will lead the orchestra and guest artist Ashley Brown in a festive concert featuring traditional favorites and new holiday hits.

The concert program will feature classic holiday tunes like "I'll Be Home For Christmas," "Winter Wonderland," and "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year." The performance will also include ''Yes, Virginia (There's A Santa Claus)' by EMMY AWARD - winning song writing team Wesley Whatley and William Schermerhorn along with musical highlights from famed composers Sammy Cahn, John Williams, and Vince Guaraldi.

The New York Pops will perform a special holiday Family Concert, a staged concert version of A Charlie Brown Christmas, on Saturday, December 21, 2013 at 2:00 PM. The orchestra's 31st season continues with A Broadway Love Story, featuring guest artists Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley, on March 21, 2014 and Lights, Camera, Action: A Night In Hollywood, highlighting some of film's most iconic scores, on April 4, 2014. The season culminates with the 31st Birthday Gala, honoring composer-lyricist Marc Shaiman and real estate leader Paul J. Massey, Jr., Massey Knakal Realty Services, on April 28, 2014.

Ashley Brown originated the title role in Mary Poppins on Broadway, for which she received Outer Critics, Drama League and Drama Desk Award nominations for Best Actress. Ms. Brown also earned a Garland Award for "Best Performance in a Musical" for her starring role in the national tour of Mary Poppins. Ms. Brown's other Broadway credits include Belle in Beauty and The Beast and the national tour of Disney's On The Record.

Ms. Brown recently received critical acclaim starring in Lyric Opera of Chicago's production of Oklahoma. Other projects include star turns in Hello Dolly at The Goodspeed Opera House, Sound of Music
at the St. Louis MUNY, which garnered her a Kevin Kline Award, Limelight at the La Jolla Playhouse, and her own PBS special called "Ashley Brown: Call Me Irresponsible" which received a PBS Telly Award.
She has performed with virtually all of the top orchestras in North America including three appearances with The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall.

Essential Voices USA (EVUSA), one of New York's preeminent choral ensembles, brings together a roster
of seasoned professionals and auditioned volunteers. With this unique choral model, created by music director and conductor Judith Clurman, the size of the ensemble is constantly changing, dictated by the specific musical needs of each project. The ensemble is completely at home in New York's iconic performance venues. It performs regularly on The New York Pops subscription series at Carnegie Hall and at the DiMenna Center for Classical Music. EVUSA participated in the spirited Leonard Bernstein Celebration at Symphony Space. EVUSA also produces its own classical choral, musical theater, and operatic readings, workshops,
and recordings.