Murney, Block Sing WICKED with Columbus Symphony Orchestra; '10-'11 Season Announced

The Columbus Symphony Orchestra today announced the 2010 season lineup for its two annual summer outdoor concert series, the Nationwide Insurance Picnic with the Pops and Popcorn Pops. A Highlight of the season includes a special performance by former Elphabas Julia Murney and Stephanie J. Block singing songs from Wicked.

The 2010 Nationwide Insurance Picnic with the Pops will run June 19 through July 31, and feature Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Peter Cetera, Kansas, and The Ohio State University Marching Band, among others. The 2010 Nationwide Insurance Popcorn Pops runs June 25 through July 23, and will feature three special family concerts recommended for children ages 3-12.

2010 NATIONWIDE INSURANCE PICNIC WITH THE POPS
All concerts are held on the lawn of Chemical Abstracts Service (2540 Olentangy River Rd.). Gates open at 6 pm. Concerts begin at 8:15 pm.

Spectrum in a Tribute to Motown and R&B
Saturday, June 19
Albert-George Schram, conductor
The "Philadelphia Sound" of the 1960s is back and coming to Columbus in the form of vocal sensations, Spectrum. Enjoy an unforgettable evening of Motown and R&B hits including "My Girl," "Stand by Me," "Soul Man," and "Under the Boardwalk."

Wicked Divas
Saturday, June 26
Albert-George Schram, conductor
Julia Murney, vocalist
Stephanie J. Block, vocalist
Join two of Broadway's Elphabas from WICKED, Julia Murney and Stephanie J Block, together for the first time singing selections from WICKED, Ragtime, Chicago, Funny Girl, and much more. Additionally, the orchestra will perform selections from George Bizet's Carmen.

Patriotic Pops
Saturday, July 3
Peter Stafford Wilson, conductor
Columbus' grand summer tradition continues as the Columbus Symphony celebrates the Fourth of July. Wave the flag, clap your hands, and stomp your feet to patriotic favorites and rousing Sousa marches including "The Stars and Stripes Forever" plus Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue." The evening is topped off with a brilliant fireworks display.

Peter Cetera
Saturday, July 10
Albert-George Schram, conductor
Settle in for the most romantic night of the summer with Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Peter Cetera, the creative genius behind an unparalleled string of hit songs including "If You Leave Me Now," "Hard to Say I'm Sorry," "You're The Inspiration," "The Glory of Love," and "The Next Time I Fall."

‘50s Dance Party: A Tribute to Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens
Saturday, July 17
Albert-George Schram, conductor
Some say the music died on February 3, 1959 - but we know better. The hits of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper live on in this uncanny recreation of the final tour of these rock ‘n roll legends. Enjoy two hours of music and memories from the ‘50s, including "That'll Be the Day," "Peggy Sue," "Oh, Boy," "Rave On," "La Bamba," "Chantilly Lace," and more.

Kansas
Saturday, July 24
Albert-George Schram, conductor
Kansas defined a decade, and today, the backbone of classic rock rests squarely on their songs such as "Dust in the Wind," "Carry on Wayward Son," and "Point of Know Return." Hear them as never before with a live symphony orchestra.

The Ohio State University Marching Band
Friday & Saturday, July 30 & 31
Albert-George Schram & Dr. Jon Woods, conductors
It's time to don the scarlet and gray and celebrate the coming season's gridiron clash with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and "The Pride of the Buckeyes." Don't miss the biggest tailgate party of the year with "The Best Damn Band in the Land" and fireworks!

Tickets to Picnic with the Pops are $20 for adults and $13 for children if purchased in advance by phone at 614.228.8600, online at www.PicnicWithThePops.com, or in person at the Ohio Theatre Ticket Office (39 E. State St.). At the gate on the night of the show, tickets are $22 for adults and $15 for children. Children 3 and under are free.

Tickets are also available at central Ohio Giant Eagle locations at a discounted price of $18 for adults and $12 for children.

Picnic with the Pops Lawn Coupon Books are available for $102. The book of six, non-date specific tickets can be used in any combination for any of the 2010 Nationwide Insurance Picnic with the Pops concerts. Lawn Coupon Books must be purchased from the CSO before June 12, and will not be available at the gate or Giant Eagle locations.

A group discount is available for parties of 10 or more. Call 614.228.8600 for more information.

2010 NATIONWIDE INSURANCE POPCORN POPS
Sing, dance, and monkey around with the Columbus Symphony at three special family concerts recommended for children ages 3-12. Children will enjoy free popcorn and free pre-concert activities including face painting, art projects, playing with musical instruments, and more.

All concerts are held on the lawn of Chemical Abstracts Service (2540 Olentangy River Rd.). Gates open at 6:30 pm. Pre-concert activities will be available from 6:30 to 7:45 pm. Concerts begin at 8pm and run for approximately one hour.

Rain, Rain Go Away
Friday, June 25
Gerald Steichen, conductor
The sun will be shining brightly as the CSO performs "stormy" favorites including "The Thunder and Lightning Polka," music from Vivaldi's "Four Seasons," and "It's Raining, It's Pouring."

Beach Party!
Friday, July 9
Albert-George Schram, conductor
Surf's up, dude! Catch the wave for a great time while listening to music from The Little Mermaid, groovin' to "Limbo Rock," and singing along to "If You're Happy and You Know It."

Abracadabra
Friday, July 23
Albert-George Schram, conductor
Pre-concert serenade from students of the Summer Pops Youth Orchestra from 7:15-7:45 pm.
This magical evening will include music from "Swan Lake" and best-loved movies such as Harry Potter, Aladdin, and E.T.

Tickets to Popcorn Pops are $12 for all ages and can be purchased at the gate or in advance by phone at 614.228.8600, online at www.PicnicWithThePops.com, or in person at the Ohio Theatre Ticket Office (39 E. State St.). Children 3 and under are free.

Tickets are also available at central Ohio Giant Eagle locations at a discounted price of $11 for all ages.

Popcorn Pops Lawn Coupon Books are available for $40. The book of four, non-date specific tickets can be used in any combination for any of the 2010 Popcorn Pops concerts. Lawn Coupon Books must be purchased from the CSO before June 12, and will not be available at the gate or Giant Eagle locations.

A group discount is available for parties of 10 or more. Call 614.228.8600 for more information.

Reserved Seating
Center stage tables are available for purchase at each concert. Tables are sold in parties of 2, 4, 8, or 10, and range from $100-$810. Catering not included.

Prime location lawn space may also be reserved for groups of 25 or more.

To reserve tables or preferRed Lawn seating, call 614.228.8600.

Food & Beverage Policy
Patrons may bring their own food and drink or purchase from on-site vendors, Donatos and Graeter's Ice Cream. Alcohol is not sold on-site. Vito's Catering is the official caterer of Picnic with the Pops, and catering service can be arranged for reserved tables only by calling 614-459-3377.

CSO Outdoor Concert Policy
Patrons are encouraged to bring blankets for lawn seating. Tents, pets, umbrellas, handbills, solicitation or unauthorized sales, video cameras/recording devices, bicycles, and skateboards are not permitted.

Rain Policy
These are rain or shine events. There is no rain location.

All programs and artists are subject to change.

The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, education excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The CSO also appreciates the support of the Columbus Foundation, assisting donors and others in strengthening our community for the benefit of all of its citizens, and the Greater Columbus Arts Council, supporting the city's artists and arts organizations since 1973.

About the Columbus Symphony Orchestra
Founded in 1951, the Columbus Symphony is the only full-time, professional symphony in central Ohio. Through an array of innovative artistic, educational, and community outreach programming, the Columbus Symphony is reaching an expanding to a more diverse audience each year. This season, the Columbus Symphony will share classical music with more than a quarter million people in central Ohio through concerts, radio broadcasts, and special programming. For more information, visit www.columbussymphony.com.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.