BWW Preview: NJSO POPS and MEGAN HILTY Perform Broadway and American Songbook Classics at Three NJ Venues 2/12 to 2/14

Broadway and television star Megan Hilty headlines a Valentine's weekend NJSO POPS program February 12-14 in Red Bank, Newark and New Brunswick. Hilty-currently starring as Brooke Ashton in the Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of Noises Off-sings favorites from Broadway musicals and the American Songbook. Todd Ellison conducts.

Performances take place on Friday, February 12, at 8 pm at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank; Saturday, February 13, at 8 pm at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark and Sunday, February 14, at 3 pm at the State Theatre in New Brunswick. The February 14 performance is presented in collaboration with the State Theatre.

Hilty-who made her sold-out Carnegie Hall debut with the New York Pops in 2013-has garnered critical acclaim. Praising her performance in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, The New York Times writes: "By the time Ms. Hilty finished her third encore of ['Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend'], the audience had all but bloodied its hands from clapping. And had there been Olympic judges among us, they would each and every one have turned up a card reading '10.'"

She previously had starring roles in "Smash," Wicked and 9 to 5: The Musical; The Daily Beast dubbed her a "burgeoning blonde bombshell."

NJSO Accent festivities begin one hour before the February 13 and 14 concerts. The Michael Arenella Sextet returns to provide music for dancing beginning one hour before the February 13 concert at NJPAC; patrons can join a sing-along of love songs beginning one hour before the February 14 concert at the State Theatre. Additional information about this season's NJSO Accent events is available at www.njsymphony.org/accents.

The February 12 performance at the Count Basie Theatre is the Orchestra's first NJSO POPS concert at the Red Bank venue; the NJSO presents a second pops concert-featuring Broadway and television star Cheyenne Jackson in a program featuring music of the "Mad Men" era-at the Count Basie Theatre on April 15. Full series information is available at www.njsymphony.org/pops.

TICKETS

Tickets start at $20 and are available for purchase online at www.njsymphony.org, by phone at 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476) or in person. The NJSO Patron Services and Sales office is located at 60 Park Place, 9th floor, in Newark; tickets are available by phone or in person Monday-Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.

Tickets for the February 14 performance are also available from the State Theatre ticket office online at www.StateTheatreNJ.org, by phone at 732.246.SHOW (7469) or in person. The State Theatre ticket office is located at 15 Livingston Ave in New Brunswick-hours are Monday-Friday, 10 am to 6 pm; Saturday, 1 to 5 pm, and at least three hours prior to curtain on performance dates unless otherwise specified.

Symphony Sweethearts

Treat your sweetheart to something special! Surprise your valentine with gifts of a beautiful rose and a delicious chocolate sampler for just $14 more. The rose and chocolates will be available for pick-up in the lobby beginning one hour before the performance.

THE PROGRAM

Valentine's Day with Megan Hilty and the NJSO

Friday, February 12, at 8 pm | Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank

Saturday, February 13, at 8 pm | NJPAC in Newark

Sunday, February 14, at 3 pm | State Theatre in New Brunswick

Megan Hilty, vocalist

Todd Ellison, conductor

New Jersey Symphony Orchestra

Northern Trust generously sponsors the February 12 concert. The February 14 performance is presented in collaboration with the State Theatre.

Full program information is available at www.njsymphony.org/events/detail/valentines-day-with-megan-hilty-and-the-njso.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of NJSO