David Charles Abell News

Philadelphia's treasured musical tradition - The Philly POPS Christmas Spectacular - returns to Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for eight festive performances from tonight, December 6-20, 2014.

Whether you're from the Greater Philadelphia area or visiting from far away, the Kimmel Center is your home for the holidays! The Kimmel Center has expanded their holiday offerings with over 80 activities, ticketed events, and a month-long celebration of the season!

Joining the previously announced Bryn Terfel and Emma Thompson who will lead the cast as Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett is Philip Quast as Judge Turpin. Further casting will be announced shortly.

The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye just revealed via Twitter that Olivier winner Philip Quast, who played 'Judge Turpin' in the New York Philharmonic's SWEENEY TODD, will reprise his role in the musical at English National Opera. He will reunite with Bryn Terfel in the title role and Emma Thompson as 'Mrs. Lovett'.

Music Director and Conductor Michael Krajewski, the nationally recognized Pops conductor who performs with orchestras throughout the country, brings back his innovative programming and lighthearted approach with the 2014-2015 concert season of The Philly POPS. Encore Series, Inc, the presenter of The Philly POPS, is pleased to introduce this exciting series of concerts which begins in October, 2014 with the Era of ABBA, followed by Classic Soul. It continues with a salute to the American Songbook Then and Now and a visit to the movies with Epic Hollywood Soundtracks. The season ends with the Legends of Rock.

PHILADELPHIA, PA (October 2, 2014) - Philadelphia's treasured musical tradition - The Philly POPS Christmas Spectacular - returns to Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for eight festive performances from December 6-20, 2014, led by Britain's celebrated Philadelphia-raised conductor David Charles Abell, who is back by popular demand with The Philly POPS. As The POPS' exceptional musicians present beloved seasonal tunes in exciting arrangements, each concert also features three spectacular choirs and the ever-popular audience sing-along, in a rousing program guaranteed to please audience members of all ages. For 2014, The Philly POPS is pleased to welcome Broadway's renowned Phantom Hugh Panaro, a Philadelphia native, who makes his POPS debut during this annual family favorite.

When The Philly POPS® premieres the 2014 Christmas Spectacularconcert series, the audience will be filled with first responders and members of the military. At this first annual I'll Be Home for Christmas Spectacular - A Salute to the Military and First Responders, The Philly POPS will provide 2,000 tickets through the Liberty USO and the City of Philadelphia Fire & Police departments as a thank you to the people who support us all year long. The concert will be held on December 5, 2014, at 8 p.m. at The Kimmel Center.

Lonny Price will direct Bryn Terfel and Emma Thompson in Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler'sSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, A Musical Thriller, the first production in a major new long term partnership between English National Opera (ENO) and the GradeLinnit Company.

Lonny Price will direct Bryn Terfel and Emma Thompson in Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler'sSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, A Musical Thriller, the first production in a major new long term partnership between English National Opera (ENO) and the GradeLinnit Company. Check out highlights of the production below!

As the first week of rehearsals come to an end for Sweeney Todd at Twickenham Theatre, we caught up with David Bedella and Sarah Ingram to see how it's all going.

With such hits as 'Sherry' and 'Big Girls Don't Cry', the May Philly POPS concert series is going to have audiences dancing in their seats! On May 16, 17 and 18, it's SIXTIES HITS with the Midtown Men, the original cast members of Broadway's Jersey Boys, who are bringing their sensational sound to Philadelphia to Verizon Hall in The Kimmel Center. The talented quartet consists of Tony Award-winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and Tony Award nominee J. Robert Spencer. They will join conductor Michael Krajewski and The Philly POPS and perform the music of The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Motown, of course, The Four Seasons and more.

The elaborate new production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's celebrated fairy tale-themed musical INTO THE WOODS playing at renown Paris playhouse and opera venue Theatre du Chatelet is now available to hear in full.

The winners of the 38th Olivier Awards with MasterCard, the most prestigious event in the UK theatrical calendar, were announced tonight (Sunday 13 April 2014) in front of a packed audience at a glamorous ceremony at London's Royal Opera House hosted by Stephen Mangan and Gemma Arterton.

The Olivier Awards with MasterCard – the most prestigious event in the UK's theatrical calendar – has revealed further details of the 2014 awards ceremony to be held on Sunday 13 April at the Royal Opera House and broadcast from 22:15 that evening on ITV in a full highlights package.

A first look at the elaborate new production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's beloved fairy tale-themed musical INTO THE WOODS playing at renown Paris playhouse and opera venue Theatre du Chatelet is now available to view.

With such hits as 'Sherry' and 'Big Girls Don't Cry', the May Philly POPS concert series is going to have audiences dancing in their seats! On May 16, 17 and 18, it's SIXTIES HITS with the Midtown Men, the original cast members of Broadway's Jersey Boys, who are bringing their sensational sound to Philadelphia to Verizon Hall in The Kimmel Center. The talented quartet consists of Tony Award-winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and Tony Award nominee J. Robert Spencer. They will join conductor Michael Krajewski and The Philly POPS and perform the music of The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Motown, of course, The Four Seasons and more.

Music Director and Conductor Michael Krajewski, the nationally recognized Pops conductor who performs with orchestras throughout the country, brings back his innovative programming and lighthearted approach with the 2014-2015 concert season of The Philly POPS. Encore Series, Inc, the presenter of The Philly POPS, is pleased to introduce this exciting series of concerts which begins in October, 2014 with the Era of ABBA, followed by Classic Soul. It continues with a salute to the American Songbook Then and Now and a visit to the movies with Epic Hollywood Soundtracks. The season ends with the Legends of Rock.

From Westphalia to the far reaches of the New World, Candide's journey of discovery is anything but dull. Through anguish, happiness, loss and love this is a whirlwind adventure that seeks to prove 'life is happiness indeed'. Leonard Bernstein's joyous musical comedy features a now-classic Overture, 'Make Our Garden Grow' and 'Glitter and Be Gay'.

The holidays are upon us with plenty to celebrate at the Kimmel Center's campus of events and performances.

The holidays are upon us with plenty to celebrate at the Kimmel Center's campus of events and performances.