Luke Frazier News

In his life, he won eight GRAMMY awards, sold over 35 million records worldwide, and filled arenas around the world. On Sunday, April 7, The American Pops Orchestra will bring the music and style of the legendary Luther Vandross back to the nation's capital.

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is offering more, more, more for entertainment fans next month: more shows, more stars, more music, more laughs, more fun for everybody.

Imagine seeing Stefani Germanotta perform before she became Lady Gaga. Or Beyonce sing before she was famous. That's the vision for The American Pops Orchestra's 'NextGen: Finding the Voices of Tomorrow.'

Birdland will kick-off their great week of programming with the following acts:

Washingtonians rising early to watch Prince Harry marry Meghan Markle on TV or online on Sat., May 19 can now end this romantic day by enjoying some of loveliest and sometimes over-the-top songs composed and written by the legendary Cole Porter.   

Maestro LUKE FRAZIER and THE AMERICAN POPS ORCHESTRA - Washington, DC's innovative hometown orchestra - has announced the winners of their first annual vocal competition, "NextGen: Finding The Voices of Tomorrow." The First Place female winner is Nia Savoy (Howard University) and the First Place male winner is Evan LaChance (The Catholic University of America).

Maestro LUKE FRAZIER and THE AMERICAN POPS ORCHESTRA - Washington, DC's innovative hometown orchestra - will conclude their star-studded third season with Let's Misbehave: Cole Porter After Dark at the Orchestra's new home, Arena Stage at The Mead Center for American Theater (1101 Sixth Street SW) on Saturday, May 19 at 8:00 PM. Let's Misbehave will feature guest stars Betty Who (the pop star making her orchestra debut), Liz Callaway (Tony Award nominee, voice of Disney's Princess Jasmine and Anastasia), Ali Ewoldt ((Phantom of the Opera on Broadway), Helen Hayes Awards Winner), Vishal Vaidya (Groundhog Day on Broadway), and Mo Rocca ('CBS Sunday Morning,' NPR's 'Wait Wait…Don't Tell Me!'). Conductor Luke Frazier will lead a 20-piece orchestra in an evening directed by Kelly Crandall d'Amboise. Tickets are on sale now at www.TheAmericanPops.org.

Maestro LUKE FRAZIER and THE AMERICAN POPS ORCHESTRA - Washington, DC's innovative hometown orchestra - has teamed up with Washington, DC chapter of The National Society of Arts and Letters for their first annual vocal competition, "NextGen: Finding The Voices of Tomorrow."  The final round audition will take place on Friday, March 23 at 8:00 PM in Washington, DC at Arena Stage in The Kreeger Theater. Judges for competition will include Baayork Lee (Tony winning Broadway Legend), Jim Caruso (Birdland Jazz Club), Kelly d'Amboise (Signature Theater and APO Resident Director), and Robert Pullen (Emmy-nominated Producer and owner of Nouveau Productions). Tickets - which are $20 for adults and $10 for students - will be on sale Friday, February 2. Please visit www.TheAmericanPops.org.

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts today announced the addition of legendary star of stage, screen and television the Oscar, Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe winning Angela Lansbury to the upcoming annual NIGHT OF STARS A Broadway Celebration!

Maestro Luke Frazier and The American Pops Orchestra - Washington, DC's innovative hometown orchestra - will continue their star-studded third season with Around the World in 80 Days, the world premiere of a new family-oriented musical written by Claybourne Elder ('Gossip Girl,' Broadway's Sunday in the Park...) and directed by Kelly Crandall d'Amboise.

Maestro Luke Frazier and The American Pops Orchestra - Washington, DC's innovative hometown orchestra - will continue their star-studded third season with Around the World in 80 Days, the world premiere of a new family-oriented musical written by Claybourne Elder ('Gossip Girl,' Broadway's Sunday in the Park...) and directed by Kelly Crandall d'Amboise.

Maestro LUKE FRAZIER and THE AMERICAN POPS ORCHESTRA - Washington, DC's innovative hometown orchestra - will present a special holiday concert not to be missed, with special guest stars Rumer Willis ('Dancing with the Stars,' Broadway's Chicago), Lea DeLaria (Broadway, comedy and jazz star, 'Orange is the New Black'), Claybourne Elder ('Gossip Girl,' Broadway's Sunday in the Park...), Nova Payton (Helen Hayes Award winner), Mobley (singer/songwriter featured on HBO, Fox and NBC) and Luke Hawkins (Star tap dancer from 'America's Got Talent').

The dynamic 26th annual season continues at the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts with nonstop concerts, shows and holiday presentations for every audience and all entertainment preferences throughout December and January:

Maestro LUKE FRAZIER and THE AMERICAN POPS ORCHESTRA - Washington, DC's innovative hometown orchestra - will present a special holiday concert not to be missed, with special guest stars Rumer Willis ('Dancing with the Stars,' Broadway's Chicago), Lea DeLaria (Broadway, comedy and jazz star, 'Orange is the New Black'), Claybourne Elder ('Gossip Girl,' Broadway's Sunday in the Park...), Nova Payton (Helen Hayes Award winner), Mobley (singer/songwriter featured on HBO, Fox and NBC) and Luke Hawkins (Star tap dancer from 'America's Got Talent').

Luke Frazier founder and conductor of The American Pops Orchestra, Washington, DC's innovative hometown orchestra - will present Broadway for the Holidays, a special concert not to be missed as part of the Ohio University Performing Arts & Concert Series on Monday, December 4 at 7:30 PM.

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts today announced the addition of legendary star of stage, screen and television the Oscar, Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe winning Angela Lansbury to the upcoming annual NIGHT OF STARS A Broadway Celebration!

Maestro Luke Frazier and the American Pops Orchestra - Washington, DC's innovative hometown orchestra - will present a special free relaxing evening 'Tranquility: Yoga with the American Pops Orchestra' today, November 10 at 6:30 PM.

Maestro Luke Frazier and the American Pops Orchestra - Washington, DC's innovative hometown orchestra - honored the 75th birthday of one of the country's most treasured legends with 'Respect: The Music of Aretha Franklin' to kick off their star-studded third season. The concert was conceived by the APO's Founder and conductor Frazier - who led the 19-piece orchestra - performing at the Orchestra's new home, Arena Stage at The Mead Center for American Theater (1101 Sixth Street SW) on Saturday, September 16. BroadwayWorld has an exclusive look at the starry concert below!

Birdland welcomed singer/actress Jessica Molaskey in a concert celebrating her new recording, Portraits of Joni, on Monday, June 12. BroadwayWorld has photos from the evening below!

Maestro LUKE FRAZIER and THE AMERICAN POPS ORCHESTRA - Washington, DC's innovative hometown orchestra - will honor the 75th birthday of one of the country's most treasured legends with Respect: The Music of Aretha Franklin to begin their star-studded third season.