VIDEO: Philadelphia Native Hugh Panaro Chats Philly POPS' Christmas Spectacular

Philadelphia's treasured musical tradition - The Philly POPS Christmas Spectacular - returns to Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for eight festive performances, now through December 20, 2014, led by Britain's celebrated Philadelphia-raised conductor David Charles Abell. Philadelphia native and Broadway vet Hugh Panaro, who will be making his POPS debut with the show, stopped by CBS 3 to chat about how he got his start onstage and his return home for the concerts. Click below to watch the interview!

Guest vocalist Panaro spent many of his formative years living in Philadelphia. An East Oak Lane resident, he began performing at the age of 13 and studied voice with Robert Grooters at Temple University's Boyer College of Music and Dance. He was quickly drawn to Broadway, where he made his debut in Les Miserables as Marius, a role he originated in the first U.S. national touring company. He has performed in many theatrical performances on Broadway and throughout the country, performed with various symphonies, and toured with Barbra Streisand, but he might be best known for his performances in Phantom of the Opera. He is one of the few actors to play both the roles of Raoul (1991) and the Phantom (1999) in the Broadway production.

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is located at 300 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19102. Tickets may be purchased in person through the Kimmel Center Box Office, online through phillypops.org, or by phone at 215.893.1999.