Sinatra Classics And Rat Pack Hits Return To Philly POPS Stage

Following up on the success of 2015's sold-out Sinatra concert weekend, the Philly POPS will bring the magic of Ol' Blue Eyes, his Rat Pack, and collaborators including Liza Minnelli and Dinah Shore to the Kimmel Center stage for Sinatra & Friends, April 6-8.

Music Director Michael Krajewski has created a splendid homage to Frank Sinatra and his musical friends, featuring Michael Andrew, returning after the sold-out 2015 series, and Ashley Brown, Broadway's darling fresh from star turns in Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast, and The Sound of Music Live!

Michael Andrew performed with the Philly POPS in 2015's sold-out Sinatra: A Centennial Celebration and returned for the POPS Ball in 2017. Michael starred in the world premiere of the musical The Nutty Professor, written by Marvin Hamlisch and Rupert Holmes and directed by Jerry Lewis. He was the headline singer and bandleader at the world-famous Rainbow Room atop Rockefeller Center in New York City and the bandleader and singer at Merv Griffin's "Coconut Club" in the Beverly Hilton in California. He wrote the musical comedy Mickey Swingerhead & the Earthgirls that led to the formation of his band, Swingerhead, which has toured extensively throughout the country. Michael also formed the Atomic Big Band, an 18-piece band that has performed in Hollywood for the premiere of the Warner Bros. movie, Poseidon, and his bands continue to play engagements from Presidential Inaugural Balls to high society fundraisers.

Ashley Brown originated the title role in Mary Poppins on Broadway, for which she received Outer Critics, Drama League and Drama Desk nominations for Best Actress. She also starred as Mary Poppins in the national tour which earned her a 2010 Garland award for "Best Performance in a Musical." Her other Broadway credits include Belle in Beauty and the Beast, and she has starred in the national tour of Disney's On The Record. Ashley has performed with virtually all of the top orchestras in North America and with the BBC orchestra opposite Josh Groban.

All guests are welcome to arrive 90 minutes prior to each concert for free pre-concert entertainment, including a conversation led by CBS Radio Philadelphia's RJ McKay and the following student musical acts:

Friday at 7 p.m.: Academy at Palumbo Choir

Saturday at 2 p.m.: Franklin Learning Center Choir

Tickets: $35-$145
http://phillypops.org/Sinatra

The Philly POPS Subscription Series is made possible thanks to Presenting Sponsor Parx Casino.

The Philly POPS, the largest standalone pops orchestra in the United States, delights audiences with the inspired performance of American popular music. The POPS celebrates this distinctive musical heritage through an expanding repertoire of innovative concert presentations and a robust set of educational and engagement initiatives.

Now in its 39th season, the official POPS orchestra of Pennsylvania serves a consistently growing audience of over 150,000 annually. Music Director Michael Krajewski and the 65-piece Philly POPS orchestra keeps listeners tapping their toes to an impressive repertoire of songs from American traditions of music up through today's chart toppers. The Philly POPS BIG Band, an 18-20 piece ensemble performing a rock and rhythm and blues repertoire , premiered in 2017 to enthusiastic response at the July 4 Welcome America Concert on the Parkway.

Outside the concert hall, Salute Series performances - including POPS on Independence on July 3 and the I'll Be Home for Christmas: A Salute to the Military and First Responders concert - celebrate the American tradition of service around important national holidays; POPS in Schools enhances music education for Philadelphia School District students; and POPS Outside brings POPS music to local communities.

The Philly POPS performs as a founding resident company of The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, and at venues throughout the mid-Atlantic region.

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