Tony Nominee Michael Cavanaugh & Philly POPS to Perform MUSIC OF BILLY JOEL in March

The Philly POPS will play the Music of Billy Joel with Broadway's Michael Cavanaugh March 4-6 at the Kimmel Center. Billy Joel handpicked Cavanaugh to star in Movin' Out - the Tony-nominated Broadway show that featured the Piano Man's songbook.

Guest Conductor Jack Everly - well-known for his role as Music Director of the National Memorial Day Concert and A Capitol Fourth on PBS - will lead the 65-piece POPS orchestra, Cavanaugh and his 5-piece rock band in three concerts that traverse Billy Joel's prolific 43-year musical career.

The show features songs from the six-time Grammy winner's collection, including Scenes From An Italian Restaurant, Uptown Girl, She's Got A Way, Just the Way You Are and New York State of Mind.

"Philadelphia has a special relationship with Billy Joel," said Frank Giordano, President and CEO of the Philly POPS. "The Piano Man performed 28 times at the Spectrum, 18 times at the Wells Fargo Center and four times at Citizens Bank Park - more than any other entertainer. Just wait until you hear his music performed by the 65-piece Philly POPS orchestra in Verizon Hall."

"It's always fun to play with Jack Everly and we've been wanting to play with the Philly POPS forever," Michael Cavanaugh said. "I'm glad it's finally happening."

Each concert will be preceded by a Conversation in the Kimmel Center's Commonwealth Plaza featuring Cavanaugh in an up-close-and-personal setting followed by a performance by Rock to the Future, as part of the POPS in Schools initiative which brings supplemental music education to Philadelphia public schools. Rock to the Future provides free music education for over 300 Philadelphia children at no cost to them or their families.

Tickets range from $41 to $150 and can be purchased by visiting www.PhillyPOPS.org.

Schedule of events:

Friday, February 5
6:30pm: Pre-concert conversation with Michael Cavanaugh
7pm: Pre-concert entertainment by Rock to the Future
8pm: Performance

Saturday, February 6 and Sunday, February 7
1:30pm: Pre-concert conversation with Michael Cavanaugh
2pm: Pre-concert entertainment by Rock to the Future with the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra's Tune Up Philly brass ensemble from Mariana Bracetti High School
3pm: Performance

Michael Cavanaugh earned fame for his piano/lead vocals role in the Broadway musical Movin' Out. Michael Cavanaugh was handpicked by Billy Joel to star in title role and evokes a style rivaling the Piano Man himself. Michael performed in the show over 1,200 times over three years and received Grammy and Tony Award nominations.

Michael regularly performs the music of Billy Joel, Elton John, Paul Simon, Neil Diamond and James Taylor with symphony orchestras. He released his first CD, In Color, in October 2008.

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