BWW Interviews: Steven Reineke talks 'Broadway Divas' at the TSO

Broadway Divas is a POPS Concert being put on by the Toronto Symphony next week with shows on October 19th and 20th.  Two wonderful Broadway Divas (and stars of the musical WICKED) are coming to Toronto to perform songs from that show and many other show-stopping numbers.  Julia Murney and Jennifer Laura Thompson will be performing under conductor Steven Reineke who is in his second season as Music Director of the New York POPs and retains the title of Associate Conductor of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra.  He is thrilled to be returning to Toronto and spoke to BWW about what people can expect from this exciting show.

Welcome back to Toronto! For those unfamiliar with the POPS Series or the Broadway Divas! Concert, could you give us an overview of what to expect?

Absolutely. The concert is with two leading ladies from WICKED, Julia Murney (who played Elphaba) and Jennifer Laura Thompson (who played Glinda). It was referred to as Wicked Divas in some other cities we have done the show in, but it compromises songs from many different shows and disciplines.

Basically the focus is on strong "diva" women through the years - Broadway, opera, popular music and film. For example, we will have selections from Gypsy and Carmen, as well as Liza Minelli, Gloria Estefan, Barbara Streisand and Celine Dion.

Is the program any different than Wicked Divas in the US?

No, thankfully it is the same program with a heavy focus on Broadway music.

For people unfamiliar with The Symphony (or theatre-goers who have never attended the Symphony before) what would you say is the main reason they should choose a POPS concert as their first outing?

Well, it's two hot Broadway leading ladies who have been working in NYC who we are bringing to Toronto to perform. It is a wonderful chance to see these amazing talents perform. Also, when you see a Broadway show you are hearing a much smaller orchestra (often only 8-15 people in the pit).

At Broadway Divas you will get to hear these ladies sing with a full symphony of 75 to 80 people performing the music the way it was intended. Also, the finale is from Wicked and includes many songs from Stephen Schwartz's wonderful score, and hearing it will a full symphonic backing is truly incredible.

Have you ever conducted for a Broadway show?

No. I love theatre and I love Broadway but I think I would get bored doing the same show 8 nights a week. That is why I love conducting for the Symphony, there is so much variety.

If you had to pick your favourite Broadway show ever, what would it be?

I think I would have to say Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd. It is the greatest American Opera since Porgy and Bess. There isn't a single wrong note in the score and it is beautiful. I have actually been working with Sondheim as I'm conducting his 80th Birthday Celebration at Carnegie Hall later this year.

What about current Broadway shows? Do you have a favourite?

There are a lot of great shows playing right now. I'm very lucky in that I live right in the heart of the theatre district so I get to attend shows quite often. Obviously I love Wicked, I think it's a beautiful show. Others that I really enjoy right now are Memphis, Billy Elliot, and Next to Normal. Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley are really bringing the house down every night in Next to Normal.

Since the concert will focus heavily on music from Wicked, could you tell us your favourite song from that show?

I think it would have to be the duet between Elphaba and Glinda - "For Good". You probably thought I would say "Defying Gravity" didn't you? "Defying Gravity" is a wonderful song and probably one of the greatest Act 1 enders ever written, but I personally just love "For Good" It is what really brings the whole story together.

Finally, what are you looking forward to when you get back to Toronto?

Seeing all my friends and working with the Symphony. Toronto's Symphony is one of the best and I love working with them, and the audiences are really wonderful as well. I'm just excited to get to conduct Broadway Divas and looking forward to seeing everyone who comes out to see the show.

When and Where?

Toronto Symphony Orchestra's BROADWAY DIVAS

Roy Thomson Hall

Conductor: Steven Reineke

Vocalist: Julia Murney

Vocalist: Jennifer Laura Thompson

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Performance Schedule:

Tuesday October 19th at 8PM

Wednesday October 20th at 2PM and 8PM

Tickets range in price from $29 to $109 and can be purchased by phone at 416.598.3375 or online

For more information please visit the website at http://www.tso.ca/Concerts-And-Tickets/Events/2010-2011-Season/Broadway-Divas.aspx

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