Cleveland Pops Conductor Topilow Will Bring Broadway to Powers
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Carl Topilow loves Broadway musicals.
“I listen to Broadway a lot,” says the music director and founding conductor of The Cleveland Pops Orchestra. “To me, it’s like the continuation of Italian opera. ‘Turandot’ was the last great Italian opera, in 1924. After that, everything went to Broadway.”
Topilow will bring some of his favorite tunes from The Great White Way to Powers Auditorium on Friday when he takes the baton as guest conductor of the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra.
The concert, which starts at 7:30 p.m., will also feature guest vocalist Connor Bogart, who has teamed up with Topilow several times.
“Working with Connor is so terrific,” Topilow said during an interview on the Stambaugh Auditorium 1926 podcast. “He has such a great appeal and is charming and personable and fun.”
The audience should expect to hear Bogart sing a selection of tunes from musicals such as “Chicago,” “Grease” and “Fiddler on the Roof” as well as well-known pop hits such as “Copacabana,” “Hey Jude” and “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
Coming up with a balanced selection of songs is important, Topilow said. “Connor sings something from ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’ and then something from “Les Miserables” – one funny and one profound,” he said.
Topilow is known worldwide for his versatility, whether as a conductor or playing his signature red clarinet. He is in his 25th season leading The Cleveland Pops.
He was recently named faculty emeritus after 37 years as conductor and director of the orchestral program at the Cleveland Institute of Music.
Bogart, a native of Ashtabula County and Cleveland resident, has been a featured soloist with The Cleveland Pops, The Symphony of Southeast Texas, The Detroit Symphony Orchestra, The Akron Symphony and The Toledo Symphony.
His theater performances include leading roles in “Miss Saigon,” “Sweeney Todd” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
He has toured the United States as the opening act for Huey Lewis and The News, Richard Marx, Hall & Oates and Mariah Carey.
Single tickets for Friday’s YSO concert range from $42 to $62, inclusive of all fees. Discounts are available for seniors and students. Tickets are available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. by calling 330 259 9651 or in person at the DeYor Performing Arts Center box office. Tickets are also available YoungstownSymphony.com.
Pictured at top: Carl Topilow will bring some of his favorite tunes from The Great White Way to Powers Auditorium on Friday.
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