FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jenni Shrum,
Director of Marketing & Public Relations
(405) 231-0145 jenni@okcphil.org
A Very Merry Pops is part of The Chickasaw Nation Pop Series.
Oklahoma City – The Oklahoma City Philharmonic invites you to embrace the spirit of the holidays with the return of A Very Merry Pops! This cherished Oklahoma tradition lights up the Civic Center Music Hall on Friday and Saturday, December 1–2, 2024. With tickets starting at just $24, this festive event offers something for everyone.
This season, Broadway star Ashley Brown and acclaimed jazz singer Tony DeSare will dazzle audiences with their fresh, heartfelt takes on beloved holiday classics. Featuring a delightful mix of new performances and nostalgic favorites, A Very Merry Pops brings warmth, joy, and tradition to the stage—promising an unforgettable start to the holiday season.
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. Brown also starred in the national tour of Mary Poppins, garnering a Garland award for “Best Performance in a Musical.” Brown’s other Broadway credits include Belle in The Beauty and The Beast and the national tour of Disney’s On The Record. Brown most recently starred as Mother Abbess in multiple Tony Award-winning director Jack O’Brien’s new production of The Sound of Music. Starring in the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s production of Oklahoma brought her further critical acclaim. She previously played Magnolia opposite Nathan Gunn in Francesca Zembello’s Showboat at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Brown has performed with virtually all of the top orchestras in North America, including the Boston Pops, the New York Philharmonic, The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra at Disney Hall, The Pittsburgh Symphony, the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, Fort Worth Symphony, the Cincinnati Pops, Philadelphia Orchestra, the Milwaukee Symphony, the Indianapolis Symphony, Seattle Symphony, the Houston Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, Jacksonville, and the Philly Pops. She has also performed with the BBC orchestra opposite Josh Groban.
Tony DeSare performs with infectious joy, wry playfulness, and robust musicality. Named a Rising Star Male Vocalist in Downbeat magazine, DeSare has lived up to this distinction by winning critical and popular acclaim for his concert performances throughout North America and abroad. From jazz clubs to Carnegie Hall to Las Vegas headlining with Don Rickles and major symphony orchestras, DeSare has brought his fresh take on old-school class around the globe. DeSare has four top ten Billboard jazz albums under his belt and has been featured on the CBS Early Show, NPR, A Prairie Home Companion, and the Today Show, and his music has been posted by social media celebrity juggernaut, George Takei. DeSare has also collaborated with YouTube icons Postmodern Jukebox. DeSare’s Lush Life recording debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Traditional Jazz Chart and he released Song Diaries Vol. 2 in early 2022, now streaming on all platforms.
Notwithstanding his critically acclaimed turns as a singer/pianist, DeSare is also an accomplished award-winning composer. He not only won first place in the USA Songwriting Contest but has written the theme song for the motion picture, My Date With Drew, several broadcast commercials, and has composed the full soundtracks for the Hallmark Channel’s Love Always, Santa, Lifetime’s Nanny Nightmare and Lifetime’s new A Welcome Home Christmas.
“Christmas is a very personal and wonderful time,” said OKCPHIL Music Director Alexander Mickelthwate. “My family would celebrate for two full months in Germany. A Very Merry Pops will have a traditional holiday feel with Broadway stars and, a choir celebrating – it will be emotional.”
A Very Merry Pops runs three performances – Friday, December 1 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, December 3 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Civic Center Music Hall.
For season subscriptions or to purchase tickets, visit okcphil.org or call (405) 842-5387.
About OKC Philharmonic
OKC Philharmonic was founded in 1988 and celebrates over 30 years of beautiful music in Oklahoma City. Under the direction of Alexander Mickelthwate, the orchestra performs Classics, Orchestral Pops, and Discovery Family concerts, as well as a variety of community engagements. Our mission exists to provide inspiration and joy for the community through orchestral music. For more information contact us at okcphil.org 424 Colcord Drive, Suite B, Oklahoma City, OK 73102
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