Hear the music Disney animated feature movies made famous; soloists accompany Allentown Symphony Pops at Miller Hall
People of all ages relate to the magical world of Walt Disney.
The music we recall from Disney movies is indeed magical. It literally transports us to “A Whole New World.” Who can listen to “Chim Chim Cher-ee” or “It’s a Jolly Holiday” without seeing and hearing Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews in their memorable performances in the delightful and enduring movie “Mary Poppins” (1964)? It’s simply “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!”
“Disney in Concert: Magical Music from the Movies,” 7:30 p.m. July 16, Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown, is an Allentown Symphony Pops series concert that I am conducting, featuring songs and orchestral suites from Disney animated feature movies, from “Song of the South” (1946) and “Cinderella” (1950), right up to “Frozen” (2013).
The presentation is authorized by Disney Concerts. The concert includes graphics and images projected onto a large video screens of movie segments, original story boards and recently-rediscovered artwork that will bring the musical adventure to life.
Along the way, you’ll hear the music of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman in the tale of “The Little Mermaid” (1989), who lives “Under the Sea.” While trying to be “Part of Your World” she finds a “Happy Ending.”
Menken also wrote the scores for other Disney movies featuring heroines to be admired and heard from on this program. Pocahontas from “Pocahontas” (1995) will tell us of “The Colors of the Wind,” and “Belle” from “Beauty and the Beast” (1991) invites us to “Be Our Guest” with the transformed Beast in the title song.
From the famous team of songwriting brothers Robert and Richard Sherman we will hear “I Wanna Be Like You” from the last animated feature that Walt Disney supervised, the original “Jungle Book” (1967).
When Mary Poppins flew into theaters back in 1964, Walt Disney wowed audiences with his innovative combination of live action and animation. The film garnered 13 Oscar nominations and the Sherman Brothers took home Oscars for “Best Score” and “Best Song.”
Several of the best-loved songs from Mary Poppins, “Chim Chim Cheree,” “Jolly Holiday,” “Supercal ...” and “Step in Time,” will conclude the first half of the concert.
After intermission, the ASO will open the concert’s second half with Orchestral Suite from “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1996) before taking us to the kingdom of Arendelle where a video will enhance the singing of “Let It Go,” from composer and lyricist Kristen and Robert Lopez’s songs in “Frozen.”
Next, a brief orchestral suite from Menken’s score for “Aladdin” (1992) transports us to “A Whole New World” with “Arabian Nights” and a “Friend Like Me.”
In all the years of Disney film-making, there was never a movie inspired by a Disney theme park attraction until “Pirates of the Caribbean” (2003). The ASO will play music from this sea-faring fantasy scored by Klaus Badelt.
The concert closes with the memorable music of Tim Rice and Elton John written for “The Lion King” (1994), including “This Land,” “Nants Ingonyama,” “Circle of Life,” “I Just Can’t Wait to be King,” and of course, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” If you attend the concert, you will … guaranteed.
We are fortunate to have four amazingly talented singers join us for “Disney in Concert: Magical Music from the Movies.”
Lisa Livesay has played the role of Glinda in the national tour of “Wicked.” Other stage credits include Peter Pan in “Peter Pan” and Belle in “Beauty and the Beast.” She has sung with the San Francisco Symphony, Houston Symphony, Dallas Symphony and Oregon Symphony.
Stephanie Burkett Gerson was lead vocalist and Mrs. Claus in the Rockettes’ “Radio City Christmas Spectacular National Tour.” She has appeared in regional theater productions of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,’ “Smokey Joe’s Café,” “Cats,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Full Monty,” “Meet Me in St. Louis” and “Sweeney Todd.” She regularly appears with the USO Show Troupe.
Aaron Phillips’ theater credits include “Jekyll and Hyde,” “Batboy: The Musical,” “Songs for a New World” and “Les Miserables.” He has appeared with the Greensboro Opera in “Pirates of Penzance” and “Lakme.” He also does voice-overs for video games, including “World of Warcraft,” “Grand Theft Auto V,” “Red Dead Redemption” and “The Lord of the Rings.”
Andrew Johnson has performed on Fox TV’s “The X Factor.” His theater credits include “Rent,” “Five Guys Named Moe” AND “The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” His TV credits include “The Conan O’Brien Show” and the “MTV Video Music Awards.” He is a songwriter and recording artist, performing as Drew Michael.
Ron Demkee is Associate Conductor, Pops Conductor and Principal Tuba player of the Allentown Symphony Orchestra and Music Director-Conductor-Personnel Manager of the Allentown Band.
Allentown Symphony Orchestra concert tickets: Miller Symphony Hall Box Office, 23 N. Sixth St., Allentown; allentownsymphony.org; 610-432-6715