BSO Announces the Boston Pops’ Spring 2016 Season
Photo by Chris Christodoulou via keithlockhart.com
The Boston Symphony Orchestra has announced its full lineup for the Boston Pops’ spring 2016 season, which is set to run May 6 through June 18 at Symphony Hall.
New England native Seth MacFarlane will help kick things off this year as the Family Guy and Ted creator will join conductor Keith Lockhart for a special performance of classic songs from the ’40s and ’50s on Friday, May 6 for opening night.
“The Boston Pops is a big thing for him and a couple of years ago he reached out to us,” Lockhart said. “We finally managed to make the dates work and I’m thrilled that’s happening.”
In addition to MacFarlane, the Pops have a pretty stacked lineup set for the upcoming season.
Tom Scholz, the guitarist for the band Boston, will stop by on May 10 and 11 to perform classic rock hits from the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and more. The evenings will also pay tribute to David Bowie and Eagles frontman Glenn Frey, who passed away in 2016.
Legendary composer John Williams will return to Symphony Hall on May 12 and 13 for Film Night. He will help Lockhart lead the orchestra in playing selections from his score for Star Wars: The Force Awakens as well as past films including Jaws, Indiana Jones, and Harry Potter.
On June 3 and 4, the Pops will have a special celebration to honor the 35th anniversary of Raiders of the Lost Ark, as the orchestra will play Williams’ classic score live during screenings of the film.
Other highlights for the season include an evening with Tony winner and Broadway star Sutton Foster on May 26 and 27, performances by Homeland‘s Mandy Patinkin on June 7 and 8, and Gospel Night with Darlene Love on June 11. Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson will also stop by for the only orchestral performance on his Pet Sounds 50th anniversary world tour.
“There’s a lot going on in six weeks time,” Lockhart said. “I’m pretty proud of it and just hope it works.”
Always pushing boundaries, the Pops have a few other surprises in store.
“Pops On Demand” will return for several shows this year, allowing audience members to cast votes for songs they want to hear straight from their mobile devices.
“Dancing with a Twist” on May 7 and 8 will bring dancers and singers from Dancing With the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, and American Idol to town for Mothers’ Day weekend. Puppeteers are set to swing by too for “Puppets Take the Pops” on May 21 and 24.
“We kind of have to [push the boundaries], that’s our job,” Lockhart said. “I’m excited and I think we’ve done that. We’ll continue to do so. It keeps me young.”
Tickets to the 2016 Boston Pops season will go on sale Monday, February 22. For more details visit bso.org.
