Theater News

Boston Pops to Celebrate Leonard Bernstein's 100th Birthday This Spring

The centennial celebration will include concert performances of ”West Side Story” and semi-staged performances of ”On the Town”, among other events.

Matthew Hydzik will take part in concert performances of West Side Story with the Boston Pops during its spring 2018 season.
Matthew Hydzik will take part in concert performances of West Side Story with the Boston Pops during its spring 2018 season.
(© David Gordon)

The Boston Pops's spring 2018 season will be dominated by Leonard Bernstein — specifically, events celebrating the centennial anniversary of the composer and conductor's birth in Lawrence, Massachusetts.

Among the events planned for this 100th birthday celebration are semi-staged performances of On the Town on May 31 and June 1 and concert performances of West Side Story on June 15 and 16. Kathleen Marshall will be the director and choreographer for the On the Town performances, with David Chase as music director. Ali Ewoldt, Matthew Hydzik, and Natalie Cortez will star in West Side Story under the direction of Chad Hilligus.

In addition, Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart will lead a Leonard Bernstein Centennial Tribute May 11, 12, 17, 29, and 30, which will feature selections from Bernstein musicals like West Side Story, On the Town, Wonderful Town, and Candide. Local singers such as Matthew Anderson, Teresa Blume, Aimee Doherty, David McFerrin, and Andrew Tighe will perform at these concerts.

Other events will include Sutton Foster performing some of her favorite Broadway hits with the orchestra on June 6 and 7, and Leslie Odom Jr. will also perform a special program of tunes from Hamilton and his self-titled 2016 album June 12-14.

For more information on the Boston Pops's spring 2018 season, click here.