Harvey Fierstein, Angela Lansbury, and More Perform at New York Pops Gala

The New York Pops celebrated its 35th Birthday Gala Monday, April 30, under the direction of Steven Reineke. The event paid tribute to the music of Alan Menken, the Tony-winning composer of such hit shows as Newsies, Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, A Bronx Tale, and more. See photos from the evening in the gallery below.

Performers included Kerry Butler (Audrey in the Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors), along with Cheryl Freeman, Roz Ryan, Vaneese Thomas, and Lillias White (voices of the Muses in Disney's animated movie Hercules). Previously announced artists included Michael Arden, Roger Bart, Jodi Benson, Ashley Brown, Nick Cordero, Susan Egan, Harvey Fierstein, James Monroe Iglehart, Adam Jacobs, Judy Kuhn, and Patina Miller.

The concert additionally featured participants from the New York Pops's Kids on Stage program, which provides middle school students access to the professional performance process through auditions, a comprehensive rehearsal period, and a final performance with the orchestra on the Carnegie Hall stage. Students performed Steven Reineke's Celebration Fanfare.

The gala evening also paid tribute to corporate honoree American Airlines and foundation honorees Hillary and Bill Weldon of the Gracie and Hope Foundation. Proceeds support the organization's PopsEd music education programs.