May 20, 2004 -

Ottawa, Canada -- The National Arts Centre Orchestra’s 2003-2004 CJOH Pops Series comes to a lively close with Pops Goes British, a tribute to London’s West End featuring hits by Lionel Bart, Anthony Newley, Noel Coward, Gilbert and Sullivan, and especially Andrew Lloyd Webber. Quintessential Pops conductor Jack Everly, who has just been named Principal Pops Conductor of the NAC Orchestra starting in September 2004, returns to the podium to lead these concerts from Thursday, May 27 to Saturday, May 29 at 20:00 in the NAC’s Southam Hall. A stylish quintet of talented Broadway stars – Judy McLane, Ted Keegan, Mark Nadler, Gwendolyn Jones and Nikki Renee Daniels – bring this music to life.

Hits to be performed include “Consider Yourself” and “As Long As He Needs Me” from Oliver, “What Kind of Fool Am I?” from Stop the World, I Want to Get Off, “Written in the Stars” from Aida by Elton John and Tim Rice, and Noel Coward’s hilarious “Don’t Put Your Daughter on the Stage, Mrs. Worthington”. Andrew Lloyd Webber numbers include selections from blockbusters like Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats and Phantom of the Opera. The latter will be brought to life by Ted Keegan who starred as the Phantom on Broadway and on its most recent National Tour, and who holds the distinction of having sung the role in front of the largest audience ever at Madison Square Garden during the half-time show of the NBA All-Star Game.  Other combined Broadway credits of these five singers include Kiss Of The Spider Woman, Aspects of Love, Chess, Sweeney Todd, Cyrano: The Musical, Camelot,  Nine, Little Shop of Horrors, The Look of Love, Aida, and many more.

Conductor Jack Everly is the Music Advisor of the Symphonic Pops Consortium, a collaboration between several major orchestras to produce high quality pops programmes, including Pops Goes British. Everly, a celebrated Broadway and Hollywood conductor, is well known to National Arts Centre Orchestra audiences for previous Pops concerts that include this season’s “An Evening with Gershwin”, “Those Glorious Hollywood Musicals” (2003), “Celtic Celebration” (2002), “Broadway Spectacular” (2002), and “Gotta Dance!” (2000). A regular guest conductor on the world’s concert, opera, and ballet stages.

Jack Everly has led most of North America’s outstanding symphony orchestras as well as orchestras in a number of opera houses. Maestro Everly served as Music Director with American Ballet Theatre for 14 years, and has worked on Broadway with composer Marvin Hamlisch on several productions. Television appearances for Everly include the PBS “A Salute to Broadway” for the In Performance At The White House series.

The National Arts Centre Orchestra will present Pops Goes British from May 27 to 29. Tickets for these CJOH Pops Series concerts are on sale now at $34.50, $48.50, $50.00, $59.00 and $61.00, with box seats at $86.00 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111.  Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s website at www.nac-cna.ca.  Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card. Groups of 20 and more save up to 20% on NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances.  To book call 947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca.

For more information please contact:
Jane Morris, Marketing Officer,
National Arts Centre Orchestra
(613) 947-7000, ext. 335
jmorris@nac-cna.ca