By JESSICA NEU
With a city rich in winter holiday traditions, it is not hard to find cherished activities to enjoy each year. The Pittsburgh Symphony’s Highmark Holiday Pops is one of those annual events that never fails to delight audiences of all ages. From seeing Heinz Hall adorned with gorgeous holiday fare to hearing PSO accompanied by the Mendelson Choir of Pittsburgh play songs, Holiday Pops remains a wonderful show for any age. Maestro Daniel Meyer returns as conductor and host. The ever-charismatic Meyer joked that Pittsburgh is the only city where you can smell a fire from Canada in the summer and Canada is fired in the winter (referencing former Steeler offensive coordinator Matt Canada). Joining the show this year, former American Idol contestant Melinda Doolittle shines as a featured vocalist. Doolittle delights audiences with renditions of the Irving Berlin classic, “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm,” and Marvin Hamlisch’s “Chanukah Lights.” With vocal arrangement by Robert Page and orchestra arrangement by Anthony Bisbano, “Lights” captures the wonderful essence and joy of the holiday season and is undoubtedly a highlight of the show. Doolittle concludes her set with Dudley A. Brooks’ “Man With the Bag,” which perfectly introduces Santa’s traditional appearance. Coming directly from the North Pole, Santa always ventures to Heinz Hall with a basket full of candy and his “Santa Cam.” This camera allows Santa to venture into the audience to greet the young children of Pittsburgh and ask them what they would like for Christmas. With responses varying from a “typewriter,” to a “cat,” and lastly, “a good life,” Santa made each child feel special and kept the crowd entertained with his witty remarks. We must never forget that Santa is equally as talented as he is magical. Never missing a note during his rendition of “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” he hands out one of the first gifts of Christmas before whimsically dashing off stage to return to the North Pole until the next evening’s performance.
Holiday Pops also features selections from The Nutcracker, with featured dancers to perform some of the iconic ballet pieces. The dancers beautifully execute routines from “Arabian Dance” and “Waltz of the Sugar Plum Fairy.” As Holiday Pops combine singing, music, and dance, all amidst the warm glow of the Heinz Hall lights, you can feel the holiday magic simply emanating from the stage. Meyer never fails to tell the traditional story of Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.” He encourages audiences to stand just as they did the first time the song was performed for King George II.
Although it is commonplace to hear holiday songs in the stores, on television and radio throughout December, witnessing the PSO perform such classics as “Sleigh Ride” or “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” is simply an unparalleled experience and one that every Pittsburgher should indulge in at least once. Concluding with the always-joyous Christmas Sing-Along that makes Heinz Hall feel like the North Pole, Highmark Holiday Pops is the perfect holiday performance for any age.
TICKETS AND DETAILS
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s Highmark Holiday Pops has performances now through December 23, 2023 at Heinz Hall. For tickets visit: https://pittsburghsymphony.org/production/84737/list_performances
Categories: Reviews
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