BY JESSICA NEU
It’s 2025. Your aerosol Aqua Net cans have been empty for decades, and you traded in your Trans Am for a three-row SUV. Pop music is a little less synthesized, there are not as many arena rock anthems on the radio (or Spotify), MTV barely plays music videos, and “Josie is still on that vacation far away…”
But who doesn’t love a trip down memory lane? This weekend, you have a chance to power up the Delorean and head back to a time when parachute pants and boom boxes reigned supreme. Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra PNC Pops presents Total Eclipse of the Charts: Music of the 80s. Led by and featuring singers Alex Getlin, Jessica Hendy, and Tyler Huckstep, TotalEclipse of the Charts combines the perfect amount of nostalgia with symphony spark. The result is a delightfully pleasant evening that will leave you smiling, dancing, and remembering a simpler time.
The performers execute a wide variety of 80s hits. Beginning with The Pointer Sister’s hit “I’m So Excited,” the PSO triumphs from the first notes adding a new dimension and depth to each song. Getlin, Hendy, and Huckstep beautifully harmonize with a playful stage presence that adds to the magic of the evening. Getlin commands the stage with a remarkable rendition of Cher’s “Turn Back Time.” Getlin also brings all the sass and fierce attitude to a duet with Hendy on Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock’ N Roll,” as the dynamic orchestral arrangement brings a new life to the familiar song.
Julia Schick, who is currently starring in the national tour of Hadestown, joined the trio of singers for several songs, including Sheila E’s “Morning Train.” Schick graced the stage with style and ease, making her vocals seem effortless, backed by an exciting orchestral arrangement.
Huckstep’s first solo number comes midway through the first act with the biggest song of 1983, The Police’s “Every Breath You Take.” Huckstep’s upper register makes this iconic song sound a bit less “stalker-y” than Sting’s original version, and a beautiful woodwind arrangement that sounded like they were singing harmony with Huckstep. Huckstep returned to sing a duet with pianist and vocalist John Fischer. The two men flawlessly performed The Righteous Brother’s “You Lost That Love and Feeling” as the second song in a segment paying tribute to the 1986 film Top Gun. Huckstep’s and Fischer’s voices melded together in a way that was reminiscent of The Righteous Brother’s original duo, Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield.
Hendy also shines as a soloist tackling Whitney Houston’s juggernaut “The Greatest Love of All.” Hendy sings to the heavens backed by a full orchestral arrangement before being joined by Schick, Huckstep, and Getlin for “The Rose,”made famous by Bette Midler. There are certain moments in the theater where magic percolates and time stands still. A moment that is simply sublime, can never be recreated, and will never be forgotten. “The Rose” was one of those moments. The harmonies were stunning. The orchestra was perfect. The result was a delicate, precise performance that took your breath away, featuring an oboe section that heightened the emotional appeal. As great as Hendy and Getlin were individually, their shining moments came when they sang The Eurythmic’s 1981 hit “Sweet Dreams.” The pair soared as the PSO accompanied them with a haunting arrangement. Getlin also paired with Huckstep for an angelic rendition of Bob Seger’s “We’ve Got Tonight.”
All four singers reunite for an upbeat finale that will make you ‘want to dance with somebody.’ The PSO adds a new depth to each familiar hit throughout the show. There is an element of anticipation as you never know where the orchestral arrangement will journey from one moment to the next. Pops of woodwinds, explosive percussions, and a familiar electric guitar solo are only some of the instrumental elements that help make each song textured, layered, and nuanced. From arrangements exclusively for certain sections of the symphony to full orchestral swells in fortissimo, Total Eclipse of the Charts has something for everyone, no matter what decade you regard as your heyday. So “don’t stop believing” in this performance that is “simply the best.”
TICKETS AND DETAILS
The two remaining performances of Total Eclipse of the Charts at Heinz Hall are on Saturday, August 5 at 7:30 pm and on Sunday, the 6th at 2:30 pm, for tickets visit Thttps://pittsburghsymphony.org/production/93245/list_performances
Categories: Reviews
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