Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra announces its 2018-19 Pops season

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2018-19 Pops season line-up, a year-long celebration of Hollywood and Broadway inspired music.

Starting on November 2, the MSO will kick off its 2018-19 Pops season with The Golden Age of Hollywood, a performance of themes from more than a dozen Oscar-winning classics such as Gone with the Wind, Citizen Kane, and Lawrence of Arabia.

Pops will continue into 2019 and will conclude with a special performance featuring the MSO performing John Williams’ legendary soundtrack to Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back live to a projcetion of the 1980 film.

See below for a list of Pops 2018-19 events.

The Golden Age of Hollywood: Andreas Delfs returns as conductor to lead a performance celebrating more than a dozen Oscar-winning classics such as Gone with the Wind, Citizen Kane and Larence of Arabia. The Golden Age of Hollywood will take place on November 2 and 3 at 8 p.m. and on November 4 at 2:30 p.m.

Holiday Pops: Milwaukee’s favorite holiday musical tradition returns as jazz pianist Tony DeSare joins the MSO to perform classics, carols and more. The Milwaukee Handbell Ensemble will be in attendance to help ring in the holidays. Holiday Pops will take place on November 30 and December 1 at 8:00 p.m. and on December 2 at 2:30 p.m.

Chicago: The MSO is putting on a From Feburary 1 to Feburary 3, the MSO will be performing the Broadway musical Chicago, featuring the hits “All that Jazz,” “Cell Block Tango,” “Razzle Dazzle,” “Mister Cellophane” and more. The MSO will be performing Chicago on March 1 and 2 at 8:00 p.m. and on March 3 at 2:30 p.m.

Diva to Diva: From Ella to Adele: Multi-platinum Broadway star Ann Hampton Callaway will celebrate the past century of the song and songstress by performing numbers from Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, Carole King, Carly Simon and Adele.  Diva to Diva will take place on March 1 and 2 at 8:00 p.m. and on March 3 at 2:30 p.m.

Unforgettable: 100 Years of Nat and Natalie: Denzel Sinclaire and Dee Daniels will perform a tribute to Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole, featuring the hits “Too Young,” “Nature Boy,” “Get Your Kicks,” “Mona Lisa” and many more. Unforgettable will take place on May 3 and May 4 at 8:00 p.m. and on May 5 at 2:30 p.m.

Jurassic Park — In Concert: Watch Steven Speilberg’s Oscar-winning film projected onto a giant screen with an accompaniment from the MSO as they perform John Williams’ score. Jurassic Park — In Concert will take place on November 24 at 7:30 p.m. and on November 25 at 2:30 p.m.

An Evening with Megan Hilty: Tony-nominee Megan Hilty joins the MSO for an evening of Broadway showstoppers, ballads seasonal music in celebration of Hilty’s talent. The Broadway star is known for her roles in Wicked and Smash. An Evening with Megan Hilty will take place on November 28 at 7:30 p.m.

Fire & Rain: In Fire & Rain, MSO is celebrating the blockbuster era of the 1970s when the fusion of folk and rock music swept the nation. Featuring covers of Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Carole King, Cat Stevens and more. Fire & Rain takes place on May 21 at 7:30 p.m.

The Music of Michael Jackson: The very best of Michael Jackson is celebrated with a live concert tribute in dance and song. The performance will feature hits from the early days to Jackson 5 as well as all of the classics off of Thriller .The Music of Michael Jackson will take place on June 9 at 7:00 p.m.

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back: Although there are a handful of Star Wars film that exist now, The Empire Strikes Back was one of the original films that paved the way for the franchise. MSO is offering fans, old and new, a chance to watch the film with an accompaniment by the MSO as they perform John Williams’ legendary score. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back will take place on July 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m. and on July 7 at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets range from $114 to $510 for all Pops events except for Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, which runs at a cheaper rate ranging from $55 to $100. Tickets can be purchased at www.mso.org.