The Kentucky Symphony Orchestra closes its 24th summer in Devou Park with a program of overtures celebrating the Golden Age of Broadway (1926-64).
The overture — an introductory musical piece that sets the tone and spirit of the story to come — descended from opera and operetta before musical comedies adopted the concept of warming up the audience with recognizable selections (teasers) from the score.
By the 1960s, prologues and opening numbers provided an alternative to the traditional overture, and the anticipatory instrumental piece disappeared from evenings on “The Great White Way.”
In the age of the masters — Gershwin, Kern, Rodgers, Berlin, Porter, etc — the overtures became showpieces themselves and prepared the audience for what was to come. It was rare for the show’s composer to actually write the overture. The assembling of the musical’s memorable tunes was often left to the arranger or orchestrator of the show.
“Setting the table with several tunes that folks can actually sing” is how KSO Music Director James Cassidy characterizes these overtures.
“The Tin Pan Alley composers wrote stellar songs that endure today. These are the classics for which Broadway will continue to be remembered generations from now.”
The KSO has pulled together 12 showtune-packed instrumentals to fill Devou Park with melodies from Show Boat, South Pacific, Damn Yankees, My Fair Lady, Gypsy, and others — perfect for the Labor Day Weekend family outing (complete program below).
Picnics are welcome, though drinks and food concessions will be available.
Join James Cassidy and the KSO for the closing of the Symphony’s 24th Summer in Devou Park, Saturday, September 1 at 7:30 p.m.
The TANK Shuttle from the Covington Catholic parking lot to the band shell runs from 6:00 -7:30 p.m (returning 9:20-30 following the concert) for $1 each way.
Bring blankets or lawn chairs. Free admission and parking, though donations suggested. For more information, visit the KSO at www.kyso.org or call (859) 431-6216.
2018 KSO Summer Series sponsored in part by Toyota. Other sponsors include Fischer Homes, ArtsWave, Kentucky Arts Council, City of Covington and Macy’s.
The Over Tour of Broadway
(Sampling Broadway’s Golden Age)
George Gershwin Oh, Kay! (1926)
Jerome Kern
Showboat (1927)
Richard Rodgers On Your Toes (1936)
Irving Berlin Annie Get Your Gun (1946)
Cole Porter Kiss Me Kate (1948)
Richard Rodgers South Pacific (1949)
Intermission
George Abbott Damn Yankees (1955)
Leonard Bernstein Candide (1956)
Frederick Loewe
My Fair Lady (1956)
Meredith Willson The Music Man (1957)
Jule Styne Gypsy (1959)
Jerry Hermann Hello Dolly (1964)
Kentucky Symphony Orchestra
