The Cleveland POPS Orchestra will perform “A Broadway Celebration: Leonard Bernstein and Jerome Robbins: A Centennial Celebration” from 8 to 11 p.m. March 2 at Severance Hall in the University Circle neighborhood of Cleveland.
“The two men are icons of American music and made unbelievable contributions to Broadway,” said the show’s conductor Carl Topilow, who also conducts and directs Cleveland Institute of Music’s orchestral program. “Bernstein wrote his famous ‘Mass,’ he wrote his kaddish symphony ‘Halil’ for flute and string orchestra, so he definitely felt his Jewish roots. Robbins was the choreographer for ‘Fiddler on the Roof,’ and that’s pretty significant.”
Celebrating the 100-year anniversary of Bernstein’s and Robbins’ births, Topilow said the show is unique in comparison to the one or two other Broadway-themed concerts the group performs in any given year because it celebrates two great Jewish musical icons.
Proceeds will benefit the Cleveland POPS Orchestra, a not-for-profit.