The Philly POPS comes to Wildwood, New Jersey to present a night of great music on the nation’s birthday, Saturday, July 4 at 8:30 p.m. The free concert will take place in the Wildwood Bandshell at Fox Park, Burk and Ocean Aves. It will be conducted by Philly POPS Music Director Michael Krajewski, featuring Broadway star Capathia Jenkins, Voices of The POPS and the 65-piece Philly POPS orchestra. Seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.
As part of The Philly POPS Salute Series, POPS in Wildwood will celebrate the holiday while honoring those who have served with a unique POPS performance. The Philly POPS honors veterans, active military, and first responders with special recognition and with the presentation of the colors at each Salute concert. During the concert, there will be a selection of stirring patriotic tunes including God Bless the USA, Battle Hymn of the Republic, God Bless America, Stars and Stripes Forever, and The Service Medley, which includes the theme songs for all branches of the military.
Mayor Ernie Troiano shared his enthusiasm about this first-time performance by The Philly POPS. He said, “I am thrilled that The Philly POPS is performing in Wildwood. This concert will be history-making. Wildwood is a world-class vacation destination. We look forward to having this world-class orchestra celebrate July 4th with us, Wildwood-style.”
Launched 36 years ago, The Philly POPS is the largest stand-alone POPS orchestra in the United States. The orchestra’s president and chief executive officer, Frank Giordano, stated, “We are very excited about bringing our orchestra to Wildwood and to participate in their 4th of July festivities. We look forward to providing a music experience that is entertaining and fun for everyone.”
And fun is exactly what’s on Wildwood’s schedule this July 4th. Wildwood, with its world-famous Boardwalk, wide, free beaches, shore cuisine and doo-wop décor, is just the place to experience a fun-filled Fourth, including the free, outdoor POPS concert in Fox Park along with a spectacular fireworks event following the show.
This will be the first appearance in the New Jersey shore area for Maestro Michael Krajewski. He described the program, “We’re going to have POPS songs that everyone knows and hopefully will join with us by singing, even dancing. We’ll perform Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Happy, disco music like I Will Survive and YMCA. We’ll include some Broadway tunes like George M. Cohan’s I’m a Yankee Doddle Dandy, You’re a Grand Old Flag, and Over There.”
Guest star Capathia Jenkins is no stranger to Broadway. She starred as Medda in the hit Disney production of Newsies, and has performed in The Civil War; The Look of Love; Caroline, Or Change; and Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me. On Off-Broadway, she was in the 2000 revival of Godspell, and also Love, Loss, and What I Wore, as well as (mis)Understanding Mammy – The Hattie McDaniel Story, for which she was nominated for a Drama Desk Award. Jenkins is an active concert artist, having appeared with orchestras around the world, including The Philly POPS, Cleveland Orchestra, Houston Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony (with Marvin Hamlisch), National Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Seattle Symphony, and several others.