Wheeling Symphony Orchestra Welcomes Broadway Stars For ‘Bravo Broadway’

The sounds of Broadway will echo through Wheeling's iconic Capitol Theatre when the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra performs "Bravo Broadway," its second Pops concert of the season, featuring an array of Broadway musical hits performed by veterans of the Broadway stage.

The performance will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 21. The program includes numbers from well-known Broadway musicals like "Wicked," "Chicago," "Frozen," "Phantom Of The Opera" and many others.

"This is really a concert that should appeal to anybody that likes Broadway at all," said WSO Marketing and Communications Manager Sadie Varlas. "Whether you like the old school classic musicals like 'Kiss Me Kate' and 'My Fair Lady' or if you like the more modern ones like 'Wicked' and 'Chicago,' we have something that everybody should recognize."

Broadway legends Hugh Panaro, Christiane Noll and Morgan James will be performing with the symphony. Noll is a Tony-nominated artist known for her performances in "Dear Evan Hansen" and "Urinetown," among others.

Panaro has performed in more than 2,000 shows of "Phantom of the Opera" on Broadway, portraying both Raoul and The Phantom, and previously performed with the WSO for a July 4 tour. James has also performed with WSO in the past and was an original cast member in "Godspell" on Broadway.

"We're really excited to bring them back to the community. I think they're really going to blow everybody away," Varlas said.

Before the show, West Liberty University musical theatre students will take center stage with a showcase in the theater's ballroom, where drinks and food will be available for purchase for attendees.

"One of the things we're trying at the WSO is to feature local artists in the area," Varlas said. "It's just a way for us to shine the light on our own musicians here in the valley."

Varlas said this is in line with the symphony's tagline, "your community in concert."

"Everything that we do is in service to our community and we are always thinking of ways to engage the community, whether that's highlighting local musicians or just providing the opportunity to see something that you don’t get to see every day," she said.

Bridge Tavern across the street from the Capitol Theater is also hosting an exclusive after party following the concert for ticket holders.

West Virginia University Medicine is sponsoring the show with additional financial support from West Liberty University, Riverbridge Wealth Management, Kim and Holly McCluskey, Harold and Roanne Burech and Doug Carl and Sumner Riddick.

Emily Waters, a representative from Riverbridge Wealth Management, said her office was thrilled about the Broadway theme of this show.

"Those in our office are very fond of the Broadway shows so we were excited to be involved with this show in particular but the symphony in general," Waters said.

Waters, a Wheeling native, said music has been in her life "forever" and she wants to see the symphony live on.

"I love supporting the symphony and always want it to be here for my kids to see in the future," Waters said.

Tickets for the performance begin at $22 and are available at wheelingsymphony.com, by phone or email, or at the Capitol Theatre box office.