photo by: Niamh Coomey

Sponsors and representatives for the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra gathered for a photo in anticipation of the ‘She’s Got Soul’ performance on April 25. Starting from left on the top row: The Health Plan’s Dave Flatley, Bridge Tavern owner Mike Carl, WSO Music Director John Devlin, WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital Marketing Director Phillip Carl, Wesbanco’s Beth Kuhn, McKinley Wealth Management’s Teresa Michaels, WSO executive director Sonja Thoms and McKinley Wealth Management’s Chelsea Clegg, bottom right.

The Wheeling Symphony Orchestra is closing out its Pops series this season with “She’s Got Soul!” Broadway star Capathia Jenkins will join the WSO for the musical performance at the Capitol Theatre on April 25.

Jenkins, a Brooklyn native, most recently performed as Medda in the Disney Broadway show Newsies. Her debut on Broadway was in her role as Harriet Jackson in The Civil War. She then went on to perform in Godspell, The Look of Love and other iconic Broadway and off-Broadway shows.

Jenkins has also performed with countless symphony orchestras around the globe and made appearances on several television shows, such as “30 Rock.”

Jenkins is no stranger to Wheeling, as she has performed on the Capitol Theatre state with the WSO in the past..

“I think there’s going to be something really joyful about this, especially with somebody we really know and love as much as Capathia,” Maestro John Devlin, WSO music director and conductor, said.

Devlin’s first show with the WSO six years ago was with Jenkins, making this particular performance the closer for the orchestra’s 95th season even more special.

“Since then we’ve tried to bring her back as often as possible and she’s become a friend of the community,” Devlin said. “We think that this is going to be a great way to close our Pops series this year and our 95th anniversary season.”

Devlin said Jenkins will put her own unique twist on classic and modern soul hits, making it an engaging performance for all ages and backgrounds.

“There’s going to be something for everyone here because soul music spans so many decades all the way back to Earth, Wind and Fire and Stevie Wonder to today’s music like Pharrell Williams and Adele,” Devlin said.

After the show, Bridge Tavern across the street from the iconic theater will be hosting an exclusive “Encore Party” fundraiser with a wine and dessert bar, appetizers and an opportunity for audience members to participate in a question and answer session with the musicians. Jenkins herself will also be in attendance at the after party.

“Bridge Tavern is our home away from home. After every concert we go across the street and celebrate, so for them to be doing this special fundraiser for the symphony to support our endeavors and the 95th anniversary season is a very beautiful thing for them to do for us so we’re super excited to do that,” Devlin said. “It’s going to be a great way to end the night.”

Proceeds from the after party will support the symphony. Tickets cost $100. WSO is grateful for Bridge Tavern’s generosity, WSO Executive Director Sonja Thoms said.

“You can continue the party even after the show and come on over we’re going to bring the artists with us so they’re going to be able to meet and greet with the audience,” Thoms said. “We’re so grateful for all of our sponsors who share this enthusiasm for great music and the community.”

Thoms said while she has not yet had the chance to work directly with Jenkins yet, last time Jenkins was in town there were rave reviews about her performance.

“I heard it was a party before. I’m expecting it will be a party this time too,” Thoms said.

Tickets for the show at 7 p.m. on April 25 are still available for purchase at wheelingsymphony.com.