August 14, 2026
Pasadena, CA
All Pasadena POPS concerts are held at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens. Gates open for picnic dining at 5:30pm and performances begin at 7:30pm. Don’t miss the best outdoor dinner party in town with spacious circular table seating with fine linens, or lawn seating for those who want to bring a blanket – each option carries on the tradition of picnic-dining with your family and friends listening to Michael Feinstein and the San Gabriel Valley’s premier orchestra! Concertgoers can pack their own food and drink or enjoy pre-ordered gourmet box dinners for on-site pickup, two full bars, and a variety of food trucks.
The Arboretum is located at 301 North Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, CA. Subscribers may purchase pre-paid onsite parking at the Arboretum, and all concertgoers can purchase guaranteed and convenient parking at Santa Anita Park, with non-stop shuttle service to the Arboretum’s main entrance.
Single tickets start at $38 and are available by calling the box office at (626) 793-7172, online at pasadenasymphony-pops.org or at the Arboretum on concert days.
IF YOU GO:
- What: The Pasadena POPS presents Music of the Night: Andrew Llyod Webber & Friends
Larry Blank, Principal Pops Conductor
Hugh Panaro & Valerie Perri & Scarlett Strallen, soloists - When: Saturday, August 29 at 7:30pm. Gates open at 5:30pm
- Where: The LA County Arboretum | 301 N Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, CA 91007
- Cost: Tickets start at $38.00
- Dining: Gates open at 5:30pm for picnicking. Guests are welcome to bring their own food and drink, pre-order boxed meals, or purchase from onsite food and beverage vendors. Click Here for menus and to order.
- Parking: Subscribers have the opportunity to purchase onsite Arboretum parking. Single ticket holders may purchase guaranteed and convenient parking at Santa Anita Park Lot 6, located just across Baldwin Ave., with complimentary non-stop shuttle service to the Arboretum’s main entrance. Lot 6 parking may be purchased in advanced at pasadenasymphony-pops.org or onsite (cash only) for $20.
Larry Blank
Principal Pops Conductor
Larry Blank is one of the most prolific and sought-after composers, conductors, and orchestrators in the entertainment business today. His work has been presented all over the world, including some of Broadway’s most successful musicals, Carnegie Hall, and top television and film projects.
He was the Music Director/Conductor and/or vocal arranger for many shows on Broadway and in Los Angeles including They’re Playing Our Song, Evita, Sugar Babies, La Cage Aux Folles, Phantom Of The Opera, Onward Victoria, Copperfield, Colette, A Chorus Line and A Little Night Music. He has been nominated three times for both the Tony Award and the Drama Desk Award for his orchestrations in The Drowsy Chaperone, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas and with Marc Shaiman for Catch Me If You Can. Larry received a Drama Desk Nomination for orchestrations for A Christmas Story and Honeymoon in Vegas.
Larry contributed to the orchestrations for both the stage and film production of The Producers, the film Chicago and is a regular conductor and arranger for BBC RADIO 2 Friday Night Is Music Night in the UK. Larry is also the Music Supervisor and Orchestrator (along with Mark Cumberland) for the Olivier Awards in London.
Blank has worked with top talent from varied fields of the entertainment world, notably as personal conductor to Michael Crawford. He has also worked with Michael Feinstein, Marvin Hamlisch, Bernadette Peters, Kelsey Grammar, Christine Baranski, Roberta Flack, Pete Fountain, Peabo Bryson, Sally Kellerman, Nancy Dussault, Marc Shaiman, Jerry Herman, Ann- Margaret, Davis Gaines, Bette Midler, George Benson, Placido Domingo, Randy Newman, Trisha Yearwood, Tom Scott, Quincy Jones, Michael Bolton, John Raitt and Diana Rigg.
Blank’s background includes orchestrating and arranging songs for South Park and was Music Supervisor and Orchestrator for Jerry Herman’s movie, Mrs. Santa Claus starring Angela Lansbury and Charles Durning. Some of the films he lent his talent to include The Kid, Kiss The Girls, The American President, Forget Paris, City Slickers II, The Net, That¹s Entertainment III, North, I¹d Do Anything, and Stuart Saves His Family. Blank’s music can be heard on the animated feature films, Cats Don’t Dance and All Dogs Go To Heaven as well as the 101 Dalmatians Christmas Special.
Mr. Blank’s television work includes orchestrating and composing music for several of the Grammy Awards and Academy Award shows as well as numerous television movies and shows. Most recently Larry orchestrated and conducted FX’s Fosse/Verdon and Dolly Parton’s latest project Christmas On The Square for Warner Brothers.
Mr. Blank has guest conducted most of the orchestras throughout the world, including The San Francisco Symphony, The New York Philharmonic, Western Australia Symphony Orchestra, The Los Angeles Philharmonic, Palm Beach Pops, Auckland Symphony, The National Symphony Orchestra, The Boston Pops, The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Calgary Symphony, New Orleans Symphony and Toronto.
Hugh Panaro
Soloist
Hugh Panaro is perhaps best known for having played the coveted role of the Phantom in Broadway’s The Phantom of the Opera over 2,000 times, including the 25th Anniversary production. In fact, Hugh is one of the few actors to be cast by Harold Prince as both The Phantom and Raoul in the show’s Broadway production and recently starred as the title role in the New York production of Sweeney Todd.
Hugh made his Broadway debut in the original production of Les Misérables as Marius, the role he originated in the First National Company. He also created the roles of Buddy in the original Side Show (Sony cast recording); Julian Craster in Jule Styne’s last musical, The Red Shoes; and the title role in the American premiere of Cameron Mackintosh’s Martin Guerre. Hugh was nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award for his performance in the title role of Elton John’s Lestat, based on Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles. He made his West End debut in the original London company of Harold Prince’s Show Boat as Gaylord Ravenal, the role he previously played in the Broadway and Toronto productions.
At the prestigious 5th Avenue Theater in Seattle, Hugh played George Seurat in Sunday in the Park with George, and Robert in Stephen Sondheim’s Company. Hugh’s performance as Jean Valjean in the Walnut Street Theater’s production of Les Misérables earned him the prestigious Barrymore Award, for which he was again nominated after a turn as Fagin in Oliver! In 2012, Hugh was honored with the Edwin Forrest Award for his long-term contribution to the theater.
An active concert artist, Panaro has performed with numerous symphony orchestras including the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, The Cleveland Orchestra, Philly Pops, Dallas, Detroit, San Francisco, Seattle, Utah Symphonies, and the London Sinfonietta, among many others. Mr. Panaro’s upcoming engagements include the Philly Pops, Charlotte Symphony, Cleveland Pops, Tucson Symphony, Maui Pops, Hawaii Symphony, among others. Hugh also recently returned as a guest soloist with the Festival Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic. He also had the privilege of performing in the world premiere of Penderecki’s Te Deum at Carnegie Hall and was a guest soloist with the Buffalo Philharmonic, conducted by Marvin Hamlisch. His recordings include Jerome Kern Treasury, the original cast recording of Side Show, Tap Your Troubles Away (Herman), The Centennial (Weil), and Life On The Wicked Stage (Kern). In addition, he toured throughout Europe with the legendary Barbra Streisand. A native of Philadelphia, Panaro graduated from Temple University and was awarded the Boyer College of Music Certificate of Honor. His first solo CD, recorded live at 54 Below, is set to be released in 2023.
Valerie Perri
Soloist
Valerie Perri is an acclaimed, award-winning stage and screen actress celebrated for her commanding portrayals of complex women, brought to life with depth, elegance, and emotional power. She made her breakout debut in 1979 as Eva Perón in the Broadway National Company of Evita, directed by legendary impresario Harold Prince. Her performance launched an enduring association with the role, which she has performed internationally to critical acclaim. Her “dazzling” and “compelling” portrayal in Chicago earned her a nomination for the prestigious Sarah Siddons Award (Chicago Tribune).
She brings a distinctive insight to the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, shaped by her experience working with him on Evita, lending a rare authenticity and immediacy to his work in performance.
Perri’s Broadway and touring credits also include the first National Tour of Jerome Robbins’ Broadway, directed by Robbins himself, and work with Tony Award-winning director Rebecca Taichman and the original Broadway company of Indecent at Center Theatre Group.
Her extensive regional theatre career includes a celebrated run in Steven Levenson’s If I Forget, directed by Jason Alexander, earning a 2022 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle nomination for Best Featured Performance. She also starred opposite Alexander in the record-breaking production of Fiddler on the Roof for McCoy Rigby Productions. Additional acclaimed performances include Emma Goldman in Pasadena Playhouse’s Ovation Award-winning Ragtime, Dolly Levi in 3D Theatricals’ Hello, Dolly!, and Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard for Musical Theatre West—earning a StageSceneLA Scenie Award for Best Musical Performance and a BroadwayWorld Best Actress nomination. She later reprised Norma Desmond for Moonlight Amphitheatre.
Her recent stage work includes Ruth Bader Ginsburg in Justice (Southern California premiere at Ensemble Theatre Company); the Dowager Empress in Disney’s Anastasia (Moonlight Amphitheatre in Vista, California); Genie Klein in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (in Los Angeles and at the historic Cape Playhouse); and the American premiere of Arun Lakra’s Heist at Arizona Theatre Company.
Off-Broadway and regional credits include Diamonds, Angry Housewives, and Harry Chapin: Lies and Legends at Pasadena Playhouse, for which she received a Los Angeles Drama Critics Award. She has also appeared opposite Melanie Griffith in The Graduate at Laguna Playhouse, and in the Maine premiere of Admissions as well as the West Coast premieres of The Last Schwartz and The Sweepers.
On screen, Valerie’s television credits include Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, Truth Be Told, Criminal Minds, ER, Another World, Brooklyn Bridge, and Who’s the Boss?. Her film work includes The Out-of-Towners (with Goldie Hawn and Steve Martin), Disney’s George of the Jungle, Grease, and Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star (with David Spade).
A celebrated concert artist, Valerie has performed with symphony orchestras across the United States and Europe, appearing at Carnegie Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall, the London Palladium, and the Frankfurt Opera House. She is also a recording artist; her album Sweet Conversation is available on all major streaming platforms.
Valerie shares her life with her husband, international photographer Cliff Lipson, and their twin sons, Jack and Benny, who are both composers, arrangers, and musicians—continuing a family legacy of artistry and musical expression.
Scarlett Strallen
Soloist
Scarlett Strallen, born and raised in London, is best known on Broadway as Mary Poppins (a role she also played in London and Australia) and as Sibella in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, where she met her husband, Bryce Pinkham. Other New York Highlights include Gwendolyn in Travesties on Broadway, Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, and Alice in the The New Yorkers with Encores at City Center.
Scarlett’s West End career highlight’s include Kathy in Singin’ in the Rain (Olivier Award Nomination) Cassie in A Chorus Line, Clara in Passion at the Donmar Warehouse, Josephine in HMS Pinafore (Olivier Award Nomination), and Truly Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Scarlett’s additional theater credits include the title role in Nell Gwynn at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance at Barrington Stage Company, Lady McDuff in Macbeth with Kenneth Branagh at the Armory in New York, Cunegonde in Candide and Amalia in She Loves Me both at the Menier Chocolate Factory in London, Marion Paroo in The Music Man at Chichester festival theatre and starring alongside Judi Dench in The Merry Wives of Windsor with the Royal Shakespeare Company. In 2014, Scarlett received the ‘Whatsonstage’ award for Best Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Cassie in A Chorus Line and Cunegonde in Candide in the same season. Original casts include Mamma Mia and The Witches of Eastwick.
A frequent soloist with orchestras around the world, Scarlett’s recent and upcoming engagements in the US include The Boston Pops, The Cleveland Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, Grant Park Music Festival, Houston Symphony, Utah Symphony, Philly Pops, Phoenix Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Colorado Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, among many others. She made her German debut with the Philharmonie in Berlin with the John Wilson Orchestra in A Celebration of the MGM Film Musicals and performed with the Prague Philharmonic with Maestro Keith Lockhart. For the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall on the BBC Scarlett has performed Cole Porter in Hollywood and Bernstein Stage and Screen with the John Wilson orchestra along with playing Laurie in Oklahoma. Her famous “Glitter and Be Gay” with the John Wilson Orchestra can be found on YouTube. Scarlett has recorded “Something’s Gotta Give” with Simon Keenleyside and “State Fair and the 20th century Fox Songbook” for Chandos Records conducted by David Charles Abel and has recently finished a recording of My Fair Lady as Eliza with the Sinfonia of London. Scarlett was requested to sing on two separate occasions for Her late Majesty the Queen and once for His Royal Highness King Charles. Follow Scarlett @scarlettstrallenofficial on Instagram.
Formed in 1928, the Pasadena Symphony and POPS is an ensemble of Hollywood’s most talented, sought-after musicians. With extensive credits in film, television, recording and the orchestral industry, the artists of the Pasadena Symphony and POPS are some of the most heard in the world.
Brett Mitchell assumed the post of Pasadena Symphony Music Director on April 1, 2024. The multi-platinum-selling, Emmy and Grammy Award-nominated entertainer dubbed “The Ambassador of the Great American Songbook,” Michael Feinstein, assumed the role of Principal Pops Conductor Emeritus in September 2025, after leading the POPS for 14 years, succeeding Marvin Hamlisch. Resident Pops Conductor Larry Blank will lead the POPS for the 2026 season.
The Pasadena Symphony and POPS performs in two of the most extraordinary venues in the United States: Ambassador Auditorium, known as the Carnegie Hall of the West, and the Los Angeles Arboretum & Botanic Garden.
A hallmark of its robust education programs, the Pasadena Symphony Association has served the youth of the region for over five decades through the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestras (PYSO). PYSO offers supplemental in-class instruction within the Pasadena Unified School District and eleven performance ensembles, serving over 700 4th-12th grade students from all over Southern California. The PYSO has performed at venues across the globe as well as on the television show GLEE.
The Pasadena Symphony Association provides people from all walks of life with powerful access points to the world of symphonic music. www.pasadenasymphony-pops.org