After Kimmel eviction, Philly Pops moves concerts to the Met
The group's February program "Get Up, Stand Up: An Encyclopedia of Soul," will be led by renowned Hollywood musical director, composer Rickey Minor.
In the wake of its eviction from the Kimmel Center, the Philly Pops has booked a new concert hall. The group will perform its February program at the Met Philadelphia, the Pops announced Wednesday.
The show, led by renowned Hollywood musical director, composer, and music producer Rickey Minor, was originally scheduled in Verizon Hall for three concerts. Now, the Pops has secured two showtimes at the Met, both on Feb. 18.
Tickets for the originally scheduled Feb. 17 performance will be honored for the 8 p.m. show, and those purchased for the Feb. 18 or 19 matinees will give patrons access to the 3 p.m. show. Additional tickets go on sale Friday, Feb. 3.
The Met on North Broad Street, which is larger than Verizon Hall, is a familiar venue for the Pops.
“We were the appointed principal orchestra there way back when, before the pandemic,” said Pops chief operating officer Karen Corbin. “We did five or six shows up there and it was a really great experience. The acoustics are terrific for certain kinds of shows, the rock shows, and R&B particularly.”
The Feb. 18 program, “Get Up, Stand Up: An Encyclopedia of Soul,” features Minor and vocalist Joshua Henry in favorites like “Heard it Through the Grapevine,” “A Change Is Gonna Come,” and “Let’s Get It On.”
Minor was musical director for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and American Idol and has worked with artists like Whitney Houston and Ray Charles. Broadway singer/actor Henry is known for his roles in Hamilton, Into the Woods, and The Scottsboro Boys.
The Pops and its landlord, the Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center Inc., have been locked in a disagreement over rent and other fees due and terms around a payment plan. The arts center evicted the Pops on Jan. 20, listing Pops shows on the Kimmel website as “canceled.”
The rest of the Philly Pops’ 2022-23 season includes four more programs — shows in March, April, May, and June. As for the location for those shows, Corbin said:
“We expect to make an announcement within the next week and a half so that our patrons can plan.”
Information: phillypops.org, 215-875-8004.