James Stewart:
On December 31, we'll have a chance to ring in the New Year as the presentation “Burlington Does Broadway” returns to the Flynn Center.
Benjamin Klemme:
This is a fantastic collaboration between the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Theatre and the Flynn.
James:
That's the voice of Benjamin Klemme, the guest conductor for this year's “Burlington Does Broadway”
Benjamin:
The last time that we were able to perform this was two years ago. So it's fantastic to be able to restore the tradition, to be back at the Flynn and to bring these three organizations together again.
James:
I had a chance to speak with Benjamin Klemme via Zoom and talk about the show and this amazing collaboration. I asked Benjamin what we can expect from this year's program.
Benjamin:
One of the things that I love about this particular event is the way that it highlights the incredible talent that we have in the state of Vermont. The amazing musicians of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra in collaboration with the singers and actors and dancers from Lyric Theatre is a winning combination. One of the things that's fantastic about how the artistic director, Doris O'Brien and music director, Howie Kalfus have put together this program is that it gives the audience a chance to enjoy the combined efforts of these organizations, but also to hear the VSO perform music from Broadway alone and to see soloists from the Lyric Theatre sing along with the orchestra and to hear the chorus in full-force along with the orchestra and a real variety throughout the evening of performing forces. It's a fantastic program that they've assembled.
James:
And I understand there's a special guest this year.
Benjamin:
Yeah. We have a host who is Vermont born, an alumna of Lyric Theatre and a New York based performer, Kerstin Anderson, will not only be hosting the event this year, but will also be performing both vocally and in dance throughout the concert. And it's going to be an amazing highlight of this year's performance, something that the audience will not want to miss.
James:
And what performance, piece or song are you most looking forward to?
Benjamin:
That's impossible to answer, James. Literally every piece on the program is one of those pieces from the repertoire that has something for the audience to whistle on the way home, or to sing, or to remember on the way home. It is jam-packed this program with memorable and cherished treasures from the repertoire.
James:
That was Benjamin Klemme, the guest conductor of this year's, “Burlington Does Broadway”, a collaboration of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Theatre and the Flynn Center. “Burlington Does Broadway” is taking place at the Flynn on December 31, New Year's Eve at 07:30pm. You can get more details and tickets at VSO.org.
