‘Wicked’ star to accompany Youngstown Symphony Orchestra

Stephanie J. Block won the 2006 Helen Hayes award for Outstanding Actress.

the vindicator

YOUNGSTOWN — Sounds of the season will ring out Saturday, when the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra and conductor Randall Craig Fleischer welcome Stephanie J. Block, star of Broadway’s “Wicked” and “9 to 5.”

Also joining in the Holiday Spectacular concert are the Youngstown Connection, Kenny Eldridge and the Jesus Celebration Singers, dancers from Ballet Western Reserve, First Covenant Church Hand Bell Choir and Susan McConnell’s Team Two students from Robinwood Elementary School, who will “sign” the Holiday Sing-A-Long.

Local media personalities and legislators will perform Haydn’s “Toy Symphony” with the orchestra. Included in the Toy Symphony Ensemble will be Robert Mangino of WKBN-570 AM; Rich Morgan, WKBN-TV 27; Dana Balash, WFMJ-Channel 21; Rep. Robert A. Hagan; and John McNally, Mahoning County commissioner.

Stephanie J. Block came straight to the role of Judy Bernly in “9 to 5” from playing the role of Elphaba in the Broadway company of “Wicked.”

Theatergoers will also recognize her for her portrayal as Grace O’Malley in “The Pirate Queen” and opposite Hugh Jackman in “The Boy from Oz.”

Block also starred in the first national touring company of “Wicked” as Elphaba, for which she won the 2006 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Actress.

Some of her regional credits include “Funny Girl,” “Crazy For You,” “Oliver,” “South Pacific” and “Will Rogers Follies.” Her voice can be heard on numerous cast recordings and commercials including the singing voice of Barbie. She was the original Belle in the Disneyland production of “Beauty and the Beast” and has appeared as Sleeping Beauty and Mary Poppins in various shows around the United States.

The Youngstown Connection, a song-and-dance troupe comprised of city schools students under the direction of Carol Baird, will make its first appearance with the orchestra in “Winter Wonderland” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”

Ballet Western Reserve, under the artistic direction of Richard Dickinson and Jackie Cunningham, will perform “Frosty the Snowman.”

Kenny Eldridge and the Jesus Celebration Singers will present an original Eldridge composition, “Celebrate the King,” among others and the First Covenant Church Hand Bell Choir will perform “Carol of the Bells.”

The Holiday Spectacular Pops concert is underwritten in part by the William B. and Kathryn C. Pollock Foundation.

if you go

What: Youngstown Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Spectacular pops concert

When: 8 p.m. Saturday

Where: Powers Auditorium, 260 W. Federal St., Youngstown

Tickets: call (330) 744-0264 or go to youngstownsymphony.com.