Orchestra to open its pops season with ‘Wicked’ Broadway singers

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Randall Craig Fleischer, will open its pops season Saturday with a concert it is calling “Wicked Divas” at 8 p.m. at Powers Auditorium.

“Wicked Divas” features Emily Rozeka and Julie Reiber, who played Glinda and Elphaba, respectively, in the Tony award-winning musical “Wicked” on Broadway.

The program will include Broadway, opera and popular music selections, including favorites from “Gypsy,” “Ragtime” and “Titanic.”

Rozek’s Broadway credits also include Winnie Tate in “Annie Get Your Gun” and Millie Dillmount and Miss Dorothy in “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” Her Broadway tours include Mary in “Sunset Boulevard” and Nellie Forbush in “South Pacific.”

Reiber first performed the role of Elphaba in the original “Wicked” Los Angeles cast and later performed the role on Broadway. Her other Broadway roles include Marion in “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,” Brooklyn in “Bklyn,” Natalie/ Ed in “All Shook Up,” and opposite Harry Connick Jr. in the revival of “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever.”

Tickets for Saturday’s concert are available at the box office, by phone at 330-744-0264, and online at youngstownsymphony.com.