CCB MEDIA: Blue Man Group performs at annual Pops By the Sea Concert
HYANNIS – The Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra turned up the heat on the Hyannis Village Green Sunday with a rock and pop music filled performance at the 31st Annual Pops by the Sea Concert.
Temperatures hovering around 90 degrees at the start of the show didn’t deter the orchestra, or the various guest performers, from putting on a full-throttled show.
Maestro Keith Lockhart opened the show with the Olympic Fanfare and Theme in homage to the Rio Games. He followed that with the finale from the Force Awakens in tribute to Star Wars and the legendary composer John Williams.
The orchestra then rocked and rolled through a collection of popular music, including a Chuck Berry medley backed by energetic vocalist James “D-Train” Williams.
That was followed by a smooth set of classic songs ranging from Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles, Paint It Black by the Rolling Stones and Desperado by The Eagles.
CCB MEDIA PHOTO: “D-Train” Williams performs with Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra.
“D-Train” Williams returned for a performance of Purple Rain, in tribute to Prince, who died earlier this year.
“We’re always thrilled to be here, the Boston Pops, in support of the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod. They do such great work here, grassroots work, bringing arts to the Islands and to the Cape,” said Lockhart.
This year’s guest celebrity conductor was actually a threesome of blue – The Blue Man Group.
After the intermission, three characters covered in blue makeup from the popular stage show playfully chased Lockhart from the stage and temporarily took over the show.
As one of the Blue Men put on a white wig, the other two brought tenor Dennis McNeil on stage with a wheeled cart and began a short comedy act that included McNeil pretending to hold a note for an impossibly long period of time.
The Blue Men used a fire extinguisher to put out the vocals.
The second half of the show also included an inspiring performance from actress and Broadway star Laura Benanti.
Lockhart and the Boston Pops wrapped up the show with medley of 1980’s classics, including All Night Long, Livin’ on a Prayer and Jump, that had audience members dancing in the aisles.
The maestro said the Pops had added several contemporary songs to their repertoire in the past year.
“Over this last year, we’ve had the great privilege to the incredible Boston Pops library, some incredible rock and roll tunes, all designed for the Boston Pops,” said Lockhart.
The annual event is the largest fundraiser for the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod, which supports arts-related events and organizations year round.
By MATT PITTA, CapeCod.com News Director
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