From the Streets to the Stars:
Broadway Favorites
Spring 2026 Concert

Tonight, from West Side Story

Music by Leonard Bernstein
Arr. William Stickles

Premiering in 1957, West Side Story revolutionized American musical theatre by blending classical composition, jazz, and Latin rhythms with urgent social commentary. A modern retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the story centers on rival gangs in New York City and the doomed love between Tony and Maria.

“Tonight” stands as one of Bernstein’s most celebrated achievements. The song appears in several forms throughout the musical, but in its ensemble incarnation, it becomes a breathtaking dramatic device. Multiple characters sing simultaneously about their hopes, fears, and expectations for the evening ahead. Bernstein layers independent melodic lines in a quasi-operatic structure, creating tension and inevitability. The result is thrilling: musically complex, emotionally charged, and theatrically electrifying, a perfect fusion of Broadway and opera.

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Consider Yourself & Who Will Buy? from Oliver!

Music by Lionel Bart

Based on Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, Oliver! opened in London’s West End in 1960 before transferring to Broadway. Lionel Bart’s score is filled with warmth, theatricality, and memorable melodies that capture both the hardships and humanity of Victorian London.

“Consider Yourself” is a jubilant anthem of belonging. Sung when Oliver is taken in by the Artful Dodger and his band of pickpockets, the number bursts with camaraderie and playful charm. Its music hall style reflects British theatrical traditions, complete with buoyant rhythms and inviting refrains.

In contrast, “Who Will Buy?” paints a vivid portrait of a London marketplace awakening at dawn. Bart uses overlapping musical lines and shifting textures to evoke the bustle of street vendors calling out their wares. The number grows organically from a simple solo into a rich choral tapestry, illustrating the interconnectedness of city life.

Together, these two selections celebrate community, whether found in unlikely friendships or in the shared rhythm of daily life.

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Wicked Choral Medley from Wicked

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Arr. Mac Huff

Since its Broadway debut in 2003, Wicked has become a cultural phenomenon. Based on Gregory Maguire’s novel, the musical reimagines the Land of Oz long before Dorothy’s arrival, telling the story of Elphaba, the so-called Wicked Witch of the West, and her unlikely friendship with Glinda.

Stephen Schwartz’s score blends contemporary Broadway sensibility with emotional sincerity. The show’s central theme is perspective: how history labels heroes and villains, and how friendship can transcend societal expectations.

This medley brings together the soaring anthem “Defying Gravity,” the tender reflection of “For Good,” and other beloved songs. Schwartz’s gift for melodic storytelling shines throughout, offering music that is at once intimate and grand. The emotional arc moves from ambition and independence to gratitude and transformation.

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Over the Rainbow, from The Wizard of Oz

Music by Harold Arlen

Written for the 1939 MGM film The Wizard of Oz, “Over the Rainbow” has become one of the most enduring songs in American history. Originally performed by Judy Garland as Dorothy, the song captures a universal longing for hope beyond present circumstances.

Composer Harold Arlen crafted a melody that rises in a wide, yearning interval at the very first phrase, musically illustrating the act of reaching beyond. The song’s gentle harmonic shifts and lyrical simplicity allow its emotional sincerity to shine.

Across decades, “Over the Rainbow” has been interpreted in countless styles, yet its core message remains unchanged: a belief in dreams, resilience, and the possibility of something better just over the horizon.

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Malagueña

Music by Ernesto Lecuona
Arr. Luis Sucra

“Malagueña” originates from Ernesto Lecuona’s Suite Andalucía (1933), a piano work inspired by Spanish regional styles. The piece draws specifically from the flamenco traditions of Málaga in southern Spain.

Characterized by driving rhythms, dramatic dynamic contrasts, and passionate melodic lines, “Malagueña” has transcended its classical origins to become a staple in orchestral, vocal, and popular arrangements. Its bold harmonic language and rhythmic vitality create an atmosphere of intensity and flair.

In choral performance, the work demands both precision and expressive fire. The interplay between percussive articulation and sweeping lyricism captures the spirit of Spanish dance and song.

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Finale from The Gondoliers

Music by Arthur Sullivan
Libretto by W. S. Gilbert

Premiering in 1889, The Gondoliers was one of the later collaborations between Gilbert and Sullivan. Known for their witty satire and tuneful scores, the duo created works that bridged operetta and popular theatre.

Set in Venice and the fictional kingdom of Barataria, the operetta playfully critiques social class and monarchy. The finale exemplifies Sullivan’s gift for buoyant ensemble writing, weaving multiple vocal lines into a jubilant conclusion. Gilbert’s sharp wit is matched by music that sparkles with rhythmic vitality and melodic charm.

The result is effervescent and celebratory, a nod to the theatrical traditions that paved the way for modern musical theatre.

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Rigoletto Concert Paraphrase

Music by Franz Liszt

In the 19th century, opera paraphrases were popular vehicles for virtuoso performers. Franz Liszt, one of the greatest pianists of his era, transformed themes from Verdi’s opera Rigoletto into a dazzling concert work.

Rather than merely quoting melodies, Liszt reimagines them with elaborate ornamentation, dramatic contrasts, and technical brilliance. The piece centers on the famous quartet “Bella figlia dell’amore,” preserving its lyricism while elevating it into a showpiece of Romantic expression.

Liszt’s paraphrase demonstrates how themes from the operatic stage could be reinterpreted for the concert hall, another example of music traveling “from the streets to the stars.”

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The Girl in 14G

Music by Jeanine Tesori

Jeanine Tesori, known for her work in contemporary musical theatre, brings humor and virtuosity together in this concert favorite. “The Girl in 14G” tells the story of a young aspiring soprano who moves into her first New York apartment, only to discover neighbors whose musical habits clash hilariously with her own.

The piece cleverly juxtaposes Broadway belt, operatic coloratura, and jazz stylings, often within the same phrase. Tesori’s writing requires technical agility and comic timing, as the protagonist navigates escalating musical chaos.

At its heart, the song is a playful celebration of musical diversity and theatrical exaggeration.

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Mary Poppins: Choral Selections

Music and Lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman
Arr. John Leavitt

First introduced in the 1964 Disney film, Mary Poppins blends whimsy with heartfelt life lessons. The Sherman Brothers crafted songs that are imaginative, witty, and instantly memorable.

These choral selections highlight the charm and optimism of the story. From playful tongue-twisters to soaring ensemble moments, the music captures the magic that Mary Poppins brings to the Banks family. Beneath the fantasy lies a message about family, imagination, and finding joy in everyday life.

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Theme from Schindler's List

Music by John Williams

John Williams’ score for Schindler’s List stands among the most poignant film compositions ever written. Centered on a haunting violin melody, the theme conveys sorrow, remembrance, and fragile hope.

The simplicity of the melodic line allows the emotional weight of the story to resonate deeply. Williams avoids grandiosity, instead crafting a restrained, intimate lament that honors the memory of Holocaust victims while underscoring the resilience of the human spirit.

In concert performance, the theme offers a moment of reflection and solemn beauty.

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Les Misérables Medley from Les Misérables

Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg
Arr. Ed Lojeski

Based on Victor Hugo’s sweeping novel, Les Misérables premiered in Paris in 1980 before becoming one of the longest-running musicals in Broadway history. Its epic narrative spans decades of French history, following Jean Valjean’s journey from imprisonment to redemption.

Schönberg’s score is symphonic in scope, blending intimate solos with powerful choral anthems. This medley weaves together some of the show’s most recognizable songs — from cries of revolution to prayers of hope.

At its core, Les Misérables affirms the enduring strength of compassion, sacrifice, and the possibility of grace. It provides a fitting and triumphant conclusion to an evening celebrating stories that began in humble places and soared to legendary heights.