The Buck Hill Skytop Music Festival will celebrate the power and artistry of America’s rich musical history in its sixth season, which will take place in the breathtaking Pocono Mountains from July 31 to August 9.
The festival will kick off the season with a tribute to legendary composer and lyricist Cole Porter, starring some of the best talent on Broadway. Among the world-renowned artists appearing this season, Jarrod Spector will pay homage to iconic tenors who made an indelible impact on the nation’s popular culture. To cap off the festival, New York City’s most versatile pop singers will present 100 years of American music.
The two major productions will feature local students who were selected to participate in the festival’s notable education programs: Young Scholars and Student Chorus. Young Scholars have the opportunity to work one-on-one with professional vocal coaches and perform in their own show, the Young Scholars Broadway Revue. Student Chorus members receive group instruction from a professional choral director.
Artistic director Joey Chancey was inspired to salute Americana by his recent work on the Tony Award-winning show Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, which chronicles the career of beloved singer-songwriter Carole King. Chancey is introducing a festival orchestra this season to infuse the major productions with a robust sound and amp up the excitement.
Following are the highlights of the Sixth Annual Buck Hill Skytop Music Festival:
Musical Theater
A Cole Porter Celebration Concert - This tribute to Cole Porter will feature the legendary composer’s classics from hit Broadway musicals such as Anything Goes, Kiss Me Kate and Can-Can. The show stars Broadway entertainers and the festival’s student artists. Friday, July 31, 7:30pm, Pocono Mountain East High School. Tickets: $40 preferred seating, $20 general admission, $10 child.
Pop Music
American Songbook: 100 Years of Popular Music - New York City’s most versatile pop singers will take the outdoor stage to present 100 years of American music. This exciting tour of American music history begins with classics from legendary composers such as Scott Joplin and George Gershwin and culminates with songs from modern day megastars including Garth Brooks and Michael Buble. The show features the festival’s student artists. Sunday, August 9, 6:00pm, Skytop Lodge. Tickets: $30 adult, $15 child.
Cabaret
Jarrod Spector: A Little Help from My Friends - Broadway star Jarrod Spector’s new show traces the legacy of the great male singers whose vocal prowess made them the rock stars of their generations, even before rock was born. Spector wraps his critically acclaimed voice around the songs that have made superstars out of more than a century of tenor legends, from pop icons Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson to opera powerhouse Enrico Caruso. Spector starred as Frankie Valli in the hit Broadway musical Jersey Boys for five years and earned a Tony nomination in 2014 for his current role as Barry Mann in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Sunday, August 2, 4:30pm, Notre Dame High School. Tickets: $40 preferred seating, $20 general admission, $10 child.
Jazz
The Emmet Cohen Trio - At 24, jazz pianist Emmet Cohen has quickly become one of the most in-demand musicians in New York. A finalist in both the 2011 Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition and the 2015 American Pianists Association’s Fellowship, Cohen plays with the maturity and confidence of a seasoned veteran. An Open Mic Salon, hosted by Broadway veterans, Andy Gale and Mark Janas, will follow the performance. Saturday, August 1, Skytop Lodge, 7:30pm. Tickets: $40 adult, $20 child.
Classical Chamber Music
The Broadway Chamber Players - New York City’s newest chamber music ensemble is comprised of the finest instrumentalists, composers, and conductors across the classical, jazz, and new-music fields. The group is unified by one common thread - they all perform on Broadway. Thursday, August 6, 7:30pm, Tennis Tea, Buck Hill Falls. Tickets: $30 adult, $15 child.
New Works Production
First Annual Developmental Theater Lab - The Buck Hill Skytop Music Festival is dedicated to supporting writers and composers in the creation of new musical theater works. To advance this mission, the festival will select a new work that is ready to be explored musically and dramatically and bring it to the stage with a professional creative team and cast. Friday, August 7, 7:30pm, Notre Dame High School. Tickets: $20 adult, $10 child.
Young Scholars Broadway Revue
After a three-week intensive vocal workshop, the festival’s Young Scholars will showcase their talents in the Young Scholars Broadway Revue, a perennial favorite among festival guests. Saturday, August 8, 7:30pm, Cohen Recital Hall, East Stroudsburg University. Tickets: $35 adult, $10 child.
The Full Festival Package is available for $210. Package holders are entitled to Preferred Seating. For information and tickets, visit buckhillskytopfest.org.
