Featuring pianist Stewart Goodyear, vocalist Allison Blackwell & the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir
Don’t miss this celebration of all things Gershwin. The ISO will honor one of the greatest names in American popular songwriting with the 100th anniversary of Rhapsody in Blue, performed by pianist extraordinaire Stewart Goodyear. Joining Goodyear is Broadway vocalist Allison Blackwell (New York, New York, Pretty Woman: The Musical, Porgy & Bess) along with the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir.
Concert repertoire to include the songs “Strike Up the Band,” “Our Love is Here to Stay,” and “Someone to Watch Over Me,” plus music from Girl Crazy, Funny Face, and Porgy and Bess. The show concludes with Goodyear’s performance of Rhapsody in Blue.
Click here to buy tickets. Performances begin at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11; 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11; and 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12.
For more information regarding the policies of the Hilbert Circle Theatre, please visit the ISO website.
About Jack Everly
Jack Everly is the Principal Pops Conductor of the Indianapolis and Baltimore Symphony Orchestras, Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra (Ottawa). He has conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, the San Francisco Symphony, the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, and the Seattle Symphony. Everly recently extended his contract with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra through 2026. He will continue to be the music director of the AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration, the nation’s largest symphonic holiday production in the country. He led the ISO in its first Pops recording, Yuletide Celebration, Volume One. Some of his other recordings include “In The Presence” featuring the Czech Philharmonic and Daniel Rodriguez; Sandi Patty’s Broadway Stories; the soundtrack to Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame; and Everything’s Coming Up Roses: The Overtures of Jule Styne.
Everly, a Hoosier native and graduate of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, is a recipient of the 2015 Indiana Historical Society Living Legends Award and holds an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from Franklin College in his home state of Indiana. In 2023, he received the Sagamore of the Wabash award, the highest honor a Hoosier can receive, presented by Governor Eric Holcomb.
About Stewart Goodyear
Proclaimed “a phenomenon” by the Los Angeles Times and “one of the best pianists of his generation” by the Philadelphia Inquirer, Stewart Goodyear is an accomplished concert pianist, improviser and composer. Goodyear has performed with, and has been commissioned by, many of the major orchestras and chamber music organizations around the world.
Last year, Orchid Classics released Mr. Goodyear’s recording of his suite for piano and orchestra, “Callaloo” and his piano sonata. His recent commissions include an orchestral work for the Chineke! Orchestra, his Piano Quintet for the Penderecki String Quartet, and a piano work for the Honens Piano Competition. His suite for solo violin, “Solo,” was recorded by violinist Miranda Cuckson on the Urlicht Audiovisual label, and his work for cello and piano, “The Kapak” was recording by cellist Inbal Segev on the Avie Records label. Highlights for the 2024-25 season are his performances at the BBC Proms with the Chineke! Orchestra, his return to the Phillips Collection (Washington, D.C.), and performances with the Vancouver and Toronto Symphonies, the Indianapolis Symphony, the Rochester Philharmonic, Frankfurt Museumgesellschaft, and A Far Cry in Boston.
About Allison Blackwell
This award-winning Philadelphia native has distinguished herself as a force of nature in the theatre and concert world. From opera, to gospel, to jazz, to musical theatre, she is a highly sought-after talent known for her versatility and passion onstage.
Allison Blackwell made her Broadway debut in the Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess alongside six-time Tony award winner Audra McDonald, Tony Nominee Norm Lewis, and Tony winner David Alan Grier (2012 Tony award winner: Best Revival). Her breakthrough role was playing Aretha Franklin in A Night with Janis Joplin, a year later. She has also been seen on Broadway in such shows as The Lion King, Pretty Woman: The Musical, and most recently New York, New York, directed by five-time Tony award winner Susan Stroman. For more information, visit allisonblackwell.com.
About the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir
The Indianapolis Symphonic Choir is proud to be one of the nation’s most established and dynamic musical institutions, marking its 88th year in the 2024-25 concert season. With a deep commitment to ensuring its musical reach extends to all in its community, including those in underserved populations, the Choir has supported women and minority artists through commissions, collaborative projects with guest soloists and ensembles, and the presentation and promotion of quality repertoire that is not yet widely recognized. The Choir also pioneers multiple one-of-a-kind education initiatives as part of its commitment to promoting learning opportunities and stewarding the future of choral music for all. Comprising nearly 200 volunteer singers, this highly active organization reaches over 25,000 patrons each season. The Symphonic Choir is led by a professional staff and governed by a Board of Directors.
About the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, at home and thriving in the heart of Indianapolis, offers an exceptional artistic and musical experience. The orchestra is open to all and dedicated to creating an inclusive and innovative experiential environment that is inspiring, educational, and welcoming. The ISO celebrates historically beloved performances while engaging audiences by introducing new voices through programming including the IU Health Plans Classical Series, the Printing Partners Pops Series, the holiday traditions of AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration and the popular Film Series presented by Bank of America. For more information, visit the ISO website.