Dash of sugar added to Modesto Symphony’s Holiday Pops

Modesto Symphony Orchestra adds a spoonful of sugar to its Holiday Pops concert this year, with a performer who originated the title role in Broadway’s “Mary Poppins.”

Ashley Brown joins the symphony for its annual Christmas concert, set for Dec. 1-2 at the Gallo Center for the Arts.

Associate conductor Ryan Murray will lead the orchestra while Brown and more than 100 voices from the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Chorus and new Modesto Symphony Orchestra Youth Chorus perform a show of Christmas classics, carols and medleys.

The family-oriented programs will be complete with visits from Santa Claus himself, according to a press release from the MSO.

Musical selections will include a host of holiday favorites including “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Winter Wonderland,” “I Wonder as I Wonder,” “Sleigh Ride” and “Oh Holy Night.”

Vocalist Brown received Outer Critics, Drama League and Drama Desk nominations for best actress for her role in “Mary Poppins” and also starred in the musical’s national tour. Her other Broadway credits include Belle in “Beauty and The Beast” and she was part of the national tour of Disney’s “On The Record.”

Her appearance with the MSO joins other symphonic performances with such groups as Boston Pops, the New York Philharmonic, The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and several others. She also has performed with the BBC orchestra opposite Josh Groban.

This story was originally published November 22, 2017 at 1:45 PM with the headline "Dash of sugar added to Modesto Symphony’s Holiday Pops."