News Taffy

The Delta Symphony Orchestra will present its annual Spring Pops Concert, "Broadway Comes to Town II," in Jonesboro on Sunday, April 10, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at the Arkansas State University Fowler Center. The program is under the direction of conductor Neale Bartee and will feature Jonesboro's own Kyle Dean Massey fresh from his starring role in Wicked on Broadway. (Please note this change of date: The concert is no longer scheduled for Sunday, May 1. It has been rescheduled for Sunday, April 10, 2011. All previously purchased tickets will be honored for the new date. For more information call 870-761-2747.)

Kyle Dean Massey, a native Arkansan, most recently played Fiyero in the highly acclaimed Broadway musical Wicked. Previous Broadway credits include Gabe in Next to Normal and Thalia in Xanadu. Mr. Massey has also starred off-Broadway in Altar Boyz as Matthew and has toured with Wicked and 42nd Street. Massey has acted in ABC TV's "Cupid" and in "Sex and the City 2". Massey is the son of Dean and Janice Massey of Jonesboro. He is a 2000 graduate of Jonesboro High School and a Missouri State Graduate. Massey will star in the new Off-Broadway production of "Lucky Guy," which will open in May.

Kyle Dean Massey will perform songs from several of the Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals he has starred in including Wicked. Recently, Massey traveled to Jonesboro to conduct a workshop with the music students at the Jonesboro Visual and Performing Arts Magnet School. Massey presented an audition workshop for students at the school who planned to try out for the school's spring musical. In addition, he worked with students on several scenes from "Alice in Wonderland" as well as choreographing a number that a select group of students will perform with him on stage during the April 10 concert. (Editor's Note:  For more on Kyle Massey's visit with the students at Jonesboro's Visual and Performing Arts School, as brought to you last month by Jonesboro.com, head here.)

Elaine Bartee, VPA's music teacher said of the residency, "I am amazed that someone who has reached this level of success in his career can return home and present such age-appropriate activities for elementary children on a level that will greatly improve their performance. I was also impressed with the seriousness with which he treated the students and the respect he showed to each child."

Along with performances by Massey and Jonesboro VPA Students, Mr. Jerre Hassell will take the podium as this year's Guest Conductor. Each year the Delta Symphony auctions off the Guest Conductor's Baton at its annual Symphony Gala, which is held in the fall. Hassell's daughter, Mrs. Nancy Benton was the high bidder last fall on the baton and gave it to Mr. Hassell as a gift for his birthday. This year's Symphony Gala & Auction will be Saturday, October 1.

This program is presented by Drs. Mack and Vern Ann Shotts and the Jonesboro Advertising and Promotions Commission and is sponsored by Simmons First Bank and KAIT. This program is also supported, in part, by the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, and the National Endowment of Arts.

Tickets for the Broadway Comes to Town II Spring Pops Concert can be purchased online at tickets.astate.edu or by calling 972-ASU1. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for senior adults and $5 for students. Group rates are also available by calling 870-761-2747. All attendees are invited to a reception in the Grand Hall of the Fowler Center immediately following the concert.