New Jersey Choral Society to Present Pops Spectacular 'Crazy for You'

The New Jersey Choral Society (NJCS) invites the public to kick up its heels and swing for its Pops Spectacular, “Crazy for You,” a tribute to the glamorous and sophisticated music of George and Ira Gershwin. Performances will be held Saturday, March 5 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 6 at 3 p.m. at Immaculate Heart Academy, located at 500 Van Emburgh Ave. in Washington Township.

This program, under the direction of Eric Dale Knapp, opens with the famous, classical-jazz piano composition, “Rhapsody in Blue,” featuring pianist Linda Sweetman-Waters. Following this will be popular Gershwin hits, such as “Strike up the Band,” “Fascinating Rhythm,” “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off” and “S’Wonderful.” A medley of songs from Gershwin’s opera Porgy and Bess will also be featured, including “It Ain’t Necessarily So,” “I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin,” “My Man’s Gone Now” and “Summertime.”

The second half of the program will feature songs from the Tony Award-winning musical, “Crazy for You,” including “Embraceable You,” “I Got Rhythm,” “They Can’t Take That Away from Me” and “Someone to Watch Over Me.” Concluding the program will be a series of Gershwin tunes, such as “Love is Sweeping the Country,” “Of Thee I Sing” and “Swanee.”

Pianist Linda Sweetman-Waters and the NJCS Pops Spectacular Band will accompany the chorus. Dancers Jen and Tony Landa will also be featured, and Broadway actors David and Britt Cryer will host.

Advance tickets are $25 for adults and $22 for students, seniors and patrons with disabilities, with an additional $5 for both ticket prices if purchased at the door. Discounted group-pricing is also available. Further information is available through the New Jersey Choral Society website.