Michael Krajewski is a Pops music conductor who has collaborated on shows alongside the likes of Roberta Flack, Judy Collins, Art Garfunkel, Patti Austin and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. This weekend with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center, he collaborates with Mickey Mouse and his creator, Walt Disney. The numbers include the Lion King, Cinderella and a pirate or two from the Caribbean.
| If you go ‘Disney in Concert’ |
| When: Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. |
| Where: The Kennedy Center Concert Hall |
| Info: $20 to $85; 202-467-4600; 800-444-1324; kennedy-center.org |
“The actual music we will hear is from the early days, but with emphasis on the more recent films of the past 20 years [like] a medley from ‘Little Mermaid,’ ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ ‘Lion King’ and ‘Aladdin.” Krajewkski said. “There will be four singers in addition to the orchestra.” He adds excitedly, “There will be a ‘Mary Poppins’ singalong; we’ll put the words up on the screen so people can sing.”
The giant screen behind the orchestra adds a visual dimension to the show, one that spans the life of Disney, as well as most of the audience. There will be projected segments from films as well as life behind the scenes as illustrated with story boards, and lots of artwork. All will be enhanced by the orchestra and vocalists, Candice Nicole, Whitney Claire Kaufman, Andrew Johnson and Aaron Phillips.
“For the baby boomers, we’ll have the theme song from the “Mickey Mouse Club,” [a wonderfully popular TV show from the 1950s] Peter Pan and Cinderella, Krajewski continued. “It’s going to be very cross-generational. [Kids] will hear the music of their parents’ [childhood].”
While this is his first time conducting the Disney salute with the National Symphony, Krajewski has presented it elsewhere, in cities across the country, much like where his schedule takes him. In addition to being a much sought after guest conductor with credits that include the Boston Pops and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Michael Krajewski is also the principal pops conductor for orchestras in Atlanta, Jacksonville, Fla., and Houston.
It remains to hear the music Friday and Saturday nights. As for the words, Kajewski adds, somewhat wistfully, “Everyone has nostalgic feelings for these songs. This music is part of the American culture.”
