Music Pier Offers Enchanted Night With Disney in Concert

By Maddy Vitale What could be more family oriented at “America’s Greatest Family Resort” than a Disney concert with the Ocean City Pops? Families will have the opportunity to see Disney in Concert, Magical Music From the Movies, at 7:30 p.m. July 8 at the Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and the Boardwalk. Tickets range from $35 to $45. “The Disney in Concert experience will be something that introduces the Ocean City Pops to a new generation of POPS fans,” Ocean City Special Events Coordinator Michael Hartman said Thursday. “We are so fortunate to have this incredible orchestra in our town and this concert will be a family experience that captures the magic of Disney hand in hand with the magic of our Ocean City Pops."  Disney in Concert will bring out families for a night of fun.
(Official Disney Logo) President of Symphony Pops Music Ted Ricketts is putting the show together working with the director, writers, singers and others involved in the show including, of course, Ocean City officials. There is something special, he said of all things Disney. “The Disney brand is fantastic. There are many songs from many generations of movies,” he said. “The cool thing about it is you have audience members who are grandparents, parents and kids, who will experience this together.” This is the first time one of Ricketts’ shows will be at the Music Pier. “Michael (Hartman) called. He felt Disney would be great to show off the screens,” Ricketts said. Ricketts was referring to two large new video and TV screens installed with a $150,000 donation from the Friends of the Ocean City Pops, the fundraising arm of the Ocean City Pops orchestra, to enhance the experience for concertgoers at the Music Pier. He is excited about the experience. “This is about people being able to experience live music. This is a chance for kids, parents and grandparents, to experience a live orchestra concert,” Ricketts said. “It is great for the audience to hear what it sounds like in the movie. They learn orchestras really back up most movies.” There are 38 members of the Pops Orchestra. Some of the tunes include the “Disney Classics Overture,” "Disney's The Little Mermaid Orchestral Suite," "Medley From Disney's Mary Poppins” and "Disney's Beauty and the Beast Orchestral Suite.” In addition to the live music, there will be video clips to go with the actual Disney films, Ricketts said. There are also a couple of sing-a-longs. What Ricketts enjoys most about the Disney in Concert show is what it does for families. “It is great to go to these concerts, to see the kids faces when they see their favorite Disney characters and for them to hear the music they love,” he added. The Music Pier in "America's Greatest Family Resort" strives to provide plenty of family-oriented shows including the new Disney in Concert performing coming soon. Pictured is Regan DeVlieger. And no matter what seat you have at the Music Pier, you are certain to get a full view of the concert, which includes several professional singers, with two, 120-inch video screens next to the Music Pier stage. It will allow orchestra fans to enjoy the concerts in an entirely new way. The large-screen format will capture the action on stage much better, right up to the facial expressions of the performers. Hartman said while the screens have been used in recent events at the Music Pier, this is the first big concert that they will be used in and it will really showcase how they add to the viewing and listening experience. He said the screens have been used for events such as Mr. Mature America Pageant and the Jon Dorenbos Magic Show. Last year, when the funds were donated for the screens, officials noted that the enhanced video technology will complement the city’s efforts to elevate the Music Pier’s status in the entertainment industry. Disney in Concert tickets will be available at www.oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by calling 609-399-6111. People may also purchase them at the City Hall Welcome Center, the Ocean City Welcome Center on the Route 52 causeway and at the Ocean City Music Pier Box Office on weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information you may also visit Disney at www.symphonypopsmusic.com/disney-in-concert-magical-music-from-the-movies/   Professional singer Andrew Johnson will be singing in the Disney concert. (Courtesy Michael Hartman) Singer Lisa Livesay will be one of several singers performing with the Ocean City Pops. (Courtesy Michael Hartman)