The Houston Symphony Presents 'From Stage to Screen: Broadway Meets Hollywood'

HOUSTON, TX -- The Houston Symphony, when not presenting major works by Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms, or Mahler, hosts wonderful concerts in-between given to an adoring public who enjoy Gershwin and Jazz, Saint-Saëns and Falla, or a whole host of other events that encompasses a month at Jones Hall. Friday, October 31st brought out a spooky sense of Halloween, or All Hallows’ Eve, with some pieces being neatly timed to the occasion, in the Houston Symphony’s second Bank of America POPS Series presentation of ‘From Stage to Screen: Broadway Meets Hollywood.’ The atmosphere was charged with excitement, and perhaps the real Wednesday Addams, as the Houston Symphony’s Principle Pops Conductor Steven Reineke, famed Broadway vocalist Hugh Panaro; and actor, singer, and musician Elizabeth Stanley, took the stage. And with the success of the first four events of the Houston Symphony’s 2025-26 Season, it has telegraphed that concert-goers are in for lovely times as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s hit, with larger and larger salvos of big names on deck, Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky, Handel, and even Nat King Cole to Welcome in 2026.

Conductor Steven Reineke took the stage on Halloween with total confidence and immediately went to work with his outstretched arms as if he were an eagle spreading his wings. ‘From Stage to Screen,’ is a brand-new program by Reineke, making its World debut in Houston. Steven’s style on the podium is highly engaged, charismatic, dynamic, and although known to work with numerous musical genres, he truly shines when working with symphony orchestras. He is a natural in engaging with the audience, and it shows in his showmanship, snappy jacket and slacks perfect fit to his frame. Reineke is both a coach and cheerleader and it’s like he wills his players into going the extra mile with their instruments, and when he steps away from his New York Pops podium his work with others across the country is incredible. His collaborative approach and ability to cross musical lines makes him indispensable to entities such as the Houston Symphony. The relationship with the audience is his top priority, and his well presented stories and anecdotes bring a better understanding to the listener as to the stories behind the pieces being played.

Reineke first ordered up the ‘Overture to West Side Story,’ composed by Leonard Bernstein and arranged by Maurice Peress, which not only set the mood for the movie, but for the entire evening as well. Originally brought to life on the stage in 1957, for the movie Peress’ tweaks made it screen legend, with pretty much all the kids in the pool as far as instrumentation is concerned. The audience loved its rhythmic passion and hints from the songs that reflected themes of conflict, love, and social divisions; issues that never seem to quell themselves in society. The overture tells the story of the native New Yorker ‘Jets’ and the Puerto Rican ‘Sharks,’ and brings the tensions to life in the motif and styles that represent each gang. The Sharks of course have Latin influences and rhythms, while The Jets in ‘Jet Song’ are shown with an aggressive tone with jagged edges. Reflections from ‘The Dance at the Gym,’ where Reineke prodded the audience to yell ‘Mambo’ along with the symphony was special. The harp was instrumental in projecting the tenderness of Maria, and the special moments she shared with Tony in their initial meeting.

The entrance of Elizabeth Stanley to stage with a mind blowing blue dress, later dazzling gold, most certainly impressed. She sang ‘Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend’ by Jule Styne and Leo Robin, from the 1949 musical and the 1953 film, which sparked memories of Marilyn Monroe in song in the film ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.’ Stanley’s voice was crisp, sexy, and she played the part of a financially insecure showgirl to the hilt; and would have made a great Jessica Rabbit with blond hair. Elizabeth captured, perhaps even surpassing it; Monroe’s clever use of the lyrics as well as using comedic facial expressions and movements to bring that much more excitement to the audience. Hearing the performance live had some audience members shaking from side to side, enjoying the players engaging in big band jazz accompanied by Stanley’s vocals, each putting their all into the performance was special. Stanley stayed on for ‘Children Will Listen,’ from the 1986 musical and 2014 film ‘Into the Woods,’ the song was one of the pieces that perfectly tied in with the Halloween concert date. On a dime, Stanley went from a perky and energetic performance in ‘Diamonds,’ to the most tender parts of a dead mother singing to her son and widow giving hope for the future.

The greatness of Broadway’s Hugh Panaro, who has approximately 2,500 performances of The Phantom under his belt, and it shows in his fabulous and well-trained voice. He captured Jean Valjean’s incredible plea in ‘Bring Him Home,’ from the 1985 musical and 2012 film. The harp lead bubbled the skin with anticipation, and Panaro captured the spirit of a man praying for the safety of his prospective son-in-law’s safety in Paris, at a time of rebellion. Hugh’s emotion was off the charts, and coupled with his vocal control and technique, roused emotion amongst the audience members who gave the first standing ovation of the evening. The performance truly conveyed an honest plea for kinsmanship, along with a father yearning for the tender care of a son. Panaro’s dynamic range from his soft falsetto to the quality of his highest notes, forced the audience from their seats in appreciation for the man’s talent. Undoubtedly, it was a bucket-list moment.

Panaro also impressed in ‘The Music of the Night,’ from 1986’s ‘The Phantom of the Opera,’ the masterpiece of Andrew Lloyd Webber, which was also put to film in 2012. Literally having sung the song thousands of times, Hugh, without the mask, showed Houston what a live performance entailed, and did he ever shine, bringing the lair to light, and making the Phantom’s hideousness look handsome in the seduction of Christine. Panaro’s ability to caress the lyrics, and set out the part on-stage made the moment incredible. Hugh expressed the sadness and the Phantom’s quest for love, in his powerful and all-around vocal delivery, which perfectly captured the Phantom's dual nature. Hugh’s performance garnered his second standing ovation of the night, and was rightly deserved.

The soaring duet of Stanley and Panaro in ‘Suddenly, Seymour,’ from the 1982 musical and 1986 film, an Alan Menken and Howard Ashman collaboration, was a sight to see. The passion on stage between the two was electric and the audience loved it. It was almost hymnal, coupled with a hint of country in places, telling the story of confessions of love between a man and a woman. Each voice danced with the other in the ballet of feelings between the two, and it showed on-stage with Elizabeth and Hugh’s heart-felt gestures and embracings. The emotional depth shown was indescribable, and with its themes of love and self-accepting of one’s faults, deeply resonating in the hearts of the audience. For many it was a self-actualizing moment, where nothing else in life mattered, but just the enjoyment of the arc of emotion that was poured out on-stage between Stanley and Panaro.

Of course the Houston Symphony brought out their best under Steven Reineke’s baton. They continue to impress, with their tremendous excellence in preparation and presentation. The Halloween concert was special and made for a wonderful opening night over the weekend trio of concerts. Congratulations go to the Houston Symphony for reaching deep into their bag of candy, and pulling out a sweet treat that entertained for the ages. The Houston Symphony also needs to be thanked for providing Veterans tickets for the cost of a small transaction fee though Vettix.org. The experience at Jones Hall for Vets, many who have been wounded in mind or body in Our Nation’s battlefields across The World, which allows for healing, for music is the perfect outlet to so many of life’s ailments.

The next concert is ‘Shall We Dance,’ to be performed on November 8 - 9.

The HS website is: houstonsymphony.org Please consider donating to this wonderful organization.

Ruben can be reached at: ruben@montgomerycountynews.net