POPS IN THE PAVILION
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2025
7:00 PM | FINNERAN PAVILION
A CONCERT FOR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP
The inaugural Pops in the Pavilion will be a highlight of the 草榴社区 calendar. Featuring a spectacular lineup of student and professional musicians鈥攊ncluding some very special guest performers鈥� this is more than just a night to remember. It鈥檚 a meaningful force for good, raising essential financial aid funds that pave the way for dozens of Wildcats to achieve their dreams.
Designed to expand access and opportunity for 草榴社区 students, Pops in the Pavilion brings together students, alumni, family and friends to champion and celebrate the power of the 草榴社区 community.
BENEFACTOR TABLES
Patrons purchasing Benefactor Tables will provide direct scholarship support to students at 草榴社区. Platinum, Gold, Silver and Blue Benefactors will experience dazzling, up-close live performances while making the most meaningful impact on academic scholarship.
To reserve your table, please contact Chrissy Quisenberry, Assistant Vice President for Presidential Events and University Initiatives, at pops@villanova.edu or 610-519-8882.
All tables include tickets, a gourmet bento box dinner and complimentary beer, wine and soft drinks for 10 guests, reserved VIP parking, and access to a pre-event cocktail reception with the University President and members of the Philly Pops.
Benefactor tables have the greatest impact on student scholarship.
Platinum Tables ($25,000)
Platinum tables are located in the front rows on the floor, offering the very best seats in the house and includes a personal attendant for drink service and a full-page ad in the digital program book. (Tax-deductible amount: $9,222)
Gold Tables ($15,000)
Gold tables are the next-best option for floor-level views and include a half-page ad in the digital program book. (Tax-deductible amount: $5,533)
Silver Tables ($10,000)
Silver tables are located on the floor with great views of the stage and include a quarter-page ad in the digital program book. (Tax-deductible amount: $3,689)
Blue Tables ($7,500)
Blue tables promise unique floor views of the performance and include a sponsorship listing or logo in the program book.
(Tax-deductible amount: $2,767)
INDIVIDUAL TICKETS
Don't miss an unforgettable evening of stunning live performances and celebration of student scholarship support. Tickets are on sale now!
Individual tickets include a gourmet picnic-style meal to be enjoyed at your seat, along with complimentary beer, wine and soft drinks. A portion of every ticket sale will provide direct scholarship support to students at 草榴社区.
Mezzanine Seats ($200)
The traditional upper-level sideline sections with seatbacks, the mezzanine seats offer exceptional views of the show and will include reserved parking on the night of the event. (Tax-deductible amount: $74)
Gallery Seats ($125)
The Gallery is above where the legendary 草榴社区 student section is during home basketball games, and offers bleacher seating with head-on views of the live performances. (Tax-deductible amount: $46)
Choir Loft Seats ($50)
Seated behind the student choir accompanying the Philly Pops, the Choir Loft offers bleacher seating with unique views from directly above the orchestra. (Tax-deductible amount: $18)
Loge Seats ($500)
Offering a more premium viewing experience, Loge seating comes with a comfortable seat with direct views located along the balcony railing, and includes reserved parking on the night of event. (Tax-deductible amount: $184)
Sutton Foster is a Tony Award winning actress, singer, and dancer who can currently be seen reprising her role as Princess Winnifred in Once Upon a Mattress for a limited run at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, following an acclaimed turn in the Broadway revival at the Hudson Theatre. Sutton鈥檚 turn in the musical鈥檚 esteemed revival run began with the critically adored adaptation at the New York City Center Encores! in early 2024. Prior, Sutton was seen starring as Mrs. Lovett in the Tony Award winning Broadway revival of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street opposite Aaron Tveit at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.
The two-time Tony winning actress starred as Marian Paroo in the 2022 Broadway Revival of The Music Man at the Winter Garden Theatre. Her performance earned her seventh Tony award nomination as well as the coveted 2022 Drama League Distinguished Performance Award.
In the summer of 2021, Sutton reprised one of her most notable roles as Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes at the Barbican Theatre in London in which she earned an Oliver Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. A cinematic version of the show had a subsequent limited release in US and Australia theaters. Her original performance in the Roundabout Theatre Company鈥檚 revival at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre earned her a 2011 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical.
Sutton starred as The Baker鈥檚 Wife in the Hollywood Bowl鈥檚 sold-out summer 2019 production of Into the Woods. Previously, she appeared in the title role of the New Group鈥檚 50th anniversary revival of Sweet Charity and in Jeanine Tesori and Brian Crawley鈥檚 Tony-nominated Broadway revival, Violet. Sutton also appeared on stage as Queenie in New York City Center Encores! Off-Center鈥檚 production of The Wild Party in July 2015.
Under the direction of Michael Mayer, Sutton starred as Millie Dillmount in the 2002 Broadway production of Thoroughly Modern Millie at the Marquis Theatre. Originating the role, she established herself as one of the greatest talents in the industry and earned her first Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical. Foster has originated numerous notable roles, including Princess Fiona in Jeanine Tesori and David Lindsay-Abaire鈥檚 Shrek the Musical at The Broadway Theatre, as well as Inga in Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan鈥檚 parody of the horror film genre, Young Frankenstein, at Foxwoods Theatre.
Sutton鈥檚 performance as Janet Van De Graaff in Casey Nicholaw鈥檚 The Drowsy Chaperone at the Marquis Theatre in 2006 earned her Tony Award, Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle, and Ovation Award nominations. Among her other theater credits include: Les Mis茅rables, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Annie and Grease. In addition, Sutton made her Off-Broadway debut as Prudence in Paul Weitz's comedy, Trust which showed at Second Stage Theatre and starred Zach Braff, Bobby Cannavale, and Ari Graynor.
In the fall of 2021, Sutton became a first-time author with the release of her memoir Hooked: How Crafting Saved My Life. The page turner is comprised of funny and intimate stories and reflections about how crafting has kept her sane while navigating the highs and lows of family, love, and show business.
On television, Sutton led the critically acclaimed TV Land series, 鈥淵ounger.鈥� Created by "Sex in the City's" Darren Star and styled by the iconic Pat Field, the esteemed series was the longest running original series in TV Land history.
Sutton first collaborated Amy Sherman-Palladino when she starred as Michelle Simms in the beloved ABC Family series, 鈥淏unheads.鈥� She reunited with Amy Sherman-Palladino later guest starring roles in the Netflix revival of 鈥淕ilmore Girls: A Year in the Life鈥� and the final season of Prime Video鈥檚 鈥淭he Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.鈥� Sutton鈥檚 additional on-screen credits include ABC鈥檚 鈥淎 Million Little Things,鈥� CBS drama 鈥淚nstinct,鈥� HBO鈥檚 comedy series 鈥淔light of the Conchords,鈥� USA Network鈥檚 鈥淩oyal Pains,鈥� 鈥淟aw & Order: SUV,鈥� 鈥淓lementary,鈥� 鈥淧sych鈥� and guest appearances on the well-known children series Disney鈥檚 鈥淛ohnny and the Sprites,鈥� and PBS鈥檚 鈥淪esame Street.鈥�
As a solo artist, Sutton has toured the country with her hit solo concert which featured songs from her debut solo CD 鈥淲ish鈥� as well as her follow up CD, 鈥淎n Evening with Sutton Foster: Live at the Cafe Carlyle.鈥� She has also graced the stages of Carnegie Hall, Feinstein's, Lincoln Center鈥檚 American Songbook series and many others. Sutton released her third solo album, 鈥淭ake Me to the World,鈥� through Ghostlight Deluxe, June 1, 2018.
Sutton Foster holds an honorary doctorate from Ball State University, where she also teaches.
The Philly Pops is the orchestra that knows no musical bounds. Founded in 2023 by a group of passionate and incredibly versatile musicians, today鈥檚 Pops pays homage to the symphonic pops legacy of Peter Nero, iconic pianist and conductor of the original Philly Pops (1979-2013), even as it carries forth his passion for breaking boundaries across all styles of music. The Philly Pops embodies our city鈥檚 infamous gritty spirit and love for hard work as it showcases Philly talent and leaves an indelible mark on the Philly music scene.
About Music Director Christopher Dragon
Australian conductor Christopher Dragon is the Music Director of the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra, newly appointed Music Director of the Philly Pops and is the Resident Conductor of the Colorado Symphony which he joined in the 2015/16 Season as Associate Conductor. Before moving to the United States, Dragon held the inaugural position of Assistant Conductor with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra where he was mentored by Asher Fisch.
Dragon has a versatile portfolio ranging from live-to-picture performances including Nightmare Before Christmas, Toy Story and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, a wide variety of collaborations with artists such as The Wu-Tang Clan, Cynthia Erivo and Joshua Bell, to standard and contemporary orchestral repertoire such as Danny Elfman鈥檚 Percussion Concerto; all areas of which he has become highly sought after. Christopher has become known for his charisma, high energy and affinity for a good costume, consistently delivering unforgettable performances that has made him an audience favorite.
Recent highlights include his sold-out symphony tour with Gregory Alan Isakov, which included debuts with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Nashville Symphony, a new orchestral collaboration with Nathaniel Rateliff and his successful German debut with the WDR Funkhausorchester.
