Pacific Symphony is launching its 2026-2027 Pops Season November 6 and 7 with Idina Menzel, the Tony Award-winning Broadway star who originated the role of Elphaba in “Wicked” and was the voice of Elsa in “Frozen.”
After that comes the return of fan-favorite Cody Fry, internationally acclaimed ensemble Pink Martini, and thrilling original productions celebrating James Bond and iconic sci-fi film music, before concluding with a concert presentation of “Chicago,” the musical.
“This season is filled with big names and exciting new shows,” said Principal Pops Conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez, who curated the seven-show season. “From Broadway legends and globally recognized artists to original symphonic experiences created especially for our stage, every concert offers something unique, memorable and exhilarating. I can’t wait to share my fourth season leading this Pops Series with Orange County.”
Putting together a Pops season presents unique challenges for Lopez-Yañez.
“It takes months of planning, months of reaching out to different artists and their agencies, and seeing who’s available and interested, and who is currently touring or not touring,” said Lopez-Yañez. “I may have 50 different versions of a season before I finally get to something that is what the public sees. You may find that one year 50 Broadway singers are all touring, but you can’t have a season of only that. So trying to keep that balance while also slotting in what’s available is a puzzle.”
Lopez-Yañez noted there is a lot of variety in the 2026-27 season. Some things are brand new on the season that the symphony has never done before, some things that are being created specifically for Pacific Symphony, and then some artists who are returning that are beloved in the community.
“Part of what makes us able to do a season like this that’s filled with so much variety is the fact that our musicians do everything from the Hollywood studio scene to the Hollywood Bowl to playing classical music, so they can really bounce between all these genres so fluidly,” explained Lopez-Yañez.
Beginning the season with Idina Menzel is an example of the puzzle pieces coming together.
“Idina hasn’t really done much touring in a while, so this will be the first time in a long time that people can see her with a symphony orchestra, which is really exciting,” explained Lopez-Yañez, who is a Pops conductor at several orchestras around the U.S. “This fall is the first time she was finally thinking about doing it, and I had my orchestras reach out all at once to hopefully get her interested. We had enough places signed up that she made a tour of it.”
Lopez-Yañez said her repertoire will include selections from “Wicked” and “Frozen” to other iconic songs, with a few surprises.
Next up is Cody Fry Christmas December 18 and 19, which brings the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter back to Pacific Symphony for a festive holiday celebration featuring lush orchestral arrangements, cinematic soundscapes and beloved seasonal favorites.
“It’s a show that he designed from the ground up, and it’s fantastic,” said Lopez-Yañez. “It has a screen and projections, and it’s a mix of holiday classics; he has a couple of his hit songs in there, and then what he’s really known for is amazing orchestrations. He travels with a whole band; even his wife is a part of the show, so it’s really fun. You get the family-heartwarming side, the fun spectacle of incredible, jazzy, uplifting arrangements. It’s a truly magical show. You have all these incredible orchestrations and mashups of classical music with holiday stuff. It’s really cool.”
The Pacific Symphony Pops continues its season with Pink Martini All-Stars, February 19 and 20, 2027, followed by “Clouds in My Coffee: The Music of Joni Mitchell, Carole King and Carly Simon” which celebrates three legendary singer-songwriters whose timeless hits defined a generation.
“The Music of Bond, James Bond,” April 16 and 17, delivers an evening of intrigue, glamour, and cinematic thrills featuring iconic themes from the legendary spy franchise, complete with a pre-concert casino experience. The immersive event combines symphonic spectacle with a glamorous night out inspired by the world’s most famous spy.
“What I love is that we’re doing something totally new on this show, because it’s going to be a reduced-length concert, but that’s because we’re making a whole interactive portion before the concert,” said Lopez-Yañez. “We’re going to have a whole casino night theme in the lobby, so people can come dressed up and participate in a ‘Casino Royale’ vibe experience. Then you get a concert experience, and so it’s a whole evening of entertainment from the time you enter the doors of the concert hall.”
“Sci-Fi Showdown: A Galactic Journey May 7 and 8 blasts audiences into the cosmos through unforgettable music from beloved science fiction films and television series, from Star Wars-inspired adventures to futuristic soundscapes.
The Pops season concludes with “Chicago: The Musical – In Concert” on June 4 and 5.
“It’s everything you expect—the full Broadway show experience, but with our incredible symphony orchestra on stage, so you can really see and experience the music in a different way,” said Lopez-Yañez.
“Pacific Symphony’s 2026-27 Pops Series continues to reflect the energy, creativity and vibrancy of Southern California,” said Pacific Symphony President and CEO John Forsyte. “Under Enrico Lopez-Yañez’s leadership, these concerts bring together world-class artists, innovative programming and the extraordinary musicianship of our orchestra for experiences audiences simply can’t find anywhere else. Our Pops Series has become one of the most exciting ways for audiences to experience Pacific Symphony — whether through Broadway stars, iconic film music, legendary artists or immersive live entertainment experiences.”
For more information or to purchase tickets, call (714) 755-5799 or visit www.PacificSymphony.org.
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