The New York Philharmonic and City Center have also programmed special Sondheim concert tributes, but in the spring.

Broadway stars including Tony Award winners Brian Stokes Mitchell (Kiss Me, Kate), Heather Headley (Aida) and Karen Olivo (West Side Story), and Drama Desk Award nominee Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins) will sing in the 2010-11 pops season.

On Nov. 19, at 8 PM at Carnegie Hall, the Pops will present Stephen Sondheim 80th Birthday Celebration, with Pops music director and conductor Steven Reineke, and special guests to be announced.

"In commemoration of his 80th birthday," expect "a collection of the greatest songs and soliloquies from Sondheim's extensive career, which includes hit musicals A Little Night Music, Company, Gypsy, Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd and West Side Story, among others."

The concert is billed as Carnegie Hall's only concert in celebration of Sondheim's milestone. Also of interest to theatregoers are the following Pops concerts:

Oct. 15, 2010, 8 PM at Carnegie Hall
The Music of ABBA
Steven Reineke, Music Director and Conductor
Guest Artists: Rajaton
The New York Pops opening night concert features the acclaimed Finnish vocal ensemble Rajaton in energetic performances of "Dancing Queen," "Mamma Mia," "Take a Chance on Me," and other favorites by the pop supergroup ABBA. " A pop phenomenon in their native Finland, Rajaton's singing style and presentation has made them a phenomenon on the world stage." Music director Reineke "conducts the concert of electrifying orchestral arrangements of classic ABBA hits."

Dec. 10-11, 8 PM at Carnegie Hall
Celebrate the Holidays with Brian Stokes Mitchell!
Steven Reineke, Music Director and Conductor
Guest Artist: Brian Stokes Mitchell and The New York Pops Festival Chorus
The New York Pops celebrates the season with a program of timeless carols and holiday favorites featuring Broadway's Brian Stokes Mitchell and The New York Pops Festival Chorus. Mitchell is a Tony Award-winning actor of Kiss Me, Kate!, Man of La Mancha and Ragtime fame. The New York Pops Festival Chorus will join Steven Reineke and the orchestra in the annual holiday concert, one of Carnegie Hall's most popular December traditions.

March 11, 2011, 8 PM at Carnegie Hall
The Great Judy Garland
Steven Reineke, Music Director and Conductor
Guest Artists: Ashley Brown, Heather Headley and Karen Olivo
"Fifty years after her legendary Carnegie Hall debut," The New York Pops remembers Judy Garland with "Over the Rainbow," "The Trolley Song," "The Man That Got Away" and other highlights from her historic 1961 performance. Broadway luminaries Ashley Brown, Heather Headley and Karen Olivo guest star in this revival of the concert that is referred to by so many as the greatest night in show business history.

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The New York Pops is the largest independent pops orchestra in the United States, and the only professional symphonic orchestra in New York City specializing in popular music.

The New York Pops was founded by former NBC music director Skitch Henderson in 1983 with a mission to create greater public awareness and appreciation of America’s rich musical heritage. Along with performing at Carnegie Hall, The New York Pops tours throughout the world and gives free concerts in New York City parks. Visit www.carnegiehall.org for complete Pops season information.