Wheeling Symphony To bring Broadway star to Capitol

WHEELING -- A Broadway icon will soon grace the Capitol Theatre’s stage during the Wheeling Symphony’s Opening Night Concert and Celebration.

Two-time Tony Award winner Sutton Foster will perform songs from her past shows at WSO’s Opening Night, scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start on Friday. This selection includes music hot off her completed run of “The Music Man,” which she starred in alongside Hugh Jackman.

“Sutton Foster’s arrival in Wheeling is a big deal because she’s going to bring a whole plethora of music that ranges from classic Broadway to the roles that have won her Tonys,” said WSO Music Director and Conductor John Devlin. “Getting Broadway’s brightest star here in Wheeling is a really exciting way to start the season.”

Devlin explained the WSO had established a precedent of getting well decorated artists to the Capitol Theatre on opening night. After having world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma for their 2022 season opener, whom Devlin described as “the biggest name in the classic music industry,” he said the WSO had to follow up with “something big.”

“One of the things that we love to do here is to get great American artists singing great American music,” said Devlin. “Everyone can understand and love Sutton Foster.”

While “everyone loves Sutton Foster,” Devlin added that he is personally excited for Foster’s “The Music Man” and “Guys and Dolls” performances. He explained that he “grew up on” the former musical, while the latter is his “favorite musical of all time.”

“It’s the perfect way to open our season that features a lot of things American,” added Devlin. “This concert will encapsulate it all.”

One of the most “American” musicals, according to Devlin, “Hamilton,” will also be featured in the concert. During the symphony’s medley of songs from the show, Turn it Out Dance Academy will perform choreography from the musical.

Devlin noted that the pre-professional dancers at Turn it Out idolize Sutton Foster as they “want to do what she does when they become professionals.” He said seeing Foster’s “willingness” to work with pre-professional dancers in the area was “something special.”

Getting all the moving pieces in place for opening night was “intense” for WSO Executive Director Sonja Thoms, who said she has begun to feel the “anticipation” building at the Capitol Theatre for their opening night.

To bring such talent to Wheeling feels special to Thoms. She added that their sponsor for the opening night’s concert, WVU Medicine, played a big role in getting this talent, as they share WSO’s “enthusiasm for the community and the arts to connect.”

Associate Vice President of Foundation and Community Relations at WVU Medicine Jessica Rine explained that there was “no one better to partner with” than the WSO when it came to organizations in the community.

“The concert series lineup is outstanding,” added Rine. “I love that the symphony offers a unique way to bring the community together, and I hope people that haven’t experienced the symphony before attend this year.”

Devlin also views the symphony as a tool to unite the Wheeling community, as he believes it is one of the things the orchestra can do “very specially.”

“On top of the Capitol being all lit up with the marquee, the entire downtown becomes lit up during and after the concerts,” said Devlin.

“As a resident of downtown, I love seeing the restaurants and bars booming afterward.”

Thoms added that despite being in only her second month in the city, she has already met “such great people” and sees “great things happening” for Wheeling in the future.

“Wheeling is a world-class city, and world-class music should happen here, too,” said Thoms.