With summer weather upon us, why not take advantage of one of the local treasures of the region? Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, located in Vienna, Virginia, has hosted patrons in its iconic open-air amphitheater and other facilities since the 1970s. (The current Filene Center was rebuilt in the 1980s after a fire destroyed the original venue.) Musical acts, opera, and touring productions have graced the stage, delighting countless audiences.
This year, Arlington’s Tony Award–winning Signature Theatre has partnered with Wolf Trap to bring Broadway in the Park to a sold-out crowd for the sixth year in a row. Coordinated by Signature Theatre’s artistic director Matthew Gardiner, this was an evening of crowd-pleasing songs and gems from shows both popular and obscure. The patrons seated under the canopy and those sitting in the spacious lawn area got a bang for their buck.
Under the impeccable music direction of maestro Jon Kalbfleisch, 20 musical theater gems were brought to life with stunning vocals, headlined by Broadway powerhouses Tituss Burgess and Heather Headley. The New York talent was joined by a who’s who of regional performers, each bringing their own vocal power to the outdoor venue.
After a lilting and lyrical overture — “Night Waltz” from Sondheim’s A Little Night Music — the concert kicked off with the opening number from Jason Robert Brown’s Songs from a New World featuring vocalists frequently seen at Signature and other regional stages: Alex De Bard, Kevin McAllister, Crystal Mosser, Jake Odmark, Nova Y. Payton, Sarah Anne Sillers, and Tobias A. Young. A feast for the ears, their voices blended perfectly (props to the sound mixing!), and the evening got off to a magnificent start.
Headley next took the stage for an understated and touching rendition of “Over the Rainbow,” shifting from effortless a cappella to full accompaniment. The Best Actress Tony-winner (for Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida), who has also earned a Grammy, would return several times to perform “Easy As Life” and “Written in the Stars,” both from Aida, as well as the haunting Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson song “Lost in the Stars.” Headley’s warm, rich voice was also perfectly suited to Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon’s “Hold On,” from their adaptation of The Secret Garden.
Next on the bill, Burgess took the stage with his characteristic grand personality and humor. The stage and television performer aimed his comedic barbs at harpist Eric Sabatino, who good-naturedly took the ribbing. Together with Kalbfleisch and the orchestra, Burgess and Sabatino brought to life the lovely charm song “Much More,” from The Fantasticks, the long-running Off-Broadway romance. Later in the program, Burgess offered other surprises. His jazz-infused, intimate vocals were perfectly suited to the lesser-known classic “Guess Who I Saw Today?” from The New Faces of 1952, which Nancy Wilson made a jazz standard. Having originated the role of the all-singing and dancing crab Sebastian in the stage version of The Little Mermaid, Burgess mentioned how he would watch a fellow castmate perform a showstopper every night in the Disney extravaganza. “The bitch was singing my song,” Burgess joked as the vamp to “Poor Unfortunate Souls” began, leading into Ursula’s big number.
Signature veteran Nova Y. Payton — recently a Helen Hayes–nominated Dolly Levi in Olney’s Hello, Dolly! — brought her clarion, trumpet-like voice to the jazzy rendition of “Sunny Side of the Street,” from After Midnight, and the tender and moving “The Story Goes On,” from Maltby and Shire’s Baby. Payton also joined Sillers, Mosser, and De Bard on the rousing Smokey Joe’s Cafe earworm, “I’m a Woman.”
De Bard, Mosser, and Sillers were also featured in a showcase of Andrew Lloyd Webber tunes, which grew into a beautiful mash-up where their voices were perfectly suited. Mosser’s crystal clear soprano began the segment with “Love Changes Everything,” from Aspects of Love. Siller followed with the stand-out tune from Song and Dance, “Unexpected Song,” ending with De Bard’s version of “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” from Jesus Christ Superstar.
What about the men? How about Jake Odmark singing the lovely ballad from Bernstein’s On the Town, “Lucky to Be Me”? Or the magnificent baritone of Kevin McCallister filling the amphitheater with the opening number from Man of La Mancha — “I, Don Quixote”? Or Tobias A. Young’s expressive and heart-wrenching performance of “I (Who Have Nothing)” (from Smokey Joe’s Cafe)? All three gentlemen were in glorious vocal form for sure.
Headley returned to the stage for one more solo spot, topping an already stunning evening of song with the sumptuous love song “It All Fades Away,” from Jason Robert Brown’s musical adaptation of The Bridges of Madison County.
Headley also took a moment to acknowledge Kalbfleisch and his first-class orchestra, as well as the local talent featured in the program, a gracious gesture that received warm and enthusiastic applause from the capacity crowd.
The evening closed with a song from the current Tony Award–winning revival of Ragtime, “Make Them Hear You,” featuring all nine artists, a perfect ending to an evening of Broadway’s best.
Of course, Broadway in the Park was a one-night-only concert, but both Signature Theatre and Wolf Trap continue to host events throughout the summer. Pippin continues through July 26 in Arlington. The outdoor park in Vienna features a variety of acts and events, such as Riverdance 30: the Next Generation, Harry Connick Jr., and Bob Dylan — to name but a few. Check out their selection of events here.
Running Time: 90 minutes, with no intermission.
Broadway in the Park performed on June 20, 2026, produced by Signature Theatre and Wolf Trap performing at the Filene Center, at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, 1551 Trap Road Vienna, VA. General information for upcoming shows is available by calling 703.255.1900, or by going online.
See the digital program here.
Signature Theatre and Wolf Trap present
Broadway in the Park
featuring Tituss Burgess and Heather Headley. With Alex De Bard, Kevin McCallister, Crystal Mosser, Jake Odmark, Nova Y. Payton, Sarah Anne Sillers, and Tobias A. Young
Directed by Matthew Gardiner
Music direction by Jon Kalbfleisch
SEE ALSO:
Signature Theatre and Wolf Trap announce ‘Broadway in the Park’ headliners (news story April 19, 2026)
