Washington, DC’s innovative hometown orchestra, the American Pops, will open their all-star 2016-2017 season with I’ll Be Seeing You: A World War II Love Story on Veterans Day, Friday, November 11 at 8:00 PM. Based on letters exchanged between a sailor and his sweetheart (music director Luke Frazier’s own grandparents) during World War II, this original show tells a timeless story of love between those who serve and those who await their safe return. The work pays tribute to a fantastic era in popular music and gives a heartwarming glimpse into the experience of a real-life Navy family.  Tickets to the shows are on sale now at www.TheAmericanPops.org.

I’ll Be Seeing You: A World War II Love Story stars Broadway and TV favorites Ron Raines (TV’s “Guiding Light,” Follies at the Kennedy Center, Tony nominated on Broadway), Florence Lacey (Sunday in the Park… at the Kennedy Center), Claybourne Elder (The CW-TV’s “The Carrie Diaries,” Sunday in the Park… at the Signature), and Rachel Eskenazi-Gold (currently Christine Daaé in Broadway’s Phantom of the Opera). The show is written by Kelley Lund, directed by Nathan Brewer, choreograped by Kelly d’Amboise, and features dancers Ronald Brady, Jr. and Hannah Jennens.

“My grandparents always listened to the songs of the 1940’s, it was the music of their coming of age,” reflects says Luke Frazier. “This was the music that served as the soundtrack of my childhood with them. When my grandmother had to leave her home, we found the letters that they sent back and forth during the war and we created the show as a remembrance to them as well as the countless others who share this story. So many people have heard about this show and approached me to share their family story, both from WW2 and many more recent stories of vets and their families. This is a story of universal appeal underscored by some of the greatest American music ever written.”

The 2016-2017 season will continue with Don’t Rain on My Parade: 75 Years of Streisand  (January 13), a new family-oriented Cinderella (March 11) and You Spin Me ‘Round: An 80s Dance Party (April 7). Tickets to all shows, which take place at The George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium, are on sale now at www.TheAmericanPops.org.

The orchestra will launch the free monthly lunchtime concert series “Third Thursdays” – hosted by and featuring Luke Frazier – on Thursday, October 20 to highlight members of their acclaimed ensemble at Live! at 10th and G (First Congregational UCC, 945 G Street NW, WDC 20001). These events will support the DC Youth Orchestra Program, where Frazier is an Artist-in-Residence.