Get Ready to Be Spellbound

Broadway Stars Share a Preview of LAMF’s Gala Performance

Each summer, the Lakes Area Music Festival kicks off its season with an unforgettable night of music, celebration, and community—and this year’s Gala: Spellbound promises to be our most enchanting yet. On Friday, July 25, Broadway luminaries Meghan Picerno (The Phantom of the Opera) and Andrea Ross (The Sound of Music) will join conductor Christian Reif and the LAMF Symphony Orchestra for a glittering evening of showstoppers and symphonic magic.

As the excitement builds, we caught up with Meghan and Andrea to hear what makes this event so special—from favorite musical moments to the unique bond between artists and audience. Their enthusiasm is contagious—and if you weren’t already planning to attend, we’re pretty sure you will be after reading.

Meghan Picerno

Soloist

The Phantom of the Opera

Andrea Ross

Soloist

The Sound of Music

Meghan Picerno and Andrea Ross Welcome You to Our Gala: Spellbound

Artist Q&A

What excites you most about performing at this year's Gala?

MP: I’m thrilled to bring the spirit and sparkle of Broadway to LAMF—led by my dear friend Christian Reif! We’ve dreamed of collaborating for years, and now it’s finally happening. I can’t wait to share this incredible experience with you all!

AR: It is an honor to perform at the Gala, especially as it is the first concert of the season with the orchestra playing! I pinch myself anytime I get to sing with LAMF’s orchestra of musicians from the country’s top ensembles. I especially love that this year’s Gala is aptly named “Spellbound.” There is always a bit of magic in the air on the night of the Gala, so I am most excited to bring that feeling of enchantment to the performance, as well!

How do you think music and community come together at events like this?

MP: Music has a magical way of bringing people together—and festivals like LAMF embody that spirit. It’s where world-class artistry meets the heartbeat of a local community, all in a stunning natural setting. Incredible musicians from around the world come together with a community that deeply loves and supports the arts. That energy—that exchange, that human magic—is what performing is truly about. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime shared experience, told through the universal language of music, never to be repeated in quite the same way again.

AR: An event like this reminds me that the audience isn’t just watching, but rather they are a part of the performance. Their enthusiasm fuels new projects, fills seats all season, and shows us that the music really matters. As a performer, I think there is no higher compliment than a community that shows up willing to engage and support. It is all about that shared spark between those on the stage and those in the seats!

Is there a moment in your performance that you're especially looking forward to sharing with the audience?

MP: ABSOLUTELY!! Christian and I first met when I made my debut with the San Francisco Symphony—singing Cunegonde in Bernstein’s Candide (a role I’m now very well-known for) with the legendary Michael Tilson Thomas conducting, and Christian assistant conducting. We’ve always wanted to perform Candide, especially “Glitter and Be Gay” together. And now we are! As MTT used to say before every performance: “Sparkle Shirley!!” (referencing Shirley Temple vibes). I’m so looking forward to the sparkle, performing one of my favorite pieces of Bernstein brilliance with Maestro Reif!

AR: Let’s just say … there’s a moment where I get to really lean into the drama, and I plan to Wicked-ly enjoy every second of it! We are performing many songs from Broadway musicals, Disney classics, and well-known fairy tales, so it will be thrilling to jump into each character’s plot and bring the audience along with us.