Randy Newman Leads Pacific’s Pops Lineup

Randy Newman, whose recent credits include the score for the Disney film “Toy Story” and his own musical-theater version of “Faust,” tops the list of artists on the Pacific Symphony’s 1996-97 Pops Series at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa.

The songwriter, singer and pianist, who plays April 11 and 12, will bring an eclectic orchestral program featuring his own music and arrangements that he is developing specifically for this engagement, according to the Pacific’s executive director, Louis G. Spisto.

Also on the series: singing duo Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme (Oct. 18 and 19), pop-country singer Barbara Mandrell (Nov. 8 and 9), a Christmas show with baritone Jubilant Sykes (Dec. 13 and 14), Sarah Brightman of “Phantom of the Opera” fame (Jan. 10 and 11), composer-pianist John Tesh from “Entertainment Tonight” (Feb. 28 and March 1) and Betty Buckley, Norma Desmond in Broadway’s “Sunset Boulevard” (May 30 and 31, 1997).

Each concert will begin at 8 p.m. Information: (714) 755-5788.