The Cast of Phantom Sings Andrew Lloyd Webber
The Cast of Phantom
Sings Andrew Lloyd Webber
Birdland, NYC, July 12, 2015
Reviewed by Joel Benjamin for Cabaret Scenes
In what will probably become a series of concerts to raise funds for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the cast of The Phantom of the Opera put together a full program of Andrew Lloyd Webber songs—incredibly after getting through a 10-performance holiday week schedule!
James Barbour (pictured), the current Phantom, was the very involved host, often interjecting editorial comments. He introduced Bronson Norris Murphy who performed “Till I Hear You Sing Once” (Glenn Slater), one of Lloyd Webber’s lush love songs from Love Never Dies, the sequel to Phantom, which he sang with fervor.
Laird Mackintosh presented a number from Stephen Ward, virtually unknown here: “Human Sacrifice” (Don Black/Christopher Hampton) told of the title character’s desperation on becoming the sacrificial lamb in a famous British scandal. Kaley Ann Voorhees’s “Unexpected Song” and Elizabeth Welch’s “Tell Me On a Sunday” (Black), both from Song and Dance, benefited from the intimacy of Birdland, allowing us to see their faces. Welch was joined by her very young daughter Vivian in “Pie Jesu,” their angelic high voices a perfect fit for this music.
Patricia Phillips, whose “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” (Tim Rice) showed off her strong voice, used all her vocal colors in “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” (Rice). Katharine Heaton’s “Memory” (Eliot) made that song fresh.
Barbour ended the show with “Love Changes Everything” from Aspects of Love (Black/Hart), literally and figuratively closing the evening on a high note.
Pianist/Musical Director David Lai provided the solid accompaniment.
Category: Cabaret Reviews, New York City, New York City Cabaret Reviews
