Review: Broadway Valentine Exceeded All Expectations

By Dr. Anton Anderssen and Marco Airaghi

The Michigan Philharmonic Orchestra exceeded all expectations on February 13 when it presented BROADWAY VALENTINE, a salute to some of the best love songs on Broadway. Carefully chosen by Maesto Nan Washburn, the program included selections from My Fair Lady, LES MISERABLES, Evita, Superstar, Grease, Rent, Jersey Boys, Beauty and The Beast, Lion King, and others. Adding to the spectacular program, vocalists Kylee and Geff Philipps sang to some of the selections.

This orchestra is a jewel that never fails to impress. Every performance they give is splendid. Adding the Phillips' father and daughter duo made the evening spectacular, especially for the presentation of Beauty and The Beast. The younger Phillips said she fell in love with the title song at age three, and the senior Phillips said he has been singing this song with his lovely daughter for over 20 years.

Together, the duo gave a fantastic delivery of 525,600 Minutes from Rent. Maestro Washburn described the show as a late 80's East Village interpretation of Puccini's La Bohème. In the second half, Geff Phillips rocked the house with his excellent impressions of Frankie Valli, whose hits are featured in the jukebox musical, Jersey Boys. Phillips nailed Valli in "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Rag Doll," "Walk Like a Man," and "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You."

The much anticipated concert sold out two weeks prior to performance night, as word quickly spread about the performers and content to be featured. Another fantastic concert, called An Accordion Affair will play at 2 p.m. on March 13.

For tickets and further information, kindly visit http://www.michiganphil.org.

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