BWW Reviews: Baltimore Symphony Salutes Broadway

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra delighted a crowd of close to 2,000 Broadway theater fans at their final summer concert on July 24, a muggy, sultry evening.  Making his Baltimore Symphony Orchestra debut as conductor was Randall Craig Fleischer who did a masterful job dealing with the two marvelous soloists, Doug LaBrecque and Patricia Phillips.

Both of these artists have the chops necessary to pull-off a Broadway concert with a huge symphony in back of them.  LaBrecque has a wonderful  tenor voice. He's played both the Phantom and Raoul in the Toronto production of The Phantom of the Opera  and the Broadway production of Showboat. Phillips took the night off from her role as Carlotta in the Broadway production of The Phantom of the Opera. Can she ever hit those high notes. One has to remember, a Broadway orchestra today only has between 10-20 musicians in the pit.  This is why it is such a treat to hear Broadway show music with a large symphony doing the accompaniment. 

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra was in excellent form under the baton of Fleischer who like BSO Music Director Marin Alsop was a conducting fellow with Leonard Bernstein at Tanglewood in 1989. Fleischer has experience with the National Symphony Orchestra as first assistant, then associate conductor.  He currently is the Musical Director of the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, the Anchorage Symphony and the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestras. I do predict he will be back on the BSO podium.

I have been critical of the BSO for not showcasing recent Broadway shows. Well, the criticism continues.

I have nothing against Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, and George Gershwin. But music from the 1924 musical Lady Be Good ("Fascinating Rhythm", the 1935 film "Easter Parade" ("Top Hat/Steppin' Out) and the 1935 Broadway show Jubilee ("Begin the Beguine") could have been replaced by many tunes by the great Stephan Sondheim. Not one of his many wonderful tunes was played.  A friend asked since the show was outdoors, why not try a number from Into the Woods?

Of all the musicals on Broadway, only two of these were represented -  a medley from Jersey Boys (coming to the Hippodrome this season) and three numbers from The Phantom of the Opera (obvious since both soloists have experience with that show).

And if the show opens with the 1950's My Fair Lady selections, why a few minutes later the program has "I Could Have Danced All Night" from the same show.  There was the expected tribute to Richard Rodgers which featured music from South Pacific (still on Broadway), Oklahoma (opening the new Arena Stage this fall), The King and I, and Carousel. 

Two of the highlights were two overtures from Leonard Bernstein - from the classic Candide (which includes the theme song from  "The Dick Cavitt Show") and West Side Story.

There was only one number from a recent Broadway hit not now on Broadway.  Did you guess Les Miserables? Did you guess "Bring Him Home"?  LaBrecque drew a deserved standing ovation from the audience in the lawn chairs.

What was missing? Any songs from current shows like Billy Elliott, In the Heights,  Next to Normal, and the blockbusters Mamma- Mia! and Wicked.  And what about songs from Baltimore's own Hairspray or Aida?

Maybe the BSO should take a survey to see what shows should be included in next summer's concert.

I also suggest investing in getting a spotlight so the two wonderful performers can be seen.  When evening advances, one can only see the shadow of the performers' faces.

It would also be great to circle the sign over the stage "Baltimore Symphony Orchestra" with light bulbs. The orchestra deserves its name in lights.

After the concert was completed, the moon was almost full and tremendous fireworks followed. All in all, it was a spectacular evening. Can't wait until next summer's version.

For comments, write to cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.

Photo: Doug LaBrecque and Patricia Phillips by Charles Shubow

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