Review By Marie McLean, Front Row Reviewers Guest Reviewer
A melding of artistry between the Boise Philharmonic Orchestra and Opera Idaho this past weekend at the Morrison Center in Boise, Idaho brought the audience to their feet in a standing ovation at each performance of its shared Broadway Pops concert April 26th and 27th. In an extraordinary journey through some of Broadway’s best masterpieces of musical theatre, audiences were entertained from old time classics such as “New York, New York” and “Don’t Rain on My Parade” to currently running numbers from Hamilton and Les Miserables.
Opening the program with Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story Overture”, the Boise Philharmonic Orchestra showed the stupendous power of these musicians. Everyone was in their best form as the music wafted throughout the beautiful Morrison Center auditorium filled with a receptive audience. Special mention should be given to Andy Anderson, whose orchestrations were outstanding and downright electric; reworking and expanding many of thepieces for the 60+ piece Philharmonic.
Conductor Eric Garcia was magnificent and in total sync with both the orchestra and the singers.
In many productions, the orchestra is seated in the orchestra pit where the singers can see the conductor. In this case, the orchestra was on stage with the singers on the apron. Singers did not have the advantage of seeing the conductor who was behind them. Maestro Garcia was attuned to both the orchestra and the vocalists. He continually could be seen with an eye and ear sensitively watching and listening to be sure he knew when the singers were holding notes and playing to the crowd.
This Broadway Pops production featured four internationally renowned vocalists: Kelly Glyptis, Jillian Kates, Michael Carrasco, and Peter Lake. It was clear from start to finish that these four professional singers had joined together to bring the very best to their audience. Carrasco whose resume includes the Broadway US/Canadian Tour of Grease! entertained the audience with “New York, New York” and “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’” from Oklahoma! His brilliant showmanship connected with the audience on every number. Miss Kates, who previously toured as the understudy for Glinda in the National Broadway Tour of Wicked, brought a delightful combination of humor and comedic wit to her rendition of “Glitter & Be Gay” from Candide.
Lake previously appeared as Old Deuteronomy in CATS. Singing “Out There” from Hunchback of Notre Dame, Lake’s dynamic voice resonated throughout the hall and continued to bring a tear to all with his heartfelt rendition of “Bring Him Home” from Les Miserables. Miss Glyptis was recently seen as CarloNa in The Phantom of the Opera in London’s West End. Glyptis’ vibrant and rich voice filled the auditorium with “Burn” (Hamilton), “I Dreamed a Dream” (Les Miserables), and “Journey to the Past” from Anastasia. Her acting talents and nuanced interpretation of The Witch in Stephen Sondheim’s “Last Midnight” from Into the Woods stood out as one of the captivating highlights of the evening.
The Broadway Pops concert was a successful combined effort to bring amazing talent to the stage. With the outstanding turn out from the community, this cooperative partnership between the Boise Philharmonic and Opera Idaho should certainly continue to be included in future programming. Bravo to both organizations for this wonderful alliance!
Boise Philharmonic Orchestra, 516 S 9th St., Boise, ID 83702
(208) 748-7990
Opera Idaho 515 South 9th St., Boise, ID 83702
(208) 345-3531
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