Sondheim & Lloyd Webber Showcase

Sondheim & Lloyd Webber Showcase
Colorado Symphony
Boettcher Concert Hall
Denver, CO
February 9, 2019

The music of Stephen Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd Webber dominated Broadway in the 1980’s. Although these composers have completely different styles of music, they will be forever linked. And a bit of trivia – they share the same birthday.

The Colorado Symphony brought the best known songs of these theatrical giants intone concert. The first section featured quirky selections by Sondheim. Soloist Debbie Gravitte made the most of the material. She created a commanding Mama Rose for “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” a warm Mrs. Lovett in “Not While I’m Around” and a crazed bride to be in “Not Getting Married Today.”  “Send in the Clowns,” beautifully sung by Scarlett Strallen, more resembled the intimate moment in A Little Night Music than the pop song it became.

The second half of the concert showcased the well-known songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber. All three soloists showed incredible vocal skill for these selections. Debbie showed she was more than a  character actress with her rendition of “Memory.” The undeniable highlight of the show was Hugh Panero’s performance of “The Music of the Night” which led to an immediate standing ovation. The night ended with a creative mash up of “Love Changes Everything,” “Unexpected Song” and “I Don’t Know How to Love Him.”

The Sondheim and Lloyd Webber Showcase not only demonstrated the timeless beauty of the music of these two composers but also gave the symphony and soloists an opportunity to shine. It was a delightful night of magnificent music.