My Favorite Broadway: The Love Songs
This follow-up to 1998'sMy Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladiesallows the gentlemen in, but that's not always an advantage. Sure, Michael Crawford developed a great following as thePhantomand Nathan Lane is a comedian nonpareil, but Tom Wopat, Peter Gallagher, Adam Pascal, and Ron Raines, while all fine performers with good resumés, simply can't match the marquee power of the original's Liza Minnelli, Audra McDonald, Jennifer Holliday, Nell Carter, and many others.Even when old vets appear, Robert Goulet seems closer to Las Vegas than Lancelot. That said, this is still an enjoyable live show from New York's City Center. Among the ladies returning, Rebecca Luker and Marin Mazzie shine in songs from the revivals they star in, and superdiva Linda Eder raises the roof with a three-song medley. And there are other additions to the roster, one legend (Chita Rivera), and one up-and-comer (Heather Headley). The real star is the host, Julie Andrews, who also hosted the original show and conspicuously did not sing in it, following her infamous, lawsuit-laden vocal-cord surgery that effectively ended her music career. Throughout the evening, she teases the audience, reciting lyrics and making references toMy Fair Lady. So when Crawford begins "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" and Andrews enters, the audience holds its breath: Will she or won't she? It's an electric moment, and perfect theater (also availableas a video).--David Horiuchi