Review: New York Pops, Sierra Boggess, Julian Ovenden in MY FAVORITE THINGS: THE SONGS OF RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN

With musicals like HAMILTON, FUN HOME and SPRING AWAKENING drawing in crowds with their unconventional takes on musical theatre, it's understandable if today's younger theatregoers are unaware of how innovative and risk-taking many of the musicals of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II were considered to be when they first opened.

Bluntly exploring issues of racism, culture-clashes, spousal abuse, conformity and the darker side of American history, they were indeed progressive rebels, but they're more remembered today for the beauty of Rodgers' music and the heartfelt sincerity of Hammerstein's lyrics.

The New York Pops grandly celebrated these two American masters at Carnegie Hall Friday night with MY FAVORITE THINGS: THE SONGS OF RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN, opening the orchestra's 33rd season with a chronological presentation of selections from the team's nine stage musicals, plus the feature film STATE FAIR and the made-for-television CINDERELLA.

Using the original stage orchestrations and occasionally, when announced, film or television version orchestrations, the gregarious and charming music director/conductor Steven Reineke hosted the evening with informative intros for each piece.

The concert began with the film overture from OKLAHOMA!, leading into guest artist Julian Ovenden's hearty rendition of "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'" The British star sampled much of the Rodgers and Hammerstein catalogue of great male solos with splendid performances of "Soliloquy," "Some Enchanted Evening," "Carefully Taught" and "Edelweiss."

Bookending the evening in similar fashion, the film version prologue for THE SOUND OF MUSIC led directly into guest artist Sierra Boggess' delightful performance of the title song. The Broadway star's selections include an exuberant, "A Wonderful Guy," sassy turns with "The Gentleman Is A Dope" and "I Enjoy Being a Girl," and a touching "Everybody's Got a Home But Me."

The two paired up for romantic duets "People Will Say We're In Love," "I Have Dreamed" and "No Other Love." Guest ensemble Essential Voices, USA, joined them for "You'll Never Walk Alone" and "Climb Every Mountain." The ensemble was also featured for "It's a Grand Night For Singing" and "I Whistle a Happy Tune," with male chorus members delivering a rousing, "There Is Nothing Like a Dame."

Capping off the night was a sing-a-long of "My Favorite Things" with audience members needing little encouragement to enthusiastically join in.

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