Mostly Arlen... All Audra: Audra McDonald sings Harold Arlen

"I like singing duets, but not with cells phones", Audra McDonald quipped as the exiting chimes sounded from the electronic devices of audiences members who waited for the last minute to turn them off. It was a relaxed and casual four time Tony Award winner who entertained the guests at Mostly Arlen... All Audra, a concert held at the studio of Raphael Vinoly Architects, PC, benefiting the New York Festival of Song.

As the title suggests, the beloved Broadway and Hollywood composer Harold Arlen was the major beneficiary of Ms. McDonald's artistry Saturday night. Perhaps most known as the composer of film scores for The Wizard of Oz and A Star is Born and Broadway scores like St. Louis Woman and House of Flowers, 2005 marks the centenary of Arlen's birth.

After welcoming the crowd with a rich and bluesy "Any Place I Hang My Hat is Home", pianist and host for the event, Steven Blier, artistic director of NYFOS explained how, "The first time you see Audra is like the first time you see Paris", telling how they've been friends and artistic partners since being introduced by her co-star Eddie Korbich backstage at Carousel. The clang of glasses and dishes could still be heard in the distance as workers cleared the pre-show refreshments. "I come from dinner theatre. This is fine", cracked McDonald with a laugh. And throughout the evening the chumminess and mutual admiration between the two made the show charmingly informal.

The entire hour was performed without amplification, allowing the audience to admire the soprano's delicate phrasing and multi-textured interpretations. She was searing in dramatic numbers like "I Had Myself a True Love" and "The Man That Got Away", sweet and tender in "A Sleepin' Bee", and sexy and sassy for "A Woman's Prerogative" and "Ain't It The Truth?"

A few side trips to explore the works of other composers included an introspective "Dividing Day" (Adam Guettel), and a triumphant "There Won't Be Trumpets" (Stephen Sondheim). To introduce the Gershwins' "Kickin' the Clouds Away", Blier explained, "On the word 'laugh' he goes into a minor key which only a Jewish composer would do."

As an encore McDonald delivered a thrillingly joyous interpretation of "When Did I Fall in Love?" (Bock and Harnick), nearly racing the tempo to replicate the rush of admiration suddenly turning into love.

The New York Festival of song will present two theatre-related recitals in their 2005-06 season. Fats and Fields (January 31) will explore the careers of Fats Waller and Dorothy Fields. Hands Across the Sea (May 16 and 17) will feature songs from Broadway and West End musicals of the 1920's and 30's. Visit their web site below for details.

Photo of Audra McDonald and Steven Blier by Ben Strothmann