BWW Reviews:NSO POPS: AN EVENING WITH SUTTON FOSTER at The Kennedy Center

Friday's NSO Pops Evening with Sutton Foster brought a bounty of talent to the Kennedy Center's Concert Hall stage and, wisely, paired it with a program that spanned styles, mediums, and musical genres. Some of the most appealing moments were brought to us care of the charming personalities of Sutton Foster, her guest performers Joshua Henry and Megan McGinnis, and the always entertaining NSO Pops conductor, Steven Reineke, who is a master at exuding personality even when facing away from the audience. It can be easy for the large scale of the Concert Hall to swallow up a performer, particularly when they must match the power of a symphony behind them; and the truly impressive achievement of Ms. Foster, is her success at making the audience feel as if they have joined her in an intimate cabaret setting for the show, in which she's managed to fit an entire symphony.

The evening's program featured a diverse array of music, from Cole Porter to John Denver to Broadway tunes, including a wildly entertaining medley of television theme songs that had the audience playing "name that tune," much to its delight. The performers that join the NSO Pops on stage during these concerts, are only part of the package, and it's always a treat to find out what Reineke and the symphony will offer up. Last night, along with Porter classics "I've Got You Under My Skin" and "Begin the Beguine," overtures to Broadway's Anything Goes and Thoroughly Modern Millie, there was a haunting performance of "Ashokan Farewell," the theme from the Ken Burns' documentary film for PBS, The Civil War, featuring two talented NSO violinists, Alexandra Osborne and Glenn Donnellan.

Many people are familiar with the evening's star, Sutton Foster, from the Broadway stage (although, from the audience response to mention of her short-lived television series Bunheads, and upcoming series Younger, her other work is not going unnoticed). She has two Tony Awards (for her starring roles in Thoroughly Modern Millie and Anything Goes), and even more nominations. She was last seen on Broadway this past summer in Roundabout Theatre Company's production of Violet, in which she costarred with Joshua Henry. But I would say that to know her performing in her own right, is to love her as a consummate entertainer. This program, her first with a symphony, was conceived and created by Reineke, Foster and her musical director Michael Rafter (also performing in the show on piano), and was clearly a thrill for Foster to perform. There's a luminous smile, and an ability to access a genuine emotion in each song, that accompanies her remarkable vocal ability; and whether she was letting it all "belt out" in Cole Porter's "Anything Goes," or dedicating a soaring and emotional "Sunshine on My Shoulders," to her mother (who recently passed away), you knew you were being transported to wherever Ms. Foster was going herself.

Joshua Henry, whose stunning performance in 2011's The Scottsboro Boys on Broadway, garnered him a Tony nomination could have a whole show to himself. For this show, he performed a very relevant "A Change is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke, which he described as a defining song for him, shared a show-stopping song and tap dance with Foster, and brought down the house again with a virtuosic rendition of "Let it Sing," from composer Jeanine Tesori's Violet (for which he also received a Tony nomination). His is also an irresistible appeal, and I feel confident in saying that anyone in the audience previously unfamiliar with Joshua Henry, almost surely walked out a fan.

Broadway veteran, Megan McGinnis (Little Women, Parade), a personal friend of Sutton's, and a talented singer in her own right, joined her for "Flight," (music and lyrics by Craig Carnelia), their beautiful duet from Foster's 2009 debut album Wish. McGinnis then stayed on stage to perform a lovely solo rendition of "Never Never Land," from the Broadway musical Peter Pan.

If there's one addition I would have made to the concert line up, it would be for another duet from Foster and Joshua Henry; this time perhaps "Bring Me to Light," from Violet. The combination of their explosive voices and personalities seems too splendid to miss any spotlight opportunity. And one thing is abundantly clear: Sutton Foster (and whomever she wants bring along), will surely be more than welcome to share the stage with the NSO anytime, and we will all be the better for it.

NSO Pops: An Evening with Sutton Foster can be seen again tonight, Saturday, November 29 '14. For tickets and more information, go to The Kennedy Center. The website also notes that Foster will sign CDs and other materials after the show this evening, in the Concert Hall lobby.

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