Review: Broadway Stars Shine Bright in TSO's ON BROADWAY

* * * * (out of 4)

Two of musical theatre's finest voices filled the Roy Thomson Hall last night at the Toronto Symphony Orchestra's ON BROADWAY. Two-time Tony Award-nominee Stephanie J. Block joined Tony Award-nominated Canadian performer Ramin Karimloo and Steven Reineke, Principal Pops Conductor, in a night of Broadway highlights ranging from Rodgers & Hammerstein, to Stephen Sondheim, to Stephen Schwartz.

I am huge fan of concert programming that serves to bring new audiences to the symphony - which is exactly what ON BROADWAY achieved. The house was filled with a younger audience, some potentially experiencing the majesty of a live orchestra for the very first time.

Stephanie J. Block opened with Funny Girl's signature belt-number, 'Don't Rain on My Parade', bringing the house down with an exquisitely balanced voice that she manipulates into any vocal pocket with incredible ease. As a renowned Broadway belter, it was amazing to hear Block present more of a classical sound during this concert. 'If I Loved You' from Carousel gave her an opportunity to show-off a beautiful, soft cover and a goose bump-inducing vibrato that extends to seemingly endless heights.

Block's rendition of 'Children Will Listen' from Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods is a masterclass in how to build levels of dramatic and vocal intensity; starting from relative stillness, expanding into a grand, enveloping sound and receding back to a haunting calm.

Both performers are making their TSO debuts in this concert series - a significant milestone for Ramin Karimloo, who grew up in the Greater Toronto Area. Karimloo opened with the powerful 'The Streets of Dublin' from A Man of No Importance, by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, the same team behind Broadway's Anastasia - Karimloo's most recent Broadway stint. The silk-voiced singer has remarkable presence, with a voice that soars - especially in his gorgeous portrayal of 'Being Alive' from Company. In a touching tribute, Karimloo dedicated his performance of 'Bring Him Home' from Les Misérables to the Humboldt Broncos, bringing a contemporary relevance to the heartbreaking ballad.

The most magnificent selections from the evening were the Sondheim pieces, encouraging a lush sound from the orchestra that will send shivers down your spine. Block and Karimloo's duet, 'Move On' from Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George is a testament to the singers' artistic mastery - the difficult music and complex text rolls off their tongues as they sing in perfect harmony.

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra has created a night to remember with ON BROADWAY, proving once again that they are committed to artistic excellence in everything they do. The concert experience forces you to focus on the voice - and Broadway voices don't get much better than Stephanie J. Block and Ramin Karimloo. If you love Broadway, you don't want to miss this.

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You have two more opportunities to catch the unmissable ON BROADWAY with the TSO -Wednesday, April 11th and Thursday, April 12th at 8pm at the Roy Thomson Hall.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit tso.ca

main photo credit: Stephanie J. Block, Steven Reineke, and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. photo: Jag Gundu

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