BWW Reviews: MAMMA MIA's Judy McLane Lights Up the Baltimore Symphony January 6 to 8, 2012
By: Charles Shubow Jan. 06, 2012
If you have not seen the Broadway cast of the hit musical Mamma Mia! yet, you may decide to venture to the Great White Way to see the terrific Judy McLane after you attend her performance with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra January 6-10 where she sings six Gershwin songs with Baltimore Symphony principal Pops conductor Jack Everly.
And if that is not reason enought to attend, the concert ends with pianist Steward Goodyear performing Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Purple...I mean Blue" (Ravens' mania is getting to me!).
I was fortunate to catch a rehearsal of the concert and can attest it will be something to remember.
McLane has a powerful yet sensuous voice. I've seen her many times playing the role of "Tanya" in Mamma Mia! but I had not had the opportunity to hear her strut her vocalese in front of a symphony. By the way, McLane has performed a leading role in Mamma Mia! more than any other actor in the world, over 3,000 performances! And after Sunday's performance in Baltimore, she returns to Broadway for the Monday evening performance.
McLane has a history with Gershwin. She recalled her recital at Ithaca College performing Gershwin.
This is the fourth time she has done this concert with Everly. She marvels at his gift of arranging and mentioned he always gives a little history lesson about the Gershwins, both George and Ira.
McLane performs three numbers in both halves of the evening.
During the first half, you'll hear such classics as "I Got Rhythm", "Someone to Watch Over Me", and "They Can't Take That Away from Me".
After intermission, you may hear songs you've not heard. There's "Long Ago and Far Away (music by Jerome Kern and lyrics by Ira Gershwin), "My Ship" (music by Kurt Weill and lyrics by Ira Gershwin), and "The Man Taht Got Away" (music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by Ira Gerswin).
The BSO will perform "Swanee", "Overture to Girl Crazy", "Gershwin in Hollywood", "Lullaby", the Overture to the film "Rhapsody in Blue", selections from "Porgy and Bess", and a cute number "Walking the Dog" featuring a clip from the film with Fred Astaire.
Besides performing in Mamma Mia!, McLane recently ventured out to the Theatre Pioneer in Utah to play the lead in Next to Normal. After seeing the show on Broadway, she knew it was a part for her and when the opportunity came, she jumped for it. She commented, "It was the biggest challenge of my career and the most gratifying thing I've ever done."
Don't miss this opportunity to see McLane and the BSO together. Tickets for "The Brothers Gershwin" are available at 410-783-8000 or visit www.bsomusic.org. There are performances Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday at 3 p.m.
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