The past week between two West Australian Symphony Orchestra performances was mundane, to say the least.
While the rest of us were replying to emails and making breakfast, WASO was busy pivoting from an incredible, sold-out run of How to Train Your Dragon in concert to prepare for another splendorous performance with ‘An Evening on Broadway’.
The performance was exactly the kind of concert that reminds audiences why musical theatre has such an enduring hold on the heart. Under the baton of Jessica Gethin, WASO delivered a vibrant celebration of Broadway canon – combining symphonic grandeur with a range of emotional highs and lows we know and love from the stage.
Featuring West End veterans Amy Manford and Josh Piterman, the evening savoured a glowing combination of charismatic performances, a wide-ranging and well curated program and a contagious energy from the orchestra. It was particularly heart-warming to hear about the long and personal history between Manford and Gethin – a history which crossed paths again before our eyes and to our shared benefit.
WASO’s An Evening on Broadway
The highlight of the evening were the scores which celebrated every part of the ensemble such as ‘The Jellicle Ball’ from Cats and ‘Symphonic Dance’ from Fiddler on the Roof. From the cascades of the Riverside Theatre, a pleasure flows over you to see the bows of strings move in hypnotic synchronicity.
The talent and chemistry between Manford and Piterman was joyous. In particular, the playfulness of ‘Anything You Can Do’ from Annie Get Your Gun was a stand-out. However, both seamlessly transitioned from silliness, to soaring drama, to tenderness with elegance. Their rapport appeared genuine and their enjoyment of the material was shared readily with the audience.
There is something about the momentum of a WASO performance that fills your heart and makes you feel as though you should never stop celebrating and remembering the joy of live music. It is a privilege to celebrate each WASO performance and I pity anyone who passes up the opportunity to do so.