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The day had finally dawned and I was grateful for a pleasant sunny day as we pointed my little Fiat in the direction of London - to the amazement of family and friends. After a pleasant journey we arrived in time for a leisurely sandwich before the Performance.
We were allowed into the auditorium about 7.30pm to find our seats. It was a little disconcerting for my friend Judy who having left hospital a few days earlier after a hip replacement operation , entered the building via a ramp entrance, then found herself having to negotiate several sets of stairs to enter the Arena. However, she coped admirably and we settled down, bought programmes and waited for the best Concert I had ever seen to start.
The magnificent City of London Philharmonic Orchestra's lively 'Overture' began the Concert, followed quickly by the soloists and the wonderful NODA Centenary Chorus, imaginatively organised by Broadway musical director, Don Pippin, bursting into 'Another Opening of Another Show' and 'There's No Business like Show Business'. Gloria Hunniford hosted the show and introduced the soloists.
The first soloist, David Michael Johnson sang expressively 'It Ain't Necessarily So' from Porgy and Bess. Then, the moment we had been waiting for, our incentive for attending the Concert - Philip Quast, burst enthusiastically onto stage with a powerful rendition of 'Oklahoma! in that wonderful baritone voice. He was joined by the other soloists and Chorus and then the audience were invited to join in which we did, with enthusiasm. We were completely taken by surprise by how young Mr Quast looked. Having only seen him in serious and older roles - for example, Javert (Les Misérables) and Pearse Harman (Ultraviolet) it was so good to see him smiling. It made him look years younger!
All performances were marvellous and enthusiastically given, Everyone looked as if they were enjoying every minute they were on stage!
We were then entertained by songs from Brigadoon, Guys and Dolls, Candide, and My Fair Lady. One of the highlights the for me was the 'Tonight Quintet' from West Side Story involving Terri Bibb, Connie Kunkle, Leo Andrew and the impressive Philip Quast who sang 'Tonight' beautifully.
Though I enjoyed every performance the main highlights for me were 'You'll Never Walk Alone' sung by Connie Kunkle. 'Don't Cry for Me Argentina' emotively expressed by Kelli James Chase took us to the Interval but the Chorus's contribution to this number should not he forgotten - they enthusiastically cheered at the beginning and end of the song and the sound was amazing!
David Michael Johnson opened the second half of an evening of wonderful music with 'Superstar' from Jesus Christ Superstar. Amongst many fine performances we were treated to Composer, Cy Coleman playing a selection of his music on the piano.
There were many entertaining items from Sweet Charity, She Loves Me, Chess and the musical Titanic. The main highlights for me were the Orchestra's interpretation of 'The Jellicle Ball', closely followed by 'Memory' from Cats (performed by Kelli James Chase and Lauri Landry).
Then the Chorus performed a wonderful version of 'Do You Hear the People Sing' from Les Misérables. As this is my favourite show anything is welcome and would have liked Philip Quast to sing 'Stars' - although I have it on CD, tape and video it would have been nice to hear it 'live', but maybe that was too predictable. He did, however, give an emotional rendition of two Stephen Sondheim songs 'A Good Thing Going' and 'Not a Day Goes By' from Merrily We Roll Along. Kenneth Nicholls sang 'Ol' Man River ' with such feeling - it was the best I'd heard it sung in a long time.
The presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Awards followed with honours going to Cy Coleman, Elaine Paige, Howard Keel and Michael Crawford. Elaine Paige was not there in person but spoke to Gloria Hunniford over a special telephone link from New York. Howard Keel and Michael Crawford had standing ovations from the audience. We would have liked Howard Keel to sing but he was saving his voice for the Monday night Concert. Michael Crawford amused us by telling a story of how he once was a NODA member but was sacked from a play he was directing. His Award, he said was to make amends!
The Concert was sadly now drawing to a close but it closed with such a memorable, sensational Finale. All the performers led by Philip Quast sang 'Circle of Life' from The Lion King. Then a chorus of children filled the stage and the aisles. The children on stage sat and when Philip Quast touched their outstretched hands they stood up. It was obvious that he had such a tremendous rapport with them and at the end he picked up one little girl and held her high as the lion cub, Simba, is held high in The Lion King.
A truly memorable Concert which far exceeded my expectations - good though they were to start with. I was fortunate enough to have my Programme signed by Mr Quast before heading home to Wales - the music of the Concert still playing in my head.
