Hiya Pops!

The NY Pops orchestra celebrated their 30th anniversary at Carnegie Hall last night with a star-studded tribute to Jule Styne, Frank Loesser and Danny Kaye. After a rousing overture from GYPSY (a fraction too slow) the stage was flooded with the Camp Broadway kids. And indeed, a couple of them were.

"Let Me Entertain You!" they beseeched.
Songs from FUNNY GIRL were beautifully sung by Stephanie J. Block, Betsy Wolfe and Laura Osnes. Laura Benanti took us to "Neverland" from PETER PAN.

Leslie Uggams tore up the place with her signature song from HALLELUJAH, BABY!, "My Own Morning". Simply glorious.

After Megan Hilty ("Smash") sang a very popular "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" there was a video tribute to Danny Kaye incorporating his most famous routines and then on came his daughter, the supremely elegant and charming Dena Kaye looking spookily like her mum Sylvia Fine.
She told delightful stories about her father always returning from his travels overseas with a gift until one time little Dena demanded "Where's my present?". Shocked, Danny said that was enough with the gifts and from now on he would teach Dena a folk song from whichever country he had visited. Dena then sang a Japanese tune she has always remembered. She also spoke of Danny's many gigs as an orchestra conductor although he couldn't read music. She brought a gift to NY Pops music director Stephen Reineke of Danny's golden fly swatter, sying that he had once conducted "The Flight of the Bumble Bee"

She didn't have to elaborate. We all roared.

Donna Murphy sang a very charming "Ugly Duckling" from HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSON

Then finally it was the guys' turn as Nick Adams, Will Chase and Max von Essen sang "Fugue for Tinhorns"

Their final three part harmony gave me goosebumps.

CHAPLIN star Rob McLure recreated his Encores! starring role from WHERE'S CHARLEY? with a joyously nimble "Once in Love With Amy". After urging us to join in he finished the number by saying, "There! Now you've sung at Carnegie Hall."
Liz Callaway followed with a medley from HOW TO SUCCEED, then came Kelli O'Hara with a really lovely "Somebody Somewhere" from THE MOST HAPPY FELLA.

Apparently Frank Loesser's widow Jo Sullivan had only one request for this concert and that was for Anthony Warlow to sing "Rosabella" from HAPPY FELLA

He was magnificent and I was THAT PROUD!!

Cabaret legend Marilyn Maye, fresh from her 85th birthday celebrations, looked incredible in a sparkling red pantsuit which this photo does not do justice, then proceeded to demolish me with the sexiest bossa nova version of "Joey Joey" from HAPPY FELLA. I was left in a puddle. She closed with "Luck Be a Lady", acknowledging it was written for a man but "at my age I can sing anything I want".
My thanks to Jamie De Roy for letting me be her handbag for the night!