By Brian Scott Lipton . . .
It may not literally be true that Barry Manilow has written the songs the whole world sings. Still, I would bet my bank account that most of the more than 2,000 people packed into Carnegie Hall on May 1 for The New York Pops 40th Birthday Gala: This One’s For You: The Music of Barry Manilow could belt out every lyric of the prolific singer-songwriter’s catalogue, much of which was beautifully showcased in this loving, gorgeously performed tribute.
Obviously, not all of the highlights of Manilow’s six-decade career could be included (and I was personally a little disappointed by the absence of “New York City Rhythm”), but the hits kept coming thanks to a stellar cast and the ever-superb New York Pops under the direction of Steven Reineke. (In addition, the show was brilliantly staged and choreographed by Tony Award winner Warren Carlyle, who will be repeating those duties on Manilow and Bruce Sussman’s upcoming Broadway musical Harmony.)
For much of the concert, Reineke talked a bit less than usual, graciously handing the co-hosting duties to the adorable Michael Urie, a self-described “Fanilow,” who has seen the performer live 15 times and entertained us with sly commentary, sharp remarks, and a slew of factoids about Manilow’s career.
In addition, Urie almost seemed besides himself in introducing some of the legendary performers assembled for the evening, including Melissa Manchester, who apparently fulfilled a 50-year-old promise by sensitively performing “I Am You Child,” the seemingly ageless Charo, who showed off her still-gorgeous gams and interacted with the audience during a joyous if barely-sung version of “Copacabana,” and especially the incredible Dionne Warwick, whose interpretive skills were brought to the forefront with the ballad “All the Time” (while noting she had no idea why Manilow asked her to do that particular song!)
Naturally, Broadway and cabaret performers were also on hand, proving just how theatrical Manilow’s songs can be – and how well they could do them. Deborah Cox successfully navigated the difficult Donna Summer arrangement of “Could It Be Magic,” the one-and-only Norm Lewis brought his soaring baritone to the heart-wrenching “Ships,” the glorious Megan Hilty made us all cry with her bittersweet “When October Goes,” and the peerless Lillias White raised the roof with “Weekend in New England.”
The versatile Erich Bergen appeared in the show twice: first with Max Von Essen as white-jacketed song-and-dance men performing the feel-good “I Can’t Smile Without You” and “I Don’t Walk Without You” and then returning with the enthusiastic kids of Camp Broadway for the anthemic “One Voice.”
For his part, Von Essen returned as well, teaming up with the delightful Jim Caruso and Billy Stritch for a medley of Manilow’s super-successful commercial jingles for such companies as BandAid, State Farm, Pepsi and McDonalds!
A true highlight of the evening was a preview of Harmony via the performance of that show’s title tune and the stunning ballad “Stars in the Night” by the six extraordinary actors (Sean Bell, Danny Kornfeld, Zal Owen, Eric Peters, Blake Roman and Steven Telsey) who will play the singing group The Comedian Harmonists. Get your tickets now!
Acknowledging how many familiar tunes had been left out by necessity – the show ran a mere 90 minutes – the cast reunited towards the end for a “Manilow MegaMedley” that included parts of “I Write the Songs,” “Mandy,” “Daybreak,” “Even Now,” and “Somewhere Down the Road.”
The medley also smartly served as an introduction to Manilow’s only onstage appearance of the evening. (He appeared to have a cold or allergies). He was unquestionably touched by this gathering of his friends, colleagues and a super-appreciative audience, returning the favor by telling his favorite (and now familiar) story about how his grandfather nurtured his musical talent by taking him weekly from Brooklyn to Times Square to make recordings before launching into “This One’s for You.”
Yes, that song may have been originally inspired by his grandfather, but in the end, there was no question it was all for us who came out to honor this inimitable icon.
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PHOTOS: Richard Termine
