Marvellous maestro John Foreman pulls out all the stops to helm a truly fitting showcase for the extraordinary talents of Leading Ladies Casey Donovan, Silvie Paladino, and Caroline O’Connor.
In the kind of sumptuous orchestral concert usually reserved for visiting overseas stars, Foreman and his fabulous Aussie Pops Orchestra bless a cavalcade of musical theatre hits with far more lush accompaniment than usually heard in traditional theatre seasons. The Ladies sport a dazzling array of glamorous gowns, and a creative lighting plot provides the finishing touch in visual appeal.
Cleverly conceived, the concert begins by highlighting previous starring roles for the soloists before delving imaginatively into uncharted territory in the second half. There are duets from each combination of singers as well as a generous selection of trios, all supported by terrific arrangements for the orchestra and vocalists.
In addition to leading the music, Foreman brings his characteristic warmth and good humour to the stage, performing his duties as genial MC with a seamless blend of formality and improvisation. Foreman’s authentically relaxed manner spills out to the soloists, making for highly enjoyable repartee in place of the stilted dialogue often seen in such concerts.
In killer form, Casey Donovan may be the youngest of the three singers but she is steadily amassing an impressive catalogue of roles. Donovan reprises “When You’re Good to Mamma” from the most recent season of Chicago then recreates “Get Out and Stay Out”, the 11 o’clock power ballad sung as Judy in 9 to 5 the Musical.
Donovan really breaks out in act two, bringing palpable emotion to gorgeous Waitress the Musical ballad ”She Used To Be Mine” then later bringing down the house with power anthem “And I Am Telling You” from Dreamgirls.
Silken-voiced songstress Silvie Paladino returns to her first role as lovestruck teen Eponine, performing much loved Les Misérables hit “On My Own” before following up with iconic ballad “I Dreamed A Dream,” sung by Fantine, the role Paladino played on the West End when she was a little older.
Paladino blends beautifully with Donovan for Whitney Houston hit “I Will Always Love You.” In act two, Paladino wows the crowd with her rendition of “Defying Gravity”, seizing the chance to play Wicked witch Elphaba even just for one performance.
International learning lady Caroline O’Connor must have the choreography of Chicago in her bones, bringing Velma roaring back to life with “All That Jazz.” O’Connor later scores laughs with Donovan as the pair sings their respective roles in Chicago’s “Class.” O’Connor plays a fabulous routine as she outlines her full Broadway career in the lead up to a perfectly calibrated rendition of Sondheim hit “Broadway Baby.”
Having memorably played Aldonza in Man of La Mancha, O’Connor takes the chance to switch to Cervantes for a beautiful arrangement of “The Impossible Dream.” In serious mode, O’Connor demonstrates her well-honed dramatic chops with a stirring performance of “Don’t Cry For Me, Argentina.”
A true delight, thoroughly entertaining concert Leading Ladies leaves the appreciative audience gratefully satisfied. Future performances from John Foreman’s Aussie Pops Orchestra are very highly anticipated.
John Foreman’s Aussie Pops Orchestra presented Leading Ladies at Hamer Hall, Melbourne Arts Centre at 2pm and 8pm on Saturday 12 August 2023.
Photos: Aussie Pops Orchestra