What a glorious way to bring in the New Year! Witness three powerhouse performances from musical theatre royalty, accompanied by conductor John Foreman’s Australian Pops Orchestra. It is the stuff of goosebumps. Silvie Paladino, Paulini and Josh Piterman lay it all on the line. Emotional resonance is palpable throughout. Many times, I had a lump in my throat. The depth, clarity, potency of (and timbre in) their voices – those golden tonsils – simply wow! Stirring solos, dynamic duets and tantalising trios.
The concert repertoire is varied and mighty appealing – from Broadway and the West End to pop and classical numbers. After the orchestra kicks off proceedings with a lively rendition of Also Sprach Zarathustra by Strauss, the three headliners are joined by The Dana Jolly Dancers. Gershwin’s I Got Rhythm goes down a treat. In the first act, the three Ps – Paladino, Paulini and Piterman – all perform a series of back-to-back solos. It is Tonight and Bring Him Home for Josh, I Wanna Dance with Somebody and Somewhere for Paulini and I Dreamed a Dream and With One Look for Silvie.
Tchaikovsky’s stunning Waltz of the Flowers puts the focus squarely on The Australian Pops Orchestra. Elegant gowns of many hues, a glittering pant suit and dinner jackets are the order of the day for the leads. Not to be outdone, creative and bright costuming add spark to the dancers, who finish Act I with a vigorous Can Can. Multicoloured spotlights add to the festive atmosphere throughout. Foreman’s trademark humour continues to charm and he lets it be known that ChatGPT was responsible for the choice of the opening number in Act II. I thoroughly enjoyed Sousa’s The Liberty Bell March.
Piterman displays his versatility in foreign tongues. It is Granada after interval, before Andrew Lloyd Webber’s showstopper The Music of the Night. Paulini tackles Tina Turner’s anthem The Best and Whitney Houston’s I Have Nothing. Paladino gives voice to Anthem from the musical Chess and Norma Desmond’s signature tune As If We Never Said Goodbye from Sunset Boulevard. Among the many highlights of the two hour 10 minute show, plus interval is a moving iteration of the ethereal The Prayer, in which all three are invested. The New Year’s Eve and the Day Before Gala Concerts feature many magical moments – songs to savour and lose yourself in.
They bring with them hope and joy for 2025 and beyond. Bravo to John Foreman et al. There are two concerts on New Year’s Eve – one at 2pm and the other at 8pm. For bookings, go to https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/whats-on/2024/seasons/apo/new-years-eve-gala-concerts
Alex First
Other reviews you might enjoy:
- John Foreman’s Aussie Pops Orchestra New Year’s Eve & The Night Before Gala Concerts (Hamer Hall) – musical theatre review
- The Phantom of the Opera (Arts Centre Melbourne) – theatre review
- Midnight, The Cinderella Musical (Comedy Theatre) – musical review
Alex First is the editor of The Blurb. Alex is a Melbourne based journalist and communications specialist. He also contributes to The Blurb on film and theatre.
