THE NEW YORK POPS 35TH GALA

THE NEW YORK POPS 35TH BIRTHDAY GALA Monday 4/30

Part Of His World: The Songs Of Alan Menken

Michael Arden, Roger Bart, Jodi Benson, Ashley Brown, Kerry Butler, Corey Cott, Nick Cordero, Susan Egan, Harvey Fierstein, Cheryl Freeman, James Monroe Iglehart, Adam Jacobs, Judy Kuhn, Patina Miller, Roz Ryan, Vaneese Thomas, Lillias White

We were there and what a wonderful night!

The line up was great and the surprise guest star was Angela Lansbury singing Beauty and the Beast from the movie with Alan Menken on the piano!

What a thrill!

Anyone else get to go?

I was also there, and it really was such a joyous evening. Every single performance was special. To watch Jodi Benson transport us back to 1989, Michael Arden nail the song that he never got to bring to Broadway, and Judy Kuhn remind us why we must appreciate the world around us brought tears to my eyes. And the muses! They clearly had a ball being reunited for Zero to Hero, and it was just as much fun to watch. Every single performance was fantastic. Roger Bart should've learned his lyrics (I know that he sang the Michael Bolton version, so he's not used to it, but come on) although his voice was still so crisp.

With all of those incredible moments (and more that I didn't list), the collective breath of Carnegie Hall was taken away when Angela Lansbury showed up. That lady is a legend and no youngster, but she looked great and sounded exactly the same as she did 20 years ago. When she said, "Off to the cupboard..." there was an audible sigh from the crowd.

The finale brought everyone back out, and the entire place was on their feet and singing along. I've been to other Pops shows before, including other galas, but this was a night like no other. Glorious. And it's all because of Alan Menken.

Yes, it was quite the incredible evening. Each performance topped the other one - amazing talent, and just a very special night. When Angela Lansbury was announced and walked out on stage, the entire audience stood and screamed and cheered!!!!

I completely agree with the sentiments here. I am not exaggerating when I say it was one of the best nights of my life. I'm pretty sure my reaction to seeing Angela Lansbury was not at all unlike many girls feel when they would see One Direction or Justin Bieber. There were tears and my hands got sore from clapping. Luckily I kept the screaming to a single "Woooooooo!"

But in all seriousness. It will be hard for me to ever find another concert as wonderful and as emotional as I experienced last night. I am a child of the late 80s. This is the music of my childhood. There is nothing else I can say to Alan Menken, the NY Pops, and all the guest artists but "THANK YOU."

Also, it must be said that Corey Cott and Kerry Butler sang their faces off during Suddenly, Seymour. All the original movie and Broadway stars really elevated the evening. Harvey got tremendous laughs and applause for his Poor Unfortunate Souls. The muses were having the most fun of the evening! Judy Kuhn, Jodi Benson, and Susan Egan looked so happy to be there and honor their friend. Roger Bart sounds exactly the same as he did in 1997. And I agree that it's a crime that Michael Arden never brought his Quasimodo to Broadway.

One possible complaint was that I'd have loved Ashley Brown to have had a more iconic song, though I loved that they put her with the Ronald McDonald House kids. Oh, and I would have added a dozen more songs to double the length of the concert. Kerry & Corey singing as Rapunzel and Flynn? Yes, please.