Product Description

Julie Andrews returns to host the second installment of the "My Favorite Broadway" series. "My Favorite Broadway: The Love Songs" is a magical one-night-only concert extravaganza featuring Broadway's brightest stars. Celebrated performances from many of the most beloved musicals ever including "Guys and Dolls," "Drat, the Cat," "Camelot," "Sweet Charity," "My Fair Lady" and more. Songs: Love Is Sweeping the Country/ Till There Was You/ Lover/ So in Love (Adam Pascal, Brent Spiner, Rebecca Luker, Peter Gallagher & Marin Mazzie), Lullaby of Broadway (Tom Wopat & Dancers), Sue Me (Nathan Lane & Doo Wop Trio), He Touched Me (Heather Headley), Operatic Intro/ Standing on the Corner/ Let the Good Times Roll (Three Mo' Tenors), Gigi (Ron Raines), Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (Jeffrey Denman & Joan Hess), When I Fall in Love (Marin Mazzie), English Teacher/ Rosie (Chita Rivera & Brent Spiner), If Ever I Would Leave You (Robert Goulet), Come Rain or Come Shine/ I Don't Know How to Love Him/ What Kind of Fool Am I? (Linda Eder), Music of the Night (Michael Crawford), Seasons of Love (Adam Pascal & Broadway Inspirational Voices), Elaborate Lives (Adam Pascal & Heather Headley), Every Single Day (Barry Manilow), Not a Day Goes By/ Too Late Now/ Sometimes a Day Goes By (Rebecca Luker, Peter Gallagher & Marin Mazzie), I'm a Brass Band (Bebe Neuwirth), This Nearly Was Mine (Robert Goulet), Brush Up Your Shakespeare (Michael McCormick & Michael Mulheren), How Lucky Can You Get (Chita Rivera), I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face/ The Rain in Spain (Michael Crawford & Julie Andrews).

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #79261 in DVD
• Released on: 2001-03-13
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Color, Compilation, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 104 minutes

Amazon.com
This October 2000 follow-up to 1998's My Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladies allows the gentlemen in, but that's not always an advantage. Sure, Michael Crawford developed a great following as the Phantom and Nathan Lane is a comedian nonpareil, but Tom Wopat, Brent Spiner, Peter Gallagher, Adam Pascal, and Ron Raines, while all fine performers with good resumés, simply can't match the marquee power of the original's Liza Minnelli, Audra McDonald, Jennifer Holliday, Nell Carter, and many others. And even when old vets appear, Robert Goulet seems closer to Las Vegas than Lancelot, and Barry Manilow (mostly making his name as a composer these days) looks pretty awkward. That said, this is still an enjoyable live show from New York's City Center (also available on CD). Among the ladies returning, Rebecca Luker and Marin Mazzie shine in songs from the revivals they star in, and super diva Linda Eder raises the roof with a three-song medley. And there are other additions to the roster, one legend, Chita Rivera (reprising her "English Teacher" from Bye Bye Birdie), and one up-and-comer, Heather Headley (sharing her "Elaborate Lives" duet with Aida costar Pascal).

But the first 100 minutes is all prologue, anyway. The real star is the host, Julie Andrews, who also hosted the original show and conspicuously did not sing in it, following her infamous, lawsuit-laden vocal-cord surgery that effectively ended her music career. Throughout the evening she teases the audience, reciting lyrics and making references to My Fair Lady. So when Crawford begins the finale, "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face," and Andrews enters, the audience holds its breath: Will she or won't she? It's an electric moment, and perfect theater. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews

Worth the dull stuff for the SPECTACULAR!
Sure The Leading Ladies Broadway was pure delight, but! what great moments there are on this DVD; Heather Headley singing "He Touched Me" was so powerful(my husband and I usually replay this song several times before going forward); then the amazing tenors are so intouch with each other and then to beak into the upbeat stuff was a treat; plus, there is the overwhelming duet of Headley and Pascal (how much would we pay for that moment?); Marin Mazzie and Linda Eder are great to hear again; Pascal's joining with the choir was also an unexpected pleasure; and then there is the awesome Nathan Lane, Robert Goulet, and Michael Crawford are part of this musical soul food; even Barry Manilow singing from his musical was completely stirring--besides, I'm glad to know that someone cares enough to still be writing musicals (could anyone have delivered this moving song any better?); and lastly, the most spectacular event was Michael Crawford with Julie Andrews as she is finally, finally heard again! Judging from the crowd's reaction in the theater, my husband and I were and are not alone in basking in the sound of her voice; it was a moment.

Perhaps I have caused you to get sick to your stomach from too much cotton candy, perhaps you may think this review is too sweet or to upholding and praising for the singers and the wonderful Amercan Orchestra, but what if? Can't we use some more beauty in this world? Wouldn't we be better off if we applauded those who seek to share the overwhelming gifts of their voices and talent? Obviously, I loved it, and if I may speak for my husband, so did he. We have watched this DVD over and over, and we have shared it with many of our friends who have been delighted in this performance. Five stars? You bet!

Splendid and simply wonderful!
I truly truly loved this video. It showcases so many talnted men and woman, who all have a true gift and talent from God on for performing. Julie Andrew's makes a delightful comeback and sings, it's beautiful! Rebecca Luker really sang like an angel. She has an amazing voice. Michael Crawford was heavenly, and as always sings with such tenderness and emotion His dancing with Julie is delightful and so sweet. I'd give this video ten stars if I could. It's well worth the price, and I never tire of watching it. Buy it and you wont regret it, if you enjoy good and talented performers and beautifuol music.

It's a Grand Night for Singing...
Whatever you love about music- passion, rousing chorus numbers, or just plain fun- is demonstrated in this enchanting concert. Broadway veterans such as Chita Rivera, Robert Goulet, and Nathan Lane share the evening with newcomers Adam Pascal, Heather Headley, and many others. It's a delightful evening of music that demonstrates what Broadway is all about. It captures so many human emotions (Bebe Neuwirth's delight that "Someone Loves Me!" to Michael Crawford's musings that "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face"). The climatic ending with Julie Andrews singing with Crawford completes a truly enchanted evening.