A dazzling concert saluting all that is the best of Broadway musicals
Presented by: Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
Reviewed: 20 February 2026
In its 90th year, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (aka ASO) has offered up a dazzling concert saluting all that is the best of Broadway musicals. There is glitz and glamour galore, stunning singing and magnificent music. All performed for us by the absolutely wonderful ASO under the baton of energetic, effervescent Maestra Jessica Gethin, with Musical Theatre royalty Josh Piterman and Amy Manford singing up a storm left, right and centre.
The program serves up as much musical magic as it can in two hours, featuring songs and music from such Broadway legends as Stephen Sondheim, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Irving Berlin, Schonberg & Boublil, Lerner and Loewe, and, of course, Andrew Lloyd Webber.
To have two Australian powerhouses that are West End stars – Piterman as Jean Valjean in Les Miserable and The Phantom in Phantom Of The Opera and Manford playing Christine Daae in Phantom Of The Opera (often opposite Piterman) – along with Gethin and the ASO is a treat visually and aurally.
Soprano Manford sparkles in numbers such as I Could Have Danced All Night (from My Fair Lady), Getting To Know You (from The King And I) and I Have Confidence In Me (originally from the film version of The Sound of Music). Her personality and talent just shine in these and other numbers like them. In what this reviewer calls the “older women” roles – Norma Desmond (As If We Never Said Goodbye from Sunset Boulevard) and Eva Peron (Don’t Cry For Me Argentina from Evita) Manford is powerful and strong in her vocals but seems to lack a slight amount of dramatic emotion, but still makes listening to her a joy to behold.
Piterman demonstrates his leading man quality in every number he performs. His is a voice that makes women (and some men) swoon. Although he excels in every song, his Bring Him Home from Les Miserable left the opening night audience stunned, in a good way, with the sheer emotion that just poured from his voice. His performance of Some Enchanted Evening from South Pacific is one of the best that this reviewer has heard.
Having worked together many times, the chemistry, camaraderie and energy between Piterman and Manford is obvious, and makes all of their duets together stage magic. Not more so, of course, with their fine performances in the Phantom Of The Opera segment to end the night. Also, a brilliant way to end Act One was their very emotional If I Loved You from Carousel.
Let’s not forget the ASO themselves. Gethin has selected three music theatre orchestral pieces that allow them to shine spectacularly. The Jellicle Ball from Cats is mesmerizing to watch as well as listen to. The whole orchestra doesn’t need a workout after that and neither does Gethin. Her pleasure, enthusiasm and sheer joy are evident in her movements while conducting as they are with every number. The other numbers that really bring the ASO into the spotlight are the Symphonic Dances (Tradition, Wedding Dance No. 1 (Bottle Dance), Perchick and Hodel, To Life) from Fiddler On The Roof ; and the Opening from Phantom Of The Opera.
This is an absolutely wonderful night out, and like most Musicals makes you want to stay in the theatre for as long as possible.
Reviewed by Brian Godfrey
Venue: Her Majesty’s Theatre
Season: Ended
Duration: 2hr including a 20 min interval
Photo credit: Saige Prime
