BWW Reviews: LEA SALONGA at the Moore Theatre

What constitutes a Broadway Diva?  A Broadway star who's endured the test of time with iconic roles that remain in the minds of fans forever.  Well then dear readers, we had a Broadway Diva in town last night as Lea Salonga brought her incredible talent to the Moore Theatre for a one night only concert.  But beyond the Diva, Salonga kept such a simple and fun air to the evening that it was more like spending time with an old friend telling stories and enjoying their company.

Lea Salonga is, of course, known for her many iconic roles from "Miss Saigon" to "Les Miserables" to her two separate turns at being a Disney Princess.  But beyond all that grandeur she's a consummate performer who infuses her show with a zest for life and joy that just makes you want to hang out with her.  Naturally the staples were there.  We had three different numbers from her Disney roles including the amazing "Written in Stone" which was cut from "Mulan" when Stephen Schwartz bowed out of the project.  And yes, we had those beautiful Broadway turns as she wowed with "I Would Die for You" from "Miss Saigon" and "On My Own" from "Les Miserables".  But we were also treated to gorgeous standards, modern pop songs and even a number for her native Philippines.  And while I may not have understood the lyrics from that last one she still conveyed the exact intention and heart of the song through her performance showing how gifted she truly is.

And even as stunning as her voice still is after all these years as it's seems to have only matured and gotten better with age, what really made the evening so wonderful and joyful was that ease she had with the crowd.  She was that amazingly talented friend singing songs for you and telling stories.  She even had a super fan come up on stage with her to belt out "A Whole New World" which practically brought down the house.  (Go Clinton!)  It's that ease and familiarity that transcends the show from concert or performance to event or experience and shows Salonga to be the incredible Broadway Diva that she is.  And I for one still have a warm happy feeling in my heart from having been a part of the experience.

Lea Salonga was in town for just the one night but for information on other stops her tour will be making or for information on her role in the upcoming new musical "Allegiance" with George Takei premiering at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego this summer visit her website at www.leasalonga.com or the show's website at www.allegiancemusical.com.  And for more information on other shows coming from Seattle Theatre Group, visit them online at www.stgpresents.org.

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