Ashley Brown with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra- Courtesy of Tom Russo. Used with permission.
It was perfectly clear to everyone present Saturday at an Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Pops concert headlined by Broadway star Ashley Brown, that they were witnessing a performance by a singular talent whose vocal artistry is without equal. Accompanied by the magnificent ISO, led by maestro Jack Everly, the concert tool place Saturday at the Hilbert Circle Theatre on Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis.
Ashley Brown with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra- Courtesy of Tom Russo. Used with permission.
Singer-actor Brown, who originated the title role in “Mary Poppins” and starred in “Beauty and The Beast,” spent a total of eight years on Broadway, prior to performing, primarily with symphony orchestras all over the world. A Florida native, she is a graduate of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and began her career in 2005.
The concert program, consisted of Broadway tunes and songs from the Great American Songbook. Act 1 opened with the ISO’s shining performance of a “Broadway Divas Prelude” feature and later in an overture of “Boys from Syracuse.” Brown’s set included “With a Song in My Heart”/” Just in Time”, “I Happen to Like New York,” “Feed the Birds” and a Disney medley, during Act 1 which
Act 2 highlights included the ISO’s potent performance of the “Beauty & The Beast,” overture after which Brown joined them to sing “Beauty & The Beast, the titular piece of the musical in which she made her Broadway debut. Other songs she performed consisted of “My Funny Valentine,” “My Romance,” a showstopping rendition of “Gimme, Gimme” from “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” prior to closing the concert with “My Way.” For her encore, Brown sang the poignant “A Kiss for Me,” written for her by Disney composer Richard Sheridan, her beloved late friend and mentor.
The concert effectively showcased Brown’s operatic soprano voice, notable for its distinctive pristine tone, power and range — all reminiscent of the vocals of superstar Julie Andrews who starred in the 1965 film “Mary Poppins.” Brown’s relaxed banter which reflected her unpretentious personality was an added attraction. A consummate storyteller, Brown’s often breathtaking performance along with that of the magnetic ISO was as mesmerizing as it was entertaining.
For tickets and information about the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra 2024-2025 season, visit indianapolissymphony.org.
