WASHINGTON, IL -- Sweet, spicy, then wow! That's what happened at the Heartland Festival Orchestra's Jan. 7 New Year's Greeting concert, Vienna to Broadway, at the Five Points Center, just outside Peoria.
Two Broadway stars, superb singers and actors Elizabeth Southard and Gary Mauer, wowed the audience as they sang and acted songs ranging from a medley from Show Boat to "All I Ask of You" and "Music of the Night" from Phantom of the Opera.
They were marvelous! Slick, professional,beautiful, brilliant performers.
The orchestra was amazing, swinging from light classical numbers such as Blue Danube Waltz to the jazz big band sound of "All That Jazz" and the "West Side Story Overture."
There was even a number, "Feuerfest Polka" by Johann Strauss, Jr. which featured two antique-looking anvils played with hammers, to comic effect.
The Heartland Orchestra was beautifully turned out, in tuxes and colorful gowns, but that didn't prevent the atmosphere of informal intimacy that always prevails in its concerts.
After the standing ovation, and an encore, the evening ended with colorful balloons falling from the ceiling to offer a final celebration to the new year.
Every Heartland Festival concert seems better than the previous one, but besting this concert may be impossible. It was that good.
-- Elaine Hopkins
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