Elaine Paige: Celebrating 40 Years on Stage

This PBS-aired concert presents musical theater veteran Elaine Paige live in 2009 at the State Theatre in Sydney, Australia, performing 23 numbers that showcase her clear soprano, bright smile, and upbeat attitude. Although there are no duet partners, backing dancers, or fancy sets, Paige receives support from a full orchestra and changes costumes several times, including donning a brunette wig to play Edith Piaf. Between numbers, she tells a little bit about herself, such as the time she graduated from understudy to the lead in 1968's West End production of Hair, a story that naturally segues into her rendition of “Easy to Be Hard.” Other numbers include “Tomorrow” from Annie, “I Don't Know How to Love Him” from Jesus Christ Superstar, and Lennon and McCartney's “Yesterday,” which she says landed her the lead in Evita, from which she sings the hit “Don't Cry for Me Argentina.” Paige also talks about her appearances in The King and I, Sunset Boulevard, and Sweeney Todd, and about her encounters with celebrities like Dustin Hoffman, who co-wrote “Shoot the Breeze” with Bette Midler and encouraged Paige to persevere when she was tempted to leave the business. Although she gives her all to the ballads, the audience responds most enthusiastically to the faster numbers, such as “Poor Old John,” which she performs as Piaf. DVD extras include the additional song “Grow Young,” and a half-hour interview in which Paige discusses her career. Recommended. (K. Fennessy)