Broadway & Hollywood Legends: The Songwriters--Alan Jay Lerner/Kander & Ebb

Featuring two programs showcasing three stalwarts of musical theater who perform and reminisce in an informal cabaret setting, Broadway & Hollywood Legends: The Songwriters opens with Liza Minnelli introducing Fred Ebb, who is joined by John Kander at the piano as they work their way through “Liza With a ‘Z',” “My Coloring Book,” “Cabaret,” and “New York, New York,” as well as the lesser-known “Bobo's,” “Sara Lee,” and “My Own Space.” While entertaining enough, thanks to the nostalgic flavor and personal chitchat, the creaky production values of this 1980s-era performance tend to be distracting. In the second program, Alan Jay Lerner (who passed away in 1986) has the wisdom to know he can't sing a note and allows the pros to do most of it--and an attractive lot they are: Bobbi Baird, Liz Robertson, and David Chaney, who join Lerner to belt out songs from Gigi, My Fair Lady, Paint Your Wagon, Brigadoon, and Camelot. Despite the age of the material, theater arts students and dedicated musical theater fans will enjoy this double-headliner. A strong optional purchase. Aud: H, C, P. (J. Reed)