Broadway Reimagined:
When Chamber Music Becomes Pure Theater
By Laura Henkel
Photography by Nick Powers (Empower Photography)
A full house is always a promising sign, but what unfolded during “Broadway Reimagined: A Chamber Music Tribute” at the Rita Deanin Abbey Art Museum was something rarer. The room was so completely captivated that time itself seemed to suspend. From the first notes to the final cadence, the audience was wholly with the performers, so engaged and emotionally tethered that one sensed a collective reluctance for the afternoon to end.
Curated with extraordinary care by Dr. Alexandria Le, the program moved between Broadway, opera and classical repertoire, revealing the shared emotional language that connects these traditions. Prokofiev’s “Montagues and Capulets” from “Romeo and Juliet” gave way to Bernstein’s “Tonight Quintet” from “West Side Story,” while Puccini’s “Quando m’en vo” from “La Bohème” sat beautifully alongside Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “You Must Love Me” from “Evita.” Joan Sobel’s performance of “You Must Love Me” was magnificent.
Dr. Alexandria Le and Philip Fortenberry
Dr. Le’s fluidity and dramatic command at the keyboard anchor the program with clarity and intention, underscoring why she leads this series as the artistic director.
Philip Fortenberry was absolutely fantastic throughout the afternoon, but it was his performance of “Ragtime Medley” by Stephen Flaherty that left the room in awe. Playful, virtuosic and rhythmically electric, the piece brought a sense of joy and spontaneity that felt both unexpected and perfectly placed.
The addition of the string trio, Brandon Buckmaster on violin, Giovanni Juliano Venezia on viola and Lindsey Springer on cello, was exquisite. Their responsiveness and blend, enhanced by the acoustics of the museum, elevated every collaboration.
By the final notes, applause came not as an obligation but as gratitude. This was not merely a concert. It was a complete and deeply human musical experience, and no one wanted it to end. With two more concerts remaining in the series, audiences would be wise not to miss what RDA Performs continues to offer. Visit the Rita Deanin Abbey Art Museum website for upcoming performances and details.
