Show Cultural Olympiad io 4 By Colleen Tanner Staff Writer t SALT LAKE CITY Musical CITY Musical theater theater theater the the- ater diva Elaine Paige was invited invited o ed to participate in the 2002 Cultural Olympiad She perS performed performed per per- S formed at Abravanel Hall with the Utah Symphony under the 5 S direction of Keith Lockhart on J 1 Feb and The goal of the i T Olympiad is to highlight the cultural cultural cul cut tural heritage of the United States With this in mind Paige although the first lady of British musical theater participated in a review of an American institution institution institution tion the Broadway Musical The first quarter of the f evening was an instrumental review of several memorable c II musicals This beginning contained contained contained con con- songs such as The Surrey with the Fringe on Top from Oklahoma and the overture to Babes in Arms The final number before the intermission consisted of a sing-a-long sing from The Sound of Music At that time Lockhart invited the audience audience audience audi audi- ence to share the stage with Paige and sing the old favorites including So Long Farewell The majority of the evening centered on Paige's per per- She made a dramatic entrance in a length floor-length sequined black gown After slowly stealing to center stage she proceeded to sing one of her signature songs the main title from Evita The progression of the concert was filled with old show showstoppers showstoppers showstoppers stoppers from Annie Get Your Gun and more recent hits from Cats She illuminated the show by sharing personal commentary commentary commentary com com- on the songs songwriters ers and producers her career has brought her in touch with This was not Paige's first performance with the Utah Symphony Her debut in Utah was in 2000 during a national tour She was excited when Frederick and Janet Lawson major contributors to the 2002 Olympic Arts Festival asked her herto herto herto to participate in the Cultural Olympiad Its a privilege to be beback beback beback back in Salt Lake said Paige A week ago I attended the opening ceremonies and what can I say but WOW z |