Live Review: Josh Groban

Mum plus one has blow-dried her hair all ready for A Very Special Evening With Josh Groban and Bing Crosby plays through the venue sound system while we take our seats. Accompanied by a pianist, Groban opens with Pure Imagination (the opener from his Stages set), which creates a suitably magical atmosphere in this beautiful theatre. Partway through this song the mid-curtain rises to reveal an orchestra. There's suspended picture frames and chandeliers, and those assembled gasp delightedly before applauding with gusto. Scattered applause greets the intros to many songs tonight as audience members recognise their faves and express approval accordingly. 

Groban tells us the floor of Palais Theatre's stage is "still sticky" before stressing that he loves playing in old theatres that are steeped in history. A student from South Melbourne's National Academy Of Music is introduced to the stage for some trumpet solos and Groban utilises more local talent throughout the show. He then introduces Melbourne girl Claire Lyon to the stage (she played Christine in The Phantom Of The Opera) and they perform the duet All I Ask Of You (during which mum complains they lack chemistry). Groban then leaves the stage to rest his voice while Lyon sings A Wonderful Guy (from South Pacific) solo. Groban's banter is entertaining (albeit a bit frantic and, at times, too quick for old ears to understand according to mum) as he tells us about his deep connection to these songs. His story about being singled out by a choirmaster, as an awkward youngster, to perform 'S Wonderful in front of his peers (and parents, who ended up in tears since they'd never heard him sing before) is particularly charming. Groban also gives his Find Your Light Foundation a plug. Stephen Sondheim's Finishing The Hat obviously holds a very special place in his heart. Midway through Groban's perfectly executed Anthem (from Chess), Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir file on in an orderly fashion to elevate the song's climax — bravo! Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir probably would've done well to rehearse their exit from the stage, however.

After a brief intermission, we settle back in for more songs from the stage and screen. Le Temps Des Cathedrals (from the musical Notre-Dame De Paris), which Groban sings in French, is stirring — tonight's highlight in this scribe's opinion. Lyan returns to the stage for another duet, If I Loved You from Carousel. She prances out in a frou-frou white gown that's so long and flouncy that it completely conceals her feet — it looks at odds with Groban's more casual attire. How's their chemistry this time, mum? (She's still not sold on this pairing.) Groban's Bring Him Home is tender, but we can't help but hold it up against the Les Miserables portion of Hugh Jackman Live (sorry, Groban, we're pretty sure you'll understand, though, since you thanked Australia for producing Jackman earlier in this show). Groban dedicates You'll Never Walk Alone (featuring the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir) to the ANZACs and ex-servicemen the world over and it's a moving tribute.

Groban leaves the stage for a spell, but our applause beckons him back. Then a young lady wearing a Josh Groban T-shirt stalks down one of the aisles and holds out a note. He thanks her for "wearing him" and then Groban reads her note aloud; basically, her mother has survived numerous health scares and would love to sing with him. He's a good sport about it and so this survivor is collected and presented to Groban. "Are you gonna bring it, though?" he teases, holding out the mic. She's a bit shy so the crowd joins in, but once the 'guest vocalist' pipes up it's clear she has a beautiful, trained voice. Groban's fittingly inspirational closer You Raise Me Up ushers us out into the perfect summer evening to face life head on.