The glitz and glamour of Broadway came to Abravanel Hall Friday evening as the Utah Symphony and guest artists Teri Hansen, Doug LaBrecque and Ron Raines presented "Bravo Broadway," featuring a musical tribute to composer Kurt Weill.

It was part of a month-long celebration of Maurice Abravanel's centennial. Weill, Abravanel's composition teacher in Berlin, became a friend, mentor and Broadway collaborator.

The concert opened with a Viennese flair, as the symphony performed Johann Strauss' energetic gallop, "Unter Donner und Blitzen" ("Under Thunder and Lightning") complete with flash of cymbals and rumble of bass drum.

Hansen entered the stage singing the schmaltzy opening bars to "Stout-Hearted Men," but the schmaltz soon turned to march tempo as LaBrecque and Raines arrived singing with gusto.

An obvious audience favorite in the first half was "Con te Partiro" ("Time to Say Goodbye") made famous by Sarah Brightman and Andre Bocelli. Hansen and LaBrecque displayed equally impressive "pipes" with their rendition.

A set of Weill's urbane songs ended the first half. Most impressive were Raines' jazzy rendition of "Mack the Knife," LaBrecque's stylized version of "Lost in the Stars" and Hansen's beautiful version of the ballad "My Ship." The set closed with the burlesque romp,"Saga of Jenny." Lyrics such as, "in 27 languages, she couldn't say no" tell the tale about this woman of questionable morals.

The second part of the concert opened with Gershwin's "Girl Crazy Overture." This selection is full of memorable tunes such as "I've Got Rhythm," "Embraceable You" and "I'm Bidin' My Time." The overture featured standout trumpet playing by Tony DiPaulo.

A spirited "Strike Up the Band" by the three guest stars and Hansen waving a big red scarf and singing the tongue-in-cheek "By Strauss" completed the set of Gershwin selections.

Earning prolonged applause, Raines convincingly captured the macho character of Billy Budd singing the "Soliloquy" from "Carousel."