Last night at the Ohio Theatre, maestro Albert-George Schram led the Columbus Symphony Orchestra in a program of selections from Broadway successes to conclude its indoor pops series for this season.

In a potpourri of mid- and late- 20th century music, the evening's personable guest artists showed off acting abilities as well as vocal expertise. Soprano Christiane Noll, tenor Doug LaBrecque and baritone Michael Maguire, active members of BRAVO Broadway have many impressive credits.

Unfortunately, the tentative first half of the concert generally failed to jell, but the second half was well worth waiting for. Sound system and balance problems that troubled in the beginning were absent. There was a greater variety of material with a mix of moods more pleasing to the ear as well as truly convincing, and sometimes comedic, interpretations.

After a rousing Marvin Hamlisch arrangement of music by Richard Rodgers, there was a stunning series of performances by all three singers. Maguire as the down-and-out screenwriter Joe Gillis delivered the title song of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard with convincing cynicism and despair. LaBrecque as the inspired doctor in Jekyll and Hyde declared ecstatically This Is the Moment.

But the runaway treats of the evening were Noll's passionate, spell-binding Don't Cry for Me Argentina from Evita, a priceless ensemble treatment of selections from The Little Shop of Horrors and favorites from Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera.

Maguire won a Tony Award for his Broadway debut in the work based on Victor Hugo. He gave the audience a fine, sensitive portrayal of the hunted man, Jean Valjean, in his prayerful plea, Bring Him Home.

Noll was enchanting as the chorus girl Christine singing the lyrical Think of Me with its effortless aria-like conclusion.

Maguire joined Noll for the passionate duet All I Ask of You, and the beautiful presentation ended with a heartfelt Music of the Night by LaBrecque, who has thrilled theatergoers as the Phantom.

Although the soloists stole the show, the orchestra performed with a great deal of enthusiasm and pianist Richard Cioffari contributed impressively to the music-making.