With three Broadway singers as soloists, the California Symphony performed an evening of show tunes at the Concord Pavilion on Thursday night that was smartly programmed and well-performed. "Bravo Broadway: From 'Carousel' to 'Cats'" represents the kind of appealing classical pops programming one hopes will finally become a summer tradition at the Pavilion.

The third of three performances by the orchestra in this year's newly created Margaret Lesher Summer Concert Series, Thursday's program featured the songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein and Andrew Lloyd Webber performed in lush arrangements by the 100-member orchestra under the direction of Barry Jekowsky. Baritone Michael Maguire, tenor Doug LaBrecque and soprano Laurie Gayle Stephenson were the guest artists.

It was a fortunate combination all the way around. It's always a pleasure to hear this orchestra at the Pavilion - although, until this season, appearances have been limited mostly to Independence Day concerts. And in Maguire, Stephenson and LaBrecque, Jekowsky had singers capable of interpreting, rather than merely delivering, the songs.

This was especially true in the first half, devoted to Rodgers and Hammerstein. The great songs from "South Pacific," "The King and I", "Flower Drum Song" and "Oklahoma!" were included in this section, as well as a couple of lesser-known selections: "A Fella Needs a Girl" from "Allegro" and "Do I Love You (Because You're Beautiful)" from "Cinderella". Each one captured the atmosphere of its original setting.

After the orchestra opened with a gorgeous "Carousel Waltz", Maguire and LaBrecque entered in sailor hats for a jaunty "Nothin' Like a Dame". Stephenson made her entrance with "A Wonderful Guy" and LaBrecque followed with a heady "Some Enchanted Evening".

Aside from a few wry one-liners - "Today, they'd call it "Nothin' Like a Significant Other," Maguire remarked about "Nothin' Like a Dame" - the singers approached the material with affection and respect. Songs were presented unaltered, in complete arrangements, with a minimum of introduction. With Jekowsky providing assured direction, each song emerged as a complete musical statement, or, as LaBrecque put it, as "little one-act plays built around beautiful melodies."

Highlights included Stephenson's frankly confident "I Enjoy Being a Girl" and the heartfelt yearning of Maguire's "A Fella Needs a Girl." Words and music meshed seamlessly in LaBrecque and Stephenson's "People Will Say We're in Love". "Oh What a Beautiful Mornin'" seemed to burst with promise.

The orchestra opened the second half with Lloyd Webber's "Evita Suite", followed by Stephenson, in a red strapless gown, singing "Don't Cry For Me, Argentina." There were songs from "Starlight Express", "Cats", and a wonderful "Sunset Boulevard" section. Here, Maguired painted vivid word pictures in the title song, and Stephenson offered a lush "With One Look".

That left the songs the crowd most wanted to hear - the hits from "Phantom of the Opera". Both LaBrecque and Stephenson have appeared in the phenomenally popular show - Stephenson as Christine in the Broadway production, LaBrecque in the title role on the national tour and in Toronto. Along with Maguire, a Tony-Award winner for "Les Miserables", they proved first-rate interpreters of Lloyd Webber's music.

With Stephenson and Maguire's precise "All I Ask of You" and LaBrecque's hyperintense "Music of the Night", the show came to a dramatic close. The encore was appropriately upbeat: "Love Changes Everything" from "Aspects of Love".