The singers may have changed but not the audience response.

After a three-year absence, 'Bravo Broadway!' returned to the Star Plaza Theater in Merrillville and the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra last week. As in the past two shows, the concert gained momentum for its explosive second half.

There were some balance problems in the beginning as the orchestra tended to overpower the singers.

For the most part, however, the singers took care of the sound problem by standing close to the microphones, beginning with the "Tonight" scene from "West Side Story". One unfortunate victim was a rendition of Cole Porter's "Begin the Beguine" by tenor Michael Maguire.

The first half presented some of the best traditional Broadway fare, opening with a bouncy Overture to "Gypsy" led by Symphony Music Director Tsung Yeh.

The second half emphasized current Broadway fare, including the strong revival of "Cabaret".

The orchestra excelled, giving the singers added incentive. The Overture to "Candide" was crisp and bright, "Comedy Tonight" proved a delightful showpiece for the woodwinds and brass; and the "Evita" suite had a lush sound.

"Bravo Broadway!" is the brainchild of Munster native John Such, who brought soprano Jan Horvath to northwest Indiana a couple of years ago in a fine program of Broadway favorites at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster. This time, Horvath went from the colorful and brassy "Broadway Baby" (from "Follies") and "All that Jazz" (from "Chicago") to the bittersweet "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina". Her tone stayed warm and even over a wide range.

Tenor Doug LaBrecque gave a powerful "This is the Moment" (from "Jekyll and Hyde") which, along with the stunning selections from "Phantom of the Opera", prompted the evening's biggest applause.

Though sounding a little strained and nasal in his upper register (perhaps because of a cold), tenor Maguire sang with emotional force and appearling musical quality in "Bring Him Home."

The duets all worked well and contributed to the program's pace, variety and fun. Two examples were the sprightly arrangement, with some choreography, of Gershwin's "I Got Rhythm" and the energetic first half finale "One Singular Sensation" (from "A Chorus Line").