Osmond gives fans what they want

Joe Delaney

Friday, July 13, 2001 | 9:40 a.m.

"This is the Moment: An Evening with Donny Osmond" is the title of the erstwhile teenage idol's first solo concert tour in more than a decade.

Now 43, married and the father of five, his loyal fan base came out in goodly numbers to New York-New York's Broadway Theater at the performance caught. The fans were quite vocal throughout as well.

Osmond sang in full voice despite remnants of a cold. His program was nicely put together despite being an obvious promotional tour for a new album of specially selected Broadway-musical theater songs backed by his excellent five-piece rhythm section, plus the Pat Caddick Orchestra employing four horns and a nine-piece string section that could have been more fully used.

The large Broadway Theater stage was nicely utilized, with steps and risors, locating the orchestra up high and placing the rhythm section strategically onstage, allowing the still very youthful, energetic Osmond to make full use of the entire area.

"Seasons of Love" was the opener followed by "This is the Moment" and plugs for the new album release. "Soldier of Love," a "comeback" hit in 1993, came next, energizing the audience. "Puppy Love," an earlier bubble-gum era hit, set up another album plug and "Luck Be a Lady" one of the selections featured in it.

This was followed by "Any Dream Will Do"; "You've Got a Friend," as a duet with Rosie O'Donnell appearing on film; a spirited version of George M. Cohan's "Give My Regards to Broadway," an extended biographical series of film clips; "Too Young"; and a hot unplugged segment with the rhythm section and Osmond seated on boxes down front ended with a warm Stevie Wonder tribute.

The Bee Gee's song "Immortality" took his performance to an even higher plateau; then came a reprise of "This is the Moment." Osmond closed the show at a piano down front, singing "Never Say Goodbye" and the faithful were on their feet hoping for more.

Child phenomenons appear and disappear with great regularity in show business. Osmond is a rarity in that he has survived the down periods that could have ended his career and come back full force each time.