POP MUSIC REVIEWS : Kids Carry the Day at Pasadena ‘Colors of Christmas’

The emotional high point of Friday night’s “Colors of Christmas” concert at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium came when Ben Vereen, looking fit, strolled on stage to rea’Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

Vereen, in his first performance since suffering critical injuries when he was struck by a car last July, was greeted with a warm standing ovation from a capacity crowd. Appearing to be fully recovered, he gave an interpretation of the familiar Christmas tale that was vintage Vereen--filled with whimsical accents and asides, finding an entertaining new slant on the classic text.

The show--which benefited the children of Somalia through the U.S. Committee for UNICEF, and which was repeated on Saturday night--also starred Barry Manilow, Peabo Bryson, Michael McDonald, Patti Austin and Melissa Manchester. But its most charming moments came from far-less-celebrated performers: the L.A. Children’s Chorus, which sang seasonal favorites with sweetly resonant enthusiasm, and the six-member Campanile Bell Ensemble, which demonstrated a surprising fluency with a sparkling collection of hand-held bells. Best of all were the little girl dancers of the Los Angeles Classical Ballet, whose playful romp through a theme from “The Nutcracker” brought new meaning to the word “adorable.”

Manilow’s appearance was limited to a brief, closing-act rendition of “Because It’s Christmas for the Children.” Among the other participants, Austin sounded low-key and appealing on “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and McDonald’s “White Christmas” added a sprinkling of blues seasoning to a venerable chestnut. Manchester was convincing with a moving tribute to the Virgin Mary, “Breath of Heaven,” and Bryson joined the Children’s Chorus for a brightly atmospheric “Winter Wonderland.” In addition to Vereen’s reading, Edward James Olmos and Valerie Harper also read classic Christmas stories.