The London treasure, who was most recently seen in the acclaimed revival of Follies, didn't offer her roof-raising version of that musical's "I'm Still Here," but she did manage to include a song from each of her numerous London hits. The singing actress, dressed in a low-cut black dress, began her 80-minute set with a pairing of West Side Story's "America" and Sting's "Englishman in New York," which included a few rewritten lyrics that referenced Broadway Cares, All That Chat and more.

The remainder of her program was similar to a concert this writer caught two summers ago in Atlantic City, and, as thrilling as she sounded then, her voice was remarkably even more powerful in this intimate setting that overlooks Central Park. In fact, when that singular voice opens in its upper register and out pours a rich, throbbing tone, one can only sit back and revel in the magnificent sound.

Paige delivered showstopper after showstopper, including a heartfelt "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" that garnered the evening's first of many standing ovations; a thoroughly moving "As If We Never Said Goodbye," where actress met singer in superb fashion; a gorgeous "I Know Him So Well," which sounded eerily similar to her first recording of the tune over two decades ago; and two songs from Piaf ("Non, je ne regrette rien" and "If You Love Me") that threatened to bring down the house. She followed with her signature tune, an equally heartfelt "Memory," and then delivered what may be the definitive version of the torch classic "Cry Me a River."

But, it should be noted, it's not only the voice and the interpretive powers that make Paige such a wonderful entertainer: She is also a gifted storyteller who is able to poke fun at herself in both story and song ("Small Packages," a tune written for the actress by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, is a delight and features such lyrics as "I may be short. I may be svelte, but bet your ass, this b*tch can belt!")

Paige also scored with a terrific rendition of "Broadway Baby," which featured humorous stories of her theatrical misadventures prior to Evita; the Beatles classic "Yesterday," her audition piece for Evita; a jazzy "I Get a Kick Out Of You"; a touching "Easy to Be Hard" from Hair; and a lovely reading of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Hello, Young Lovers." If you can find a ticket to her final concert Feb. 12, don't miss your chance to see one of the great concert performers of our time. It is truly a magical experience.

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Paige was accompanied at The Allen Room by a terrific quartet that comprised musical director Tedd Firth on piano, Bob Magnuson on woodwinds, Pete Smith on guitar and John Arbo on bass.