FIRE ISLAND - Singer Brandon Cutrell and pianist Ray Fellman's popular "Broadway at the Beach" began a new season at the Ice Palace on July 7, with Franca Vercelloni agreeably filling in for Ray, who is otherwise engaged, for the series' first two weeks, and a gala array of guest singers from Broadway and cabaret appearing, along with talented locals and some surprises.

With Franca at the keyboard, Brandon, in fine voice, opened optimistically with "Beautiful City," from Stephen Schwartz's "Godspell," and lamented, "She doesn't know I'm here." Fearless Kenny Holcomb contributed a powerhouse "Defying Gravity," from Schwartz's "Wicked," which suits his tenor amazingly well, and stirred the proceedings up to revival meeting pitch with Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Waters." Brandon and Kenny harmonized and fought it out over a two-timing guy in "Does He Love You (like he's been loving me)" and later rounded out the evening with "Because of You."

Leslie Kritzer, nominated for a Drama Desk award for "A Catered Affair," bared her soul and touched us deeply with Stephen Sondheim's "Being Alive," from "Company," and ruefully faced the fact that "Everything Must Change." Leslie and Stonewall (Bar) Sensation Runner-Up Mary Ann Schaub made sparks fly with their duet, "Take Me or Leave Me," from Jonathan Larson's "Rent."

Charismatic Devin Richards, from the Broadway-bound "A Tale of Two Cities," sang us the blues, mixed in a little Fire Island "Fever," and serenaded his boyfriend with a bravura "Just This Good," by Levi Kreis.

Steven Fales, in the midst of a run of his "Confessions of a Mormon Boy" here, put in an unexpected appearance, singing a very emotional "Fifty Percent," from "Ballroom." Singer-songwriter Gregory Jacobs-Roseman assured that, "I'll never be too far."

Sondheim was the composer of choice for George McGarvey, reassuring with a dulcet "Not While I'm Around," from "Sweeney Todd," and of JB McLendon, doing "Marry Me a Little," which Raúl Esparza sang in the 2006 revival of "Company."

Fresh from opening for comic Michele Balan, Stacey Gail opted for Irving Berlin, singing a sensitive "What'll I Do," while Rosemary Palladino turned to Cole Porter, with an enthusiastic "I Get a Kick Out of You."

My own selection was "Impossible Dream," by Joe Darion and Mitch Leigh, from "Man of LaMancha." Rhett Kalman declared, "I Chose Right," concerning his love. Jerry, introduced as a friend of Porsche, brought down the house with "All I Care about Is Love," from Kander and Ebb's "Chicago." Bob "Rose" Levine belted out "Some People," from Jule Styne and Sondheim's "Gypsy," con brio. And Chuck Prentice opined, "I get high on you."

"Broadway at the Beach" continues on Monday nights, and some Sundays, throughout the summer.