Alice and Emily - What a night!

[Jimmcf]

Posted: 10/22/06 at 9:39am

I went last night to see the divine Emily Skinner and Alice Ripley in concert at Town Hall. Having seen 'Side Show' twice in it's limited run, and seeing them together in concert after the release of their 'Duets' cd, I was very excited. They certainly did not dissapoint...one minor quibble was I would have liked them to sing a bit more together...and songs I wanted to hear. For those interested, here was their set list:

Two's Company/Little Me - Emily/Alice
I'd Rather Wake Up By Myself - Emily
Cigarette Dream/Last Smoker in America - Alice
Sleepy Man - Emily
I Miss The Mountains - Alice
No One Is Alone - Emily
Every Day A Little Death - Emily/Alice
Broadway Baby - Alice
Sisters/Ohio - Alice/Emily
Trouble - Emily/Alice
Poor Unfortunate Souls - Emily
You Have To Be There - Alice (great song from 'Kristina')
Come Up and See Me Sometime - Emily
Past My Prime - Alice/Emily
Lazy Afternoon - Emily
She's Gone - Alice (cut from 'Side Show')
Who Will Love Me As I Am? - Emily/Alice
I Will Never Leave You - Alice/Emily

I probally should not mention this, but Emily wore THE most unflattering blouse during the first act I have ever seen!

Also, for those who missed it, the show was being recorded for cd release on Bruce Kimmel's new label Kriterland.

Updated On: 10/22/06 at 09:39 AM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/22/06 at 9:40am

I've heard many things....mainly that Alice's voice is shot.

[Jimmcf]

Posted: 10/22/06 at 9:42am

No, Alice sounded absolutely great last night.....

[TRE]

Posted: 10/22/06 at 10:16am

they both sounded great last night!

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 10/22/06 at 10:22am

I came up from DC to see this concert and was extremely excited. I have seen both Emily and Alice in other things but never together. Heck, I even bought a ticket to see "On the Record" (but of course, Emily left the show a few weeks after I bought it, but for probably a good reason). It was seriously the best concert I have ever seen- having seen many of my favorite performers take the stage in this kind of setting.

For the person who asked, no, Alice was mostly in fine voice- both while belting and singing legit. She was a little tired by the end ("She's Gone" was weaker than on the recording), but its not like her voice was shot. No one could touch her on her solo songs, and I loved the fact that she sang songs that have not been previously recorded (from Kristina, Little Fish etc). Emily, who has mostly been my "favorite" of the two, was also in great voice. I am particularly glad that since this concert will be recorded, I will have a better version of "Poor Unfortunate Souls" without just a piano accompanying her. Seriously, she owns that song and its a shame she most likely won't be performing the role on Broadway. I would even see it!

I also had a minor quibble on some of the song choices (would have liked more duets and have never really cared for "Its a Lazy Afternoon), but loved that fact that they closed with Side Show. I have seen that show, but not with them in it, so it was a special treat for me as the show has a special place in my heart. The audience went crazy and it was nice to be part of a audience which clearly knew and appreciated the performers.

In an era where virtually any broadway pop belter gets adored by a young fan base, it was great to see two performers who clearly love performing musical theatre, have acting skills and relate well to the message of the song instead of just screaming, and incredible technique. I hope to see both of them back on stage again in a show, but even if they don't, I am really glad I had the opportunity to see them perform.

I also saw Chorus Line and Grey Gardens on my trip, but this was easily the highlight.

Updated On: 10/22/06 at 10:22 AM

[All_For_Laura]

Posted: 10/22/06 at 10:48am

I think they both sounded great! Emily's Sleepy Man and Poor Unfortunate Soul, Along with Alice's Broadway Baby, You Have to be there, and She's Gone were highlights! It was spectacular. The ladies were lovely to meet and Alice gave me her new c.d.! They were great! I will post pictures soon!

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 10/22/06 at 10:53am

Alice sounded pretty great to my ears. My favorite of her numbers was "I Miss The Mountains" from FEELING ELECTRIC.

And Emily both sings...and ACTS...the crap out of everything she touches. "No One Was Alone" was thrilling, and her Mae West tribute was a riot.

I'd love to see these two dolls host the Tonys.

[Corine2]

Posted: 10/22/06 at 12:57pm

They were incredible.
I could hear them sing all night! But why host the Tonys?
Personally, I would love for them to sing at the Tonys in a musical number!
The best host for the Tonys would be Harvey Fierstein, Bruce Vilanch and Marc Shaiman as the three Amigos. Updated On: 10/22/06 at 12:57 PM

[All_For_Laura]

Posted: 10/22/06 at 12:59pm

I loved after poor unfortunate soul, when Alice came out and went "Well, that was ****ing amazing!"

Hilarious!

[Corine2]

Posted: 10/22/06 at 1:06pm

A funny number at the Tonys would consist of Elaine Stritch and Alice Ripley singing "Broadway Baby" that would be entertainment!

[SweMozArt]

Posted: 10/22/06 at 1:32pm

Benny Andersson has confirmed that Alice Ripley will play the role of Ulrika in the musical Kristina. The song she sang that night (if i interpreted the title right) is however sung by the main character Kristina.

[All_For_Laura]

Posted: 10/22/06 at 2:02pm

Pics of me with the wonderful women!

Emily:




Alice:




They signed so much for me and I was really thankful! I would love to see Alice's band perform live. They are great! I recommend that everyone purchases her new album, outtasite!

[hannahshule]

Posted: 10/22/06 at 2:23pm

I must sound so very, very stupid, but... they're sisters right?

[All_For_Laura]

Posted: 10/22/06 at 2:35pm

wow....not at all!

They played siamese twins in the infamous broadway show, Side Show, but they are only sisters through love, not blood or relation at all!

[Lady of the Talkies]

Posted: 10/22/06 at 5:20pm

Laura, that's my arm... in your picture with Emily. Trying to hide from the onset of people.

[All_For_Laura]

Posted: 10/22/06 at 5:48pm

That is so funny! Small world! Your arm is famous! lol

[Lady of the Talkies]

Posted: 10/22/06 at 6:21pm

Aw, shucks. That's what they all say!

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 10/23/06 at 10:13am

I was at the concert Saturday, and it was great.

I do have to say that it seemed that Alice peaked on the song from Kristina, and didnt have as much left to give to the 3 numbers from Side Show. Emily was flawless and BOTH were charming and fun.

I believe that Bruce Kimmel had alot to say about what was sung since he is producing the recording and releasing it on his label.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 10/23/06 at 10:57am

I didn't notice much vocal difference after Alice's "Christina" - she, (like Emily) has great stage charisma and knows how to sell a song, which makes up for any vocal blips.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 10/23/06 at 11:10am

Dont get me wrong, she was still great, but she didnt go for the strong ending on She's Gone, and it felt like Emily overpowered her in the final two numbers.

Posted: 10/23/06 at 2:12pm

So with this concert going on, does anyone know who played The Lady of the Lake on Saturday night?

[Jimmcf]

Posted: 10/23/06 at 2:57pm

Lauren Kennedy was Emily Skinner's understudy in 'Side Show' - so I imagine she was on at the Shubert.

Emily actually told a funny story about Lauren during the concert....

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/23/06 at 2:58pm

Lauren Kennedy did. Marin Mazzie starts on October 31st!

The Alice/Emily concert wouldn't have affected who played The Lady of the Lake on Saturday evening...

[Lady of the Talkies]

Posted: 10/23/06 at 3:02pm

WithoutATrace, that was a blatant joke on Emily's notorious absences, hence the assumption she wouldn't show up for her own concert.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/23/06 at 3:05pm

Oh, luckily Emily showed up! She only seems to have absence problems in New York...she didn't miss a performance at the Kennedy Center MAME this summer! (and she was a fabulous Gooch)