I was at the Toronto opening last night. Both are fantastic entertainers but the real gem of the evening is an extended sequence from CAROUSEL in the second half. While both Patti and Mandy are too old to do a revival of the show the acting in the bench scene reveals two performers with a deep understanding of the characters they are portraying.
I have a few minor quibbles: Many has developed (over years of concerts and solo recording) an unusual rubato where he rushes into the next line almost before the current line has finished. I notice he does this a lot after an especially poignant line as if he wanted to distance himself from the emotion of it. Over the years too his voice has darkened and it takes more effort to reach that upper register, but when he does as in the a-Capella rendition of "Pennies from Heaven" at the curtain call, the result is still spine tingling.
Patti too has her vocal tricks. ( fellow reviewer complained at intermission that she always seems to be around the note rather on it. She does scoop a lot, and delights in using a wide-mouthed enunciation mimicking the Midwestern accent of Arkansas-born Nellie Forbush. Yet, she too can raise the goose bump level going full-out for Don't Cry For Me Argentina" and a simple understated "What's the use of Wond'rin'."
The long medleys are fun, but sometimes you wish they would give the audience a chance to applaud individual numbers. On teh other hand, in the SOUTH PACIFIC and CAROUSEL sequences they segue into dialogue without a break in an attempt to create a mood, and proves very effective.
The opening night crowd was in rapture and didn't want to let them go.
Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!
I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com
