Audra at Carneige Hall 4/29/06

[robbiej]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 11:09am

I just did a search and couldn't find any sort of comments on this. Did no one else go?

It was truly glorious. Admittedly, I'm a fan. She is perhaps the only performer in this entire world that would reduce me to a quivering mess should I ever meet her.

She sounded incredible from start to finish. That mix of hers is the best in the business...as thrilling, if not more so, than some of the higher belters around today.

The hilights for me included an astonishing RIBBONS DOWN MY BACK. I had no idea that song was so beautiful. A belty MUSIC THAT MAKES ME DANCE. For PIAZZA fans, she did DIVIDING DAY. She closed the show (before her three encores) with WHEN DID I FALL IN LOVE. Perfection. But the best moment for me was her second encore. She stood away from the mic and, accompanied by just acoustic guitar and violin, she sang perhaps the most moving version of EDELWEISS anyone could ever hear. It was brilliant in its simplicity.

Below is the entire song list:

JERRY BOCK / SHELDON HARNICK “Gorgeous” from The Apple Tree (1966) (orch. Eddie Sauter)
RICHARD RODGERS / OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II “It Might as Well Be Spring” from the film State Fair (1945) (orch. Bruce Pomahac)
BURTON LANE / ALAN JAY LERNER “Hurry! It’s Lovely Up Here” from On a Clear DayYou Can See Forever (1965) (orch. Robert Russell Bennett)
HAROLD ARLEN / E. Y. “YIP” HARBURG “Napoleon” from Jamaica (1957) (orch. Don Sebesky)
KURT WEILL / IRA GERSHWIN “My Ship” from Lady in the Dark (1941)
STEPHEN SONDHEIM “The Glamorous Life” from the film A Little Night Music (1977) (orch. Jonathan Tunick)
JERRY HERMAN “Ribbons Down My Back” from Hello, Dolly! (1964) (orch. Philip J. Lang)
FRANK LOESSER “Can’t Stop Talking” from the film Let’s Dance (1950) (orch. Don Sebesky)
JERRY BOCK / SHELDON HARNICK “Will He Like Me” from She Loves Me (1963) (orch. Don Walker)
STEPHEN SONDHEIM “There Won’t Be Trumpets” from Anyone Can Whistle (1964) (orch. Don Walker)
HAROLD ARLEN / E. Y. “YIP” HARBURG “Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe” from the film Cabin in the Sky (1943) (orch. Ron Goldstein)
RICKY IAN GORDON / LANGSTON HUGHES & RICKY IAN GORDON “Just an Ordinary Guy” (2001) (orch. Bruce Coughlin)
MICHAEL JOHN LaCHIUSA “When Lola Sings” (2006) (orch. Bruce Coughlin)
ADAM GUETTEL “Dividing Day” from The Light in the Piazza (2005) (arr. Fred Hersch)
HARVEY SCHMIDT / TOM JONES “Old Maid” from 110 in the Shade (1963) (orch. Hershy Kay)
FREDERICK LOEWE / ALAN JAY LERNER “I Could Have Danced All Night” from My Fair Lady (1956) (orch. Robert Russell Bennett)
JULE STYNE / BOB MERRILL “The Music That Makes Me Dance” from Funny Girl (1964) (orch. Ralph Burns)
STEPHEN SONDHEIM “What Can You Lose” from the film Dick Tracy (1990) (arr. David Loud)
STEPHEN SONDHEIM “Not a Day Goes By” from Merrily We Roll Along (1981) (orch. Michael Starobin)
JERRY BOCK / SHELDON HARNICK “When Did I Fall in Love?” from Fiorello! (1959) (arr. Eric Stern, orch. Larry Hochman)

Encores:
JULE STYNE / SAMMY CAHN “10432 Sheep” from the movie West Point Story (orch. Bruce Coughlin)
RICHARD RODGERS / OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II “Edelweiss” from The Sound of Music(1959) (arr. Kevin Kuhn & Antoine Silverman)
JASON ROBERT BROWN “Stars and the Moon”

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 11:10am

Sounds like a wonderful evening. Thank you for that detailed recap!

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 11:11am

<---jealous

[robbiej]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 11:14am

I saw her debut in 2001 (or was it 2002?) and her Zankel/7 Deadly Sins concerts. This was just extraordinary. The 31-piece orchestra was truly phenomenal. The orchestration to OLD MAID from 110 in the Shade was thrilling, as was her performance. And did I mention she looks spectacular? Her body is SLAMMIN'! Why isn't SHE doing the Lena Horne story?

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 11:16am

Ok, that songlist is absolutely amazing! She always picks great numbers. I'd kill to hear her sing more Weill.

[Sleeper2]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 11:17am

I was there, too, but am a big closet case Audra fan. She was unbelievable -- always is. I hate to gush, so I've been quiet until now on it. Thanks for making me out myself, robbiej.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 11:23am

Oh I adore Miss Audra, and she's gorgeous, but it would be a real stretch to make her a believable Lena Horne.

[robbiej]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 11:26am

Walk in the light, Sleeper! THE LIGHT!

MB,

I would have thought the same thing, till she walked out on stage. Her arms are Angela Bassett as Tina Turner hot and her waist is tiny. The last time I saw her live, she wasn't in as incredible shape...and my best friend and I thought she would make a pretty terrific Lena if she were...well...svelte in the way Ms. Horne was. She's pretty much there now.

[Chicboheme]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 11:46am

I was at the concert as well and she is just amazing. And she seems really down to earth as well. It was a wonderful concert!

[kissmycookie]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 1:27pm

She sang a song from Piazza?

*dies*

Any reports as to whether or not this was recorded?

[PJ]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 2:08pm

I was there as well. She did sound outstanding and looked gorgeous.

[chanseymad]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 2:17pm

I was there it was amazing she was great and hilarious talking Chaka Kahn haha i loved it "Manana Manana, but President Bush wouldn't like that" it was a great night her singing is gorgeous and she picked some amazing choices. and i particularly enjoyed the i could have danced all night sing along lol I love her her voice from top to bottom is gorgeous

[robbiej]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 2:29pm

Alas, cookie, 'twas not recorded!

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 2:45pm

I'm glad to see her doing different material. Glad she's doing more Sondheim too.

How was her Old Maid from 110? I think she'll make a great Lizzie.

[PJ]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 2:48pm

Let me just say this: she'll be sensational in 110.

[iliketheater]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 3:02pm

I was there & the whole night was incredible! She made the joke that she almost titled the concert 'Songs that Scare Me', that woman has NOTHING to fear, she sang every song brilliantly. Opening the concert with 'gorgeous' was a great chioce, she came out to THUMDERING applause & cheering, and then went straight into it (w/out an introduction). It was a great choice because she sounded incredible, but also because it was what we were all thinking! I've never seen her look better; when I stage-doored at the end, all I was thinking was how incredible she looked (actually I was thinking Deena Jones the whole time!). What a super-star. She's simply the best, congrats to Audra for another fantastic performance filled with many many highlights!

... Does anyone know if there's a recording of her doing "When Lola Sings" anywhere?
Updated On: 5/1/06 at 03:02 PM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 3:09pm

I was there and met her afterwards- she is such a sweetheart and fantastic to her fans. she spent time talking to each even though she had a posse of family and friends waiting for her. and, she took pictures. also, she was shocked that we were all waiting! it was so genuine. she apologized for taking a long time- she took an hour and half or so. but, it was worth the wait. :)

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 3:51pm

The Times Review:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/01/arts/music/01audr.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 4:20pm

from the Times:
"As ever, Ms. McDonald, here accompanied by a 31-piece orchestra conducted by Ted Sperling, forced one to reconsider conventional musical definitions. What is the difference between a show tune, a theater song and an art song when someone of Ms. McDonald's formidable talent and impeccable taste takes them on? The vocal luster and intense commitment she imparts to whatever she sings automatically lifts it to a higher elevation."

WOW!

[respeck]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 4:32pm

AUDRA SANG GORGEOUS!?

Okay. I really need to hear this. She didn't recorded this did she? Why oh why do you never have live recordings Audra!!

[kissmycookie]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 5:06pm

Damn! They need to start recording her Carnegie concerts!

[NYadgal]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 5:12pm

I had tickets I couldn't use.

[sweetiedarlinmia]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 6:36pm

color... me...jealous!

[gustof777]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 6:58pm

lord above do I LOVE this woman!! She is brilliant in EVERYTHING she does...I would have died to have been there...she's coming to philly w/ barbra cook and you know i'm gonna be there...she is astonishing to watch

[jsg03jd]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 9:13pm

I loved it when she sang EDELWEISS sans amplification. Her voice carried wonderfully and sounded so pure. I prefer that sound to her singing with a microphone.

And to have her conclude the evening with STARS AND THE MOON as her third encore was just too much. It was a fantastic night.