Barbra at MSG last night- Page 3

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 3:44pm

I didn't see it; but my brother, who did see it, said that the Bush segment was really bad, and he actually felt "embarrassed for her", during it. Not because of the political nature of it, which he claims was really non-existent; but, because it was "just bad theater". Is there anyone who has seen it, who liked it? You would think that she would cut it, just so the discussion surrounding the show wouldn't always include that.

[ken8631]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 3:59pm

I saw it and thought it definitely could have been left out. It was cute, not overly funny though. Mildly entertaining.

[www.ScottNevins.com]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 4:04pm

The heckler was 2 sections behind me to my left. He wouldnt let up and was REALLY rude. Granted the Bush part went on too long (which did make people uncomfortable...and others shouted rudely "just sing!" )it ended and Barbra said "you all didnt really think that was HIm...it's a joke...and how great that we live in a country where we CAN poke fun..." and the crowd cheered.

then she sang a stunning rendition of "I stayed too long at the fair"...which at the end the heckler yelled again. Then while the crowd cheered she finally had enough, turned to the heckler and said "oh shut the **** up!"...to which everyone cheered more. EVERYONE was sick of that fool in the cheap seats.

Look...its Streisand and it was a fundraiser for a pretty much democaratic org....shes gonna talk politics. Yes the bush thing went on too long but so did Il Divo...lol...just consider them good pee breaks hahahha! In fact i thought this was one of her less political concerts...it really is just her on stage singing with a beautiful orchestra.

The show besides those two little things was INCREDIBLE and I am going again tonight. She is one of the last of a dissapearing bread of real talents like Garland, Sinatra, Minnelli and so on...

just so sad that after such a great show all people will talk about is the F word...

[feinstein9]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 4:32pm

thanks for your responses, guys, i'm glad i make sense to someone other than myself sometimes. in regards to the skit... it wasn't that funny. daily show and colbert report have turned bush parody into an art, and thus the bar has been raised to the extent that a mere impersonator isn't going to make anyone laugh. i kept, in my mind, comparing this concert to the video of the '94 concert. now i was 9 at the time so there was no way i could've gone, but let's think back. that was the perfect concert. had the perfect balance of material, perfect balance of mood... she hadn't done a concert in 27 years, and then there at MSG the stage is set and Marvin Hamlisch gets the orchestra going, and as the overture dramaticly ends the crowd rises and the curtain is pulled back and out she comes. thunderous applause. she sings "as if we never said goodbye," including lyrics like "i've come home at last" to the cheers of the crowd. she sang the popular songs, and more obscure ones. she did a yentl medley. she did "happy days are here again" and "for all we know" and "somewhere," without the unnessasary bombast of the four cabanna boys Il Divo. all well measured, every moment packed with easy elegence. The Timeless tour was a but more crass in its largess, but still good. This one, you know, it was great and a lot more simple than the Timeless tour, but in terms of mood, it was off. I blaim that mostly on Il Divo, who ruined the mood everytime they came on stage. I didn't want to hear "Unchain My Heart" or any of their subpar material. Apparently most people didn't either, as many people got up during their songs (not me b/c i try not to be a rude audience member). So, the Bush sketch, it was just unnessasary. It didn't work with the mood, it was distracting. She's a very... funny lady, if you will. If you watch the "Istanbul button" bit on the My Name is Barbra tv special, you can see she's very funny. and i wish she used that skill more often. this wasn't the best way to do it. if i were directing the concert, i'd cut that and remove Il Divo. Also, I was very disapointed that the impersonator was the "special guest" i had heard would duet with her on "happy days." I had assumed it would be an actual singer, and many in the fan community had pinned Liza as the mystery guest- she's Judy's kid, they like eachother, it made sense! then i thought maybe Diana Krall, since they are friends as well and "get happy" is sometimes interpretted as a jazz song. But to have it be someone who's not a singer and not even that funny? it was, as someone here said earlier, disrespecting the legend of the song. i would've preferred a video of judy behind her, and have her duet with the "ghost". you can't win 'em all. i'm just glad i was there, as she's someone that's played a huge part in my life and has meant more to me than any other performer. worth every penny, from section 35 row A seat 5. may the memory light corners of my mind...

[Calvin]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 12:16am

Just got back. And I'll probably say more later, but just wanted to say -- Barbra listened! The Bush bit was still there, but she no longer recreated the duet with him. He left the stage, and she did Happy Days Are Here Again as a solo.

[LI Larry]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 12:23am

I just got back too. Loved every minute of it. Lasted til 11:00. Thought she was in great voice. I'll post more tomorrow. But the floor seats weren't worth it when you're as short as me.

[ILoveWicked330]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 12:46am

Just got home. WAYYY too tired to post a review but I did see there:

Bill Clinton & Hilary Clinton
Sarah Jessica Parker
Katie Couric
Regis Philbin + Wife
Rosieee
Sting
& I'm sure there were a bunch of people I missed...

[Calvin]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 1:08am

And Sondheim.
And a guy who looked an awful lot like Barry Manilow, but I'm not sure if it was him.

[elphieisperky]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 1:56am

Sondheim was there,as was Bebe Neuwirth and Hugh Jackman. So was Lauren Bacall. Jason Gould too

[ken8631]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 8:08am

Maybe Barry Manilow was there - he has an AC concert this Saturday (which we will be at).....

Again I agree totally with feinstein9's comments. Right on target.

We were expecting Bill and Hillary on Monday - not suprised they made it last night then!

Too bad the View wasn't aired yesterday (at lesat my Tivo didn't pick it up if the time changed) due to Dubya's speech. Will they reair it?

[mikem]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 8:39am

If the show ended at 11, what time did the show start? The first concert in Philadelphia started at 8 (scheduled for 7:30)and ended a little bit before 11, but the intermission seemed very long (25 minutes).

[ken8631]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 8:50am

On Monday it was supposed to start at 8, actually started around 8:15 or so. 20 minute intermission. Ended slightly after 11 PM.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 9:39am

feinstein9, I've since heard heard from three friends who attended and they all said exactly the same thing as you:

1) Barbra was in incredible voice

2) Il Divo were annoying timewasters

3) the Bush bit just wasn't that good.

[Luvinbroadway]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 10:12am

Is a CD planned?