The fabulous understudy who sang Billy Lawlor was Jeremy Benton. From what I understand, he just started on with the show and his performance in Bryant Park was his first as Billy. All I can say is, he has a tenor rich enough to rival David Elder's. And Jessica Kostival was equally fabulous as Dorothy Brock--her renditions of I Only Have Eyes For You and A Quarter To Nine were seamlessly delivered in her beautiful soprano.
And Patti Mariano wasn't there. That was Alana Salvatore, playing Anytime Annie and singing Maggie Jones's lines in Lullaby of Broadway.
Like Yankee said, the only performance that WASN'T noteworthy was Bombay Dreams. Shakalaka Baby was fun, but the rest just left me bored and fidgety. Wonderful Town was amazing--particularly Ms. Linda Mugleston's fierce rendition of One Hundred Easy Ways. She's just a natural comedienne with a voice of steel, and nothing feels forced from her. Mamma Mia was a blast. Dee Hoty was refreshingly different from the incredible Louise Pitre, and the girl who plays Sophie has a wonderfully solid belt. Who is she?
I also got to the park at around 11:30, and I got a prime seat, so that seems like the best time to get there, though if you don't you can see and hear the show from most areas in the park. Make sure you wear sunscreen, because I got such a burn from sitting out there under the sun. It's a really fun event, particularly if you're out to see understudies, because the regular performers almost never appear at these concerts.
"Peace! The charm's wound up."
--Macbeth
Updated On: 7/9/04 at 07:40 PM
