CANDIDE — Page 3

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#51

re: CANDIDE

Posted: 1/12/05 at 11:03pm

Candide just went off here in Denver.

Wonderful!
Aside from the performances (The moments with Chenoweth and LuPone were almost sublime!) I had forgotten that Marin Alsop was cunducting the orchestra. Marin has been the conductor of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and we are just losing her. She is a fantastic lady. I have spoken with her on a few occasions. She also studied under Bernstein. If you noticed she was mouthing the words to most of the songs while conducting.

Can't wait for the DVD. For the wonderful performances and a little slice of Colorado!

Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder

#52

re: CANDIDE

Posted: 1/12/05 at 11:23pm

Kristin was perfection and Patti Lupone was amazing as expected. Their duet "We Are Women" was almost too much for me to handle...in a good way, of course:) And I now love Jeff Blumenkrantz. Even though he wasn't onstage all that much, when he was, I was usually laughing.

I didn't hate Paul Groves as Candide, and even had moments where I remember thinking how adorable he was in this role. And his voice was beautiful in "Make our Garden Grow." Actually that whole song was breath-taking.

I must say though, this show belonged to the fabulous voice and acting abilities of Kristin Chenoweth. I have been captivated by her talents since I heard her sing Taylor the Latte Boy on Rosie's talk show, and she never ceases to amaze me.

Overall, an amazing performance and I am glad I watched it.

"I hope you're all happy, keeping Alan off the team. Couldn't you, for once, open your minds and hearts and hear something that he couldn't see? I, for one, am glad that Alan is blind, so he can't see what, I am so sad to say, you can't hear." -Jerri Blank

#53

re: CANDIDE

Posted: 1/12/05 at 11:56pm

I have to say I was very impressed by Candide. Patti LuPone was a godess as always. Chenoweth has a wonderful opera voice that is much more enjoyable to me than her typical one. Her acting severly lacks versatility. EVERY character I have ever seen her play has very little variation from the next. Otherwise it was a great show.

#54

re: CANDIDE

Posted: 1/13/05 at 12:00am

I don't know how we could yet know if she's a versatile actress or not. She's been cast in the same role all these years.

Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

#55

re: CANDIDE

Posted: 1/13/05 at 12:03am

Again, I thought Lupone seemed really uncomfortable on "We Are Women," jumping registers from chest to head voice, and even just taking a lot of it down an octave. The song is pretty thrilling with a mezzo, and at a faster clip. Take a listen to Track #18 on the Scottish Opera recording that I linked below.
"We Are Women"

"Gif me the cobra jool!"

Updated On: 1/13/05 at 12:03 AM

#56

re: CANDIDE

Posted: 1/13/05 at 12:34am

is this gonna get put on DVD? cuz' that would be cool. I'm still watching. only half an hour in. how hilarious was kristin getting raped...

AHHHH!!!

(repeatedly)

OOoohhh....

loved it.

#57

re: CANDIDE

Posted: 1/13/05 at 2:31am

Im officially quitting work because I was working and missed this!

lol I dont want to wait for the DVD!

#58

re: CANDIDE

Posted: 1/13/05 at 2:46am

I loved it. I had no prior knowledge to the show but i loved it.

#59

re: CANDIDE

Posted: 1/13/05 at 3:47am

CATS NY- i don't think the raping of virgins has ever been funnier.

i must say that i nearly crapped myself when LuPone came out with that crazy introduction and then cheno had to shoo her off. and can i have that "alternate narator" shirt? please. fantastic.

#60

re: CANDIDE

Posted: 1/13/05 at 4:32am

I haven't seen the airing yet, but I was lucky enough to be there. Possibly, one of the most expensive tickets I've ever bought -- and worth every penny.

It's very true -- whether you like her, hate her, think she's ditzy, think she's not-so-nice, you cannot deny that Kristin can sing. However, it's getting extremely frustrating. In the many times I've heard her sing "Glitter", live and otherwise, she's NEVER screwed it up. It's like it's too easy. Does she EVER go flat? Crack? Run out of breath? I mean, who hits High C's and up like child's play?

I've always heard about Patti. "She's amazing! A Goddess" etc...and this was a huge disappointment. I didn't understand a word she spoke or sang.

Anyway, I really enjoyed the production -- I didn't think it was necessary to add in so many modern references. But I can bear that. Because the Philharmonic was beautiful, and it was great to see a production - any production.

Just a thought -- these things are presented by the Philharmonic. And everyone always forgets about the orchestra and focuses on the actors. I feel like it's "Presenting Kristin Chenoweth, featuring the NY Philharmonic".

Deet: Shira, I Love You!

#61

re: CANDIDE

Posted: 1/13/05 at 9:42am

It was fabulous! And I didn't even get to see all of it, so now I'm looking forward to the DVD! Kristin was marvelous as usual...what I wouldn't give for a voice like that. The notes she hits.... and how wonderful was it to see Janine LaManna again?! She's so talented. I had been wondering what she was up to.

#62

re: CANDIDE

Posted: 1/13/05 at 9:43am

shira, I, too, was there and loved it. I share your comment about Patti Lupone. I had great difficulty understanding her, both that night, and also watching the broadcast last night. It was a fun evening and the orchestra is absolutely amazing. It was one of the highlights for me, truthfully. Kristin's vocals are wonderful and I couldn't help thinking of her as Sally as she performed as Cunegonde. :) I, personally, loved Paul Groves as Candide, and think people who are criticizing his acting are forgetting that the man is a tenor, not a MT performer. The entire experience from Kristin to the choir was great fun.

#63

re: CANDIDE

Posted: 1/13/05 at 9:59am

Anyone else find the 'joke' on Maximillian -- that the pretty young man was played by a less than pretty young man -- wore out its welcome early? I prefer the Brent Barret approach to the role. Mr. Baumenkrantz (sp?) is a talented performer (HOW TO SUCCEED, etc), but a character actor who was not enjoyable here.

LuPone was using more of her 'legit' mezzo register than usual, but I, too, noticed her placing some chunks of the score oddly, though with calculation rather than strain. Also, since everyone else was simply made up, with simple, stylized costumes, her full white face mask-look was strangely ornate and out of sync. She's commanding, but I laughed far more at both June Gable (73) and Andrea Martin (99), the latter not up to the score's demands, but successful in the theater.

"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling

#64

re: CANDIDE

Posted: 1/13/05 at 10:07am

June Gable? Really? That's cool.

Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

#65

re: CANDIDE

Posted: 1/13/05 at 10:28am

you can't not love kristin...she is fabulous and, not to mention, absolutley gorgeous! i'm looking forward to the dvd :)

#66

re: CANDIDE

Posted: 1/13/05 at 10:40am

Yeah Rath, Gable was terrific, though you might not get her work on the recording. She stood out in that company. (What has happened to her?)

People in attendance thought LuPone was intriguing but indecipherable, as posted here. I wonder why she felt compelled to overplay the accent? That and the clown-ish half Sweeney/half boy George make-up didn't quite track with the concert's approach.

Chenoweth seems born to play her role. What will be interesting to watch is her (hopefully inevitable) evolution and growth, in which she successfully plays adult women as well as these child-like confections. At 36, after Sally, Glinda, and this, she's ready to be a grown-up. She's scheduled for APPLE TREE this spring at Encores. The 2nd half of the 'eve' act requires some subtle and maternal colors she hasn't demonstrated. Barbara Harris's career isn't a bad one to emulate, and she's already done ON A CLEAR DAY.

"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling

#67

re: CANDIDE

Posted: 1/13/05 at 10:44am

June Gable is casting director Bonnie Timmermann's sister. In the past few years, she's been known as Joey's agent Estelle on "Friends."

And I agree - Chenoweth was born to play Cunegonde.

Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

#68

re: CANDIDE

Posted: 1/13/05 at 10:53am

I really enjoyed watching Candide last night. Patti was great as "The Old Lady" - I can't wait to see her in her "Matters of the Heart" show in May. Kristin did an outstanding job, as usual. Her voice was perfection in the role of Cunegonde. "Glitter and Be Gay" was a triumph!

#69

re: CANDIDE

Posted: 1/13/05 at 11:05am

LuPone, was not to be denied, a strong stage presence. I had no such trouble understanding her. However, she was so uncomfortable singing out of chest that in several of the esembles, she had to drop down to the lower octave, therby ruining several of them. Candide and the Old Lady shoud NOT be singing in the same octave in these.

And PLEASE, could some one have the courage to use the original Hellman book, so we can judge for OURSELVES to see if it works or not.

Just my opinion, I may be wrong

TWOGAAB "A Class Act" will never die!

#70

re: CANDIDE

Posted: 1/13/05 at 12:51pm

There was so much to like about this concert but I must say a stand-out funny moment for me was when the vinyl copy of "West Side Story" was passed down to go into the suitecase. I fell on the floor!

Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder

#71

re: CANDIDE

Posted: 1/13/05 at 2:03pm

Yes, Twogab, we might like to hear the original book just once. I'm personally tired of the level of wink-wink used in the show. Price piled on more anachronisms and pop sensibilites per square inch than anyone. At times, it's just at odds with Bernstein's work. Sometimes the emotional heft in the score is undone by the shtick. Yes, yes, I know, it's a satirical comedy, like its source. But less might be more.

"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling

#72

re: CANDIDE

Posted: 1/13/05 at 2:46pm

Like the Donald Trump "You're Fired" thing. I rolled my eyes so hard because it was so corny. I am going to watch it later. YAY!

"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2

#73

re: CANDIDE

Posted: 1/13/05 at 3:09pm

Please define "corny". It is such a broad general term. It means many things to many people. (And absolutly nothing to some of us). It is one of those terms that says more about the person using it rather than what you are talking about (ie your "corny" may be someone else's "sinsere" or "sentimental") Also, I am sure Voltare would be suprised that you found his story "corny".

I appologise in advance if this has upset anybody, It's just that certain "catch phrases" set me off. (Which I suppose says more about me than the subject at hand.

Just my opinion, I may be wrong.

TWOGAAB "A Class Act" will never die!

#74

re: CANDIDE

Posted: 1/13/05 at 3:20pm

Corny as in, they took the joke a little to far to where it wasn't funny. I said, "Oh My God" outloud because it was just bad that they did a donald trump thing. The "You're Fired" saying has been so overused that it is just annoying now.

and what did you mean when you said, " Also, I am sure Voltare would be suprised that you found his story 'corny'"

"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2

#75

re: CANDIDE

Posted: 1/13/05 at 4:43pm

Personally, all I can say is, no one will ever top Leonard Bernstein as a composer. I found myself weeping openly several times during the production. It was charmingly staged, wonderfully peformed and a true joy to watch and listen to. I can think of no score that makes me feel quite so much as this one or certain moments from West Side Story. I'm saying a silent prayer that Mr. Bernstein is happily enjoying himself and the praise he deserves, wherever his soul may be.

"I don't really get the ending,all i can go with is when after several months,Judith saw Pat sang,and later she kissed him on the toilet,after that the story back to where Pat went down from the stage after he'd sung,and he went to the italian lady.I just don't get it,what Judith exatcly meant when he kissed Pat that she had seen,and did Pat end up together with The Italian Lady?Please help me,thank u very much!" Quote from someone on IMDB in reference to a movie he/she didn't understand. Such grammar!

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