Hi, hope everyone here's staying well and safe.
Was gonna see COMPANY tonight.
So last few days I've been listening to the London cast recording. Have many thoughts but will share one glowing one.
Patti's Ladies Who Lunch is like none I have ever heard before and I can only guess at how impressive she is on stage.
IT'S LIKE I'M HEARING THIS SONG FOR THE FIRST TIME!
For the moment of hearing and I have no doubt seeing her, Lupone eclipses everyone else who has ever brilliantly put a stamp on this great song. Including her own past interpretations, among the best.
The primary emotion is no longer reflective mordant cynicism.
Now Joanne is a woman capable of so much joy in her reflections. Humility, humanity, love is at the forefront of here. Subtext is no longer just a jaded sophisticate know it all survivor. Patti inflects Joanne with earth mother goddess. Every line is as nourishing and empowering as it is wry. I am not, per usual, seeing her as our hero's jaundiced rich friend, but as - perhaps not incidentally - our heroine's (!) muse, guru, second mother and in many ways role model... The performance is laden with maternal love and the song now has a reason for being utterly new.
Joanne no longer seems like she is scrutinizing her generation of women. She now seems like she is celibrating them!
I'm in awe of what Patti's doing here.
Would love to hear more from people who have seen the show. Do you agree with me that this is a completely fresh transformative interpretation?
And, if you're with me so far, how do you feel about a Feminist analysis of what's happening here? How much of this innovative, empowering spirit is due to two smart, powerhouse women - director and star - collaborating and finding in this song their own shared truths?
Updated On: 3/14/20 at 09:27 AM