Did Anyone Go to Bryant Park Today 7/17/08?

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 11:09am

Just curious...I'll be there! Looking forward to Q because I haven't seen them perform live yet. Also POTO because of John Cudia. I have seen Mamma Mia one too many times at Bryant Park, plus I saw the show twice. I don't know if I can stay for In the Heights - I have a feeling they will go last, because a Playbill article yesterday listed them in a different order than what Bryant Park's site did, so who knows.

EDIT: Updated thread title...did anyone actually go today?

Updated On: 7/17/08 at 11:09 AM

[AntonEgo]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 11:19am

I was wondering about the order. Do you know if they usually go by what's listed on the site? Also, it says that Pure Country will be there, but the cast hasn't been announced yet, so does anybody know who will be performing? Thanks.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 11:32am

I remember reading something about Lauren Kennedy for Pure Country.

[lesmis]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 12:14pm

Wish I could go but I am in PA. Let us know how it was.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 1:47pm

I just got back. I could not stay for In the Heights, unfortunately, as I had to get back to work.

Avenue Q performed first. I missed the first song, but they performed There's a Fine Line and Schaudenfreude (sp? haha). The cast of Mamma Mia sat in the front row watching Carey Anderson, whose voice I like.

Pure Country went second...didn't really care for the performances that much, except Laura Kennedy. Maybe if I become more familiar with the show, I'll grow to appreciate it.

Mamma Mia went third. But they perform the SAME SONGS EVERY YEAR. It's probably good to keep the medley of Dancin' Queen and Mamma Mia in at the end, but it'd be nice to hear something other than Lay All Your Love on Me and the Winner Takes All (as much as I like those songs). I know they want to showcase the entire cast along with Skye, Sophie, and Donna, but still...

Phantom of the Opera went fourth and only performed two songs, All I Ask of You and Music of the Night. I forgot the names of the leads - the guy singing for Raoul was good...the girl singing for Christine could have been a bit better, but she is very pretty, and I wouldn't mind seeing her in full costume perform in the show. It was VERY hot out, which probably accounted for any flaws in the performances. John Cudia - what a voice! He was out when I saw Phantom when he was playing Raoul. I saw him in Bryant Park a few years ago and thought he was amazing. I wish I got to see him as Valjean in Les Mis in Chicago, and I hope that maybe I can see him in Phantom - does anyone know when he is staying until?

Then I had to leave at In the Heights, but maybe someone can pickup from there.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 1:48pm

And, Corine, I know this seems really stalkerish, but I think I recognized you from a picture on one of your previous icons. Were you there, sitting towards the front in a red shirt?

[lesmis]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 1:55pm

Millie thanks for the report. How did you like Carrie Manolakos, Sophie in Mamma Mia? I really liked Carey Anderson in the part.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 2:15pm

I actually saw Carrie Manolakos on tour and liked her performance. It was a little difficult to watch the cast, though. Towards the end, everyone was standing near the front of the stage on the side (where I was) and blocking everyone's view.

[dave1606]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 2:17pm

So I was there to. Man it was hot.
I couldn't here much of avenue q, but I did enjoy Theres a fine, fine line.

Pure Country was pretty painful. No comment on the cast, but there was a microphone issue which cut out everything that Lauren Kennedy(is that right)was singing until halfway through her last song. I just can't stand country personally so I can tell from that little clip that I will not be seeing that show.

Mamma Mia is another show I personally don't like though I thought the cast was actually pretty decent. I just can't stand the music. (hate me)

Phantom Really impressed me. John Cudia's voice is amazing. He almost made me want to see the show again.

In the heights, a show I love was fun, though I wanted to see Mandy Gonzalez. Janet Dacal was fine, but Mandy and Christopher just work so well together. Benny's Dispatch was fun, and again, I love Christopher Jackson's voice. Pacencia y Fe was alot of fun especially since every time Olga Merediz would say "It's hot!" the audience would go wild. Her voice seemed a little tired, but she was still fantastic. When you're home is one of my favorite songs from the show, and I really enjoyed it, again though i missed Mandy. Janet Dacal's take was interesting though! I also loved when Lin-Manuel jumped in stage. Very fun.

Overall its great and i will be making my one hour lunch break into two so i can go next week!

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 2:22pm

Lin-Manuel Miranda was there? Gah! Stupid having to leave. If I knew Pure Country, Ave Q, and Mamma Mia were going first, I would've come in the middle of Mamma Mia for POTO/John Cudia and In the Heights. I didn't get to eat lunch now.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 3:01pm

We just got back- man, it was hot !!!!

It was fun, as usual--- If you love "Mamma Mia", it was certainly the place to be !!! LOL

The basically did a mini-concert- !!

"Pure Country" peaked my curiousity- I am not a big fan of country music, but the ballads were beautiful. Agree about Cudia ! WOW !!!!

Went basically for "ITH", and left happy ! LOVE Janet !!!
She did "Benny's Dispatch" and "When You're Home" with Chris
(Lin jumped on stage during the "Usnavi would bring his radio"
line-) It was cute.

Olga Merediz sang "Paciencia Y Fe" - Perfect for the day !!!

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 3:03pm

About John Cudia - thought he was really nice/funny to the audience with his comments..."No, the song isn't finished!" Or something to that extent. Haha.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 3:05pm

Yeah, believe he said... "wait, there's more"-- :))

What a voice !!!

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 6:32pm

My God, it was hot out there. I thought it was nice that Lin made a guest appearance.

[changinandhow]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 8:14pm

millie, John Cudia is with Phantom til the 26th.

[musicalmaster703]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 8:17pm

There are some Bryant Park vids on the site that shall not be named

[pli1018]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 8:32pm

Lauren Kennedy's a lead in Vanities, so I doubt she's going to be in Pure Country. If that was her performing that's kind of strange.

Are you sure you aren't getting Pure Country and Lone Star Love (which Kennedy was set to star in) confused?

[changinandhow]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 10:00pm

No, from what I hear from people who were there, Lauren was definitely there performing (and line dancing) for Pure Country.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 10:01pm

Lauren Kennedy performed with PURE COUNTRY.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 5:57am

According to Playbill.com, the first preview of Vanities isn't slated till Fall 2008. The announcer at Bryant Park yesterday mentioned that Pure Country wasn't coming to Broadway until Sprin 2009. If the time is accurate, it is possible that Lauren Kennedy can do both.

[musicalsFan]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 7:23am

Lauren Kennedy's a lead in Vanities, so I doubt she's going to be in Pure Country. If that was her performing that's kind of strange.

Are you sure you aren't getting Pure Country and Lone Star Love (which Kennedy was set to star in) confused?

Lauren is involved with both shows.

http://www.laurenkennedy.com/whatsnew.php

[Myron]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 8:31am

Yes it was broiling hot sitting in the sun yesterday at Bryant Park but well worth it. I sat through the entire rehearsal as well as the show. I was surprised that "Avenue Q" changed the songs they do every year. They removed "Internet is for Porn" I guess because there are kids in the audience. "There's a Fine Line" and "Schaudenfreude" were not great choices. John Cudia did a great rendition of "Music of the Night"; especially in the heat. It's true that the cast of "Mamma Mia" performed the same songs as previous years. Why spoil a good thing? I enjoyed them. I was most impressed with "In the Heights". Chris Jackson was good as Benny. He ressembles A-Rod! He did a great version of "Benny's Dispatch". I also liked "Paciencia Y Fe". Who sang that? Was it Olga Merediz? Glad I sweated it out. I also noticed Lin-Manuel jumping on stage. I understand that major stars are usually not permitted to perform at Bryant Park because they are not insured for accident in case of injury outside of the theatre.

[Corine2]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 8:38am

Yes, I was there. Interviewing the cast of Avenue Q and the puppets. It was like getting a Monster school. It was a blast!

Red shirt, black and white shorts. You should have said hi I am friendly.

[Myron]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 8:51am

I was seated right in back of the Lite-FM reserved seated section. I would have lost my great seat if I left. I couldn't even leave to get a bottle of ice water.

[Anthony3]

Posted: 7/29/08 at 1:46pm

John Cudia's Final Phantom performance is tomorrow, 7/30.....2pm