I am sad that the show is closing early - it was a little chiller than I was expecting (I think a large part of that for me is the stage/theatre might be too big for the show). However, I haven't stopped thinking about it since I saw it. "Funny Money", "Someone/Flying Over Sunset", and "How?" are among the most entertaining/beautiful/emotional moments I've had in the theatre, and Carmen Cusack's haunting Tony-worthy performance is something I am desperate to have on record as soon as possible. I often lament that we don't have many Peters/Mazzie/Murphy-type people anymore but I think Carmen Cusack actually could be that - her voice is so thickly textured and unique, it's just so hypnotic. Those creepy footsteps in the show still also kind of ring in the distance.
In addition to feeling very lucky being able to see this very prestigious "New York" show during the middle of a pandemic by a group of artists I highly respect (James Lapine, Tom Kitt, Michael Korie), the show is special for another reason I have been too embarrassed to share until now. When I saw the show for the second time after the wonderful night I had at Company, a man approached me at intermission from across the aisle and asked how I found out about the show as I am much younger than the rest of the audience (I am young compared to the LCT audience but I don't think I am THAT young anymore, a mask helps). I recognised him and his voice immediately, "are you James Lapine?", I asked. He said yes, I said I was one of those Broadway superfan and I am a big fan of Sunday in the Park, Into the Woods, next to normal and Grey Gardens. At this point I was stupidly starstruck and a bit shocked that the person who 'discovered' Bernadette Peters for and wrote Sunday in the Park, which has changed and enhanced my life in the most unbelievable and profound way, is talking to me.
I said I was enjoying the show for the 2nd time and particularly loved the title song and "Why?" (yes, I actually couldn't even get the title right), he said thank you and he wasn't sure I was enjoying it (I had only slept 4 hours due to terrible jet lag so I probably did appear to be a little low energy, sorry James!). I then spent the entire second act wondering how I could express my deep gratitude for his work and the impact it has had on my life, but I was too afraid to stick around and talk to him after the show.
New York City continues to be a gift that just keeps on giving!
Give me claws and a hunch, just away from this bunch.
Updated On: 1/5/22 at 03:50 AM