#26
Posted: 2/16/10 at 9:24pm
I thought I had posted my comments after seeing the show on Tuesday night, but I guess not. I was in the (half-empty) upper balcony.
I particularly liked the South Pacific and Carousel medleys. Patti and Mandy are great actors, and by doing the dialogue leading into the songs, they were able to sing in character and transport us into the worlds of Nelli Forbush and Emile de Becque and Julie Jordan and Billy Bigelow.
Although I have voiced my dislike of Mandy Patinkin's voice on recordings, I must say he was quite good live. His performance of "The God-Why-Don't-You-Love-Me Blues" was excellent. And his "Some Enchanted Evening" was intriguing.
Patti LuPone was *exactly* as one would expect her to be. What a pro. Clearly catering to Patti fans, her big solos "Don't Cry For Me, Argentina" and "Everything's Coming Up Roses" didn't really fit into the style of songs in the show. (If I had my requests, I would have asked for "I Dreamed a Dream," "Blow, Gabriel, Blow" and maybe "As If We Never Said Goodbye.")
In the end I would have preferred more of the medleys--Laurie and Curly from Oklahoma, perhaps, or Desiree and Frederick from A Little Night Music? I did like that they performed a lot of both R&H and Sondheim. Completely different styles, yet satisfying in their different ways.
I particularly liked the South Pacific and Carousel medleys. Patti and Mandy are great actors, and by doing the dialogue leading into the songs, they were able to sing in character and transport us into the worlds of Nelli Forbush and Emile de Becque and Julie Jordan and Billy Bigelow.
Although I have voiced my dislike of Mandy Patinkin's voice on recordings, I must say he was quite good live. His performance of "The God-Why-Don't-You-Love-Me Blues" was excellent. And his "Some Enchanted Evening" was intriguing.
Patti LuPone was *exactly* as one would expect her to be. What a pro. Clearly catering to Patti fans, her big solos "Don't Cry For Me, Argentina" and "Everything's Coming Up Roses" didn't really fit into the style of songs in the show. (If I had my requests, I would have asked for "I Dreamed a Dream," "Blow, Gabriel, Blow" and maybe "As If We Never Said Goodbye.")
In the end I would have preferred more of the medleys--Laurie and Curly from Oklahoma, perhaps, or Desiree and Frederick from A Little Night Music? I did like that they performed a lot of both R&H and Sondheim. Completely different styles, yet satisfying in their different ways.
Coach Bob knew it all along: you've got to get obsessed and stay obsessed. You have to keep passing the open windows. (John Irving, The Hotel New Hampshire)
Updated On: 2/16/10 at 09:24 PM
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