I'm going to see this Patti LuPone "Master Class" in Bev Hills

She did this for HBO:



http://youtu.be/OGRUEmQjzZk

I got a single ticket for $50 two months ago for her 'Far Away Places' concert. Looks like it's sold out. Can't wait to see the legend live.

Yes, my first time. I have all her cds and seen her in the gypsy bootleg. I hope she sings more songs than the ones on her far away places 54 below album.

As much as I love me some Patti I cannot forgive her for destroying the Bee Gees' classic "Nights on Broadway". WTF was she thinking?!?!?!

As clearly seen in the HBO Master Class, don't expect this to be a full-out Evening with Patti LuPone concert. It's a Master Class. She'll be coaching singers/performers. The evening is about that: a Master Class. If you just want to see her sing a repertoire of her concert material, this event is not for you. If she sings a handful of numbers, that's a delicious treat, but being the generous performer that she is, I doubt she'll want to take away the attention to her "students" for the evening.



Kinda like how Meryl Streep and Judy Garland never attended the Opening Nights of their daughter's performances. They knew if they showed up, all attention goes to them. They give their daughters their night to shine without "momma" being a distraction.

Saw this last night. Patti didn't sing a note! And I can't afford Far Away Places tonight! Booooo!



Anyway, it was a very interesting, uh, class, for lack of a better word. There'd been no prep with Patti beforehand, and 5 kids basically did two numbers each. After each number, Patti would direct them.



Patti was very forceful and direct and didn't pull punches. The FIRST thing she did was get rid of the microphone up on the stage. Most of the kids were able to adapt to the no mic situation, but one girl couldn't. This girl had no idea how to project on stage, and Patti kept goading her to be louder and louder. Finally, Patti said "If you can't project, you have no business up there on that stage." Then, after a moment of consideration she said "I don't mean YOU, dear, but in general".



The direction she gave was straight out of Juilliard. She quoted David Mamet a lot. She was incisive, and always right, in my opinion.



Though I was disappointed not to get to see her sing, it solidified my opinion that Patti is one of the great artists of our time.



(If anyone has an extra ticket to see Far Away Places tonight or Saturday, I'd be a grateful date!!) ; - )

I too will be there! First time seeing her!

I'll expect a review!

I'm green with envy!

I also want to add a couple things, the first being sorry for the formatting of my first post. Second thing, and I am not in anyway trying to start ****, but she forgot lyrics twice during the show. It in no way took away from the performance, I was just surprised because she's got the reputation of being such a professional.



but I loved it and I love her

Updated On: 4/2/16 at 02:39 AM

Re: Patti forgetting lyrics. She has done that a few times when I've seen her in concert. WAY back in 1992 at the Geffen Playhouse she couldn't remember lyrics to "I Dreamed a Dream"!

However I've never seen her forget lyrics or words while performing in a show.

Wildcard said: "Lol... JoseLee's reaction is exactly how I thought he'd react

i thought her set list was great. However, it was entirely wrong for the Wallis. It would have worked nicely had she been at Rockwell. As to her forgetting lyrics, these are really wordy songs. I'm surprised she didn't forget more. However, I still wish I had tickets to Lea Salonga last night instead. "

Since she offers several shows, isn't it the venue that decides which show they're booking her for?

I was also at the master class last week - sorry I didn't get to file a report until now!

Patti was incisive, direct, and pulled no punches in her comments, everything you'd expect from a pro of her caliber. I don't think I disagreed with a single criticism she had, and the singers ranged from near flawless (a recent UCLA grad who was a contestant on The Voice) to outmatched (the aforementioned high school senior who had difficulty singing without a mic). Overall it was a good age range (around 17-22) but I wish they had chosen more than one guy.

The entire presentation was very thorough, with each performer singing at least two songs, and Patti took the announced 90-minute run time past two hours. The most eye-opening part for me was the fact that most of them turned out to be singing in the wrong key, or at least a key that wasn't totally appropriate for their voice. Patti spoke at length about phrasing, storytelling and acting choices, and her advice was admittedly informed by her work at Juilliard and with Mamet. While a little tense at times (the outmatched girl was a bit heartbreaking to watch), Patti was totally generous and constructive, and the evening as a whole was beyond entertaining and informative. One of the best theater experiences I've had in LA by a long shot.