Michael Ball Leaves London Chitty to Launch U.K. Tour - playbill.com — Page 3

Jo, was the choir his uncle's male voice choir? I remember reading he had sung with them.

Sharon, rumors always fly when shows are anticiptated. It's the nature of the beast

kec
I love it again. "The nature of the beast". Great. "But I haven't got a prayer". In keeping up with you though. Heh Heh
Just wish they would make up their minds about Broadway. Is it true he said on the TV show. "He's done the Sherman Bros. It's time to move on". Could he have meant more than Mary Poppins?? He'll just keep us guessing.

"What is this "Musicals and More"? Is it a British CD/DVD or can I get it here in the States? I have "The Musicals" CD but "Sunset Blvd" isn't on it or are there different versions of the CD like the "Christmas" CD?"

Musicals and More is a dvd of a concert Michael did in Glasgow, Scotland in 1996 or 97. The concert includes some songs from his Musicals CD, but also covers other songs, i.e. Sunset Boulevard, which, as I've said, is excellent! It also includes a fun rock and roll portion, and he ends the concert with three encores -- You'll Never Walk Alone, Love Changes Everything and You Made Me Love You. This last is funny because as he sings "I didn't want to do it..." people in the audience are shouting "yes you did!" A real bonus on the dvd is Michael and a trio -- pianist, bass player and drummer -- running through some music, done, I assume, after rehearsal, as there was no one in the audience. Michael sings four songs -- People, Crazy, Losing my Mind and My Funny Valentine... just lovely

It's not available in the U.S., I'm afraid, but Discount Music has the video version in NTSC format, which is the American format. The DVD is only available in Region 2 format.

While I think Donny Osmond would do very well as Caractacus, I much prefer that Michael bring his interpretaton of the role to Broadway.

Sharon, I can't remember the exact words, and I won't get the tape of the show for awhile, but I do remember that he wasn't eager about the idea of playing Bert in the upcoming stage production of Mary Poppins. I think he would be fine in the role, but I can certainly understand why he might be reluctant. If/when he goes back to the West End, I'm sure he's going to want to something more challenging musically -- something to showcase his vocal capabilities.

Updated On: 7/8/03 at 03:11 AM

Yes, "Unsettled Scores" is perhaps my favourite musical song (it's like the Bohemian Rhapsody of musicals) and Michael Ball's version is v.impressive.

First my apologies for the double-posting. It wasn't my intention to reiterate how much I enjoyed Musicals and More . This is what I get for trying to make corrections.

I haven't heard Unsettled Scores yet . Something new to discover...

"Is it wrong for any performer, Michael Ball included, to put their mark on a song even if it is technically not theirs???"

That's a hard question. Is there such a thing as a song "belonging" to one person? I don't usually listen to a song and think the singer should not be singing that because it's "not theirs." I think it's great when a singer takes a song you know and by his/her interpretation of it makes you see it in a whole new light. Michael did this for me in his Alone Together show when he sang "I've got No Strings," from Pinochio -- gave the song a whole new meaning!

Hope this makes sense... it's late here, I'm tired... :)

The reason I posed the question is: Sometimes you can hear several performers sing a given song before you actually see it in a show. And sometimes you are either impressed by the performance or let down. I was just curious how others felt about it. My feelings are every performer leaves their mark on a song. Some just leave a bigger mark than others.

Those are exactly why I like MB's version better than all others. I think his is the best I have ever heard. I love the passion. It's fun to disagree without name calling and putting down performers. I recently told someone what I like when I go to a concert or Vegas type review. I want to see the performers do their job. I want to be entertained. I don't want to feel let down. I am well aware a performer can't be on all the time. But in a concert setting you have only one chance to get the audience and I want to know that person is trying their best. Not just in it for the money. Cynical but it's how I feel. Whaddya think???

Other than Musicals and More, This Time It's Personal, which we've mentioned already, and Live at the Royal Albert Hall, which I think you have , There is one other DVD, and I think the tape is still available. It's Alone Together, Michael's show for the Donmar Warehouse's "Divas at the Donmar" series in 2001. It's Michael like you've never seen him before. Unlike his concerts, he hardly talks at all in this performance. It's the story of a life -- the life of a performer,I think, told through music. And what a variety of music -- from classic standards by Irving Berlin to Life on Mars by DAvid Bowie. It includes a fantastic 9 minute medley of different songs, some of which includes one line from one song, leading directly into the line from another song (i.e. -- "Love, Love changes Everything's coming up Roses...)

This is also available from Discount Music. The DVD is region free, but only works with a PAL signal tv. I'm fairly certain they still have an NTSC tape available.

Hope this helps...

D,

I'd like to say AMEN to Kec's recommendation on ALONE TOGETHER.

It's interesting how Michael got into the DONMAR DIVAS ( he calls them Dudes) Series. It seems he got a call from then artistic director Sam Mendes about doing something different for the Donmar Warehouse. Michael was later joined by Jonathan Butterell ( he did the choreography for NINE on Broadway) as musical director... and, working together, a musical tapestry of songs evolved which won much critical acclaim. Matt Wolf of "Variety" asked "Can this be Michael Ball?" -- such was the courage and originality of this show and performance.

It was also a bare stage set performance with simply the piano accompaniment from Jason Carr. Michael rendered justice to the variety of songs and acted out the songs in his inimitable style( my favourites are Edith Piaf standard "Padam, Padam" and "After the Ball") -- but I guess it's not really honest to say that there are certain songs which stand out -- they are all wonderfully woven into one musical tour de force.

I have always wondered how Broadway or off-Broadway would have received such a wonderful piece of theatre - but perhaps this show is really meant for a more intimate audience ( as the 250-seater Donmar is).

There might still be some NTSC videos available of this show - again, try Discount Music. If you have a multi-system or multi-region player, try also Amazon.co.uk.

jo

"I guess it's not really honest to say that there are certain songs which stand out -- they are all wonderfully woven into one musical tour de force."

This is very true, Jo, but I do like the way he sang Padam, Padam, and Life on Mars, both of which I heard him sing live at a summer concert in Twickenham last August (long before I got the Donmar DVD). I also liked his interpretation of "I've Got No Strings." And of course, the "Medley from Hell," (Michael's name for that 9 minute medley ) is just utterly fantastic!

I would think this show would work very well in one of the smaller Off-Broadway houses.

I have a friend who has created a website about this particular show. Once I find the URL, I'll post it.

As for Gethsemane, I've seen Michael Crawford perform it live, and I've seen Michael Ball's rendition on the RAH dvd. Both were fantastic, but I like MB's better because of the emotion I see in his face as he sings the song.

I have to agree with everything said about Alone Together. I would also like to add that it would be a terrific Off Broadway Production. It is all that a one-man show shaould be. Dramatic, funny, sincere, intimate, and daring. MB really stretches his vocal and dramatic skills in a show biz tour de force. It is a must for all theatre fans.

"Funny how you all talk about how it's Mr. B's face that wins you when he's singing "Gethsemene" when it's Mr. C's voice that wins with me. He puts such emotion in it. "

For me, it's both the way MB sings the song and the emotion visible on his face as he sings it. It just touches something deep inside me in a way I've not been touched before... I can't explain it.

I agree that MC puts a lot of emotion in his rendition as well... I remember how well he did it when I saw him in concert several years ago in Washington DC -- especially when he hit one note that seemed to go on forever....

I read somewhere that he was a smoker from an early age. I have heard that he's tried to quit a few times -- it was even one of his 2003 New Year's resolutions, according to his official website.

I find it troubling wheneve I hear about a singer smoking -- there were a few people in my choral group who smoked. But the only one who can make a person stop a bad habit is the individual him/herself.

Updated On: 7/12/03 at 03:52 PM