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Michael Ball - just curious

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#1

Michael Ball - just curious

Posted: 8/31/05 at 4:34pm

Hi all,

I've been a member of the board for about a year and a half now, however, sadly, I don't always have the opportunity to post.

Since the various publications have announced that Michael Ball will be appearing in ALW's Woman In White at the Marquis Theatre on broadway, I'm just wondering if any or all, or how many of you have previously seen Michael in concert or in the theatre?

(love my MB avatar)

There is a curious paradox that no one can explain; Who understands the secret of the reaping of the grain, Who understands why spring is born out of winter's laboring pain, Or why we all must die a bit before we grow again. -from "The Fantasticks"

Updated On: 8/31/05 at 04:34 PM

#2

re: Michael Ball - just curious

Posted: 8/31/05 at 4:57pm

I've wanted to see him live for about 14 years now. I'm thrilled to now have the opportunity. I just wish he wasn't going to be stuck in the Count Fosco drag. He's such a dashing man.

"Y'all have a GRAND day now"

#3

re: Michael Ball - just curious

Posted: 8/31/05 at 5:19pm

You will probably get several responses to this question. For the most part they will say that he is a brilliant concert performer. Amazon carries many of his concert videos. But the majority opinion of late has been that "Fosco" is the role he was made to play. This is not to diminish the original Fosco, Michael Crawford. Only to say that MB's take on the role is nothing less than stellar. This is also why those of us who are familiar with the G & S offering "Patience" are thrilled that he is going to be Bunthorne in the NYCOpera production shortly. He seems to have found a niche in musical comedy. Of course there are those more informed than myself. But I think I may be correct. That is why I am seeing Patience several times and have booked tickets for WIW during the holiday.

#4

re: Michael Ball - just curious

Posted: 8/31/05 at 5:20pm

He was out when I went to London to see him in 'Chitty' - will be seeing him for the first time next week at the first performance of 'Patience' at NYCO - third row seats baby!

My mother always used to say, "The older you get, the better you get, unless you're a banana." - Rose Nyland

#5

re: Michael Ball - just curious

Posted: 8/31/05 at 5:21pm

He certainly is a 'dashing man'. He actually looks better in person, if you can believe that, and he seems to be a very kind person as well.

I saw him for the first time in 2000, and it was a treat, indeed.

Hope all who's interested get a chance to see Michael at the Marquis theatre.

There is a curious paradox that no one can explain; Who understands the secret of the reaping of the grain, Who understands why spring is born out of winter's laboring pain, Or why we all must die a bit before we grow again. -from "The Fantasticks"

#6

re: Michael Ball - just curious

Posted: 8/31/05 at 5:25pm

Thanks, Sharon, as I said in my subject line, I'm 'just curious' to see what poster's have to say. I never try and pre-judge what will be said. I'll just be happy to have a bit of dialogue.

There is a curious paradox that no one can explain; Who understands the secret of the reaping of the grain, Who understands why spring is born out of winter's laboring pain, Or why we all must die a bit before we grow again. -from "The Fantasticks"

#7

re: Michael Ball - just curious

Posted: 8/31/05 at 7:12pm

He voice is incredible, and I hope I'll get to catch him in WIW sometime next year. I too am sad that he'll be covered in Fosco duds but I'm sure his voice will make up for that in droves.

#8

re: Michael Ball - just curious

Posted: 8/31/05 at 7:23pm

In 1988, I saw Les Mis for the first time, on Broadway. I thought I bought an OCR from the Broadway production but discovered that I had purchased a London OCR instead. I first heard his voice as Marius ( he created the role) and the rest is history. What an amazing voice for such a young man then.

I have seen him perform in Aspects of Love ( London and New York), Passion, Chitty, The Woman in White and have heard him sing the role of Joe Gillis in concert. I think I may have every song he must have recorded ( he will be releasing his 12th album, MUSIC, soon) either on CD or on DVD. He had a TV series in the early 90's and sang a lot of adult contemporary and musical theatre songs...and a one-off TV special.

If you haven't heard him - he has quite a discography ( from musical theatre songs to adult contemporary music and one of the best Christmas albums ever, including a beautiful AVE MARIA). My favourite album, solo or OCR, is ASPECTS OF LOVE. But his more pop-sounding albums are equally popular. The best-selling one is THE MOVIES ( although I much prefer THE MUSICALS and CENTRE STAGE). His most recent release was A LOVE STORY ( which includes some love classics and a bonus track where he sings Me and My Shadow with Antonio Banderas)... He has several DVDs of concerts ( his Royal Albert Hall and his most recent one MB:Live in London are highly recommended). He was Marius in the 10th Annivesary Concert of Les Mis ( also on video/DVD) and sang four songs in the ALWebber Celebration video ( it showed a bemused Glenn Close who was part of the backing chorus looking at Michael while he led the singing of LOVE CHANGES EVERYTHING)... Also, don't miss the DVD of his critically acclaimed ( with some very complimentary words from VARIETY critic Matt Wolf)solo performance at the Donmar Warehouse. It tells the story of the life of a performer, all in song ( without any narrative) and is called ALONE TOGETHER ( songs from Al Jolson to Adam Guettel).

He is an extraordinary entertainer - who is excellent in musical theatre, recording studios, and on the concert stage. His natural gift - his golden voice ( once called by Andrew Lloyd Webber as the best male musical voice he has ever heard) is such a joy to listen to!

He will be such a welcome addition to Broadway this season - albeit you might not recognize him in his COUNT FOSCO identity ( although the dimples could not be completely hidden underneath all that prosthetics

)!

#9

re: Michael Ball - just curious

Posted: 8/31/05 at 7:40pm

After such a long "endorsement" of his musical talent - I forgot to say that I am flying from halfway across the world to see him peform in the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta PATIENCE.

And will be back again around Thanksgiving to see him once more as Count Fosco in THE WOMAN IN WHITE.

That's 68 flying hours or 4 jet lags altogether

#10

re: Michael Ball - just curious

Posted: 8/31/05 at 8:21pm

Jo
So you must like this gentleman. Right????? Everything you said is absolutely true

#11

re: Michael Ball - just curious

Posted: 8/31/05 at 9:24pm

I met him twice this past May at "DRS" and "Piazza". He was reviewing the shows for a BBC radio show I believe. Anyways, going in the theater, he was next to me as we handed in our tickets and I jokingly made a comment that I was on Amazon.com's waiting list for four years to get my hands on his video at Albert Hall. He laughed and said, "How sweet, I hope it was worth waiting for?". I later saw him at intermission but didn't want to invade his space but was delighted when he approached me and engaged in conversation. Two nights later we ran into one another at the Vivian Beaumont(he was at the urinal next to mine...lucky me!) and I looked over and said, "Yep, I'm stalkin' ya"...lol. He was one of the kindest, sweetest, good natured people I've had the pleasure of meeting. And yes...he is even better looking in person and I LOVE HIS FRIGGIN' DIMPLES WHEN HE LAUGHS!!!!!

#12

re: Michael Ball - just curious

Posted: 8/31/05 at 11:25pm

Hey, Demetri2 -

That was for his BBC program called BALL OVER BROADWAY ( a yearly series that he has done since a few years ago). I had a chance to talk to him earlier this year about the shows he might cover for the series - and I do remember him saying that he was looking forward to seeing his associate Jonathan Butterell ( now a choreographer on Broadway and who had done some work fo PIAZZA). Jonathan was musical director for Michael's one-man show at the Donmar.

He is quite a friendly person - and very funny, too. I'm sure fans will enjoy meeting him at the stagedoor ( partly flustered at seeing a very different Michael Ball compared to the onstage Fosco

)

Jo

Updated On: 9/1/05 at 11:25 PM

#13

re: Michael Ball - just curious

Posted: 8/31/05 at 11:31pm

I've seen him in concert, sadly never in a show and I probably won't make it to WIW. But he's definitely worth seeing!!!

#14

re: Michael Ball - just curious

Posted: 8/31/05 at 11:31pm

He was in Salt Lake City last year for his American concert debut and he gave two fantastic concerts. What a performer! Besides being incredibly talented, as previously mentioned on this thread, he's also one of the most charming men you'll ever meet. I have tickets to see him in "Patience" and will definitely be back to see him in WIW!

#15

re: Michael Ball - just curious

Posted: 8/31/05 at 11:36pm

Thanks to everyone who has responded so far.....I love reading/hearing the stories of when you saw Michael live, or that you hope to see Michael live on stage in "Patience" at Lincoln Center, and of course 'Woman In White" at the Marquis theatre.

Unlike Josie (Jo), I don't remember exactly when I first saw/heard Michael. It was sometime in the 90's. I first saw Michael on the ALW "Premier Collection Encore" video which was released by Polydor in 1992.....but I saw it much later than that.

The first time I saw Michael 'live' on stage were the two "This Time...it's Personal" concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in October, 2000.

The first time I saw Michael live and close-up in person, was when Michael came and sat with me on the American Airline flight from New York to London, on 4th July, 2001!

I have tickets to see "Patience", and I have several trips planned to see "Woman In White"! Can't wait.

There is a curious paradox that no one can explain; Who understands the secret of the reaping of the grain, Who understands why spring is born out of winter's laboring pain, Or why we all must die a bit before we grow again. -from "The Fantasticks"

#16

re: Michael Ball - just curious

Posted: 8/31/05 at 11:47pm

By the way, I live in Chicago, and it sure would have been nice if the "Woman In White" had previewed here as originlly planned.

Since it was not confirmed that Michael was to star at that point, when it was pulled from Chicago, I wasn't very upset.

I'm still not upset about it, but it sure would be convenient, as the theatre where it was to appear is only about 30 minutes away!

Oh well.........

There is a curious paradox that no one can explain; Who understands the secret of the reaping of the grain, Who understands why spring is born out of winter's laboring pain, Or why we all must die a bit before we grow again. -from "The Fantasticks"

Updated On: 8/31/05 at 11:47 PM

#17

re: Michael Ball - just curious

Posted: 8/31/05 at 11:53pm

Wow, Demitri2, how lucky were you?!

There is a curious paradox that no one can explain; Who understands the secret of the reaping of the grain, Who understands why spring is born out of winter's laboring pain, Or why we all must die a bit before we grow again. -from "The Fantasticks"

#18

re: Michael Ball - just curious

Posted: 9/1/05 at 6:09am

I saw him in Passion and Chitty and wasn't really convinced about his acting in either of them (Giorgio can be a fairly wooden part, and don't even get me started on Chittys shortcomings). However, when I saw him as Count Fosco he completely blew me away - much much better than Michael Crawford as he really brings out the menace in the role, and his chemistry with Maria Freidman is fantastic.

#19

re: Michael Ball - just curious

Posted: 9/1/05 at 7:07am

Joining the bandwagon...I've seen him several times in concert performances as well as in Chitty, Sunset Boulevard and WIW. I have to agree with Eastwickian that I was not overly impressed with his acting in Chitty but that voice! Although the role didn't demand much from him vocally or theatrically - I was lucky enough to see the show after they had added the Hushabye Reprise which was spine-tingling (and which disappeared from the show after Michael left). He blew me away in Sunset Boulevard however. It's too bad that was only a radio broadcast, you really had to see it to appreciate how excellent his performance was. But Fosco is is best to date...he was born to play this role. There are so many layers to the character the way he plays it and he nails them all. And don't be too disappointed, despite the fat suit and prosthetics he manages to make the Count "curiously attractive".

Demetri...I'm going to resist the urge LOL!!!!!!!!! But you are right...Michael is lovely to meet in person. Very funny and completely down to earth (and yes, even more good looking than his photos).

"Take Care! When I am thwarted I am very terrible!"

#20

re: Michael Ball - just curious

Posted: 9/1/05 at 11:20am

I love the SSB concert. I wish they would have filmed it. I guess plans for them to do it again are in the very distant future now.

#21

re: Michael Ball - just curious

Posted: 9/1/05 at 12:48pm

I heart Michael Ball. I'm still looking/hoping for a copy of the concert performance where he sang Jean Valjean. You can be darn sure I'll be going to NYC to see him in WIW.

There's always room for pathos - and jazz hands.

#22

re: Michael Ball - just curious

Posted: 9/1/05 at 3:01pm

So glad that MB is doing the 'Patience' role. I saw him many years ago in 'Pirates' just before he went into 'Les Mis' and the rest is history. I loved his performances in 'Les Mis', 'Phantom' and 'Aspects' I think, most of all. He is a terrific concert performer, too, as someone has already said. Not sure if the dvd is available in the States but if it is and you're a fan, it is really worth checking out his Donmar concert, 'Alone Together' which is quite a departure from his usual concerts. It has a through-line and the choice of material is really interesting. He does a fantastic medley for the Act 2 opening in which he does excerpts of literally dozens of showtunes which totally link together. Really terrific.

...fragment of the day...

#23

re: Michael Ball - just curious

Posted: 9/1/05 at 3:48pm

Ah yes. The show business Medley from Hell. It is a brilliant piece of work by Michael Ball and Jason Carr. That section is almost ten minutes of pure genious. The more you hear it the more you can appreciate it.

#24

re: Michael Ball - just curious

Posted: 9/1/05 at 7:49pm

Jason Carr accompanied him on the piano but it was Jonathan Butterell (lately, of Fiddler and Piazza on Broadway) who was the musical director who helped put it together. Michael calls it the Medley from Hell

When I saw this year's TONYs, I couldn't help thinking that the John LaChiusa medley of Hugh Jackman "Never Gonna Dance/Gotta Dance" could have been partly inspired by this wonderful MB medley tracing an entertainer's path in song( some songs were actually on both

), although Hugh's highly entertaining piece was more of dance and song, with a more comedic slant.

#25

re: Michael Ball - just curious

Posted: 9/1/05 at 9:49pm

"Alone Together" is brilliant...I highly recommend the DVD if you have a multi-region DVD player...if not, you can get it on converted VHS at Discount Music Connection (discountmusic.uk.co). I saw him perform the slightly revised version last September at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. It was wonderful (although I really loved the original...a bit darker). Like Jo, I've always wanted to see him bring this show to NYC.

"Take Care! When I am thwarted I am very terrible!"

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