PASSION at Lincoln Center
PASSION at Lincoln Center
Chrysanthemum62001
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/14/04
#0PASSION at Lincoln Center
Posted: 4/2/05 at 4:35pm
Well, I don't mean to be cliché, but this is probably one of the best things I have ever ever seen. I absolutely adored it. First of all, the music is just beautiful. I've also always loved the story. I know many people don't like the story, and find it very dark and depressing, but I find it so...romantic. I'm also a big fan of simple staging. The way this was staged reminded me quite a bit of Cabaret at Studio 54. Just very simple. So, on to the cast...
Michael Cerveris-Whoa buddy, I love this man. He is one of my favorite performers, and dare I say, more so than Raul Esparza. When he's on stage, there is something so open and honest about him. I think he should play the romantic male lead much more often. He's just so gentle. And he gives Georgio that gentleness. He is so wonderful. Giorgio has two main songs "Is This What You Call Love?" and "No One Has Ever Loved Me". Both were excellent, but "No One Has Ever Loved Me" turned me into a great big ball of clay. It. Was. Beautiful. I'm a hard ass, and don't cry very often, but I wanted to at that very moment. Just thinking about the way he says "I love you." to Fosca makes me want to melt. And can I just say, I was deeply looking forward to the bedroom scenes, and I have to tell you, I was not dissapointed at all! So hot!
Patti LuPone-Alright, this is the first time I've ever seen her perform live in an actual show. Up until the other week, I hadn't seen her live at all. So, this was a big deal. And I was slightly worried about how I was going to deal with her performance. I of course have seen Donna Murphey's portrayal of the character, and I found her to be so wonderful. Anyways, back to Patti. There were times that her diction was a bit of a problem, but for the most part, she was fanf*ckingtastic. I loved how strong she made Fosca to be. Her sarcasm was dead on, and she absolutely blew me out of the water. Perfect perfect perfect. I just loved her. It was so cute. Last night when she took her curtain call, she was bowing, and then she laid down on the stage at Michael's feet. So cute!
AUDRA!!!!!!! AUDRA!!!!! AUDRA!!!!!-OH MY GOD! She is...flawless. And I have never loved this character so much! Really, not only is she absolutely stunning, but her voice is amazing. It is so beautiful and clear. Aaaah! It's like an angel. It really is. She couldn't be more perfect for the part of Clara! I have absolutely nothing bad to say about her performance whatsoever. It was utterly flawless, as I found the show to be as a whole.
If you missed this when it was aired live, I suggest you do whatever you can to catch it when it is rebroadcast. You don't want to miss this performance. You shouldn't.
#1re: PASSION at Lincoln Center
Posted: 4/2/05 at 4:49pm
Great review, Chrys.
I guess I can assume from your avatar picture that you found the stage door!
Updated On: 4/2/05 at 04:49 PM
Chrysanthemum62001
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/14/04
#2re: PASSION at Lincoln Center
Posted: 4/2/05 at 4:52pmLOL! Indeed, I did!
#3re: PASSION at Lincoln Center
Posted: 4/2/05 at 4:54pmGreat picture! I'm glad Michael shaved the Booth mustache. He is the best Giorgio I have ever seen.
SFJPS
Understudy Joined: 10/6/03
#4re: PASSION at Lincoln Center
Posted: 4/2/05 at 7:14pm
I saw the show on b'way in '94 and just didn't get it. Although a great cast, it really didn't work all that well and was laughable at points. The choices the characters were making didn't seem to make sense.
On Thursday I watched the concert version on PBS from Lincoln Center and was blown away. The story worked; the characters' decisions worked! I love Marin Mazzie but Audra's choices even made Clara interesting...Patti was PERFECT and I have gone through times not liking her (mostly due to slurred words). Cerveris' Georgio had depth and color. I'm so glad I taped this...it's brilliant. And the short conversation with Cerveris, McDonald & LuPone at the end was excellent. Let's hope this gets released on DVD.
Chrysanthemum62001
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/14/04
#5re: PASSION at Lincoln Center
Posted: 4/2/05 at 7:18pm
It's not going to. I asked. You are so lucky you taped it. Someone taped it for me, but I have to wait till late in the summer before I can watch it. I'm so so glad I saw it live though, the cast was genious.
Oh, and I forgot to add...I love Alex Gemignani. He's got such a beautiful voice...
Johnnytoc
Broadway Star Joined: 12/19/04
#6re: PASSION at Lincoln Center
Posted: 4/2/05 at 7:19pm
I saw it when it was aired, and it was Wonderful!!
Glad you enjoyed seeing them live Chrysanthemum!
sweetiedarlinmia
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/8/04
#7re: PASSION at Lincoln Center
Posted: 4/2/05 at 9:21pmSOOOOOO GLAD you had a great time! AND that you found the Stage Door!! KUDOS!!
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#8re: PASSION at Lincoln Center
Posted: 4/2/05 at 9:24pmWHY didnt they get Gorgio a WIG! he looked like powder. It was actualy kinda scary. I dont think Fosca would be so obbsessed over THAT....
Yorkie1276
Stand-by Joined: 3/12/05
#9re: PASSION at Lincoln Center
Posted: 4/2/05 at 9:26pmI saw Cerveris as Giorgio at the one night only performance in October and he didn't wear a wig then. Does it really matter? He sings and acts the part great. That's all that should matter.
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#10re: PASSION at Lincoln Center
Posted: 4/2/05 at 9:30pm
sure he sang and acted the part fine, but i thought he was physicaly way wrong. He's supoed to be this absolutly stunning man, whomb fosca becomes obbsessed about!, and steals the affection of the married Clara. I know Fosca is ugly, but in this production, I think she deserved better than THAT.
JUST MY 2 CENTS.
GovernorSlaton
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/14/04
#11re: PASSION at Lincoln Center
Posted: 4/2/05 at 9:40pmObviously, Fosca is attracted to Giorgio, but she falls in love with him because he is sensitive and intelligent. Clara takes pity on Giorgio, which starts the affair. The only reference to the fact that Giorgio is attractive is in Soldier's Gossip ("...not as much as he prefers his looks..."). Giorgio doesn't have to be stunning to make it work.
#12re: PASSION at Lincoln Center
Posted: 4/2/05 at 9:41pm
Michael Cerveris-Whoa buddy, I love this man. He is one of my favorite performers, and dare I say, more so than Raul Esparza.
*dies of shock*
Nice post. 
I taped the PBS broadcast, but have yet to watch it. I think I will tomorrow, once I've caught up on my work.
redmustang
Broadway Star Joined: 5/14/03
#13re: PASSION at Lincoln Center
Posted: 4/2/05 at 9:43pmAll three gave stunning performances on TV. Can Audra make any better career choices?
Chrysanthemum62001
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/14/04
#14re: PASSION at Lincoln Center
Posted: 4/2/05 at 9:43pmAs soon as everything is cleared up with my power, I'm going to respond to this...
Yorkie1276
Stand-by Joined: 3/12/05
#15re: PASSION at Lincoln Center
Posted: 4/2/05 at 9:43pm
I taped it and watched it yesterday. I should have gone to see it. I was in NY Wednesday and Thursday, but already had tickets to other shows. The concert is breathtaking.
I'm especially jealous b/c I see Chrys got to meet Michael Cerveris, one of my favorite actors!
Updated On: 4/2/05 at 09:43 PM
sweetiedarlinmia
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/8/04
#17re: PASSION at Lincoln Center
Posted: 4/2/05 at 11:01pm
Theaterguy2. It's about love not lust, did you not learn anything from Passion?
*sigh*
Chrysanthemum62001
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/14/04
#18re: PASSION at Lincoln Center
Posted: 4/2/05 at 11:04pm
Now that the power is up and running, here goes...
Darlinmia- Thank you so much for your help. I actually almost missed Michael and Audra because I was waiting at the double doors. The guy had told me it was the "stage" door, so I was expecting them to come out there. Plus, I had seen Michael trying to get IN those doors before the show started! You were right! Damn near impossible!
Theatreguy2- Your post makes me want to beat you. Really. Not that it's of any of your business, but I just so happen to find Michael Cerveris an "absolutely stunning man" and who are you to say what Fosca would have found attractive. I've seen many soldiers without hair in my day and plenty of them have been attractive. A wig! And saying Fosca deserves better than that. That's the most absurd thing I have ever heard. She loved him becuase he was DIFFERENT. You, sir, may keep your two cents.
Governer- Doesn't the doctor say a line to Giorgio about how he has to pay for his good looks and his kindness. I'm pretty sure the Doc says something like that when he's trying to talk Giorgio into going to visit Fosca.
Emcee- Don't die of shock! I would miss you too much! I can't help it. This hit me when I least expected it. Michael is just, well. You should just hear him sing "Color and Light." Michael is amazing.
Yorkie- I am so so sorry you missed this! It was superb, and Michael took my breath away. Yes, I did meet him afterwards, and I consider myself to be one of the luckiest ladies ever.
And Red Mustang- Yes, Audra was perfect. I too am just going to assume you were being sarcastic.
GovernorSlaton
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/14/04
Chrysanthemum62001
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/14/04
#20re: PASSION at Lincoln Center
Posted: 4/2/05 at 11:13pmGoverner- Please know I wasn't trying to sound snooty towards you. I respect your knowledge and (forgive the term) passion very much. That one post just made me slightly bitter. Sorry if I came across as snooty. Not my intentions at all...
Yorkie1276
Stand-by Joined: 3/12/05
#21re: PASSION at Lincoln Center
Posted: 4/2/05 at 11:15pmIs it sad that I still thought Patti was a hottie, even with all the ugly make-up and the greasy wig?
GovernorSlaton
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/14/04
#22re: PASSION at Lincoln Center
Posted: 4/2/05 at 11:16pm
I didn't take it that way at all, don't worry.
Updated On: 4/3/05 at 11:16 PM
Chrysanthemum62001
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/14/04
#23re: PASSION at Lincoln Center
Posted: 4/2/05 at 11:16pmI actually thought she was beautiful too...
commasplice
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/29/04
#24re: PASSION at Lincoln Center
Posted: 4/2/05 at 11:19pm
I would like to use this post to agree that Michael Cerveris is an attractive man!
I watched the show when it was on here this afternoon. I'd never seen or even heard Passion before, minus one song. I really liked it and am looking forward to watching it again. The performances were stunning.
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