Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin in Cleveland

[sisters of avalon]

Posted: 5/6/09 at 4:24pm

Patti & Mandy opened their show in Cleveland last night, and It was excellent! My only complaint was that it was over too fast!
Neither Patti or Mandy stagedoored, and the people working at the theater said it was because they were too tired. I'm crossing my fingers that they'll come out on Friday or Saturday night.

Anyone else go besides me?

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 5/6/09 at 4:34pm

I was there too, and I couldn't have disagreed with you more. I thought it was the worst show I have ever seen. It was incredibly sloppy, unenergetic and awkward. My official review of it is below:

A Waste of An Evening
An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin Review

An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin, the absurd concert bore that opened this past Tuesday at PlayhouseSquare?s Palace Theater, left me wanting more and less; I wanted more of a show for Lupone and Patinkin to be in and less of them in the one I saw. The show was so preposterous and dry, that, in the second of two unbearable acts, I found myself becoming increasingly jealous of the fellow who was sleeping next to me, probably engrossed in dreams far more interesting than what I was witnessing on stage. The two seasoned performers, backed by only a piano and bass, seemed to think that they were in some kind of self indulgent, congratulatory evening in celebration of their past achievements, and that they didn?t have to try at all to engage the audience at this performance, and thus appeared lackluster. The whole thing came across as a never-ending talent show with only two people the entire time, oblivious to the fact that their act is so ludicrous. A bit of real-life dialogue between them might have helped. Instead, we get some book scenes from musicals and theater songs, with the show hastily transitioning, while the two move about the uninteresting set, which consisted only of some lights/microphones and a light-up wall. And while the lighting tried its best to make the darned thing at least somewhat interesting, even that didn?t help. The whole event seemed to be ill thought out, and it really showed.
That?s not to say that it wasn?t a good idea, though. I witnessed Patti LuPone give the performance of her career about a year ago in the recent Broadway production of Gypsy. As Mama Rose, she was nothing short of a revelation. However, in this production, she looks like a deflated balloon. Gone is the brilliant, award-winning energy she displayed in Gypsy; in its stead is a detached, uninterested demeanor. Even Gypsy?s own showstopper, ?Everything?s Coming Up Roses?, falls flat here. And Mandy Patinkin, with his distinct baritone, certainly tries to charm where he lacks vocally, but only seems manically pathetic. Together, the two have very little chemistry, and seem to be competing for who can give the worst performance. After the first song, in which it became evident that the two were either slyly parodying themselves or that the audience was in for a long night, I wanted both to go somewhere: Patti back to Gypsy and Mandy, well, just anywhere else.
The song list, which consisted mostly of Sondheim and Rodgers and Hammerstein ditties, didn?t have nearly enough diversity, and harped on songs that many people had no interest in, particularly a fatally long, incredibly boring Carousel section, complete with out-of-context, awkward dialogue. The only two numbers that had a moderately appropriate feel were ?Roses? and LuPone?s infamous Evita ballad, ?Don?t Cry for Me, Argentina?, which included the original hand gestures (Yes, those hand gestures). From the beginning, when LuPone and Patinkin jumped into the terrific Sondheim song from Company, ?Another Hundred People?, they simply stood awkwardly downstage and stared blankly into space. This essentially set the tone for the rest of my evening, as I often stared blankly into space, wondering where their talent and my time and money went. It really says something when the highlight of a show is one star (Mandy) hurling the other (Patti) across the stage while the two are on wheeling around on office chairs (don?t ask). Overall, while it?s obvious why LuPone and Patinkin became famous in the first place, with their natural stage presence, their talents are truly wasted in this ridiculous piece of garbage. I feel truly bad for the ushers who have to watch this for the remainder of its two-week run, which concludes on May 17th at the Palace Theater.

[jaxel614]

Posted: 5/6/09 at 5:38pm

Unfortunately I have to agree with bwayfan. I saw the production in Naples the end of March. I had taken two trips up north to see Lupone in Gypsy. I called the Naples theater everyday for tickets to a sold out show until I found a pair on Craigslist. At the show these two legends did nothing more than sing the most obscure showtune, with no audience interaction, providing us with a pretty dull evening. I really wanted to enjoy the show, but unfortunately I could not.
Updated On: 5/6/09 at 05:38 PM

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 5/6/09 at 8:16pm

The show needed audience interaction. I felt it was definitely a "Look at me I'm Patti LuPone and look at me I'm Mandy Patinkin" It actually was quite upsetting.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 5/6/09 at 10:36pm

Some people just don't get it. Obviously, AEWPLAMP will not meet everyone's expectations. It's a different format than what some people are used to. The show is designed to meet their arstistic requirements. They have a lot to showcase and they do in this show. Having seen it in its premiere in 2002 and most recently in 2009, I must disagree with the detractors in this thread. They most certainly had chemistry
in this show. Although I can't say I'm a great fan of Mandy, I was impressed by how he and Patti interacted in the show. His falsetto is certainly an acquired taste, but it was a WONderful experience for me and the audience, where I saw it in San Antonio,Texas. To each his own. from RC in Austin, Texas

[sisters of avalon]

Posted: 5/7/09 at 7:53pm

It's definitely not the type of show that a lot of people probably expected. I'm sure many assume it will be more concert-like, when it really is a show following a storyline (sort of). I had 4th row seats, but i'm sure it's always better to be towards the front of the theater for this show, because there isn't much of a set or anything, and you get much more out of it being up close.

I may be going back to the show again, but I'd love to hear from anyone else who has been to any of the cleveland shows. I've gotta find out if they stagedoored.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 5/7/09 at 11:45pm

I have to agree with the bwayfans review...I saw the show in Buffalo and DESPISED it. As far as "not getting it", give me a break. I along with my friends, are theatre die-hards schooled in various formats, know tons of songbooks, and shows. This was a vanity piece from beginning to end that may have met "their" artistic needs, but did not take the audience into account at all. But I guess that conveys the personalities of the artists involved both known for being indifferent, at times, to fans. I felt the arrangements were bad, the dialogue was laughable, the transitions were horrendous. This was a walk through of the highest degree. Mandy is lucky Patti agreed to do this or he'd be playing small halls or dinner theatres. His schtick is unbearable and he thinks he is so funny. For 100 bucks, I was so put off that they never once addressed the audience. I was in the second row and believe me there was no electricity that I picked up on. I couldnt imagine sitting in the back. I am happy for those who "got it", but many of us did not. It was an inaccessible evening of sloppy cabaret that cost a mint. Also, for those of you hoping Patti stage doors-dont hold your breath. Friends informed me refused autographs in Buffalo and handed gifts back to fans. All a part of her allure I guess.

[binau]

Posted: 5/8/09 at 12:52am

I'm seeing this in Sydney since I couldn't afford to see Bernadette in Adelaide, It's unfortunate it doesn't seem like it will even come close .

[SamIAm]

Posted: 5/8/09 at 1:14pm

True, these two performers are an acquired taste for many. Also true that they have chosen a lot of Sondheim and their favorites to perform. Also true that there are plenty of reviews of this concert out there so the audience can look at these and decide whether to pay the price before they buy the ticket.

As for Patinkin being lucky that LuPone joined him...he has been doing solo concerts for years and they sell out. Many people follow his concerts and attend every one he gives in their areas...some even travel to see him. You may not like what these two put together, but there is no doubt they have two of the greatest theater voices today.

As for the person who said they were going to see them soon and concerned about the concert after reading these reviews...go with an open mind and decide for yourself. In all the years I have followed the careers of these two people I have heard many discussions surrounding what people love or hate about them and their approach to art. You either love them or you hate them. There is little middle ground.

I have seen Patinkin do interactive concerts and concerts where he simply stood on the stage and sang. When you watch Il Divo or an opera star sing...do you expect audience interaction? This is an art piece that is very specific to the talents of the two performers and designed to tell a story. Everyone is entitled to like or dislike it but I recommend (as with any play or performance) that it is best to do the homework and find out what you are seeing before you attend and suffer disappointment.

BTW, the Cleveland reviewer LOVED the show and couldn't say enough good things about the performers and the work.

Updated On: 5/8/09 at 01:14 PM

[binau]

Posted: 5/8/09 at 6:57pm

Well I actually have seen "il Divo" live (by mistake, long story), and even they did acknowledge the audience a little :P, but since a lot of their English wasn't too great they weren't really entertaining or or anything. But at least it was polite :P.

[inick122492]

Posted: 5/9/09 at 11:06pm

I have to work the show tomorrow, how long does it last? 2 hours?

[sisters of avalon]

Posted: 5/9/09 at 11:24pm

When I saw it opening night, the show started promptly at 7:30 as it was scheduled to, and ended maybe a little after 9. It's definitely under 2 hours.

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 10:19am

In the playbill, it was listed as 2 and a half hours. It was definitely over in an hour and fifty.

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 1:37pm

First of all, yes, it was definitely under two hours.
Second, the Cleveland reviewer is pretty awful sometimes.
Third, they're better off saying it's a concert than a show following a story line, because, it that case, it would've just made it worse. The fact that they just threw together numbers from different shows and tried to make it a "story" was something I tried to ignore, as that would've just made it worse. However, I had less complaint about the Sondheim than the R&H, specifically the painful Carousel sequence.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 5/10/09 at 9:37pm

SamIAm: I couldn't agree with you more. from RC in Austin, Texas

[binau]

Posted: 5/11/09 at 7:47pm

Well that's a surprise..

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 5/11/09 at 9:35pm

I'm really surprised they are not getting good feed back. They premiered this concert, I believe, at the Prince in Philly. I covered it for BWW...and I gotta tell you the Philly crowd loved it. Great chemistry, very funny, honest....just a warm and wonderful evening from two very talented friends.

If the song list and schtick is the same as the Prince, I'm really disappointed that it not well received elswhere.

[broadwayrob]

Posted: 5/13/09 at 3:07am

Saw the show tonight.

I am not sure what show everyone else saw.. but the show that I saw was a brilliant evening at the theatre.

I will agree that the second half of the second act did drag quite a bit. (the Carousel section) but the first act was on FIRE, Not to mention Patti having everyone around me in tears during Don't Cry For Me Argentina.

Mandy came out of the stagedoor afterwards and signed quickly but extremely congenial. Patti snuck out the back I think.

But everyone.. give this a shot. Yes, it's not in a "concert" style but it's still VERY entertaining if you love these performers as much as I do.

*strangely enough.. on a side note.... a song that I never have heard on Sirius 77 came on the radio on the drive home.. How Could I Ever Know from The Secret Garden.. I swear, they're watching me.*

[jeniferrenepatricia]

Posted: 5/13/09 at 4:44am

How was the choreography? Just curious because Ann Reinking choreographed the show....

[sbflyfan]

Posted: 5/13/09 at 7:53am

I can already guess the answer but I figured I'd ask anyway... these two divas don't come out after a matinee, do they?

Do you think there's a better chance of catching Patti after an evening show by going to the State's stage door around back? That's what popped into my head after the final performance of "Rent." And no one came out the Palace's stage door that night... should have followed my instincts.

Updated On: 5/13/09 at 07:53 AM

[broadwayrob]

Posted: 5/13/09 at 1:28pm

Like I said, Mandy came out and signed but Patti was still getting over being sick *they had to cancel a show in the past week due to illness that I am assuming was Patti*

Mandy was as nice as he could be.

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 5/13/09 at 1:32pm

Where is the stage door?

[broadwayrob]

Posted: 5/13/09 at 1:44pm

If you leave out the front door: If you are looking at the theater, go to the right down.. I think that's 14th street *I THINK*. Currently there is a ton of scaffolding.. anyway keep going down that road following the theater exits on your left and then there will be this fairly large opening *probably with at least a couple of people waiting*

What's EASIER, however, is if you are sitting in the orchestra just go out the exit doors house right and turn left and find the opening.

I am really not good at explaining things..

Hope this helps.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 5/13/09 at 2:21pm

The choreography was simple but sweet. There is a some soft shoe, the couple dances together at various points, and there is a choreographed sequence on rolling desk chairs. Nothing to write home about.

[jeniferrenepatricia]

Posted: 5/13/09 at 11:33pm

Thanks!!!