Patti and Mandy first preview!

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 11/16/11 at 11:31pm

Anyone see it tonight? What can ya tell us here in computer-land?

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 11/16/11 at 11:35pm

I'm very interested to hear what people on here think of this show. I hated it beyond all measure of my understanding of why that was, but I hope for Patti's sake, it has improved.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 1:06am

I'll share some brief thoughts about tonight- not what I was expecting. Other than one quick story there is no patter the entire evening. It's just songs and bunch of scene work surrounding some of the segments. The "book scenes" are taken very seriously, and are played well, even though they are clearly inappropriately cast in the roles.

The greatest asset of this show is it finds them both in simply incredible voice. They also have obvious deep affection for each other, and that's rather nice to observe.

The song choice is a bit strange...they do a 20 minute condensed version of both South Pacific and Carousel (with the complete bench scene). When someone asks you who you would cast as Nellie or Julie I don't know if Patti instantly springs to mind, but she was rather effective for me in both roles.

There is a section about an unnamed show written by an unnamed composer they did together in the 70s, but this is not a greatest hits concert. There's no Sweeney, no "As Long As He Needs Me," no Secret Garden, no Sunday in the Park, no Women on the Verge, no Wild Party. It's basically a Sondheim/R&H concert with a few other things thrown in.

I enjoyed it, but I think it will surprise people with what they get.

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 1:16am

Whizzer, based on your description, it hasn't changed much. I literally laughed through the entire Carousel sequence. And is the rolling chair choreography still in? And Mandy singing "Somewhere That's Green"?

I am upset all over again at the way this show is especially since I just saw one of her solo concerts last weekend and she did lots of patter and fun stuff...none of which really appears in the version of Mandy/Patti that I saw years ago.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 1:24am

The rolling chair choreography is still in. Mandy singing "Somewhere That's Green" is still in. The entire evening was quite odd...I'm still not sure what to make of it.

The EVITA (oops, am I not supposed to mention it by name??) sequence was by far the best.

I was hoping the encore would be Mandy singing "Finishing the Hat" and Patti singing either "Meadowlark" or "Rose's Turn," but alas.

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 1:26am

She sang "Meadowlark" at her solo concert with a full symphony behind her, which was amazing. It's a shame that pretty much nothing in this show comes even close to being as fantastic as that.

[Brick]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 1:38am

I personally find greatest hits concerts a bit boring. Looking forward to this. I know Patti has mentioned how much she always wanted to play Nellie, and I think having them play scenes from classic musicals seems like a classy and clever idea.

If you want showmanship, see Hugh. But hopefully this is as charming as it sounds.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 1:44am

Are they still doing Somewhere That's Green as a counterpoint to In Buddy's Eyes? Because when I saw the concert in 2007 I almost laughed out loud at that.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 7:21am

This sounds like the exact show I saw and abhorred.

"I think having them play scenes from classic musicals seems like a classy and clever idea."

It is a great idea-sadly, its executed poorly.

"But hopefully this is as charming as it sounds."

Its not.

It surprises me that they are still ignoring the audience. Who directed this this?

[sbflyfan]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 7:57am

bwayfan7000: Pittsburgh Pops last weekend? If so, I was there too!

Overall, I see "Patti & Mandy" as more of a 'piece' than a 'concert.' I saw it in Cleveland a few years ago and thought it was unusual, but still worth it.

Updated On: 11/17/11 at 07:57 AM

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 9:00am

Mandy himself described it as a "story" about 2 people, not necessarily them.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 9:42am

"Are they still doing Somewhere That's Green as a counterpoint to In Buddy's Eyes?"

Yes, and it was very weird.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 9:43am

If it's not about them, who is it about?

[sbflyfan]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 9:53am

Maybe it's a sequel to EVITA, about Eva and Che, re-incarnated and now in love, "Aida"-style.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 9:59am

Ha, I don't know what spin Mandy was trying to put on this with that comment! It definitely is about them, it just doesn't pander to the audience at all. They barely even allow for applause between the numbers. Despite some lighthearted moments of fun it's mostly super serious.

The Carousel sequence is so bizarre, but I was oddly drawn into it.

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 10:15am

sbflyfan: Yes, Pittsburgh Pops! Wasn't it amazing?

And I agree that the Mandy/Patti concept had promise, but it seemed to me the way they executed seemed very thrown together and self-indulgent.

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 10:31am

I missed the Pops and didn't even realize it had come and gone until I saw the billboard this past Tuesday. Totally lost track of the dates. Sadness.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 10:39am

Is there any production value? Or is it just a band risers and lights like a typical concert?

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 11:52am

When I saw the show on tour, there was no production value. It was a bare stage with a ghostlight and a pianist. That's it.

Forget pandering, it doesn't even acknowledge the audience, which is a perfect metaphor for the performers.

[p.s.]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 12:10pm

Forget pandering, it doesn't even acknowledge the audience, which is a perfect metaphor for the performers


My own comments when I saw Patti and Mandy March 29, 2009 at NJPAC:

It was a letdown.

Overall -- One word: Boring

Voices -- Two words, respectively: Screechy and Boring

Together -- Three words: They don't blend


p.s. I expected the performers at a two-star concert, billed as An Evening with ... , would have some rapport with the audience. They barely acknowledged us.



Same old! Same old!

[theatrelover4]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 1:06pm

I am honestly blown away to see such mixed reviews. I must speak my mind! This is most definitely a 'Theatre-lovers' show. If you want to see Mandy and Patti sing their greatest hits, you should have gone to their one man and one woman concerts years ago. They are creating something new and refreshing. Even still, you hear Patti sing 'Everything's Coming Up Roses' and 'Don't Cry For Me...' while Mandy sings 'Buddy's Blues', 'If I Loved You' and 'Oh What a Circus': why would you ask more of them?

They were both so energized and on voice, you wouldn't believe it. I pray to be able to channel roles like Che and Evita at 60+. Their scene work is impeccable. It isn't about them being 'right' for the roles at all. How exciting to watch a team who couldn't be more different than Julie Jordan or Emile de Becque. It was so wonderfully refreshing and creative!

This show is a MUST see and go into it with an open mind ready to enjoy something new (I will say Act II is far more thrilling than Act I). I recommend you sit second row, house right in order to be spat on by Ms. Lupone herself during a water gag in Act I.

[sbflyfan]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 5:19pm

bwayfan7000: I was third row Friday night. She was incredible and in such a great mood! She even had everyone come in the stage door afterwards and signed quickly.

Caught her on a good night! LOL

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 7:52pm

They both have been in the biz for so long, I'd love to hear some meaty stories about working with the greats, the roles they lost, etc. Instead of this.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 8:54pm

Intermission now.

This is a strange show. They both seem to be in a hurry to get it over with the way they're singing. Also, the house lights keep coming on during the show and the two of them are making WTF faces which is quite amusing.

And if you sit in the orchestra in A1 like the elderly lady there now, Patti will spit a mouthful of water on you. No joke or exaggeration. Its a theater queens wet dream come true.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/17/11 at 9:29pm

Those house lights went up last night as well - I think its scripted.