Sondheim NY Philharmonic Concert

Just got back from the show. We were sitting in the second row right in front of the spot where Bernadette introduced each piece. The show was wonderful ... Katrina was fantastic!

Updated On: 12/31/19 at 09:35 PM

Auggie, Was that Katrina who was singing Losing My Mind? I was flipping the channel and it caught my eye. I had thought it was Samantha Banks. Even though I only watched 30-40 seconds, whoever was singing it, I didn't think was doing a good job.

Auggie27 said: "The symphonic performances are glorious. Ms. Lenk was an unfortunate choice for those two Follies numbers, middle age ruminations on love/regret.To compensate, she over characterized them and ended up coy and arch, and because of nerves, vocally tentative and histrionically overcooked. The songs are iconic because they don't need that much pushto put them over; just a trust in the character voices and the lyric. Lenk is a gifted theater artist; this wasn't her night in my opinion."

I feel like they should have had her perform "Being Alive" considering they promoted the revival a few times. "Losing My Mind" was underwhelming.. she didn't seem completely comfortable vocally

As someone who thought Katrina's performance in the Band's Visit was among the best I have ever seen, I could not help but feel as though this truly showed what concerns me over her casting in Company.... Her incredibly unique vocals, which I just do not believe to be suited to singing traditional Musical Theatre scores. Her voice, in my opinion, closely resembles that of an Edith Piaf type (Piaf revival starring Katrina, anyone?) So, for those who didn't watch, just imagine Edith Piaf singing Losing My Mind and Could I Leave You. Additionally, count me in the party of those who just did not understand what Katrina's interpretation of Losing My Mind was...... grinning through the entire song like a giddy young ingenue? Don't think that's quite what Steve had in mind....... Last, I guess I have answered my own question in thinking now that it's because Sondheim did not compose the Overture to Gypsy that it was not an option to be performed in this show, as when they began with the Forum Overture, I could not help but think "why on earth would they not choose to begin with one of the most iconic Overture's in the entire musical theatre cannon?!" Haha. Oops. However, overall, a simply gorgeous night of music.

I just saw a very small clip of "Losing My Mind" on Twitter. Sometimes it sounds like she unintentionally sings with an accent, when she doesn't have a natural accent. Her "Last Midnight" at the JRB/Sondheim concert was very good, but it worked with her unique/quirky sound.

In terms of Company, I'm going to trust Elliot and Sondheim on this one.

Updated On: 1/1/20 at 01:13 AM

ljay889 said: "I just saw a very small clip of "Losing My Mind" on Twitter. Sometimes it sounds like sheunintentionally sings with an accent, when she doesn't have a natural accent. Her "Last Midnight" at the JRB/Sondheim concert was very good, but it worked with her unique/quirky sound.

In terms of Company,I'm going to trust Elliot and Sondheim on this one."

I think I watched the same clip you did, and I definitely agree on the accent. Just seems like she didn’t quite have a handle on if she wanted to sing with or without it. It really struck me as a lack of practice with the song. I imagine for company she will have an easier time ironing this out with all the rehearsal/preview time.

On a different hand, does a recording of her ‘last midnight’ exist? I’ve searched but haven’t found one.

qolbinau said: "Did Bernadette sing anything? I don’t like that she has apparently been reduced to introducing others to sing?????? "

According to a random tweet I saw, her and Katrina sang ‘Auld Lang Syne’ at the end. I agree it’s strange that such a legend was resigned to simply hosting and not being a performer but, it’s not like legends haven’t hosted before(company reunion concert).