The Unauthorized Musicology of Ben Folds

[SarahR]

Posted: 3/22/07 at 11:42am

Hey all,

First-time poster here. My name is Sarah, I'm a "fledgling" producer here in NYC and have been working on some great stuff lately. One of the things I've been doing more recently is working with the New York Musical Theatre Festival on their Spring Concert series, and our first show is fast approaching! This Monday, 3/26, we're bringing back "The Unauthorized Musicology of Ben Folds", at the Zipper Theatre, with an awesome cast. I'd love to see some of you there!

Best,
Sarah
------------------------

Monday, March 26, 2007 @ 7PM

The Zipper Theater
www.zippertheater.com
336 W. 37th Street
(between 8th and 9th Avenues)

From The New York Musical Theatre Festival - Broadway and Off-Broadway's best take on the songs of nerdy pop sensation Ben Folds, whose offbeat cast of characters, biting lyrics and hyper-intelligent melodies have rocked and touched the music world for over a decade. Back by popular demand after selling out its NYMF 2006 performance, with more great performers and twice as many songs, the concert will feature well-known Broadway talents Manoel Felciano (Sweeney Todd), Will Chase (High Fidelity), Lillias White (Tony winner for The Life), Euan Morton (Taboo), Greg Naughton (Alive in the World), Annie Golden (Assassins, The Full Monty), Stephanie D'Abruzzo (Avenue Q), Ashley Parker Angel (Hairspray), Lisa Howard (Spelling Bee), Stephen Bogardus (Falsettos), Kevyn Morrow (Ragtime), Bob Stillman (Grey Gardens), Michael Arden (The Times They Are A Changin'), J. Robert Spencer (Jersey Boys), Michael Winther (Mamma Mia!), Lauren Kennedy (Spamalot), Alan Campbell (Sunset Boulevard), and Liz McCartney (Taboo).

[SarahR]

Posted: 3/26/07 at 9:38am

Just bumping to see if anyone will be at the show tonight

[best12bars]

Posted: 3/26/07 at 10:23am

I love Ben's music, but sadly I'm on the wrong coast to see this.

Best of luck, and I hope all goes well.

[matthius202]

Posted: 3/26/07 at 1:15pm

Hey Sarah..I've got my ticket. I'll be in the front row :)

I'm pumped!

Updated On: 3/26/07 at 01:15 PM

[matthius202]

Posted: 3/26/07 at 1:30pm

BUMP..just for the awesomeness that is Ben Folds songwriting and the fantastic performers who will be singing his music tonight!

[PersonofInterest]

Posted: 3/26/07 at 3:29pm

I am so bummed I won't be there tonight. I hope to somehow hear some of this at some point. Wink, wink.

(Now I'll get scolded)

[donna_darko_23]

Posted: 3/26/07 at 4:29pm

Wish I in the area and could go, but I hope those of you lucky enough to go will give us less fortunate a good recap!

[matthius202]

Posted: 3/27/07 at 12:31am

Okay so I just got back.

Highlights:

-Michael Arden's performance of both Evaporated and Fred Jones Part 2.
-Will Chase's perf. of Steven's Last Night in Town
-Ashley Parker Angel's perf. of Brick
-Bob Stillman, Stephen Bogardus and Chip Zien's arrangement of Eddie Walker
-Sebastian Arcelus' perf. of Narcolepsy
-Stephen DeRosa's perf. of The Secret Life of Morgan Davis
-J. Robert Spencer's perf. of Late
-Greg Naughton's perf. of Landed
-Liz McCartney's perf. of Learn to Live with What You Are

These were all great performances...not to say that the other performances were less, but these were my favorites.

A HUGE problem I had with the concert tonight was the fact that half of the cast came out and performed their songs with Lyrics Sheets..Im sure there was a good reason, but it was definitely a distraction. Also, there were a couple of disappointing performances...

Well that's about it...I'm being very diplomatic. :)

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 3/27/07 at 12:38am

Smoke is my favorite!

Does Arden do any work other that short stints?

[matthius202]

Posted: 3/27/07 at 12:40am

He was in BARE, the revival of Big River, and The Times They Are A'Changin'.......and he's also writing his own musicals...

he's so great :)

Updated On: 3/27/07 at 12:40 AM

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 3/27/07 at 12:47am

Too old for Melchior?

[gustof777]

Posted: 3/27/07 at 1:34am

OMG I would die brdlwyr!!

I would love to hear his Fred Jones!
any more reviews?

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 3/27/07 at 5:42am

I am so depressed that I wasn't in NYC to see this show!!! Ben Folds is one of my absolute favorite artists; sounds like it was an awesome time.

[MusicAndPassion]

Posted: 3/27/07 at 6:49am

Fred Jones, pt. 2 is one of my favorite songs! How was Michael Arden doing it? Was Ben Folds in the house?

[toomeytwopiece]

Posted: 3/27/07 at 7:37am

lyric sheets??? was that a conceit of the concert? or because people were last-minute additions?? I mean I wouldn't mind paying money for a concert if someone legendary had to come out with a lyric sheet, but that's a bit disappointing if these performers couldn't remember their material. It's stressful, I know, to learn things at the last minute, but it's unfortunate for the audience. I think it can make an audience uncomfortable. Many of the performers are in shows every evening, but they do have their days free. If they accept a position in a concert, and many of them are repeatedly asked to do so, while others are never asked, they should make sure they have the time to prepare. It's fair to the producer, to the audience, and to themselves. :)

[jasonf]

Posted: 3/27/07 at 7:49am

I so wish I could have gone -- I'm a huge Ben Folds fan. I'm hoping to hear it sometime also....somehow...

[Pippin]

Posted: 3/27/07 at 10:42am

I'm really bummed I couldn't afford to go.

was it sold out?

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 3/27/07 at 10:46am

any reports of what Stephanie did?

[matthius202]

Posted: 3/27/07 at 12:03pm

Stephanie did Alice Childress...i love her, but it seemed a little low for her. But she looked great. loved her shoes! :)

and i don't know if it was sold out...the house was pretty darn packed though. so they did well.

also, it was really great to see other Broadway performers there..supporting the cast. (Kelli O'Hara, Stephanie J. Block...) it made me happy :)

Updated On: 3/27/07 at 12:03 PM

[Sykes24]

Posted: 3/27/07 at 1:10pm

Sounds like fun! (Hey everyone, I'm new to the board)

[NBC]

Posted: 3/27/07 at 1:22pm

The only time the lyric sheets bothered me was when Annie Golden didn't have a music stand, and was reading them off of the floor...that made me tense, because I never would have been able to see them! Otherwise I don't mind if the performers have the lyrics with them, I'd rather that than for them to get flustered. (Although I was annoyed when I went to a Rob Halford concert once and he had to read the lyrics to Paranoid...I mean, really. I know it's Ozzy's song, but Rob Halford should know it!)

I'd like to add to matthius's list of highlights: Bob Stillman's performance of Selfless, Cold and Composed; J. Robert Spencer's Army; Mano Felciano's Song for the Dumped; and Stephen Bogardus's Carrying Cathy. (Also nice to see Dana Moore there in support!)

I have to admit I knew maybe four of the songs performed last night, but I am definitely going to seek out some more Ben Folds! I had a great time; nice job, SarahR!!

[PersonofInterest]

Posted: 3/27/07 at 3:45pm

Wasn't Lilias White supposed to perform? If she did, what did she do?

[NBC]

Posted: 3/27/07 at 3:48pm

She didn't perform...she wasn't in the program, either.

[PersonofInterest]

Posted: 3/27/07 at 3:51pm

Bummer, I was really fascinated to hear how her interpretation of some of Folds material would be.

[best12bars]

Posted: 3/27/07 at 5:59pm

I agree, toomey. That kinda sucks. Each performer had one song, right? It's not like they were asked to learn a whole score in five days, or something like that.

Not very professional for something like this, truthfully.