Saturday evening I went to see Tony Award winners Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin in concert at the McCallum Theatre. It was two hour show of Broadway musical classics. Now as far as I am concerned, I wouldn't necessarily think of myself as a big show tunes fan, but I must admit I recognized most of the shows they sang. They performed selections from Carousel, Anything Goes, Merrily We Roll Along, Little Shop of Horrors, Company, How to Succeed In Business Without really Trying, and Evita. When they sang songs from Evita, the audience was thrilled- she and Mandy had both done Evita on Broadway many years ago. It was a very simple production- just Patti, Mandy, a pianist, a Bass player and two white wicker chairs.Patti LuPone recently concluded a run in the hit Broadway production of Sweeney Todd as the pie-maker Mrs. Lovett. She is about to go back to Broadway for the revival of Gypsy. It was a nice evening, although my other half was bored out of his mind, (as was one-half of the other couple we went with). Amazingly, they survived only after threatening to poke out their eyes with a sharp stick rather than sit through a night of show tunes.
As I sat in the theatre, I thought about my friend Stephen Rader who probably would have enjoyed the show. I'll keep you in mind next time we see Patti, Stephen. For your viewing pleasure, below is a YouTube clip from the Broadway production of Evita with Patti as Eva, and Mandy as Che. I've always liked Evita.
-Rick Rockhill
-Rick Rockhill
17 comments:
oh goodie I get to be the first to comment! I actually saw Miss Lupone on Broadway doing Evita many years ago, she was really quite good.
That Lupone could break yer eardrums singing that Evita role. I may do a post soon on the actual Eva Duarte, the first lady soon.
OOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooo!!!
Sounds like a fantastic show. Great clip. Two fantastic performers.
Hey isn't Patty LP one of THEE (female) QUEENS OF BROADWAY?
They've not really heard of her over here as she never comes over to do London productions...
SWEENY TODD I would love to see... I have one of the traxx on a Streisand album called the Broadway album ... I think it is called "Pretty Women... fascinating... sipping coffee... dancing...." great song I would LOVE to see that movie... if only it does NOT disappear within about 3 days of appearing at my local cinema as most films seem to ... meaning invariably I MISS THEM ALL... i REALLY wanted to see THE QUEEN with Helen Mirren but even THAT had gone within not much more than a week... and yet the SECOND it came out on DVD the local supermarket had it on special offer and stacked up 10ft high!!
Just thought I'd come by say Hi as you've been on the past 3 friends' blogs I commented at... holding court with your glass of red wine
is Palm Springs a desert Oasis in Southern California? Or does it just sound like one?
As long as there was booze I would have had a good time. I like booze.
It was quite a fun show. I loved the office chair choreography. Ms. Lupone has a deliciously, powerful voice. Mandy, however, is getting very thin in the register. His acting presentations saved the day.
You saw Mandy Patankin!
*tries not to be jealous*
I enjoyed that clip Rick, she's quite a vocallist isn't she? And that from a big Madonna fan!!
Sounds like a fun time, although I am quite disappointed that Mandy sold out of Criminal Minds..fantastic show for a mom that lives for 8pm and on every evening...boys asleep zzzzzing upstairs in their beds. :)
Monday..BLAH!
Elizabeth :)
Well I never, I didn't know Mandy Patinkin was from the stage. I've seen him in many things, including my first sighting of him many years ago as an artsy character in Impromptu (the story of Chopin played by a very young Hugh Grant, and the first time I saw him too).
But seeing him singing and strutting around, it's hard to get my head around that since his current incarnation for me is as the very modest and laconic FBI profiler in Criminal Minds!
I never liked Evita, but I would have loved to see this concert. It's not often the two originals reprise their legendary roles from Broadway. I'm a huge Patti fan.
Mandy Patinkin is amazing...I have loved him in his TV roles...he is so completely gifted...I would love to have seen him also.
Now, I realize this is going to make me seem very uncultured (but I really DO know and love Broadway & Opera!) but all I can think of when you talk about Patti is that she is Corkie's mom.
*shrugs* Can't help it, but life goes on...
(I get points for that, right?) ;)
Forguve me Rick, but anyone who would be bored out of their minds watching therse two FANTASTIC Talents needs Medication, or a Bop on The Head, or Something!
I have seen both of them On Stage in many different shows, Including Patti Lupone in LONDON, in "SUNSET BLVD"....These are both Great GREAT Performers/Singers/Actors! How I wish I could have seen this concert!
ooo now this sounds like a great show. I like them both a lot. I didn't know they were even touring together.
I wish I could have been there!!!! I'm sure she was amazing.
P.S. Did she sing any consonants? I love her, but Patti is vowel HEAVY!! :)
Sounds like a great show. I love musicals Rick. Evita was one of my favourites too.
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