Elaine Stritch : movin over and out (aka her last Cafe Carlyle show ever!)- Page 2

[oasisjeff]

Posted: 4/4/13 at 1:10am

"I hear it was pretty horrible. Unfortunately Stritchie can no longer remember words to songs, so she talked the whole time."

I caught the show tonight, and that wasn't my impression. She says the show was sort of put together without much rehearsal, so they hadn't worked up many songs. It does seem the three song thing is pretty standard. She also said her pianist knows the words to everything, so if she forgets something, don't worry, she'll get through it.

She seemed very engaged, having a good time, and even went much longer than the reported 60 minutes of the first night. I think she was more in the 100-minute range tonight.

Where else are you going to hear stories about Hepburn, Judy, Bela Lugosi, Sondheim, Bette Davis, Bernadette Peters, Quentin Crisp, Noel Coward and on and on.

I'm not saying she was spry and didn't stumble, but she was still in charge... shushing talking patrons, telling the staff to stop talking, and entertaining everyone. It wasn't charity. We weren't clapping in sympathy or to be polite. She put on a good show. People who expected a lot of singing (and I did until I read today's reviews) will be slightly put off, especially not to hear Ladies Who Lunch, but once you push past that, there was still a compelling time to be had.

[lovebwy]

Posted: 4/4/13 at 1:26am

Well I'm glad it was enjoyable. I was a bit worried to hear she'd started drinking again, but I guess at age 88 she deserves it.

[lovebwy]

Posted: 4/4/13 at 12:13pm

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151510646437829&set=vb.815417828&type=2&theater

She seems drunk in this video.

Updated On: 4/4/13 at 12:13 PM

[behindthescenes2]

Posted: 4/4/13 at 3:12pm

I know people will be aghast and appalled and horrified and will jump on me and this statement and I will be asked to turn in my gay card, but honestly, I don't understand this career. I don't get her talent, and frankly, I don't think she is that great of an actress, especially a musical one. She certainly has been lauded and applauded and has had a long successful career, which from all accounts she has worked hard for and earned. I certainly respect that and her, but I am at a loss.

[mar6411]

Posted: 4/4/13 at 3:16pm

And you really believe that this is the appropriate thread to express these sentiments? Sheesh.

[PlayItAgain]

Posted: 4/4/13 at 3:30pm

@loveBWAY she did not come across as drunk., when your 88 tell me if you can remember and tell a story from 40+ years ago perfectly?

[jv92]

Posted: 4/4/13 at 8:50pm

behindthescenes2, You're damned right that people will jump on you, and let me be the second. You're a disgrace. Who's your idea of a great performer? Idina Menzel? (Who is talented, but Stritch is Stritch.)

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/4/13 at 9:41pm

"What about matinees?"

That line is the perfect punchline to a perfect story.

If you don't appreciate that woman, her life, her career and that anecdote, then I pity you. You are a hopeless dolt, completely lacking in heart and soul and intellect and emotion, utterly devoid of the spark of life, and destined to live out the rest of your life as "The Dullard Who Didn't Get Stritch."

Updated On: 4/5/13 at 09:41 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/4/13 at 9:46pm

Exactly. She can still land a joke. She will never lose that. I always find it hard to place or express what makes Stritch so special, but it's undeniable, and it can be found in everything she's done.

[jv92]

Posted: 4/4/13 at 9:58pm

"I always find it hard to place or express what makes Stritch so special, but it's undeniable, and it can be found in everything she's done."

My sentiments exactly. Thank you.

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 12:37am

Stephen Holden's "review"

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/03/a-notable-audience-for-elaine-
stritch-at-the-carlyle/?ref=theater

I am glad that I will always have my memories of Stritch in the Full Monty, multiple times in Night Music, and at her concert at Town Hall.

[PitPro2004]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 11:10am

I adore Stritch and I am hoping they get all the funding necessary for that new doc on her that has been making the rounds in search of funds at Facebook. I'm dying to see it.

I'm only sorry my wallet wouldn't let me get to her final shows. Anyone know if they are taping at least one of them for broadcast? Would be nice if they got the one that had all the faces in the audience.

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 7:15pm

She hasn't been doing The Ladies Who Lunch?

[behindthescenes2]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 1:03pm

Clutch your pearls all you want, and insulting a person with just an honest assessment and not criticizing those who do adore her (obviously you are a charter member of Theatre Queens Are US) just proves my point. Landing a joke doesn't mean for a great actress. I didn't say I didn't appreciate her accomplishments at all, I did say that for me, she leaves me unsatisfied, and somewhat skeptical that any woman would leave Ben Gazzara for Rock Hudson (Queen of all Queens). Insulting me doesn't take away my right to question her talent, or lack there of. It is my right to have it and express it. You can disagree and you can "try" to insult me, but it doesn't stick, and it says that your extreme defense shows your insecurity of your stance. Don't forget to clean your pearls after you have pulled on them.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 1:29pm

Quite a vein of homophobia in the above post.

[Dean]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 1:31pm

The video of her "At Liberty" show will always be one of my favorite theater-on-video experiences (I wasn't in NYC to see it live.) Her talent is unique and not for everyone, however, her personality, timing and love for the stage is unparalleled. Best wishes to Elaine, and thank you for your contributions to the theater.

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 1:44pm

behinthescenes, this might help you understand.

http://youtu.be/8gR9BNwPJDg

[Jackson Upperco]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 5:27pm

No "Ladies Who Lunch." Actually, no songs that she's famous for performing. All newer material for her. She did a little tribute to the new Pope last night.

Saw the show Friday night. I was one of nine to sit at the bar. I was on the far left, next to the door that Stritch enters from. At about 8:40, I heard her unmistakeable growl as she was ordering around her various assistants. She was so close, I could smell her perfume for ten minutes before she came out. The producer of the upcoming documentary was also there last night, shooting the show for a possible extra on a DVD release. Also, of note--Mandy Patinkin and Michael Riedel were in the audience.

During the show, which lasted about 75 minutes, the man standing next to me asked if I would give up my seat for his friend--an elderly woman. I obliged, and later learned that she was Robert Altman's widow. Anyway, halfway through the act, a man in the audience made the mistake of telling Elaine that he had already heard the story that she was about to tell. She cut him down to size quickly. Later, during the show when her assistant told her that the heckler was Michael Riedel, she was very disappointed and ended the show shortly thereafter. She still has IT, though, and loves to show it off to anyone who wants to hear.

When Elaine was receiving her standing ovation, Mrs. Altman and her companion asked if I would like to meet Elaine. So I hurriedly payed my humungous bar bill and followed them back through that very same door that Elaine came and went from. Then I got a personal introduction with Ms. Stritch in the lobby of the Carlyle. She was very gracious, but still upset about Riedel--whom she brought up to anyone who would listen. She put her arms around me and genuinely thanked me for coming.

It was a great night. And I'm very glad I got the opportunity to see her in person.

Updated On: 4/6/13 at 05:27 PM

[binau]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 5:32pm

I would be upset about Riedel too...obviously not everyone has heard the damn story. What did she say about Bernadette?

[Jackson Upperco]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 5:40pm

I can't recall anything about Bernadette. But she did mention that since she's been photographed with Tom Hanks, everyone thinks she's a star now.

She mentioned Joan Rivers, who went Thursday night. And talked about Lauren Bacall, who called her recently.

She told some familiar stories, but declined to discuss Barbara Cook. She talked of Bela Lugosi, Ruth Donnelly, Ethel Merman, Bacall, Jane Fonda, Sondheim...

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 5:43pm

Clutch your pearls all you want...obviously you are a charter member of Theatre Queens Are US...Rock Hudson (Queen of all Queens)...Don't forget to clean your pearls after you have pulled on them.

I haven't got a clue what you're going on about. Are you thinking you're insulting me or Rock Hudson by calling us "queen"?

Or are you going for some sort of we-are-all-queens demeanor?

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/7/13 at 9:32am

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/07/nyregion/a-new-york-without-elaine-stritch.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

I find it interesting she still has some drinks.

[carolineorchange21]

Posted: 4/7/13 at 2:03pm

I have to wonder if Riedel was affectionately referencing the fact he's attended a number of her Carlyle shows and was thus familiar with her patter or if he legitimately gets off on heckling an 88 year old legend. Misunderstandings happen and he has always been unabashed in his adoration of Stritch, so this is a puzzler.

[Will42]

Posted: 4/7/13 at 5:29pm

It really is the end of an era. Doesn't seems like a cliche to say it on this occasion.
Thank you, Ms. Stritch for all your unforgettable contributions over the years and hopefully we will still see you on TV and films for many years to come! Brava!

Ms. Stritch performs The Party's Over: http://grooveshark.com/#!/search/song?q=Elaine+Stritch+The+Party's+Over



Updated On: 4/7/13 at 05:29 PM

[Wildcard]

Posted: 6/12/13 at 6:44pm

Doesn't seem like she's happy in Michigan. Home is where the heart is.
Elaine Not Thrilled About Her Golden Years…