MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TH AT 1PM FORD AMPHITHEATER at Coney Island Boardwalk
MEGAN HILTY, TITUSS BURGESS, DARREN CRISS, LENA HALL, JASON ROBERT BROWN, COREY COTT, REBEL AND A BASKETCASE, PASEK AND PAUL, JULIE JAMES, CYNTHIA ERIVO
What are your thoughts on the venue / lineup? Who's planning on going?
adamgreer said: "At least it's not the same weekend as the Flea Market this year! I assume they learned their lesson.
I would think this date has more to do with Darren's (and Lena's) schedule than anything as Hedwig starts in October in San Francisco. But yes - good that there isn't that conflict this year."
I don't know if Coney Island is any more convenient than a pier on the Hudson. I guess you can actually take the train all the way there, it's just further? So it's better?
But at least it doesn't overlap w/ the Flea, that's for sure.
And then you can spend your Labor Day on the beach!
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
First thought that came to mind: Is this being sponsored by Borden?
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
FYI - for anyone who entered Darren Criss Pop-Up Bar lottery on TodayTix: TodayTix is offering a pair of Elsie Fest tickets in the 200s sections for $39 ($29 + $10 fee) each. Deal valid only in a pair. Offer expires at midnight. Check your app.
Don't plan to go at the moment, nor do I have a +1, so if someone else ends up being solo, I might be willing to buy the other ticket off you :)
no because they are only closing the beach on sunday for swimming, if your a crazy person you can still go walk the boardwalk, beach but they dont want anyone in the water
Megan Hilty: Reliable performer who consistently knocks it out of the park. Why is she not a bigger star? She is a true belter who plays up the "blonde" shtick, and it works for her. Saw her with the Pops recently, and it was pretty much the same thing. I'm a fan.
Titus Burgess: Way more versatile than I expected. His voice is straight out of the church, but he did a rendition of "Summertime" that was jazzy and smooth and a powerful version of "What's Goin' On" after urging everyone to vote.
"Stranger Things" boys: Not a whole lot to report. They came out and did "Fugue for Tinhorns" with Darren Criss and then each did their own numbers with their sisters. It was cute for what it was, and the boys have nice voices.
Corey Cott: Adorable and goofy when speaking, but when he sings, he exudes confidence. Of course "Santa Fe" was great, but he did "One Song" from Rent, and I think that was personal favorite.
Julie James: She has a nice voice, but she attempted to scat in her soprano, and it was a very bad decision. I like her, but her constant peppiness is a bit much and we know by the fifth time she mentions it that she is on Sirius; no need to state it another five times.
Todrick Hall: Bizarre going from Julie James to Todrick. I had never heard him until tonight, and I'm sold. It was high energy, fun songs, and a beautiful romantic duet with Darren Criss. Won me over.
Rebel and a Basketcase: Oy. This lasted way longer than it should have. I understand that they're Darren's friends and he wanted to have an eclectic group of performers, but at a musical theater festival, there should be musical theater songs performed. I'm fine if you want to mix in one or two of your own, but their entire set was their own alternative indie rock music. And it didn't end. I actually didn't hate the music, but this was entirely out of place and tedious.
Pasek and Paul: This was the highlight of the night for me. They sang some of their own songs and brought out Lindsay Mendez and Cynthia Erivo for some of the others. I cannot wait for Dear Evan Hansen, especially after hearing Pasek sing "Waving Through the Window" and Cynthia Erivo singing the act I closer. Their music is so melodic.
Jason Robert Brown: Well, he seems like an interesting one. Clearly a fan of himself. The man is talented, so I get it. He sang a bunch of the songs including "Moving Too Fast," "I Love Betsy" and "It All Fades Away." Cynthia Erivo came out to do one from Last 5 Years also.
Lena Hall: Similar to Rebel and a Basketcase (although not to the same extent), she and her band sang lots of their own rock tunes. She did a couple of radio-friendly songs including "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" and of course sang "Origin of Love." The girl's voice is sick, but way too much rock for me.
Darren Criss: He is so enthusiastic about musical theater and it's infectious. Liz Callaway came out to sing "Journey to the Past" with him, and he sang a bunch of other great ones including "Cabaret" (couldn't pass up the "Elsie" lyric nod). Have to hand it to him for putting a wonderful day together.
Overall, the day was lots of fun. There were some great performances at the piano in between sets including Laura Osnes and little Alison from Fun Home doing "Ring of Keys." The place was easy to get to and the seats were fine. Food and bathrooms didn't have long lines either. I'd go again next year.
Drama, Julie James is an acquired taste on Sirius XM. Yes, she's smart and knowledgeable about the theatre, but she "waaaay over does it" on praising her guests. Her gushing is annoying to the extreme. Plus, she reminds me of Michael Riedel in a ways. She interrupts her guests constantly. Her guests have to fight to get in a word edgewise.
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
For anyone interested, I've uploaded 21 videos from Elsie Fest 2016 to the below playlist. I've got more videos, but it has taken a lot longer than expected to edit and upload the videos. I'll add to the new videos to this playlist as I upload them.