New Kander Stroman Musical

[OlBlueEyes]

Posted: 3/11/17 at 11:54am

For Your Information:

The New York Pops tonight, (Friday), saluted the music of Kander and Ebb in a concert at Carnegie Hall. Guest vocalists were Caissie Levy and Tony Yazbeck. Ms. Levy, to those unfamiliar with her, impressed with both her voice and her ability to play to the audience. Yazbeck, just seen in the 25th anniversary production of Crazy for You, managed to work in about a minute of showing off his tap skills.

John Kander was in the house and received an ovation and the inevitable singing of "Happy Birthday" from the audience. At the end of the concert Yazbeck announced that he would be starring in a new musical from the 90 year old Kander and that it would be directed by Susan Stroman, who was sitting with Kander in the audience. The musical would be based on a novella by Henry James, The Beast in the Jungle. As one of the relatively few Henry James fans in the country, I have not read it but will do so. 

This musical if anything will certainly stray from the norm. All of the music Kander is writing will be in waltz time and dance will be very prominent.

Ms. Levy to end the concert sang Kander and Ebb's second best known song, "Maybe This Time," and I'm sure I don't have to tell anyone the name of the finale.

Here is a review with photos:

http://t2conline.com/kander-and-ebb-shine-at-the-new-york-pops/

The author is a little critical of Ms. Levy in a few places mainly on matters that only an insider would be familiar with. Much of the audience, including me, did not know her, and from chatting and overhearing other conversations she went down very well with the audience.

I would also add that a surprising number of prime Parque seats were empty. Probably  mostly subscribers who didn't show on a cold winter night. Seems a shame that they go to waste.