Elsie Fest: October 8, 2017

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/26/17 at 2:12pm

Elsie Fest 2017   from Playbill.com

[KatVer]

Posted: 7/30/17 at 1:20pm

Lineup

https://twitter.com/dailydarrennews/status/891014351066464258/photo/1

[hmph]

Posted: 7/30/17 at 2:29pm

I went to the first one and had a good time. Didn't have a chance to get to the second one, but the initial names (disregarding the apparently fake bands listed at the bottom) might get me back for the third year. 

[ChildofEarth]

Posted: 7/30/17 at 2:59pm

How the hell did Criss manage to pull Audra? This is a FANTASTIC lineup (Well, Alan and Audra)

[LxGstv]

Posted: 7/30/17 at 3:00pm

ChildofEarth said: "How the hell did Criss manage to pull Audra? This is a FANTASTIC lineup (Well, Alan and Audra)

 

"

Hasn't been confirmed yet. Everyone tweeted under it that it's not official yet.

Updated On: 7/30/17 at 03:00 PM

[BrightLights3]

Posted: 7/30/17 at 10:20pm

The event is, I believe, financed / co-produced by Jordan Roth which may go a long way towards attracting names. 

[hanabana]

Posted: 7/31/17 at 4:30pm

I am so happy that Elsie Fest is happening again this year!  Went to both previous ones and had so much fun.  Glad to see Corey Cott returning (if the current unconfirmed lineup is correct), he was amazing last year and is currently giving an extremely moving performance in Bandstand.  And yes, Audra and Alan would be so awesome!  Looking forward to the confirmed lineup (even though I think regardless of the lineup, it is always nice to have an event where broadway music is celebrated).

 

[hmph]

Posted: 8/1/17 at 9:13am

Apparently it's officially Alan Cumming, Lea Michele, and Darren Criss with special guests Ingrid Michaelson and Norm Lewis hosted by Elvis Duran. Hmm.

[BlackElleWoods]

Posted: 8/1/17 at 9:49am

I'll go for lea alone . She's an amazing talent !

[CassandraReads]

Posted: 8/1/17 at 9:54am

Anyone happen to have the presale code? I'm having trouble with the site on my phone or something and it won't email it to me. Thanks in advance! :) 

[ren598]

Posted: 8/1/17 at 9:57am

Looks like they've downsized the event this year.  Only 4 hours (6PM - 10PM) and only 3 headliners.  No VIP experience and tickets topping out at $85.  It was $250 or more the past 2 years.

[LYLS3637]

Posted: 8/1/17 at 9:59am

Ugh, why Elvis Duran?!? 

[PatrickDC]

Posted: 8/1/17 at 9:08pm

LxGstv said: "ChildofEarth said: "How the hell did Criss manage to pull Audra? This is a FANTASTIC lineup (Well, Alan and Audra)"

Hasn't been confirmed yet. Everyone tweeted under it that it's not official yet."

 

Should they be publicizing a big name like Audra before she's confirmed? And without a footnote noting she is not confirmed or "tentative cast", etc.? Seems odd to me. 

[yourheartcansing]

Posted: 8/1/17 at 10:31pm

PatrickDC said: "LxGstv said: "ChildofEarth said: "How the hell did Criss manage to pull Audra? This is a FANTASTIC lineup (Well, Alan and Audra)"

Hasn't been confirmed yet. Everyone tweeted under it that it's not official yet."

 

Should they be publicizing a big name like Audra before she's confirmed? And without a footnote noting she is not confirmed or "tentative cast", etc.? Seems odd to me. 

 

"

That tweet came from a fan run news site, not anyone officially with elsie. Honestly I don't think they should have spread it but they did add on that it wasn't official yet. They were able to find a page under Elsie's domain that was being edited but clearly not ready to be public.

[blueshadows]

Posted: 10/8/17 at 10:00am

Anyone going to this today? Would be nice to hear some reports about it.

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 10/8/17 at 10:06am

I'll be there.  Hoping the weather holds out and there are surprises.  It's typically a venue for people to perform outside of their normal box.

[chocoholik]

Posted: 10/8/17 at 12:46pm

I'm excited for this! I found out about it by looking at TodayTix and I ended up buying a ticket through them. Can't wait.

[Sunny11]

Posted: 10/8/17 at 3:30pm

Twitter is telling me that lea michele is scheduled  to sing don’t rain on my parade. Appropriate for the weather!

[mpkie]

Posted: 10/8/17 at 11:04pm

chocoholik said: "I'm excited for this! I found out about it by looking at TodayTix and I ended up buying a ticket through them. Can't wait."

How did you find out and how much were they from TodayTix? I signed up for asked from them for the show and never got anything.

[jo]

Posted: 10/9/17 at 12:18am

Replacing the original clip with a much better one --
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=9&v=8L34W4X9e7o

Keala Settle singing the trailer song from the movie THE GREATEST SHOWMAN.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXCTMGYUg9A



 

 

Updated On: 10/9/17 at 12:18 AM

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 10/9/17 at 12:30am

Jeremy Jordan: The man's voice is out of this world.  He is, in my opinion, the strongest young talent out there.  He sang "Broadway, Here I Come," "At Last," "Shiksa Goddess," "Semi-Charmed Life" (Third Eye Blind cover), and ended with a Disney medley that really showed off the heights of his voice on numbers like "Go the Distance."  He was tied for my favorite of the night.

The Band's Visit:  Since I haven't seen the show yet, I can't say too much, but it was Etai Benson and one other young guy who sang a song about not being able to be around girls.  It was adorable, and all the people around me were commenting on their desire to get tickets.

Lea Michele:  She started with "Rain On My Parade" which was very weather-appropriate.  She did one of her own songs that didn't go over very well, "Maybe This Time," "Falling Slowly" with Darren Criss, and ended with "My Man" bookending her performance with Barbra numbers.  There was one other song in there, but I don't remember what it was.  She was fine.  Her overdramatic surprised reaction to seeing Darren Criss walk out (like they hadn't seen each other all day and rehearsed the number) made my friend and I roll our eyes.  

Alan Cumming:  He was tied with Jeremy Jordan for my favorite of the night.  He's so witty and passionate when he performs that it was just a joy.  He started with "Somewhere Only We Know" which was a beautiful cover of the Keane song before going into "Mein Herr," a Sondheim medley that proved they're basically all the same song, "What More Can I Say," "Ladies Who Lunch," and maybe one other.  He made political speeches before the numbers imploring the audience to speak up against the new LGBTQ ruling that passed in South.

Miss Saigon:  Boring.  This performance made me realize why I didn't like Alistair when I saw the show a few months ago.  He and Eva did "Last Night of the World," and then Eva did "I'd Give My Life For You" or whatever that song is called.

Darren Criss:  His set was the longest, but the man deserved it.  He's put these shows together for the last few years, and he works his behind off.  He also had lots of guests to help keep things moving.  Auil'i Cravalho joined him for "How Far I'll Go" from Moana and a song from his album.  Norm Lewis joined him for the cheesiest and most operatic version of "What's Goin' On" I've ever heard.  I hope for his sake that there's no video of it.  Seems like a nice guy, but it just didn't work.  Ingrid Michaelson came out for "A Whole New World," "The Way I Am" and then did a beautiful solo number on "Somewhere That's Green." Keala Settle came out to preview the song she sings in The Greatest Showman.  On top of all that, Darren also did "Circle of Life," "Cabaret," "One Fine Day," "I Dreamed a Dream," "Teenage Dream," and a few of his own songs.  The man doesn't stop.

Overall:  I was worried that the shortened time this year would mean less acts, but they managed to fit lots of different people into the time they had.  Summerstage isn't my favorite venue, as the bleacher seats aren't in a prime location (yet you pay more for them) and people are basically on top of each other, but I was happy to have those over the general admission tickets.  It was a full house!  I was also happy to hear them announce Elsie Fest 4.  Already dreaming of who I want there. 

Updated On: 10/9/17 at 12:30 AM

[mpkie]

Posted: 10/9/17 at 1:07am

DramaTeach said: "Jeremy Jordan: The man's voice is out of this world. He is, in my opinion, the strongest young talent out there. "

His set was worth the price of admission. I'd put his "At Last" up there with other similarly epic renditions like, "It's All Coming Back to Me," "Total Eclipse of My Hear" (my fave), and "Let It Go."

His voice is damn flawless and he emotes like no other. And has charm for days. I'm still sour as all heck they didn't bring Jeremy over to Broadway with Finding Neverland. I desperately need to see him in some awesome musical as leading man.

Switching gears, Keala Settle and "This Is Me"...  I think Paul and Pasek might have done it again. Another best song nod? It also happens to be incredibly radio-friendly.

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 10/9/17 at 8:30am

^ I agree, mpkie.  On both statements.  Toward the end, my friend turned to me and said, "No Cynthia Erivo inspirational moment like last year."  Then "This Is Me" happened.  They'll definitely get nominated again, but I don't know that they'll win.  Excited to see her perform it on the Oscars. 

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

Posted: 10/9/17 at 11:25am

Well, now I have to go find "This is Me" on YouTube...

I'm so glad THE BAND'S VISIT went over well with the younger crowd here. As you guys might know, I was at the very first preview...I'm going to write my thoughts more thoroughly, but for now- I'll just say it deserves attention. :)

I'm beginning to think Lea Michele has some kind of disease that physically forces her to perform Streisand standards at every single appearance. Streisanitis, if you will?

[ChildofEarth]

Posted: 10/9/17 at 11:39am

Went to this with a friend on a free ticket and was pleasantly surprised - this really isn’t my thing at all but I had a good time and some beer, so it was a win/win.

I’m not too familiar with Jeremy Jordan, but I found him enjoyable. Lea Michele is best with your eyes closed - she’s a lovely woman but the faces she makes are atrocious.

Alan Cumming and Norm Lewis are clearly in leagues of their own. Keala as well - I hate the trite song but love the performance. She’s a star.

Darren was clearly the most comfortable with the stage - he’s the only one that really used it. Some interesting song choices from him. I didn’t know he wrote songs as well and his own were the highlight- but I’m not a Disney fan. 

Ingrid is amazing as well, though I was hoping for some Comet. 

I wasn’t a fan of the venue, I’ll admit. A chair would have been lovely. Also not a fan of the Marie’s Crisis singalongs - I came to hear people who can sing.