I saw her a few months ago in LA and while she was still in pain from some recent medical occurrences, she was magnificent. She sang songs that she wanted to sing, and you could tell she was enjoying them.
"I never had theatre producers run after me. Some people want to make more Broadway shows out of movies. But Elliot and I aren't going to do Batman: The Musical." - Julie Taymor 1999
I saw Barbara yesterday at the Quik Stop in Leonardo and asked her this question. She looked funny at me (a funny look, she didn't look funny, she looked great, but a bit distant), and told me with much deliberation "if I told you, then it wouldn't be a surprise now, would it?"
Then she stepped on my foot (I was wearing sandals and she had on heels) and walked out the door with her entourage (two chihauhaus).
Any time I see something like "Surprise Guests", I think that whomever these 'guests' will be won't be decided until maybe the week before because it will depend on who isn't working another bigger gig that date.
The guests may end up being a bit of a surprise to Ms. Cook herself at least until 3-7 days before the date.
Who was on the bill indeed?
"If my life weren't funny, it would just be true. And that would be unacceptable."
--Carrie Fisher
I really don't want to sound like I was unhappy to see Josh Groban, because it is always great to hear him. However, they saved him until the end, and I honestly felt that his performance was the least inspired and inspiring. He sang the same song he had prepared for her concert at the Met, had no interesting stories as to why he chose to sing it again, and didn't seem to have the heart the others had. The others seemed to have carefully prepared their choices, had thoughtful and meaningful stories to share, and as a result, the impact of each was exponentially strengthened. Josh simply seemed... out of place? Did anyone else feel that way?
John Pizzarelli and his wife Jessica Molaskey, followed by Susan Graham, followed by Sheldon Harnick, ending with Josh Groban. I don't believe I've forgotten anyone.
I started by saying I wasn't unhappy-- unhappy is a word, when used properly, that means "not happy"-- I was happy to see Josh Groban. He is famous. But in the context of the surrounding circumstances, I felt, personally, that's all he was.