Beautiful so far. Everyone has been exceptional (save for one). Lilla in particular did a lovely job, and obviously Audra and Kelli are super pros as usual.
What the F? Maria Friedman singing as the character "Morales" from "A Chorus Line"?? What...they couldn't have gotten Priscilla Lopez? I never knew Morales had a British accent.
"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)
This is turning out to be an Audra concert. Josh Groban is an intriguing choice. Hey Mr. Producer...what the hey? from RC in AUstin, Texas Oh hey....Raul Esparza...now...Megan Hilty...oh, there's Maria....the T& A girl....Kelli...group song...
wait..Brian D'Arcy too. Did anyone of them work with Marvin Hamlisch?
I liked the last part. They did it right. Is this group from the most recent touring company of ACL? I kind of noticed that their costumes weren't really all that shiny...just saying..
"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)
I think "At the Ballet" is officially my favorite song, in case anyone was keeping tabs. I adored Audra/Megan/Kelli's version, tears.
Also confused by a Diana with a British accent, but not as confused as I was by her outfit. Did I miss something or did it look like she was wearing sweatpants under her dress?
"I've never encountered such religiously, you know, loyal fans as Broadway musical theater fans. It's amazing."
--Allison Janney
They were o.k. I mean, they had to be really careful on the limited stage space they had. I do have a beef with the producers. Since A Chorus Line was a musical so closely associated with Marvin Hamlisch, it would have been nice to have had one of the songs sung by someone from the recent ACL revival on Broadway. Even better, Priscilla Lopez or someone from the original cast should have made some sort of appearance. Just saying...from RC in Austin, Texas P.S. Would PBS really have been in trouble if the word "tits" had actually been used? I think that comedy bit was not really necessary.
"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)
you're not alone, broadwayjim. no denying Audras voice is angelic, but I agree that her very head dominant/lyrical tone and the Hamlish song book don't quite gel. (I believe she would have been more successful singing a song from "Sweet Smell..")
Yah, the dancers in One were definitely the worst part of the number. The first part with the singers doing the walk-ons and bows was adorable though. Especially Lilla Crawford.
Hilty has definitely sounded better, but I still think her voice is such a natural, easy talent.
Esparza worked with Hamlisch on a concert in Toronto a couple of summers ago.
Hamlisch also conducted the Phil for Raul when he sang with them and Kristin Chenoweth in 2008. And Raul auditioned for Sweet Smell, there was a really lovely story printed somewhere about that.
At The Ballet, just like that, was the big one I'd been hoping for. They nailed it, I thought.
I had no idea this concert had been planned for tonight even before Marvin passed away. That made me even sadder.
Esparza remembered auditioning for "Sweet Smell of Success" as a young actor. He didn't get a part, but Hamlisch stopped him later at a restaurant and told him he wished they had cast him and thought Esparza was going to be huge. "You know what? For a guy who is starting out, to hear that from Marvin Hamlisch at a diner, that's huge."