PATIENCE: A look at Michael Ball...

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 4:28am

Tonight, I had the pleasure of seeing Michael Ball perform live on stage. I've long since been a fan of his work, even the cheesy solo albums. Tonight, I feel like I was taken back in time. I imagine seeing Michael perform is sort of the modern day equivalent to seeing the old greats such as Danny Kaye and Gene Kelly perform live.

The show is Patience, and the overture is worth the ticket price alone. I'm not very familiar with many of the Gilbert and Sullivan works, but this particular musical comedy is the basis of what you would know now as modern day musical theatre. Clearly, Gilbert and Sullivan influenced Rodgers and Hammerstien, who clearly influenced the great Stephen Sondheim.

Up until tonight, my favorite male performer of all time was Raul Esparza. Now, I have to say I have two equal favorite performers. Michael Ball and Raul Esparza couldn't be any more different than night and day, still so many things I noticed Michael do brought memories of Raul's performances to mind. First of all, Michael and Raul both have that larger than life stage presence and persona. When they are on stage, they demand attention. It's impossible to take your eyes off them. Up until tonight, I didn't think anyone on this planet could strut like Mr. Esparza. Cliche though it may be, the attitude is predestined in his genes (well, and his jeans).
But Michael has it down pat! Ooh buddy, when he walks, it is with a purpose. And he is quite capable of shaking it. Which also brings me to say that both Michael and Raul are well equipped when it comes to rear ends. Maybe that has something to do with it. Who knows. Also, they can both DANCE. I was surprised at how well Michael delivered the choreography! Especially in the second act. There is this number where he dances with another man and it litterally brought the house down.

This was one of my favorite performances EVER, and I know I'm gonna have better things to say tomorrow once I've gotton some rest. For now, I'm gonna end by saying if you haven't seen this show, GO. NOW. Don't wait for Woman in White. If you are a Sondheim fan, you will love this show. If you are an opera fan, you will love this show. If you are a Michael Ball fan, you will love this show. If you are a fan of any type of music at all, you will love this show.

And as for Michael Ball, I'm so glad he's back in New York. We are so fortunate to have him here.

[kec]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 5:02am

So, Chrysanthamum, I guess you liked it?

"Also, they can both DANCE. I was surprised at how well Michael delivered the choreography! Especially in the second act. There is this number where he dances with another man and it litterally brought the house down. "

It's funny you should say this. When I saw Michael for the first time in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, I thought he danced pretty well, although the song -- "Me Ole Bamboo" was a bit toned down from the film. I learned after the fact that, prior to Chitty, Michael had never danced in his life! He had managed to avoid taking dance clases while attending drama school. However, by the time I saw Chitty for the last time with him in it, a year later, he was really dancing up a storm.

As for the scene in Patience, his dance with Kevin Burdette, who plays Archibald Grosvenor, Bunthorne's rival, is one of my favorite scenes in the show. It brought down the house in the first three shows as well.

I'm glad you were able to attend the show. I look forward to reading your review of the show later on.

[sharon1]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 5:02am

I am so glad you enjoyed it.

[Lori]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 9:05am

Chrys I'm so glad you saw the show and finally saw Michael live. We weren't kidding were we LOL?

A word about the dance number in act two. We (a friend and I who also posts here) were talking to Kevin last night at the stage door after the show and we asked him who choreographed the number. He told us that he and Michael had done their own choreography. They just took an hour and "worked it out". It gets a little more outrageous with each performance and when I commented that I wasn't sure we could expect by Oct. 5th (a show I will, sadly, not witness) he said that by then Michael would probably be twirling him across the stage endlessly.

Very funny number brilliantly performed by two actors who obviously are enjoying themselves 100%!

Okay, so now I have to go see Raul in something Chrys!

[jo]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 9:26am

Chrys,

I'm glad you had the opportunity to see why Michael Ball is the leading musical theatre at the West End! I discovered him in 1988 ( via the OCR of Les Miserables) and was glad to have been able to see him in ASPECTS IN LOVE ( my all-time favourite role for him) both at the West End and on Broadway, PASSION ( he did get on with Sondheim very well, as I heard he did get a deeply complimentary letter from the music maestro), CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, and THE WOMAN IN WHITE in London.

I'm flying to NYC this coming weekend to catch him in the last two performances in PATIENCE ...and will be returning to NYC to see him in THE WOMAN IN WHITE later this year.

And this is only the musical theatre side of his wonderful career. Have you listened to his many solo albums? Have you seen any of his DVDs which are taken from live concert performances? I have seen him perform on the concert stage a number of times over the years. There is a lot of joy in store for you when you get the full measure of how musically talented he is and what a wonderful performer he is onstage.

Your favourite combo are Raul ( I saw him in Chitty, too) and Michael. Mine are Michael and Hugh J! Aren't we lucky ?!

Jo



Updated On: 9/24/05 at 09:26 AM

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 10:24am

Wow. I'm so glad everyone suggested I see this. You guys. I HAVE to see this again. It went above and beyond my highest expectations. Above and beyond.

And they choreagraphed that number by themselves?! That is so brilliant!

And I love it when people radiate on stage with the fun they are having. Which is totally how everyone in that cast behaves.

[sharon1]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 11:01am

I think you just hit it. In a musical/operetta of this nature especially since it is somewhat dated, the cast is so important and the leads in this particular production are all just top notch. You can tell they play off each other and are enjoying the whole process in this show. It comes thru to the audience whether front row or nose-bleed heaven. I think also that is why some theatregoers are now talking more about Michael Ball's return to Broadway as Fosco. While the role could be described as comedic, it is also villainous and nasty. A really great character piece in the right hands. I am coming back to New York next week also and I will be seeing Patience again.

[kec]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 11:05am

Well, considering how you've admired the man, it seemed only logical that you should go. I certainly understand the need to see it again. I saw it three times, and and it still wasn't enough -- but I can't make it back for any more.

You're right about the cast as well... the entire company are clearly having such a great time up there, and their enjoyment in what they're doing is infectious -- the audiences have been very appreciative and supportive in their response.

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 9/24/05 at 10:25pm

I'm still telling people how great this production is!


Oh yeah, new avatar just becuase!


How crazy is this Broadway season gonna be?! Michael Ball, Michael Cerveris, and Raúl Esparza all in shows. Every dollar I earn is gonna go towards tickets!

[Kelly]

Posted: 9/25/05 at 1:17pm

Thanks for this thread. I’ve been waffling over seeing Patience - wanted to but time constraints and such - I just got tickets for Tuesday night :) I haven’t seen Michael since Chitty in London so I’m very much looking forward to this! Yay!

[kec]

Posted: 9/25/05 at 1:24pm

Trust me, Kelly... you will not regret giving in

Please be sure to give us a report after you see it!

[mint0621]

Posted: 9/25/05 at 1:50pm

For all you students out there, I got orchestra seats for $16. I psoted on an earlier thread: https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=866998

[sharon1]

Posted: 9/25/05 at 3:46pm

I agree with kec you will truly enjoy it. I really can't wait til the final show on the 5th just to see what he and Kevin come up with. Myrna Paris is a stitch also. She and her cello but the duet with Michael Ball is so much fun and they enjoy themselves so much. Really is a great cast

[DofB5]

Posted: 9/25/05 at 6:10pm

I'm looking forward to it myself.

D

[kec]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 9:06am

Kelly -- did you enjoy it?


D --

ENJOY!!!
Updated On: 9/30/05 at 09:06 AM

Posted: 9/30/05 at 9:14am

I'll be seeing it this Sunday.

I like PATIENCE, and G&S very much.

I'll see what Michael Ball on stage is all about.

[rmposey]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 11:14am

Oh...I'm so jealous! I would give anything to see my dearest Michael in Patience! I'm doing my best to get to NYC for Woman in White sometime before he leaves the show, but alas, Patience is out of the question. He really is a wonderful performer. His performance of Losing My Mind on the Hey Mr. Producer video is splendid! Ahhh...Michael....

[wickedwitchofthechest]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 11:26am

I've got fall break and a new mystery check. What say you come up here and we'll drive to NYC instead of me coming home? If you leave on Tuesday, we could just make it.

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 1:12pm

I think I'm gonna try to grab student tickets for tonights performance!!!

[kec]

Posted: 9/30/05 at 1:21pm

Go for it Chrys!!!

Posted: 10/3/05 at 8:40pm

Do not waste a minute. Grab yourself a seat for the one remaining performance of PATIENCE at the NYC Opera.

October 5, 7:30pm

Note: Tickets were available on TDF earlier today.


Michael Ball as Reginald Burnthorne and Kevin Burdett at Archibald Grosvenor are a musical comedy team on par with Lane and Broderick.

Singly their work is superb. Together they are musical comedy perfection. A match made in musical comedy heaven.

These performances are not to be missed.

The production is elegant and simply stage. Anyone with an interest in G&S, Victoriana, Oscar Wilde, the Aesthetic Movement, William Morris, origins of musical comedy, satire, Tom Stoppard, THE INVENTION OF LOVE, among other things, will have a grand time.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 10/3/05 at 8:45pm

I'm going to the closing performance on Wednesday.

Posted: 10/3/05 at 9:26pm

The satiric theme of the libretto is as current today as it was when it was first written in 1881--slavish worship of current fads and of-the-moment celebrities.

Fantastic lyrics of unsurpassed quality by Gilbert, married to Sullivan's haunting melodies.


PATIENCE - New York City Opera

[NYadgal]

Posted: 10/3/05 at 9:56pm

I'll be at the performance on Wednesday, as well.

I'm so looking forward to it!

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 12:06am

I know you will enjoy it Addy, it's WONDERFUL! Plus, it was just as good the second time around! I love this show!