(image via YouTube)
TBT: ‘Anthem’ From Chess The Musical
For a musical throwback Thursday I was recently reminded of this symphonic concert version of the musical Chess (penned by ABBA geniuses Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus and Lloyd Webber collaborator Tim Rice). The show used the game of chess as a metaphor for Russia/US cold war politics and “game play.” I saw the show in London before it made the trip across the Atlantic to Broadway. I loved the show in the West End, but the version that reached New York City wasn’t the same. The original director/choreographer, Michael Bennett, had cast and commissioned the set designs for London but then stepped away due to poor health. Trevor Nunn took over in London, but was left with Bennett’s casting choices and some concepts in place. The show ran three years in the West End. When Nunn brought the show to New York, it underwent radical rewrites and was not well-received. The production ran about three months before closing. But fans love the score. This song, “Anthem,” is sung by the original star Tommy Körberg who played the Russian for the concept album and in London. The moment comes at the end of Act One as the Russian chess player Anatoly has decided to defect from Russia. The melody, lyrics and Körberg’s spectacular voice come together perfectly. The entire concert can be viewed below as well.
TBT: Liza Minnelli ‘Don’t Drop Bombs’
Liza Minnelli in ‘Don’t Drop Bombs’
News Round-Up: June 11, 2020
Me and my high school buddy Addester Williams at Voodoo in Las Vegas
Throwback Thursday: ‘The Lloyd-Webber Trio’
Audra McDonald, Marin Mazzie and Judy Kuhn (screen capture)
Awesome, right? Now, I wanted to explain why this lands with me so well. First, what I hear: all three singers have terrific musicianship. When I listen to this, I hear voices singing to the ends of the phrases. They never kind of ‘peter out.’ They sing – with energy – to the ends of the phrases and cut off with purpose. Sometimes you’ll hear singers be a bit lazy and hold a note too long. The problem can be the note they hold might clash with the chord structure of the next phrase. Second, notice how all three actresses stay focused on the stories they’re telling. Look at their eyes – even when not singing, they never leave the narrative they’re in. Even when they all move downstage at the 5:52 mark, they don’t glance at the other two singers. They are IN it. And finally, huge props to the arranger (I believe it was David Loud?) who wove these songs into such a gorgeous tapestry. Bonus points for making sure the ladies’ lyrics for backup phrases all still make sense in each of their stories. No one ever sings a word that doesn’t logically fit into their ‘scene.’ The entire concert is well worth watching (the DVD is available on Amazon). The production features a veritable whos-who of Broadway leading ladies including the aforementioned as well as Bebe Neuwirth, Karen Ziemba, Andrea McArdle, Linda Eder, Jennifer Holiday, Priscilla Lopez, Nell Carter, Dorothy Loudon, Rebecca Luker, and Elaine Stritch.
News Round-Up: September 24, 2019
Michael and I visiting a church Portofino
Just Because…
Let’s call this a #ThrowbackThursday post.
A throwback to yesterday when Kenneth-in-the-212 shared the above for his weekly installment of Wrestle Wednesday.
#Dang
Throwback Thursday: Betty Buckley “Amazing Grace”
It’s been quiet in the house lately.
Michael has been traveling with clients doing press in NYC, and with Bruno the wonder dog having crossed the rainbow bridge recently, I’ve been reflective of late.
My mind kept finding it’s way to this meditation on “Amazing Grace” from the brilliant Tony Award winner, Betty Buckley.
I’ve seen Ms. Betty perform live onstage countless times and it’s always a transformative experience.
Yes, everyone loves her huge show-stopping vocals in songs like “Memory,” “With One Look,” and “Meadowlark,” but her brilliance is revealed with equal ease in her quiet, pensive musical moments.
This performance is from her Stars and the Moon (Live at the Donmar) concert which, thankfully, was fully recorded for us all to have now and forever.
It’s not often that artistry of this depth can really shine through via a YouTube video, but as always, Betty is right in the center of the song’s emotional core.
While a “throwback Thursday” post is defined by looking back, I’d be remiss if I didn’t add here that Buckley has recently been announced to star in the upcoming national tour of Hello, Dolly! currently killing it on Broadway.
Happy Thursday, kids.
Throwback Thursday: Backstage At Broadway’s FOLLIES
My dear friend and former castmate Joey Sorge (currently killing it in the hit Bway production, A Bronx Tale) recently sent me this pic from my first performance in what was arguably one of my happiest experiences on Broadway from the 2001 Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim’s brilliant FOLLIES. This was taken as I was getting “mic-ed up” for the show. Wow, time flies. Who is that guy? I’ve written before about this incredible experience and the ensuing reunions of this amazing cast here. If you’re a Broadway fan you may be interested in the backstory here 🙂 
With Sondheim backstage during the 2001 Broadway revival of ‘Follies’
#TBT – My First Bow
Regular readers know I’ve been a professional theater dancer and choreographer since my teens, but I often forget how far back my dancing days go.
This is me (white sweater) leading my kindergarten class out on the floor for a square dance in Fort Worth, Texas. I’m guessing I was age four perhaps?
And to answer the question before it’s asked – no, there was no more square dancing in my future after that auspicious debut LOL
Although, a two-step with a hunky cowboy is always fun 😉