While I found the review meanspirited over all, I have to agree that it did feel like a dress rehearsal for the Brooklyn shows. The show felt unrehearsed - way too many flubs in lyrics and staging. I was under impressed.
Glad that it sounds like she's still doing her disco segment (much to the "critic's" annoyance). To be fair, I do kinda agree that arenas are really not a good venue for her (I don't think they're a good venue for any concert--but particularly someonelike Babs), but she sells them out, so *shrug*.
Yes... The Jule Styne medley of three extraordinary show tunes.... Rose's Turn/Some People/Don't Rain On My Parade !! Performed very powerfully and proving that Barbra will indeed be a FEROCIOUS Mama Rose, IF the film gets produced....
I agree that the show was UNDERrehearsed.... cues missed and a few really awkward vocal flubs. I admit that the Il Vovo segment was a good time for a bathroom break!! Overall, though, I was happy with Streisand's vocal power and interpretive skills. Her mature phrasing and in-the-moment performances of the ballads (Some Other Time/My Funny Valentine/People/The Way We Were and especially Here's To Life) thrilled and delighted me. On some of the sustained high notes, a slight rasp is evident, but at seventy, this is the reality of aging and very human. Her son, Jason was quite good vocally. The mother and son repartee was sweetly endearing. By the time this concert is filmed, I'm certain we'll see a polished show. Unfortunately, for those of us in Philadelphia -- it wasn't "poifect"!!
I must say it was brave of her to perform the Gypsy songs considering the rumors of her being cast as Rose. If I was a producer sitting in the audience, I don't think I'd pluck down millions of dollars to have her sing the role based on her performance in Philly.
"But the thing is that if she played smaller venues most people would not be able to get in. Question.. Was 3 hours too long?"
Absolutely--there's not really anyway around it, I guess. Out of curiousity, has there been much mentioned about how well she's selling (very well, I'd imagine).
3 Hours does seem long (I guess that includes the apparently long intermission though)--and I hate those crossover opera/pop groups so have no real interest in some of the acts who help her fill up the time (Chris Botti comes here a couple of times a year, as well, so if I really wanted to see him I could--my parents are big fans and always go). Still, I'm excited to see her in Vancouver, partly, I admit, just because I thought I'd never see her live.
I'd imagine she would film the Brooklyn shows--but if not, I would vguess Hollywood Bowl as well. But it would be easier to control the filming in Brooklyn, and she's doing a number of shows they can easily edit together.
The only reason I thought Brooklyn wouldn't be the one that is filmed is because it is so early in her tour. But now that I look back in the past she seems to film a few of them and then they are edited together. As far as the persistent Gypsy story.. anyone remember when Cher was suppose to do Mame? It was even talked about on Oprah.
Bea Arthur Nude Sells For Nearly $2 Million At Auction
Gyllenhaal, Pine in Talks to Join INTO THE WOODS Movie?
SPECIAL COVERAGE: All the 2013 Drama Desk Award Winners - MATILDA, VANYA AND SONIA, PIPPIN, VIRGINIA WOOLF and More!
John Bantay Talks to Richard Jay-Alexander About Musical Mondays Farewell
BWW TV Exclusive: Prince, Lewis & More Remember Kevin Gray
Kelly Rowland and Paulina Rubio Join X FACTOR Season 3 as Judges?
STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS Beams Its Way Ahead of IRON MAN to Take Weekend Box Office
Rooney Mara is the Face for New Calvin Klein Scent
BWW Interviews: Deborah Boily Talks Cabaret, Career, and Concert
Adobe Creative Cloud FAIL; Suspends File Sync Service
BWW Reviews: 'And the Winners Were...' A Report Card for the Metropolitan Opera's 2012-2013 Season
BWW Reviews: FIAF Presents THE ULYSSES SYNDROME Celebrating World Nomads Tunisia
VIDEO: Must Watch - Mel Brooks AMERICAN MASTERS on PBS May 20!
joined:4/15/04
Posted: 10/9/12 at 11:05am