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| The Patti Lupone |
Okay,
I really try to update our blog every Saturday, but I wanted to wait until after
we saw a show last night because I had a feeling it would be more interesting
than our intended post about Wii Fit U (which will come later).
I
do have a habit (see New York post) of trying to find educational/ fun
activities for Emery that I think he might be interested in. And, sometimes I
fantasize about his going to a really cool school like the New Orleans Center
for Creative Arts (NOCCA). But, I haven’t made that far in advance plans yet, nor have I begun to
prepare him for the audition process (I did prep him for his kindergarten entrance exam, but that's a story for another time). I guess what I'm trying to say is that I do occasionally restrain myself and respect his wishes (which is why I didn’t make him attend an audition
yesterday). But, it’s hard.
Back
to the story. So, I was on the NOCCA site Thursday looking at audition
guidelines when I saw the headline "See Patti Lupone & Seth Rudestky in the
Next Broadway @ NOCCA Event." We had just seen parts of the New York
Philharmonic’s version of Company,
starring Patti Lupone, Neil Patrick Harris, and Stephen Colbert on PBS last weekend, (some parts are not appropriate for Emery yet) and we listen to Seth Rudetsky on SiriusXm (see Story Pirates entry).
Unfortunately, because the concert was in two days—it was sold out.
I’m
not one to give up so easily. I enlisted my poor husband (who should have been
working) to find us tickets! I won’t reveal my secrets, but we managed to get 2
tickets to sit on stage—that’s right ON STAGE. Since we got in line at 6:20—we
got the best seats in the house—downstage right. As far as I could tell, they were the only two seats
that did not have an obstructed view on stage as the other seats either
couldn’t see Seth at the piano or the two of them during the interviewing segments. I’m
not describing our seats so much as to brag, but just to emphasize the incredibleness
on being on stage with performers of this caliber.
Seth
opened the production with a condensed version of his "Seth Deconstructs Broadway" show. In it, he explained how he listens to music, poked fun at major
artists in his “What were they thinking?” segment, and closed by teasing his 11
year old self (Seth, we think your rendition of Annie’s “Tomorrow” was fabulous
and we’re still singing the angry version. He also showed a hilarious clip of
Patti at the Tony’s. (You can see it here).
Then
the two of them shared the stage. They we perform a piece together (all great
hits, “Meadowlark,” “Rainbow High” (with the help of a few backup singers from the
audience) and my new favorite “Invisible” from Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. She also sang “Trouble”
from the Music Man and sang a bit to
Emery (he can get into a spot of trouble from time to time).
Okay,
I’m pretty sure Emery was the only person there under 15 and I wish more children
were there, after all, it was held at NOCCA, which is a performing arts school
with programs for 6-12 graders (the tickets were very expensive, so that might
have been one reason). Yes, Patti and Seth occasionally used colorful language;
however, it was all appropriate, in my opinion, for a ten year old. What was
really wonderful were the candid stories Patti and Seth shared. Who knew Patti
has suffered from stage fright, not gotten parts, and performed in shows that
didn’t do well? Seth was the perfect host—the music was sublime. Patti’s voice is
lovely, lovely, and I wish I knew more about singing so I could tell you why. Her
energy and stage presence were also a delight.
Thank
you both for a memorable evening.
Emery"s comments: One time the Patti performed in the Kennedy theater and 25 people showed up! Patti had good vibrato. The show was hilarious! Our secret was ... never mind I won't tell p.s. MOM is the one in trouble! >:(
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