Topic Houston Concert Recap from the General Chit-Chat forum.
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| Author | Topic: Houston Concert Recap |
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Crick
Registered User
Registered:
3/6/2003 | posted: 4/9/2005 at 9:55:52 AM ET
For those of you going to either of the Houston concerts today or tomorrow, you are in for a treat. It was absolutely fabulous. The first 45 minutes was listening to the symphony, but that wasn't bad. In honor of Bernadette, they open with the overture to Gypsy.  I wish I had written down the songs Bernadette sang, but I didn't. I will try to list (from what I can remember):
Let Me Entertain You
No One is Alone
Fever (this was wonderful!)
Mr. Snow
Some Enchanted Evening
There's Nothing Like a Dame
I'm Flying
Time Heals Everything
Unexpected Song (no Letter to Mom on this, just the song)
You Could Drive a Person Crazy
With So Little to be Sure of
Children Will Listen
Being Alive
Rose's Turn
Count Your Blessings
That's all I can remember... although I was surprised... she did not perform "Move On". She wore a fabulous sparkly silver dress and she looked great. Voice was wonderful too. At the stage door she wore a really cute springy green dress.
|  Sister Rose
Registered User
Registered:
5/4/2004
From:
NYC | posted: 4/9/2005 at 10:34:36 AM ET
Ugh - I had a feeling that the Houston symphony would perform. Not that's anything wrong w/ that but we Bernadette fans aren't in this for the symphony! LOL!
"Anyone who stays home is DEAD!"
| Crick
Registered User
Registered:
3/6/2003 | posted: 4/9/2005 at 2:08:37 PM ET
I know... but I thought I should forewarn folks about the Houston Symphony. For those of you unfamiliar with it... Houston Pops Series = first act of listening to the symphony. Learned that lesson several years ago, but yes, that's not why we're there. They know this however, and realize they have a captive audience, so they do it anyway.  The good news is that 3 of the 5 selections they play are Broadway/movie pieces (in addition to the Gypsy overture, they play medlies (sp?) from The Wizard of Oz and the Producers) so it's not a huge snoozefest.
| Sister Rose
Registered User
Registered:
5/4/2004
From:
NYC | posted: 4/9/2005 at 3:55:46 PM ET
Thanks Crick - it will positively wonderful anyway!
"Anyone who stays home is DEAD!"
| patricia randle
Registered User
Registered:
3/21/2005
From:
Buffalo,N.Y. | posted: 4/9/2005 at 11:30:41 PM ET
When Bernadette gave her concert in Buffalo, The Philharmonic played first, and I believe this is done when the concert is part of their "Pops" series. Sounds as if this is a common practice. Anyway, it was a happy anticipation!
To the loveliest lady of song, you,ll bring joy to my heart forever!
Patty - computer keeps listing my whole name! Auuugh!
Patty
"To the Loveliest Lady of Song,you'll bring joy to my heart forever!"
| Karen
Registered User
Registered:
5/3/2002 | posted: 4/9/2005 at 11:41:51 PM ET
Oh, Patty, so you're the same person as Patricia Randle. Okay, that was confusing, thanks for clearing it up. Didn't realize until now that you were one and the same.
You're right about the Pops concert thing. That's the way they do it in St Louis too. Can't hardly wait to hear how the Houston concert went tonight.
| jmslsu01
Registered User
Registered:
6/9/2003
From:
northern VA | posted: 4/10/2005 at 12:55:01 AM ET
I just got back. Oh,wonderful,magnificent...do I need to say more?
First of all,I knew that the Symphony was going to play first,and I didn't mind at all. The Houston Symphony is internationally recognized and is a great community partner. They have great outreach programs for schools,libraries,and community centers. I have a soft spot in my heart for them. Hans Graf is a personable conductor with a penchant for telling jokes about golf in between numbers. The Symphony began with a thrilling rendition of Gypsy's overture and ended with a beautiful medley of music from The Wizard of Oz,in honor of Harold Arlen's centennial.
After a brief intermission,Marvin Laird came out,and conducted a medley of several songs....I'm not entirely certain everything was from Sondheim's work (I was being bad and not really paying attention-I was wondering when Bernadette was coming out,and that wasn't right!). I did catch some of A Little Night Music (and I cannot place the song...ten o'clock,twilight,vespers sound...etc...the sun sits low...as low as it's going to go...). I'm sure I don't have the lyrics correct,but I'm too tired to go get my ALNM CD right now.
Then...."Miss Bernadette Peters!"
Her dress...oh my. It was beautiful-I think silver,with a long slit up her leg. And sparkly! Very sparkly.
She opened with a neat rendition of "Let Me Entertain You." I cannot remember the songs in order,but she also sang "No One is Alone," "There is Nothing Like a Dame" "His Name is Mr. SNow," "The Gentleman is a Dope," "Unexpected Song," "Being Alive," "I'm Flying," "With So Little to Be Sure Of/Children Will Listen," "Rose's Turn," and ended with "Count Your Blessings." I could be missing a song or two.
Some notes:
-Apparently,the frizzed hair comment is part of the repetoire. She talked about Houston and mentioned that she hasn't been able to do much here, "but I went out today,and my hair frizzed."
-As is the part when she turns,sips water,and says,"This is my back."
-She pushes her hair back before "No One is Alone" the same way she pushes her hair back on the London concert DVD.
-She folds her arms at the beginning of "Time Heals Everything" and unfolds them in the middle.
-She stands the same way for "Not a Day Goes By" as she does on the London DVD-very straight,arms at her side.
-She told the story about speaking with Mary Martin ("from Texas"-very true,from Ft. Worth,I believe) and how she cried because she couldn't fly.
-She couldn't find a prop for one of her songs (not "Rose's Turn"-oh,I can't remember),and finally found it,and then after that,she needed a sip of water ("just taking my drugs....no need to worry...just a mint").
-She goes *very* quickly into the lines right before "Rose's Turn" ("I could've been better than any of you") after telling us that she hasn't done concerts for a while because she was doing Gypsy. She mentioned Gypsy several times,and got warm applause.
-Very interesting to see how handling the "I could understand a person/If a person was a...drag" has changed. On the Sondheim Etc CD,the joke is clear to the audience and to those listening to the CD who know the original lyric ("drag" was originally "fag"). She drew it out a little bit longer than she does now. Now,there's barely a pause between "a" and "drag." Probably because the audience for Sondheim Etc was made very much of particularly knowledeable audience members who knew the song quite well (and were in on the switch),and that also was,I believe,before the London production later on,which did take out the "fag" reference,and the change may be demanded for subsequent productions. The joke isn't there as much anymore.
-"Fever" was wonderful. She needs to record this. I love how she always has a pillow when she does a number on the piano.
-After that number,when she was climbing down the little stairs from the piano,she mentioned that she was trying to do this with grace. Some applauded,and she gave a little curtsey.
-She thanked the Symphony several times and was very appreciative of them. Implored the audience to applaud,and she gave a long applause with us.
-She still gets quite emotional during songs and looks like she's about the burst into tears. I explained to my sister-who's not nearly as much a fan as I am (but was very impressed and loved the concert)-that she's OK and just gets involved with the song.
-I wonder if the shorter hair is permanent. It's a little past her shoulders,with the middle being a little longer than the sides in the back.
-The audience was *wonderful*. There was a great mix of those who were there to see Bernadette and those who were Symphony ticketholders. However,she had those who weren't specifically there to see her in the palm of her hand. Fantastic applause after every number,and three standing ovations. I had wonderful seats-orchestra,and made sure that I only glanced at the video screens a few times-I did glance at them more during "Rose's Trun" because I wanted to see her facial expressions better. But I really didn't need the screens all that much.
I don't think I'm leaving anything out-if I remember,I'll post. Unfortunately,I wasn't able to meet up with Sister Rose as I planned-my sister and I were at the restaurant later than we expected to be,and didn't get seated until 5 minutes before the show began. I normally like to be in my seat at least 10 minutes before curtain,so I was stressing a little.
Favorite number-"Unexpected Song." I'm not an ALW fan by any means,but I think this is his loveliest song. I adore it. She really went all out on vocals for it,and she still swings her arms and torso during the last chorus.
Oh,it was a magnificent concert. She is just so extraordinary,such a presence,such a performer. Diction was great,although the Symphony did threaten to overpower her at times. You could have heard a pin drop-everyone there was that involved in the concert. I can't say enough about how wonderful the concert was.
One last thing-she mentioned that her CDs were being sold in the lobby,and 100% of the money she makes from that goes to Broadway Barks.
Jenn
| Sister Rose
Registered User
Registered:
5/4/2004
From:
NYC | posted: 4/10/2005 at 1:08:39 AM ET
LOL Jenn - we were posting at the same time - I started a new thread though. I looked for you sort of - the aisles in Jones Hall don't make it easy for socializing. I'm glad you made it there. What a great evening!
"Anyone who stays home is DEAD!"
|  Chip1012
Registered User
Registered:
7/13/2003
From:
Boston | posted: 4/10/2005 at 1:22:42 AM ET
the night music song is called "Night Waltz."
"and this is my back." - Bernadette turning around to take a drink of water. 4/3/05, Symphony Hall-legendary.
| jmslsu01
Registered User
Registered:
6/9/2003
From:
northern VA | posted: 4/10/2005 at 2:44:48 AM ET
Thank you-that was driving me crazy. I can't find my ALNM CD.
I'm trying to remember the other bits in the medley Marvin directed,but I'm drawing a blank. My brain is a bit fuzzy now,so I'm going to bed,after several gushing phone calls made to various people.
I'm tempted to go see Sunday's concert-I'm close to downtown,but sense is,unfortunately,prevailing.
Good night,indeed!
Jenn
| Sister Rose
Registered User
Registered:
5/4/2004
From:
NYC | posted: 4/10/2005 at 10:41:59 AM ET
Jenn - GO TO THE CONCERT TONIGHT! SENSE? WHAT'S THAT HAVE TO DO W/ ANYTHING ANYWAY? If my plane back to NY is cancelled I'll be there (oh what are the odds with not a cloud in the sky?)
"Anyone who stays home is DEAD!"
|  PA Fan
Registered User
Registered:
11/6/2003 | posted: 4/10/2005 at 10:48:48 AM ET
" ...then after that, she needed a sip of water ("just taking my drugs....no need to worry...just a mint")."
----- Jenn
In Boston I noticed her popping something into her when she took a sip of water, but no one else seemed to notice it.
| jmslsu01
Registered User
Registered:
6/9/2003
From:
northern VA | posted: 4/10/2005 at 11:34:03 AM ET
I wish it were a matinee today. It would be different. But I have meetings tomorrow. If she comes to Dallas-which she has before-I could take a trip there. But not tonight. I have to watch my finances!
Jenn
| PTM
Registered User
Registered:
6/26/2003 | posted: 4/11/2005 at 3:26:59 AM ET
I think the overture starts with the "I Had A Dream" fanfare and then goes into Move On, then maybe Broadway Baby, Night Waltz and I don't know if there's more in there, but it ends with When Mabel Comes in the Room.
PTM
|  Danielle
Registered User
Registered:
3/13/2008
From:
Houston, Texas
Fav. BP Song: Being Alive/ Move On
Fav. BP Show: Into The Woods
Fav. BP Character: The Witch
Fav. BP CD: Sondheim etc. etc.Live At Carnegie Hall
| posted: 3/21/2008 at 11:07:24 AM ET
quote:
-Apparently,the frizzed hair comment is part of the repetoire. She talked about Houston and mentioned that she hasn't been able to do much here, "but I went out today,and my hair frizzed."
Jenn
haha  that tends to happen down here...quite unavoidable at times. 
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