Day two in the City is also going great. It’s been such a hectic week at home, that we broke our rule and actually lounged around the hotel room this morning. We had to rest up because we have two shows to see today!
First, we saw Barbara Cook, Tom Wopat and Vanessa Williams in “Sondheim by Sondheim.” It was a thoroughly engaging and enjoyable show at the legendary Studio 54. We’ve seen countless shows in that space and all I can think about whenever we do in is that Liza, Halston, Warhol and so many others had so many decadent nights in that place. I always wonder if one of them passed out– or worse– around where our seats are…
Back to the show…
This show was really like an episode of “American Masters” on PBS. I mean that in a good way. It was a multi-media presentation with pictures and clips of Sondheim as well as Sondheim himself reminiscing and talking about his life and shows. Then you had all these wonderful performers singing his songs.
Barbara Cook is amazing. She sounds as good as she did when we o her in concert a few years ago. She is doing 8 shows a week as a very active part of the ensemble. And she is about 82 years old. For those who don’t know her, she was a big star on Broadway in the 1950’s and 1960’s. She won her first Tony Award as the original Marion in the original cast of the original production of “The Music Man.” She is a phenomenon.
Tom Wopat has come a long ways from the “Dukes of Hazzard.” He is a well established Broadway performer now. We saw him give a great performance in “A Catered Affair” a couple of seasons ago. He is a joy to see on stage.
We also had the unexpected surprise of seeing Lewis Cleale, who we say in “Sunset Boulevard” with Petula Clark a few years ago. He had stepped in for Norm Lewis.
Vanessa Williams is still so beautiful and talented. She has so many talents. She was just wonderful in this show, too. She’s come a long ways from Miss America.
That’s one of the things I love about Broadway. Scott Fitzgerald said “There are no second acts in American lives.” Broadway proves him wrong every season.
Here are some clips from the show:
We had an unexpeted treat on the way to dinner. We saw Christen Chenoweth at the stage door of “Promises,Promises.” That show is also great fun. I saw that about a month ago when I was last up here on business.
We had a great meal at Trattorria Trecolori on W 47th Street. Black linguine with seafood. I had to make reservations a week ago as it has gotten to be entirely too popular. With great Italian food at great prices, with wonderful service in Mid-town, I’m not surprised.
Well, this was just a quick note. We are off to another show and the evening on the town. More to follow….
Lost in the 21st Century 