Great Days

Well it's been one great day after another since Thursday. To start with, my emusic downloads refreshed and I downloaded the London cast recording of High Spirits. I have the Broadway version of "Something Is Coming To Tea" on a compilation and liked it, hence the downloading of the full London album, and their version is even better. Actually, the whole album is pretty superb. Seriously, we would have a fantastic Broadway season if someone would revive High Spirits, Raisin (with Audra), Applause (with Patti) and Coco (with Meryl Streep). Speaking of Audra and Patti, they were superb on Sunday at Ravinia. After Thursday's sturm und drang, it was so nice to enjoy the lovely weather, take my time, have something to eat, and really enjoy the day. They came the closest to starting on time, just a few minutes after 8, and set the bar high with "Pack Up Your Cares and Go To The Devil." They then alternated doing sets of solo songs, joining up again as one would leave the stage and the other return. The highlight was their joint performance of "What You Don't Know About Women" from City of Angels as well as Patti's performance of "Meadowlark" (and her accompanying story about her experience with Baker's Wife), and Audra's performance of "I Can't Stop Talkin'" In fact, the only real low point was the shortness of the show. There was no intermission, and it was over by 8:30, only an hour and a half, and they had to repeat their encore (another highlight, the Judy/Barbara rendition of "Happy Days Are Here Again/Get Happy"). Really, knowing their audience you'd think they'd have another encore or two planned, and the show really could have gone on for much longer. However, they did follow the cardinal showbiz rule, they left everyone wanting more. Great, great night. Then this morning, I found out someone really is reading this blog. In addition to Avenue Q, coming next May, Broadway in Chicago is bringing The Drowsey Chaperone here in early April and Sweeney Todd here in late April/Early May. Hopefully we'll get the top flight casts (Georgia Engel and Bob Martin in Chaperone and David Hess and Judy Kaye in Sweeney). It's gratifying to see how much influence I'm wielding through this blog. I'm taking full credit for the producers of these shows changing their minds, no one else around here was raising an eyebrow at our omission from the posted touring schedules. Now, audiences, you need to do your part and show up, let's keep the shows coming.