No Buddy Blues at LuPone and Patinkin!

Eager fans packed the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago on Tuesday night for the opening of An Evening With Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin. I would have written about this event early this week, but I got caught up with work. If you have read any of the reviews, many are saying what a team they are and how wonderful the concert was. I agree they are an amazing team of performers and the show was just wonderful. The reviews also mention that the program stated the Act One closer would be ‘Don’t Cry For Me Argentina’, and in fact, Patti did not sing this. I got over that fact very quickly.

What wowed me the most was the music they choice from South Pacific, Carousel, and Merrily We Roll Along, beautiful song and staged. All songs blending into the next, creating the transition for the love story they created on stage. Some shocking and odd choices/transitions were ‘Getting Married Today’ which followed ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ and a well sung ‘Somewhere That’s Green’ by Patinkin. Act Two showstoppers of ‘Everything’s Coming Up Roses’ sung by LuPone and ‘The-God-Why-Don’t-You-Love-Me Blues’ by Patinkin showcasing each performer’s strength. From LuPone’s power house voice and control to Patinkin’s tone and vaudevillian style acting.

The stage consisted of standing lights spread through out creating an intimate mood. As much as I loved this show in the theatre, I kept thinking how magical this night would be under the Pavilion at The Ravinia Festival in Highland Park. Even after the show while walking to the parking garage, I pictured driving home along Sheridan with the sunroof open and windows down. I guess I will have to wait for the summer to have this image a reality.

Ann Reinking did a fine job choreographing cutesy and corny routines for the performing pair. The best was set to ‘April In Paris’ and “April in Fairbanks’ where the pair spun around on 2 rolling office chairs.

People will get over not hearing anything from Evita and Sunday in The Park with George. The show is delightful and a must see! An Evening With Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin plays through March 7^th at The Cadillac Palace in Chicago.

www.broadwayinchicago.com