Cleveland Orchestra and Audra McDonald...who could ask for anything more?

The sky was clear, the temperature ideal, the Cleveland Orchestra was in perfect pitch, conductor Andy Einhorn was enthusiastic, and Audra McDonald was Audra McDonald---witty, relaxed, filled with wonderful stories, and in full-voice.  Even her floor-length multi-shaded blue gown was occasion right!  Yes, AN EVENING WITH AUDRA McDONALD, the August 13, 2023 Blossom Music Festival program, was a night to remember.   I was first exposed to Audra McDonald in 1995 when she debuted in a pre-Broadway production of Terrence McNally’s MASTER CLASS.  It was love at first exposure.     Since then I have had the pleasure of seeing the six-time Tony winner, that’s more performance wins than any other actor,  on Broadway in CAROUSEL, RAGTIME, PORGY AND BESS, LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR AND GRILL and FRANKIE AND JOHNNY IN THE CLAIR DE LUNE, on television (National Medal of Arts telecast and RAISIN IN THE SUN), and in an earlier concert at the Blossom Center.     It was my honor, as a member of the American Theater Critics Association, to vote for her for induction into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 2017.    I even had the tenacity to walk up to her restaurant lunch table the day I saw PORGY AND BESS and talk to her.  She was as charming in person as she is on the concert stage.   McDonald, who is not shy about stating her philosophical views, as evidenced in her Blossom concert comments, is known for defying prejudice and racial typecasting.  Her performances as Carrie in the 1994 revival of CAROUSEL and Lizzie Curry in the 2007 revival of 110 IN THE SHADE made her the first black woman to portray those traditionally white roles in a major Broadway production.    AN EVENING WITH AUDRA McDONALD showcased musical theatre songs from her career, from shows in which she hasn’t appeared, as well as jazz favorites and personal revelations.  The between songs commentary included charming self-deprecating insights, family stories and personal revelations.  She knows how to charm an audience!   The evening opened with an enchanting version of “The Carousel Waltz,” from Rodger and Hammerstein’s epic CAROUSEL.  The selection is the opening of the musical.  It exposes the major characters and sets the mood for the tale.   Her opening number was the stirring “I Am What I Am,” from LA CAGES AUX FOLLES, often referred to as the gay national anthem.     Other songs in the evening’s program included a jazzy version of “It Don’t Mean a Thing if It Ain’t Got That Swing,” the swing Duke Ellington classic, “I Could Have Danced All Night” from THE KING AND I, PORGY AND BESS’s “Summertime,” “Before the Parade Passes By,” from HELLO DOLLY, Kermit the Muffet’s “It’s Not Easy Being Green” a tribute to self-pride and knowing who you are, and “Some Where”- (”There’s a Place for Us”) from WEST SIDE STORY. Carrying out further the evident theme of the evening, McDonald sang a mash-up of “You Have to Be Carefully Taught” from SOUTH PACIFIC and “Children Will Listen” from Steven Sondheim’s INTO THE WOODS.  The applause was deafening!   Capsule judgment:  AN EVENING with AUDRA McDONALD was an emotional and artistic evening of song, narration and orchestral music.  It was a night to remember!  BRAVO!!!   The Blossom Music Festival ends its 2023 season with “DISNEY IN CONCERT: THE SOUND OF MAGIC,” with music from PETER PAN, MOANA, ALADIN, THE JUNGLE BOOK, FROZEN, THE LION KING, FANTASIA, and ENCANTO (September 1-3) and “DISTANT WORLDS: MUSIC FROM FINAL FANTASY, which showcases the music used throughout the Final Fantasy game series.

Feinstein, Thibaudet and the Cleveland Orchestra…who could ask for anything more?

 
About ten minutes before the Blossom music complex was to be filled by glorious music, an announcement asked all attendees who were sitting on the lawn to come into the pavilion as bad weather was moving into the area.

A few minutes later the stragglers were encouraged again to enter the covered area with the warning that the concert would not start until all were safe from the weather forecast of rain and lightning.

Shortly after the concert started a horrendous downpour started.

Combine the compelling piano virtuosity of pianist/singer/musical historian Michael Feinstein, superb pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet and the world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra and not even torrential rain could corral the enthusiasm of the massive crowd at the TWO PIANOS:  WHO COULD ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE? 
Concert at the Blossom Center on July 23rd. 

Michael Feinstein, an American singer and pianist, is well-known as an archivist and interpreter for the repertoire known as the GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK. 

A multi-platinum-selling, five-time Grammy-nominated recording artist, the diminutive, Feinstein currently serves as Artistic Director for The Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana.  In 1988 he won a Drama Desk Special Award for celebrating American musical theatre songs. 

Feinstein was born in Columbus, Ohio.  “At the age of five, he studied piano for a couple of months until his teacher became angered that he was not reading the sheet music she gave him, since he was more comfortable playing by ear.” 

After graduating from high school, Feinstein worked in local piano bars for a couple of years and then moved to California.  In 1977 he was introduced to Ira Gershwin, who hired him to catalogue his extensive collection of phonograph records. 

The next six years opened a new world to the creative young man which led, in 2008 to his founding the The Great American Songbook Foundation, whose purpose is to preserve, research, and exhibit the physical artifacts of American music and educate youth about the music's relevance to their lives.

Jean-Yves Thibaudet was born in France.  “He entered the
Conservatoire de Lyon at the age of five and began studying the piano. He made his first public appearance at the age of seven. He won a gold medal at the Conservatoire when he was twelve and subsequently entered the Conservatoire de Paris .” Three years later, he won the Premier Prix du Conservatoire and at the age of eighteen, won the Young Concert Artists Auditions in New York.

Thibaudet has performed with most of the world's leading orchestras.  He has also appeared in the major concert halls of Europe, North America and Asia. 

His recording of Lists drew rare praise from the great Vladimir Horowitz, who remarked, “It was amazing, such dexterity, such technique, such articulation, such command.

The quality of the Cleveland Orchestra, considered one of the greatest in the world, is unquestionable.

The concert, which was advertised as the first time Thibaudet Feinstein joined forces, celebrated the music and tales about George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Richard Rodgers, Vincent Youmans, Andre Previn and Andrew Firth.  

Feinstein recounted his experiences with the composers as well as singing their songs, while playing duets with Thibaudet.  The orchestra both supported the duo, as well as playing solos.

The two program segments, each about 45-minutes in length, were continually supported by enthusiastic applause.

Capsule judgment:  Yes, Thibaudet, Feinstein, the Cleveland Orchestra, under the baton of Keith Lockhart and the finest works of some of Americans great composers.  Who could ask for anything more!!

Upcoming offering at Blossom of interest to theatre-centric audience:  

AUDRA MCDONALD & THE CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA—August 13-- Audra McDonald is an accomplished performer, singer, theater, TV, and film actress best known for her work in  such shows as Ragtime, Carousel, Master Class,  A Moon for the Misbegotten, Porgy and Bess and 110 in the Shade. 

Her incredible three-decade career has resulted in multiple accolades, including six Tony Awards, two Grammy Awards, and an Emmy Award. In 2016, she received the state’s highest civilian honor for the arts, the National Medal of Arts, presented by then-President Barack Obama. McDonald was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame the following year. 

Beautiful setting, wonderful concert--THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK @ Blossom

As I was walking into the pavilion at Blossom Music Center, the woman in front of me kept stopping to take pictures on her I-phone.  She stopped, turned around smiled and said, “Sorry, I’m from New Orleans.  My husband and I are on a trip to see various outdoor music venues.  This is the most beautiful one we’ve seen.”   

Yes, Washington, DC has Wolf Trap, Boston, Tanglewood, Baltimore, Merriweather and Denver, Red Rocks. I’ve seen them all, and none compares to our Blossom.  And, to make things even better, the Cleveland Orchestra, one of world’s premiere music ensembles, plays in the lush setting in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

 

On July 18, the Orchestra, under the baton of Lucas Waldin, with vocalist Capathia Jenkins, presented THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK:  GERSHWIN & ELLINGTON.

 

As the evening’s program states, “Generations of Americans have brought new energy and innovation to music, from Broadway to Hollywood, from jazz clubs to big band dance halls, from hoe-down shindigs to symphonic wonders.  And, without equal, to the idea of a set of “standard” songs representing the best this country has to offer.  Not just songs wrapped in flag-waving patriotism, but a “Great American Songbook” that tells, not so much about love of country, but about living life in this country, filled with tales of love and laughter, heartache and headache.  Of America’s rise in the 20th century as an emblem of freedom to be . . . whoever you are.”

 

The jazzy and mellow music had the audience both humming and foot shuffling. The combination of the proficient sounds of the orchestra and the outstanding vocalist made the evening one of special appreciation for the sounds of American composers.

 

The program opened with George Gershwin’s joyous “Funny Face Overture,” transitioned his exciting “Strike up the Band” and then to the beautiful “All the Things You Are,” with lyrics by Jerome Kern and music by Oscar Hammerstein 2^nd.

 

On and on went the wonderful songs of the orchestra and the enchanting Ms. Jenkins.  “Get Happy,” Satin Doll” and “Goody Goody” kept the audience entranced.

 

The amazing Capathia Jenkins is an American actress and singer who is best known for her work as a Broadway performer, with starring roles in THE CIVIL WAR, GODSPELL, CAROLINE, OR CHANGE, NEWSIES, THE HATTIE MCDANIEL STORY and FAME BECOMES YOU.

 

The woman can scat, wail, croon and mesmerize!!

 

Following a Cole Porter Medley, Lucas Waldin asked the audience if they knew that Cole Porter had written a song about Cleveland.  

 

The conductor went on to relate that Cole Porter, a member of the Yale Class of 1913 and a close friend of Yale alum, Leonard Hanna, Jr., often stayed at the Hanna family home on East Boulevard, today part of the Western Reserve Historical Society’s Cleveland History Center, where they would perform small shows.   

 

On March 22,1924, Porter was asked if he had time to write something special tying a show that they were doing that evening to Cleveland. Porter said no, they’d all been busy, and had only the same show they’d put on at the Yale Club in New York. 

 

Hanna said Cole must close himself in his library, where he had a small upright piano moved.  Supposedly, he told Porter he couldn’t come out until he’d written a CLE song. 

 

Twenty or 30 minutes later, Cole sheepishly asked, “Can I come out now? I have a song.” The song being, “Let’s Make It Cleveland.”  

 

The first stanza of the ditty, which Porter himself performed that evening, is:  

“Come on my dearie, Beside Lake Erie,
We are going to settle down.
Out in Ohio, Oh me, Oh my Oh,
I know the grandest town.
Cleveland!
That’s the title of this ditty,
Cleveland!
It’s the famous Forest City, Cleveland!” 

 

(If you want to read the full lyrics go to https://pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu/my-recollections-of-old-cleveland/chapter/my-yale-days/)

 

The GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK concert ended with “Zing Went the Strings of My Heart,” “Blues in the Night” and “How High the Moon.”  

 

The audience left humming and smiling!  An evening very well spent!

 

CAPSULE JUDGMENT:  A gorgeous setting.  A wonderful orchestra.  A top-notch singer/entertainer. A Cole Porter tale few knew.  What more could one want? “

Cannons, fireworks, a bird @ Blossom & previews of "different" upcoming events

Where can you sit in a covered amphitheater, with near-perfect acoustics, surrounded by the wonders of nature, be startled by cannon shots and see a wonderful fireworks show while listening to one of the greatest orchestras in the world?  The answer:  Blossom Musical Festival!

The venue’s July 5 and 6 program, RHAPSODY IN BLUE, showcased the extraordinary conducting skills of Roderick Cox and featured SYMPHONIC SUITE from “On the Waterfront,” RHAPSODY IN BLUE, the SUITE from THE FIREBIRD (1919 revision) and FESTIVAL OVERTURE:  THE YEAR 1812.

Written by Leonard Bernstein, the score for “On the Waterfront” has the gritty sounds of conflict and an intensity of tension.  It’s the world of prize fighters and dockworkers, the violence of gangs with the underbelly of a love story. 

Strains of Bernstein’s “On The Town” and “West Side Story” pepper the audience engaging score.

Handsome young conductor Roderick Cox became so physically engaged in the music to the degree that the intensity of score emanated from his tall muscled body.

RHAPSODY IN BLUE, a jazz-style concerto, a work for piano solo and jazz band plus strings, was beautifully interpreted by the orchestra and award-winning pianist Aaron Diehl, whose delicate touch and emotionally involving playing brought a deep depth of feeling to the piece. 

Barely caressing the keys, the light fingering of the difficult score, brought about strong audience response. He rewarded the assemblage’s extended standing ovation with a very seldom seen mid-concert encore.

Just before the piece started, a yelp from the stage and sudden movement revealed that a bird had tried to land on the shoulder of a violinist.  She jumped ,the bird tumbled to the ground, rolled to the lip of the stage, was quickly scooped up by a patron in the front row, eliciting cheers from the audience.  The quick thinker carried the avian over to an usher who gained more applause when he set the bird in flight.  Only at Blossom!

The program ended with the enthralling SUITE from the FIREBIRD, Igor Stravinsky’s ballet score, based on a Russian folk tale, which had been arranged as an orchestral suite to be performed without dancers.


The program ended with cannons firing, fireworks shooting into the air during and after Tchaikovsky’s FESTIVAL OVERTURE:  THE YEAR 1812, and the audience shrieking well-earned approval. 

Tchaikovsky once said of the piece, a musical commemoration of the victory of Russian forces over Napoleon at the gates of Moscow, “It will be loud.”  And he was absolutely right!  Loud, in the best sense of the word.

Capsule judgment:  Cleveland Orchestra’s July 5 and 6 concert was an encompassing delight.  The orchestra performed masterfully under the disciplined baton of Roderick Cox.  Aaron Diehl brilliantly interpreted Gershwin’s RHAPSODY IN BLUE and the cannons and fireworks ended an evening of memorable music.

ENTERTAINMENT OFF-THE-BEATEN PATH

Besides the more traditional theatres, there are offerings that should be considered for your summer enjoyment.  How about . . .

BLOSSOM MUSIC FESTIVAL
800-1141 or clevelandorchestra.com

SOUTH PACIFIC (August 25—8 PM) – Rogers and Hammerstein’s classic Broadway show presented in concert in collaboration with Baldwin Wallace University’s Music Theatre Program.  Performed by the Cleveland Orchestra, conducted by Andy Einhorn and staged by Victoria Bussert.

CAIN PARK

FOR GOOD:  THE NEW GENERATION OF MUSCIALS, VOL.4 (July 17 Alma Theatre) -- In partnership with The Musical Theater Project--From the cutting edge BE MORE CHILL to the contemporary KINKY BOOTS, musicals produced since 2000 have awakened audiences to new possibilities for America's great art form.  Hosted by Nancy Maier and Sheri Gross the production features singers Bridie Carroll and Eric Fancher.

THE LAST FIVE YEARS (July 25-27 Alma Theatre) -- Jason Robert Brown’s classic musical about love, loss and the moments we wish we could do over. (Presented by The Passion Project.)

IMMERSIVE THEATRE

SHADOW OF THE RUN Chapter 1:  WanderLust (July 25-28 and Aug 1,3,4 show times begin at 6pm and starting every 20 mins with the last group starting at 10pm)

A 90-minute immersive experience in which audience members are put in the middle of the action where their experience is determined by the choices they make. With 19 Actors and only 14 audience members per show it's a very unique approach.
Takes place in and around historic downtown Bedford (meet at 50 South Park Street)
Length: 90 minutes.  Restrictions: 18+ (16+ if accompanied by a parent)
Note:  The performance takes place over multiple buildings that require standing, walking and use of staircases.
Cost: $40  Tickets must be purchased in advance online at www.shadowoftherun.com.  There will be no door sales.

CLEVELAND SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
Free admission
For times and places go to http://www.cleveshakes.com

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (July 19-August 4) -- A respectable nobleman lives in the idyllic Italian town of Messina.  He shares his house with his lovely young daughter, his playful, clever niece, and his elderly brother. What ensues is Shakespeare at his creative best!

OHIO SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens (outdoor performances)
714 N. Portage Path, Akron
ohioshakespearefestival.com or 1-888-718-4253 opt.1

MEASURE FOR MEASURE (July 26-August 11) -- Intrigues, disguises, and amorous plots propel this twisted, comedic adventure to its unexpected conclusion.

PORTHOUSE
On the grounds of Blossom
http://www.porthousetheatre.com or 330-929-4416 or 330-672-3884

THE MUSIC MAN (July 25-August 11)— The “Seventy-Six Trombones” musical story of a fast-talking salesman who arrives in River City, Iowa to con the townspeople and hurry off with their money, but he doesn't count on falling for the town librarian in the process.  (See this classic at Porthouse before its scheduled fall Broadway revival.)

convergence continuum
convergence-continuum.org or 216-687-0074
Thursday-Saturday @ 8

TOM AT THE FARM (Jul 12-Aug 3) -- After the sudden death of his lover, Tom travels from the city to a remote farm for the funeral, and finds a religious family who know nothing of his existence. Tom is threatened by the deceased’s brother and is drawn into a brutal, sexually-charged game.