It’s only sort of Broadway (lots of Broadway talent), but it was a pretty incredible night. Here are my thoughts:
1) Barry Manilow is a legend. I did not enjoy Harmony, but his love of Broadway and his energy at almost 81 makes me want him to get a Tony nod. I know that’s not how it works.
2) Really not a fan of the “Falling” arrangement in Hell’s Kitchen. Bean and Dixon performed it here, and it brought me back to my dislike during the Downtown production. Their voices are crazy good, and the jazzy, speedy number doesn’t show that off.
3) Is Adrienne Warren pregnant? She held her belly during her version of Unbreak My Heart.
4) Avery Wilson is crazy good, and it makes me sad that The Wiz isn’t allowing everyone to see that. He did Me and Mrs. Jones and one other that I can’t remember, and phew - his control is other worldly.
5) Fantasia needs to come back to Broadway in Porgy and Bess. Her Summertime was spectacular. Spectacular.
Not Broadway-related:
1) Dianne Warren needs a show with her hits à la & Juliet, but so many are ballads, so maybe that would be too much of a downer.
2) Art Garfunkel brought me to tears. He could barely walk, but hearing him sing Bridge Over Troubled Water with his son was my favorite moment of the night.
3) Other legendary performers were highlights - Dionne Warwick, Santana, etc. They came out for Clive.
Not sure if I’m forgetting anything, but it was an incredible show.