We had a beautiful show last night in Maryland. As always, I want to steal that Gildenhorn Hall at University of Maryland; it’s a perfect place to do song and New York unfortunately doesn’t have anything like it. We had a very good house and they seemed utterly fascinated with the program. Pretty good laughers: superlative listeners.
I have such powerful feelings about Manning the Canon and the four guys in the cast. I’ve known each of them for a while now and I feel as if I’ve watched them step into in their adulthood before my very eyes. We all know each other’s strengths and passions, we are gently aware of each other’s fears and vulnerabilities. I really love those guys with all my heart.
My favorite moment—among many—was the big laugh we got in “You’re the Top” on “You’re Camembert!” I took a little stretch in the tempo so Jesse could really lean into Scott’s armpit and ostentatiously demonstrate his ecstasy to the audience. As I mentioned…I invented that bit of ‘ography. (I am good with an armpit.)
I always wonder if Manning the Canon will work its magic on straight people. Wonder no longer, Steve: it did last night. There were a few enclaves of gay guys (and a few gay women) in the audience but we were not preaching to the choir in Maryland. At the end of the show, two elderly ladies made a beeline for me. “We just wanted to say… that…. was…. AMAZING. I’ve never seen your group before….and that was….one of the most AMAZING evenings of song I ever heard.” Two more satisfied customers, and not the ones I was expecting.
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