By Seth Rudetsky
29 May 2007
Anyhoo, this week featured a big birthday party for Kelli O’Donnell (Rosie’s wife) that I played for. Kelli requested her favorite singers, and they all showed up to belt up a storm. It was held at the fabulous Ars Nova, and the show opened with Julia Murney singing "Raise the Roof." How dare she do eight shows a week and still be able to belt Ds on her night off? One of my favorite singers, Darius de Haas, did "I Am Changing," and even though I heard he had just flown in from Japan, sounded amazing. The highlight of the evening was Norm Lewis and Audra McDonald singing "Wheels of a Dream." Audra was also on her night off and used the sound of the audience applause to mask her warming up. My boyfriend was standing right next to her and said every time the audience clapped, he heard "Mee-ah, Mee-ah, Mee-ah." Norm had the nerve to hold the D right before the "And he will ride" and take it up to an A. Is there anything he can’t do? The most gorgeous baritone in the world, yet high As as well?
Speaking of Audra, I saw 110 in the Shade. I loved it! She is so likeable onstage and adds so much humor to something that could be played very drab and depressingly. As I watched her I thought, "I am watching a musical theatre star in the prime of her career. How cool!" I thought about that and wondered if she’d be on Broadway in 20 years. Then I looked to the left and saw John Cullum who’s been performing on Broadway since the 1960’s! Forty years on Broadway! I’m gonna have him on my radio show soon, and I can’t wait to grill him about Barbara Harris, Madeline Kahn and Judy Kaye.
Speaking of Audra and buried babies (Ragtime, scene two anybody?), I saw Coram Boy. It was so exciting, original and thrilling! My question is, why would a show like that not be able to find an audience? My next question is, what did the woman next to me have in a plastic bag that she had to retrieve several times during the show? I had a mini-breakdown. When they search your bag upon entering the theatre, they should confiscate weapons, recording devices and all plastic bags. Unfortunately, that means my mother will never be able to come to the theatre again. Everything she carries is in multiple plastic bags. She’ll literally put a bottled water in a plastic bag . . . and then put that plastic bag in a bigger plastic bag. It’s like one of those Russian dolls.
All right, I’m off to give "Straight Talk" another chance. Talk to you in ten minutes.
(Seth Rudetsky is the host of "Seth's Big Fat Broadway" on SIRIUS Satellite Radio and the author of "The Q Guide to Broadway." He has played piano in the orchestras of 15 Broadway musicals, and he can be contacted by visiting www.sethsbroadwaychatterbox.com.)
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