By Andrew Gans
07 Apr 2006
FOR THE RECORD: Patti LuPone's "The Lady with the Torch"
It’s been some year for Tony and Olivier Award winner Patti LuPone, who triumphantly returned to Broadway earlier this season in the acclaimed revival of Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, which continues to astound audiences nightly at the Eugene O’Neill. Now, LuPone has released her latest recording, "The Lady with the Torch," a fantastic addition to her previous solo efforts, which include the critically hailed "Patti LuPone Live!," "Heatwave" and "Matters of the Heart."
Available April 25 on the Ghostlight Records label, "Lady with the Torch" features LuPone in fine form. Her throbbing alto — with its lush tones that span a remarkably impressive range — remains an exciting, unique instrument, and the actress may be singing with more emotion than ever, as she imbues each of these torch songs with an intensity that makes for thrilling listening.
Most of the songs on the 14-track CD were written decades ago, yet LuPone brings a contemporary flavor to each, making even the oldest chestnut as new, relevant and full of life as when originally written.
LuPone begins her investigation of "Torch" with a powerful version of the Gershwin classic “The Man I Love” that builds to a full-voiced climax. Other highlights include Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn’s “Guess I’ll Hang My Tears Out to Dry,” in which LuPone reveals her array of vocal colors; a fiery reading of the great Johnny Mercer revenge song “I Wanna Be Around”; a definitive version of the rarely heard Gus Kahn-Matt Malnck-Tom Adair tune “I’m Through with Love,” which is a master class in how to mine a song for all its dramatic worth; and a thoroughly moving rendition of Cole Porter’s “So in Love.” The singing actress also scores with a touching, simple reading of the war-time hit “My Buddy,” and she has great fun slinking her way through the Gershwin-DeSylva charmer “Do It Again.”
DIVA TIDBITS
Two-time Tony award winner Bernadette Peters will guest star on the penultimate episode of the "Will & Grace" series. Peters will portray Karen's (Megan Mullally) sister on the May 11 broadcast, which is titled "Whatever Happened to Baby Gin?" In the episode, "Grace (Debra Messing) and Will (Eric McCormack) are excited about becoming parents to her baby. While Vince (guest star Bobby Cannavale) finds a beautiful brownstone that he and Will can live in, he doesn't see Grace as part of the plan. In the meantime, Grace learns some surprising personal news and the audience meets Ginny (Peters) — Karen's sister who was injured in a Twister accident when the two were kids." "Will & Grace" airs Thursdays on NBC at 8 PM ET; the comedy concludes its eight-year run May 18 from 9-10 PM ET.
Cabaret favorite Andrea Marcovicci will debut her newest act, I'm Feeling Like a Million, April 19-22 at the Gardenia in Hollywood, CA. Million, which is subtitled A Salute to the Incomparable Hildegarde, pays homage to the late singer who died, age 99, in July 2005. Show time is 9 PM each night. The Gardenia is located on Santa Monica Blvd. For reservations call (323) 467-7444.
Mary Bond Davis, who created the role of Motormouth Maybelle in the Tony-winning musical Hairspray, has extended her cabaret engagement at Danny's Skylight Room. The Broadway belter will now play Saturday evenings through May 20. Backed by musical director Ross Patterson on piano, Davis' show features an eclectic mix of American standards. Show time is 11 PM. There is a $20 cover charge and a two-drink minimum for Davis' show. Call (212) 265-8133 for reservations. Danny's Skylight Room is located at 346 West 46th Street.
Well, that's all for now. Happy diva-watching! E-mail questions or comments to agans@playbill.com.
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"Diva Talk" will be on vacation next week. The next column will appear Friday, April 21.
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| Cover art for Patti LuPone's newest solo recording.
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