“When” Will It Be Over?!?!

Have you even been somewhere when you find yourself checking the clock every five minutes in hopes that time may have passed? That is exactly the way I felt Tuesday night as I sat through An Evening with Patti Lupone and Mandy Patinkin.

The opening scene was a piece from the musical Company. This song quickly gave me an idea of which path the show was going to take. Lupone and Patinkin seemed to be looking into their pasts for songs and story lines. The romance that went on between them always seemed a little too complicated for their ages. I pictured a young couple in their shoes for almost every number. At one point in the play, Lupone and Patinkin brought out desk chairs on wheels and did a little dance while sitting. Although this is a creative idea, I picture my younger brothers and sister doing the same thing, but doing it better.

When Lupone finally sang her solo from “Gypsy,” the theatre was filled with thunderous clapping. Very curious how an audience will award an actress credit for so very little talent. Perhaps this audience felt obligated to give Lupone recognition for her many years of performing this song. Her vocals did not seem quite as impressive as they may have been years ago. It is very sad to see her up there unable to hold a note through the end and at times have difficulty reaching a note. To add to all this, her final gestures at the end of the song seemed out of place. She had already stopped singing when the music became very loud and a soft spot light encircled her as she raised her hands toward the sky. I personally feel like she was looking for applause.

In productions I have seen recently, they have provided the audience with something to talk about. Either their costumes were grand or the scenery spectacular, or hopefully the singing and acting just blew the crowd away. Sometimes it is difficult to please this generation without it being on the big screen, but this year there have been many enjoyable productions that can be ranked as high as some recent films. An Evening with Patti Lupone and Mandy Patinkin is not one of those. It seemed as if their set had gone back in time from the lack of creativity and originality. Also, they were both dressed in black the entire evening. It almost felt as if they were going to a funeral. For me, the costumes were just as boring. Now possibly these views are only from my younger perspective, but a woman near me, who had probably seen Lupone and Patinkin in their years of fame, commented that this production was “O.K.” Apparently, this production was not enjoyable for any age.

If you don’t trust my review and desire to go see An Evening with Patti Lupone and Mandy Patinkin, it is now playing at Playhouse Square from the 5th- 17th. Go to playhousesquare.com for more information.