23 September 2023 AUDRA!

[KathyB]

I just got back from seeing AUDRA in concert with the Colorado Symphony, and it was FANTASTIC. Amazing, Amazing performer. She was even better than all my expectations. She mentioned that the last time she was in Denver was in 1992 in a touring production of The Little Mermaid. (I know that I missed her in that.) She did 3 1/2 Sondheim songs as part of the concert ("Children Will Listen," "What Can You Lose"/"Not a Day Goes By" medley, and "Somewhere"). I'm just basking in the high right now. When I get my thoughts together, I'll post a more detailed review of the concert. 

[KathyB]

Review written while waiting for the cable technician, so it will probably be done in pieces.

As I said, it was an amazing experience. Audra is extremely charismatic as well as having that voice. Her between-songs banter was entertaining, and she has a definite rapport with her musical director and the musician members of her "entourage."

The concert started with the musical director leading the orchestra in "Carousel Waltz." Then Audra came out and sang "I Am What I Am" from La Cage Aux Folles, and the incredible-ness began. The songs aren't listed in the program, so I'm recalling as many as I can from memory.
"I Could Have Danced All Night"
"Summertime" (without microphone! WOW) 
"You've Got to Be Carefully Taught"/"Children Will Listen"
A song she said she was performing for one of the first times, so please forgive the lyric sheet in front of her (this song was one of the highlights of a long list of highlights, so I wish I knew the name)
A song from a Fred Astaire movie
"It Don't Mean a Thing" (with audience participation)

The second half started with the orchestra playing "Ragtime Symphonic Suite"
"Before the Parade Passes By"
"Being Green"
"What Can You Lose" (she was surprised when an audience member [not me] knew it was from Dick Tracy)/"Not a Day Goes By"
"Somewhere"
"Some Other Time"
A song from an up-and-coming songwriter (Kim Kalesti) who is actually the mother of another up-and-coming songwriter (Emily King)--she said to look them both up.
And a couple more songs in each half that I'm not recalling clearly

The encore was a duet with her musical director, where he was clearly outclassed, vocal-wise.
This has turned into a rambling instead of a proper review, and it doesn't come close to doing the concert justice, but the cable tech is supposedly here right now.