Live from Lincoln Center

“What is this?” you say?

But, Concertmeister, you provide commentary on free, or low-cost, NYC concerts. True. And that’s what Live from Lincoln Center is—the best NYC has to offer, for free (check your local PBS listings—it may be re-broadcast).

A tribute to Kander & Ebb, hosted by Rob Fisher* at the piano, with Marin Mazzie, Chita Rivera, Joel Grey, and Jason Danieley. Not a bad crowd.

We were spared “New York, New York,” but we were treated to numbers from Flora, the Red Menace, The Rink, Cabaret, Chicago and others. Having performed in both Chicago* (on three different occasions) and Cabaret* (twice), they were of special warm-and-fuzzies to me. Mr. Grey, in the opening from Cabaret, was a joy to behold. But so was his rendition of “Mr. Cellophane,” from Chicago and “Married,” from Cabaret. Ms. Rivera (whiskey-baritone and all) was great in “All That Jazz” and “Class,” both from Chicago. And, really, as far as lyrics go, you gotta love these rhymes—“Ev’rybody you watch … s’got his brains in his crotch—what became of Class?”

Mr. Danieley was superb throughout, and Ms. Mazzie really came through with “Ring Those Bells.”

A great tribute and a great Live from Lincoln Center production!

ConcertMeister
*Additional info available on request.