New season repeats of the PhilHallmonics and Christmas Caroling in Greenwich Village. The good news is that I had a lot of fun again. The bad news is that I wanted the PhilHallmonics to be better than it was. First, the cast, who all did a good to great to serviceable job: Karen Arlington, Lynette Baiocco, Linda Moshier, John DiBartolo, Elizabeth Saunders, Lenore Fuerstman, Becca Yure, Dolly Ellen Friedman, Ross Hewitt, Conor McGee, Mandy Brown, Tara Palsha, Bruce Rebold, and Phil Hall as music director and arranger (including special material). Ms. Moshier’s solos were not included, so I’m guessing she was under the weather (this ain’t the Met or Broadway—no announcements/covers/
standbys/understudies). This was a bit of a problem, as it put the brunt of the “story” line on
Ms. Arlington, who performed like the trouper that she is.
The
inclusion of four guys into the mix looked good on paper, but it detracted from
my enjoyment of these productions as “the Ladies” strutting their stuff. The
guys were OK, but just. On to the show.
Ms.
Arlington started strong with Hostess with the Mostes’, with a touch of bawdy,
and updated, lyrics. The Ladies delivered the goods with Christmas in New York,
which included sweet tunes with real harmonies sung well by the female octet.
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree slipped in a nice bridge from Jingle Bell
Rock—nicely done! Obviously, I won’t comment on all 25 to 30 songs on the
program.
You’re
All I Want for Christmas included the verse ahead of the chorus; I believe it’s
the first time I’ve ever heard it. Ms. Saunders had good microphone technique.
Which brings me to one of my problems with the afternoon. While the movement of
props and furniture was handled pretty well, the same cannot be said of the
sound system. Body (hair) microphones fought with handheld mics and standing
mics, including ‘pops’ and ‘squeals’. It detracted from the enjoyment.
Ms.
Feurstman did a bang-up job of The Twelve Days After Christmas. Google it if
you’d like some laughs. When She Loved Me was a poignant take on growing up, as
the soloist sang and there was a dance interpretation of a doll being left
behind. It could have been cloying, but Sharon Halley’s staging set just the
right tone, as it did throughout the entire afternoon.
Mandy
Brown’s performance of They Don’t Let You In The Opera (If You’re A Country
Star) was a tour de force. It was funny and incredibly well performed. Favorite
lyrics included, “It’s like Opry with an ‘A’,” and (to her child, who was born
in the house of the Met), “If they say, ‘no’ don’t be upset—it just means ‘not
yet.’” Powerful stuff beautifully performed.
The
finale of Maxim’s and The Night They Invented Champagne was OK but didn’t
create the bang I wanted. I’ve seen at least three or four PhilHallmonics
holiday programs. This one didn’t thrill me, though I enjoyed it a great deal
And, yes, Merry Christmas Darling brought tears to my eyes (and probably will
forever—“I’ve just one wish on this Christmas Eve—I wish I were with you”). Not
for me, unfortunately.
Now for
the upbeat! Christmas caroling in the Village was fun, if cold. This was the fortieth iteration! How could I
have not known this? This was my third attendance. When we
arrived, we got a group # and a lyrics sheet. I was in Group 3. (See perky
young ladies, below.) Here’s the thing—your group
leader makes all the difference in the world. This year’s, for me, were a perky
pair of young ladies. They walked fast. I walk fast. The rest of the group had
to catch up. The leaders didn’t get it. They should have. Still, the singing (mostly
unison) was fun. I added some harmony. Last year I jingled my keys during
Jingle Bells. This year, I brought a real ‘Thelma Bell’* plus a foam red nose
for Rudolph. The ‘Thelma Bell’ also worked well for Silver Bells. When we returned from our shift, they were just sending
out Group 12! I had already turned in my lyrics booklet (de rigeur, so they’ll
be set for next year). I just glommed onto Group 12. Appropriately, their first
song was The Twelve Days of Christmas. Can you sing, ‘Five Golden Rings’ really
loud and long? We could. After I had joined Group 12, I was out-Rudolphed!
There was a young fellow with a blinking red nose! But we played nice and
shared. I then sheared off of Group 12 and made my way home to leftovers for
dinner. Whew! Loads of Christmas fun!
ConcertMeister
*Info upon request.
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