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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>Patinkin, LuPone make
beautiful music together<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><SPAN
style="COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>Bob
Abelman<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT
size=3>News-Herald, Chagrin Valley Times, Solon Times, Geauga Times
Courier<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><SPAN
style="COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>Member,
International Association of Theatre Critics <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><SPAN
style="COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>This
review appeared in the <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">News-Herald
</I>5/08/09</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>Certain performers have
that certain something—that scarce, hard-to-define quality that freezes time and
alters the atmosphere when they take the stage.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>With a single look, gesture or note sung
in their signature style, they captivate an audience and fill it with the kind
of rapture that can only be experienced when thoroughly, wholeheartedly and
unequivocally entertained.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>It’s been said that Judy
Garland and Frank Sinatra had it. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Barbra Streisand and Liza Minnelli
do too. Their live concert performances have become legendary and their raw
talent and sheer showmanship have set an impossibly high bar for more
contemporary performers.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>Patti LuPone and Mandy
Patinkin are the next generation of ecstasy-inducing entertainment royalty.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They are currently holding court in a
concert simply entitled <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">An Evening with
Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin</I> in PlayhouseSquare’s Palace
Theatre.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>LuPone brings a brassy
belt, incredible vocal range and high-energy diva delivery to the table.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>She earned her stripes on the London and
New York stages in such musicals as <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Gypsy,</I> <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Sweeney Todd,</I> <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Master Class</I>, <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Sunset Boulevard</I> and <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Evita</I>. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Patinkin comes equipped with phenomenal
stage presence, a tender baritone and fragile falsetto, and immense
physicality.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>His Broadway credits
include <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">The Secret Garden</I>, <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Sunday in the Park with George</I> and <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Evita</I>, in which he first shared the
stage with LuPone. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>Both performers are
products of the famed Julliard School of Drama.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Both regularly perform solo concerts
that continue to receive critical acclaim.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Both are Tony award-winning actors.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Together, LuPone and Patinkin’s talent, training and experience are
certainly capable of captivating an audience for an evening and putting on
display that rare and elusive certain something.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>During their first
evening in Cleveland this past Tuesday, captivate they do and that certain
something they have.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In
spades.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>Delivering a 37-song set
comprised largely of Stephen Sondheim and Richard Rodgers/Oscar Hammerstein
tunes, LuPone and Patinkin completely own the stage.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Accompanied only by a stand-up bass
player, Patinkin’s longtime pianist, Paul Ford, and a table, two chairs and a
dozen standing light posts, the performers let the music speak for
itself.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">LuPone,
alone, is particularly marvelous performing “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” from
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Evita.</I><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>All of Patinkin’s charm and comic timing
are in full force during “The God-Why-Don’t-You-Love-Me-Blues” from Sondheim’s
musical <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Follies</I>.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>However, this concert was designed
largely for both performers to share the stage, resulting in several beautifully
orchestrated scenes consisting of a composite of songs and light dialogue from
the same show. One is from <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">South
Pacific,</I> and another is from <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Carousel</I>. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The concert also includes cleverly strung
together medleys of songs from a variety of well-known
musicals.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Throughout
this two-hour production, LuPone and Patinkin appear to be having a most
wonderful time performing these songs and performing together.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They have incredible and palatable
chemistry and a true affection for one another.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This highly professional and
exceptionally well-rehearsed production never appears to be overly staged,
lacking in spontaneity or the least bit stale.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In fact, the two-hours fly
by.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">This concert
offers a unique opportunity to witness, first-hand, genuine musical theater
genius.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Those knowledgeable and
passionate about musicals will be thoroughly, wholeheartedly and unequivocally
entertained. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">However, an
evening of Broadway tunes largely penned and popularized before the Truman
administration can certainly make you feel as if you are wearing your parents’
pants. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Musical
theater neophytes may prefer the more accessible starter-production of <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">I Love You Because</I> across the street
from the Palace Theatre. This will help prepare them for when <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy
Patinkin</I> returns to the area in February for a limited engagement in
Akron.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">An Evening
with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin<I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"> runs
through May 17 at PlayhouseSquare’s Palace Theatre in Cleveland.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>For tickets, which range from $10 to
$55, call 216-241-6000 or visit <A href=""><FONT
color=#ff0000>www.playhousesquare.org</FONT></A>.<o:p></o:p></I></SPAN></P></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>