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All My Children Discussion Group
Our cast gave us tickets for an Encores production of No No Nanette (a show we did when the seniors were freshmen) for last night. Today it's a glorious day but I trudged through the ugliest, rainiest and windiest night to the theater.
While I'm waiting for the director in the lobby (he has the tickets) who do I see trot on by? JOAN RIVERS. If you think she looks scary on TV - whoa, in person it's worse. Her face is like a swollen mask. Tiny little lady dressed impeccably but most don't notice that. She sat a row BEHIND us (tee).
At intermission I see a woman and I'll be damned if it doesn't look like TYNE DALY - it was. She's always been very bohemian. I knew it was her but the proof was when her friend called her TYNE! Her hair is short and shaggy and the whitest white I've ever seen. Neither she or Joan were bothered by folks (which was nice).
On to the show. If you've never seen Encores - it's a full production with singing, dancing, acting, costumes and FULL (and fab) orchestra (on stage) but limited sets. All the characters carry leather bound scripts. Rarely did anyone look at them and all were worked in so they could rid themselves for dancing. A little odd but you get used to it. I suppose they spend most of their limited (I'm assuming?) time on the singing and dancing so scripts might be needed. I've seen shows like this on PBS but this is a first LIVE.
It was a wonderful production of a show that definitely appeals to the MANY seniors in the audience. They didn't miss a joke or anything that even resembled burlesque (jokes). Rosie did a nice job playing Pauline (maid) yet they added lines here and there (one about fried foods) for Rosie's fans (I guess?).
I've seen many of these performers in different productions on Broadway. Charles Kimbrough (Murphy Brown) played Uncle Jimmy - adorably. The entire cast was wonderful.
Sandy Duncan danced her little feet off BUT she has the least amount of dialogue of all the leads yet she bowed last (star power). The dance numbers were well executed but I was a little off set by the full ON tap number for Tea For Two (a SOFT shoe). Ms. Duncan more than held her own with the younguns but at times she seemed a wee bit unsteady.
The final dance number has Sandy out with the young folks a tappin' away and out comes Rosie who says (to the orchestra) hit it. She then does what can only be described as a first year (read SEVEN YEAR OLD) tap routine. Why? Because she's Rosie I guess. THEN they do go into a full cast (WITH Rosie but sans Charles) tap that lasted about 30 seconds (all Rosie can handle me thinks).
In the song I Want To Be Happy the chorus boys play ukeleles. We did this - so cute. After the curtain call the orchestra conductor turns to the audience and playing the ukelele starts to sing ythe song then the entire cast comes back each playing a ukelele for an encore of the number.
All in all a successful show (they only get SIX performances) and a wonderful night at the theatah!
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sounds like fun. I saw a review in Newsday this morning as well.
P.S. glad you had fun in Vegas!
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