It sounds as if the Gardenia show was a BIG HIT!!! Congrats to MR BK and his cast and crew! Doesn't anybody ever take any PICTURES?
Probably on somebody's blog somewhere.
Actually, quite a few pics were taken that night of BK, the cast, and Mr. Sherman after the show. I'd brought a camera but was engaged in conversation at that time, so wasn't able to take any pictures myself.
It was an amazing evening of bonhomie. As Bruce said, just hearing those Sherman Brothers songs makes you feel good -- you just can't help yourself. And the songs are not kiddie songs, as some might believe. When you hear the full canon of what they've written, there is astounding depth and sophistication to them.
This was one of the few times I'd seen The Gardenia with a full dinner crowd. The place is usually half full (or less) for dinner and then the crowds come in for the show and pay the cover and 2-drink minimum. Well last night, The Gardenia was packed to the gills for dinner. Everyone was warm and friendly. Mr. Sherman made a point of going to each table and greeting the diners. He is such a warm and gracious man.
I was engaged in a long conversation with his son Greg about the documentary he and his cousin made about their fathers. I'd seen the documentary and it's a wonderful tribute to the talents of two men who are living legends. Greg himself was very kind (he takes after his father in that respect) and when his friend Jeff Marx (who co-created Avenue Q) at the table, Greg enthusiastically introduced Jeff to me and my wife. Jeff was also kind and gracious, and we talked a little bit about Avenue Q and his current project (a musical based on the comedy movie Airplane!). Greg also introduced me to his father, and I actually got to talk to him for maybe 10 minutes, during which I tried very hard not to be overawed that I was conversing with a living legend whose work I'd admired almost from the time I was aware that songwriters existed.
I don't think there's much I can say about the show that Bruce hasn't already said. My wife and I thought Alet had never sounded better. We'd only seen her at the Kritzerland shows and a benefit a few years ago, but each time we hear her, she brings new dimensions to her song interpretations. Since each performer gets to do only a few numbers in each show, we know we'll be learning new things about her capabilities for a long time to come.
And we've loved Juliana from the start, when we heard her introduce "The Happy Working Song" to the world at the Alex Theatre for Bruce's benefit for the LACCTAA a few years ago. We thought she was the quintessential Disney princess type then, but every time we've seen her since, she's shown us so much depth and subtlety in her singing that we've long since dropped the notion of seeing her as "just" a Disney princess type.
All of the other singers were new to me and the wife but they were wonderful, as Bruce stated. We're looking forward to seeing them in future shows and learning what else they can do, as we've seen with Alet and Juliana. I think my wife has a little crush on David.
Bruce was, of course, great. I always feel a touch guilty about him when I go to when of the Kritzerland shows. I feel like I should go to his table and pay my respects and I always hesitate because he's always so engaged with the people at his table. So I figure on saying hello to him later on. But he invariably beats me to the punch and comes to my table first, to greet me and the wife. Bruce is not only the prime force behind these shows, but he's also the reason the crowd is always so genial. Everyone feels comfortable, welcome and happy at these shows, and I think Bruce is the prime reason for that. I have say though, that Mr. Sherman himself kicked it up another notch last night.
My wife and I have been lucky enough to attend 3 of the 6 Kritzerland shows so far. We feel so privileged to be able to be part of them, if only as spectators. We know they're (thus far) one night only. A show comes, it's done, and then it's gone. Our lives are richer for having seen them.
