A beautiful new cabaret room has opened downstairs at the old Studio 54. Patti LuPone is packing the place giving two performances a night of her splendid new act FARAWAY PLACES.
This is a show that will go down in legend. Directed by Scott Wittman and accompanied by a magnificent band made up of piano, drums, guitar, banjo, violin and piano accordian, Patti has never been funnier or looked and sounded better.
Opening with "Gypsy in My Soul" with musical references to Jule Styne's GYPSY throughout the arrangement, highlights include a thrilling "Bilbao Song" (as an illustration of the decadence of 70's New York), a slow and bluesy "Come to the Supermarket in Old Peking", Frederick Hollander's wonderful "Black Market", a zany "By The Sea", Dillie Keane's hilarious Piaf send-up "I Regret Everything" followed by a real Piaf signature song "Hymn To Love", the disco-light flashing "Nights on Broadway", a pairing of "I Cover the Waterfront" and "Surabaya Johnny", the introduction to the band "Travelling Light", Patti's terrific number from WOMEN ON THE VERGE OFA NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, "Invisible" and the beautiful closer "September Song". Tonight's audience request vote was "Ladies Who Lunch". I hear that previous vote winners have included "Meadowlark", "As Long as He Needs Me", "Being Alive" and "Everything's Coming Up Roses" so she's obviously game for everything.
Many big name artists are booked to play the room until the end of the year but this is going to be a tough act to follow. The audience were on their feet four times before the final bow.
The decor, lighting, atmosphere and service are all excellent so far. The place is off to a splendid start.
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