I flew into Vegas on Saturday for just the two shows - I was actually in town for less
than 24 hours. No luggage - just there to see Barry and then hop back on the plane.
You know...the kind of thing that makes people talk about how Manilow fans are nuts!
But it's fun!
These were great shows - I think I liked the early show best, with the exception of a
couple of stand out performances during the late show. Well, okay, it's hard to choose
a favorite. Every show has its memorable moments. But Barry sounded great, looked great,
looked happy. The Manilow Magic at work - the professional showman - I hope he realizes
how much we appreciate that he continues to do this night after night for us.
At the end of This One's For You at the early show, Barry made a gesture toward the audience
that I'd never seen before - uhm, okay that didn't come out right - let me clarify! It
wasn't the standard motion that he makes with his free hand - this time he used both hands
and made a point of directing it to the audience. I thought it was a nice touch. And,
considering how great this show was, it seemed like he really did mean it. But then, that's
part of Barry's magic - he can make you feel as if the entire show is being done just for you.
At the early show, Barry did a fantastic version of I Made It Through the Rain. He seemed
to be really into it that night. In that same spot at the late show we got Even Now. He
did a beautiful job on it, but for some reason I find that song very depressing lately. Not
sure why, but it really brings me down, so I'm having a hard time enjoying it. That's a
strange thing for me to say - I always love everything he does. Kind of wish he would put
Weekend in New England back in the show for a while.
Maybe someone can tell me - during Hot Stuff is Kye on the opposite side of the stage trying
to get Keely's attention the way Barry is? If so, is this new? At both shows it seemed
that Barry was motioning and posturing to someone on the other side of the stage during
that segment - but, frankly, I wasn't about to take my eyes off Barry to check it out! LOL
At one point Barry even flexed a muscle!
Barry has a new move with Keely during Hot Stuff. He wraps his arm around her and gets
close and... Well, never mind... ;-)
And when Melanie runs her hand up his leg and then grabs, she really grabs! He always
makes a face and says "What a gig!" Well, I'm sure Melanie is thinking the same thing! LOL
(And Keely, too, for that matter!)
Early show Dew Drop side he sang I Am Your Child because there was a young girl in one of
the stage seats. At the late show he sang an abbreviated version of One of These Days at
an audience member's request.
A cute moment at the late show during Can't Smile - as he was finishing up the part at the
piano with Kye and Monica, right after Monica drops the room key in the glass, he kind of
grinned and sang "One of these days..."
At both shows, someone got up to leave the theater and Barry said something to the effect
of "Wait, I'll get better". But at the late show it was extra funny, because he kept
playing with it. It was during Venus. A man got up to leave, and Barry said, "Hey, I get
better!" Then Barry just half sang the lyrics to the song and got an expression on his
face as if he were completely perplexed and disappointed that the man was walking out.
Then he turned partly toward the audience and partly toward the backups and said "At least
you love me!" It was all in fun, of course.
I'll never get tired of the 50's segment - I love watching the backups (well, when I can
manage to take my eyes away from Barry, which isn't often!). I love the way he hams it up
during Venus, and the anticipation while you wait to see who he's going to point at during
the song. And I love the way he makes such a smooth transition from comedy to serious
during Love Is A Many Splendored Thing. Unchained Melody is one of my favorites. I'm
not crazy about Not For Me to Say - but some fans are having dreams come true with the song,
so it definitely has its place in the show.
Another stand out song from the early show was Unchained Melody - it was very emotional -
he seemed to put extra feeling into it at that show. The version from the late show was
also very good, but not quite as good as the early show. However, he did stand right in
front of me to sing a portion of the song, so that made up for it! :-)
During the late show, a couple of rows of people directly behind me (I was in the front
row) wouldn't stand up during the Mayflower segment. Barry walked over in front of us and
was motioning to them and begging them to stand up. They just wouldn't do it. At one
point I turned around to look at the lady behind me. I don't think it was a matter of
her not enjoying the show - I got the impression that she was somewhat shy and would
have felt very self-conscious if she stood up. Well, so do I - but I stand up anyway!
(and it doesn't get easier, even though I've seen the show many times!) But I understand
if the people just didn't feel comfortable enough to do it. They *did* stand up during
Copa - and Barry said "You're alive!" And then at the end of the show when he's saying
that he'll be there forever and to bring your family and friends, he pointed at them and
said "And you come back when you're awake!" Again, it was all in fun - he got the
cutest grin on his face after he said that.
At the late show we got Who's Been Sleeping again - the best performance of it I've ever
seen. It's a totally different Barry that performs that song. I'd really love to see
the expressions on the faces of some of the non-fan audience members - I'll bet they're
shocked! I love it!!! At the end of the song, when he sang the lyrics "The little things
I miss, I miss the fire in your kiss" he was actually jumping up and down as he sang it.
Wow - I'll bet he can never top that version of it. (Actually, I'm sure he *will* top it -
he always manages to put something extra into the songs when I don't think they could
possibly get any better.)
The new Copa jacket is awesome. The photos I've seen just don't do it justice. It's
really beautiful - and even though I thought I loved that pink satiny jacket he was
wearing, I like this one much better.
At both shows during Copa, he changed up the lyrics a little to make for more funny
moments. During the part where he turns to the backups and sings "And then the punches
flew...", he switched to his best Brooklyn/Jewish accent, and sang "And then the punches
flew...and you don't wanna know" LOL I think it must have taken them by surprise during
the early show because they really laughed.
He sang Are You Lonesome on the Rock Bottom side at both shows. The late show performance
was the best I think - the most emotional. He sang it very softly and tenderly.
I'll have my photos up in a couple of days. I really didn't take many - I just wanted
to watch Barry this time. And the ones I did take didn't turn out well because I didn't
take the time to focus properly. But I'll share what I do have. In the meantime, my
friend has put her photos from that week up - http://manilow.shuttefly.com - she still
can't get on the Bnet for some reason.
Is it August yet? If I'm this anxious to get back only 3 days after coming home, what
will it be like at the end of the shows in August when I don't have anything else
scheduled until November??! What is it Barry asks people who've seen him so many times?
Are you in therapy? LOL (Sorry, Mr Manilow - can't afford therapy - all my money goes
toward M&P tickets. But then, M&P *is* my therapy!)
