It was another streamer night! Ok, now I've been describing Barry as bouncy - but tonight he
was BOUNCY! He was literally bouncing on stage during It's A Miracle!
It was the standard opening (well, except for the bouncing). But again, Barry had set the mood
from the start. The audience was wild - some real live wires. First time I ever needed earplugs
at a Manilow concert!
Barry mentioned that tonight's show was the 200th performance of M&P. How time flies!
Since I wrote most of this immediately after the show, maybe I can get the order of the songs
right! The 40's segment was first - before the first Christmas song.
I don't think I've ever really mentioned the horn section. They're very much a part of the
choreography of the 40's medley. I really noticed them last night - and really heard them. It
was kind of neat.
I'm having a heck of time getting good photos of the first part of the 40's medley. I was
sitting close to the Dew Drop side, but I still couldn't get many good shots of that part of
the show. Everyone is moving constantly, the choreography is so lively (for lack of a better
word). But it's great to watch.
Then they sang Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Well, I think that's when they sang it. Geez -
I just left the show less than half an hour ago and I already can't remember. It's Barry's
fault - he rattles my brains!
I think I left out Can't Smile Without You in my other reviews. He's been doing that after the
40's segment. The song seems to be more upbeat than it's been in the past. It's always been
an upbeat song, but this is something different. Barry has changed the beginning of it - the
band starts the song, and it's a much "bigger" sound than when Barry would start the song at
the piano. That might be the only change, but it seemed significant to me - it's almost as if
he's changed the tempo of the song with that one little modification.
We got River again. Another great performance of it, too. He introduced the song as not being
a typical Christmas song, and talked about how bad it is to breakup during the holidays. Then
he said, "Oooh, a slash your wrist song - let me do that one for you". (paraphrased)
I think Looks Like We Made It gets better every time he sings it. Is that possible?? I think
the screams get louder every time, too!
No changes to the 60's medley except that it just seems to get more lively and more fun
everytime they do it. This time the audience was on their feet almost from the beginning
of Can't Take My Eyes Off You. They stayed on their feet for Where Did Our Love Go, but then most people
sat down for You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'. At least to me, the audience *should* be
seated for the last two songs of the medley. Well, I guess What the World Needs Now Is Love
would lend itself to a standing audience, but not You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'. But
that's just my opinion, which isn't worth much!
There was something special about Mandy/Could It Be Magic tonight. Can't put my finger on
it. Come to think of it, there seemed to be something special about the entire 70's segment.
But the time passed too quickly - it was over way too soon. Only one more show. But every
show this week has been like a Christmas present so far. I'm sure tonight's show will be,
too. Part of me can't wait for the show tonight, but another part realizes that it will
be at least a couple of months before I get to see another one - don't wish your life away,
right?
And, in case I forget after tonight's show, besides Barry, we have to thank everyone else -
Monica, Keely, Melanie, Kye, Ron W., Ron P., Mike, Joe, David, Russ, Ian, Steve, Chris,
Brandon, and everyone else in the background - faces we recognize even if we don't know
their names.
