So I saw Chess in Concert last night.

[rabekriegerin]

Review, review, review.

You know me, I make these long.

When the concert was announced, I about flipped out; Drew, in NYC? A series of quick texts went out and in short order, I'd lined up my best friend, her sister, my brother, and I to go. My friend and I had seen Drew in Rudolf, in Vienna. Her sister and my brother are long distance fans. This

Comments

[caliypsoe]

Wow! That sounds like an amazing night! I'm not too familiar with Chess but once I heard Drew was doing the concert, I took a listen. It would have been fantastic to see him live!

Do you know if there are plans to release a recording or video? (Seems like all the other anniversary concerts are getting released lately. Hopefully Chess will follow!)

[rabekriegerin]

It was pretty amazing. Already looking forward to the next time he's in town - though honestly, it may end up being the next time we are overseas. So it goes.

I don't think any official recording is planned to be released, but I did find the following on tumblr (just search under "Drew Sarich" and scroll down a few entries)...

hxxp://www.mediafire.com/?qa7wmfcq12jo6fj
hxxp://www.mediafire.com/?y2l0qsbil78aa5l

There is also a snippet of pieces of the concert (with video) posted on Broadwayworld; not a lot of it, but a few slices anyway! Enjoy...

[eirenical]

I must say, I mainly agreed to go to this concert because I have a friend who adores Drew Sarich and because well... Chess. ^_^ I've always wanted to hear the whole show and I don't tend to listen to recordings of shows I haven't seen. I'm glad I went... and I now fully understand the hype around Drew. He was amazing. They ALL were. ^_^ Though, I completely agree with your comments about the ensemble. They had some good moments, but they needed more rehearsal time. Especially during One Night. Drew was SO amazing (and I loved those dialogue lines, too!) and I wish the ensemble had, oh... been on stage when he got out there?? -.-;;;

But, yes, overall I loved the concert and I'm glad that was my true introduction to Drew. Videos/audios are nice, but they do NOT do that man justice. I'm much more tolerant of my friend's obsessing, now. ^_~

[rabekriegerin]

Nothing does the man justice but seeing him live, truly. I thought I was prepared for Rudolf (I went to see Uwe, actually) but there were several moments in that production where my jaw plain dropped. The man has an incredible voice, and is entertaining to watch in audio. But like you said, there is nothing that compares to being there. I don't quite understand it, but there it is nonetheless.

I ran into an elderly couple who were Drew fans also :D from the Les Mis days. They had, apparently, followed him over to London to see a pair of performances, they were so taken... now that I understand. I have designs on Germany for next spring myself.

[eirenical]

It's interesting, but I've found that to be true of many Broadway/stage actors. Video and audio does NOT do them justice. Either because they're playing to the audience (not the cameras) or if they're being forced to play to the cameras then there is something vital missing in that audience interaction, like they aren't their best without it

[rabekriegerin]

There is nothing like theater live. Nothing. Which is why I go a little nuts for it.

My current level of Drew love has to do with the lightning-out-of-the-sky way I saw him first, followed by 3 years of being stuck in the States watching clips put on youtube by German & Austrian friends. ;) A group of us have been planning a visit back to Vienna after we were utterly smote by the beauty of the city... and in my opinion, since I'm already going to be over there, heck... So: not "just" to see shows, but certainly on the itinerary! I fell in love with German musicals long before Drew, anyway.

Yes, Drew will be in Rocky next. Though I have heard word to the effect that, should it transfer to Broadway, he won't be in it. The movie (first one) is quite exceptional, but honestly, it could be any musical and I'd want to see it were he in it. Tanz for example, now, that would be amazing. Or, you know, Death in Elisabeth. (grins) Not getting my hopes up

Drew Sarich for Eponine!

[zoicite]

Ah, I don't know how I missed this post when you first posted it last week. I was there as well (I'm the friend who dragged rchan, heh) and pretty much agree with everything that you said here. I'm really hoping it won't be another FIVE years before something drags Drew back to New York. Yeesh!

And yeah, I heard that if Rocky comes over, they'll probably give the role back to Andy Karl as well. ON THE OTHER HAND, Drew DOES have a bit of a history of unexpectedly taking over shows with his awesomeness - The Armand casting switch, eventually playing just about every male role in Les Miz - so I'm not entirely counting out the possibility just yet. ;)

Re: Drew Sarich for Eponine!

[rabekriegerin]

Crap! well, see, I should've posted I was going earlier, then we could have said hi. :)

You should have seen me when I found out Drew'd be in NYC. It's been far, far too long since he was on this side of the pond! Granted I saw him in Rudolf, so only 3 years ("only"), but still, it is too few and too far between. Mostly I was super happy my brother had the chance to meet him & hear him sing. He's coming with me to Europe next year, so... we shall see what we can do.

I do have a quiet hope somewhere in the back *waves hand* that Drew will come over with Rocky, but I'm trying not to let it grow too much, just in case. Once Drew actually gets to showcase the role, that's when things might shift, I think. We shall have to wait and see. And envy our fellow overseas fans. :P

Re: Drew Sarich for Eponine!

[zoicite]

I think this is a good plan. Best not to get hopes up. I feel like...I don't know that I really WANT to see Rocky so at the moment, I'm pretty okay with it either way (though I do agree that what they've put out there so far is actually pretty good. And though I've never actually seen the movie, I'm often a giant sucker for a good sports film, so I'm pretty sure I'd love it.) Mostly I just want SOMETHING to bring Drew back this way a bit more often (Chess concert on my birthday was definitely a good start!)

Re: Drew Sarich for Eponine!

[rabekriegerin]

On your birthday! That's just perfect. :D Happy birthday too, by the way, and may the day have been wondrous.

I wasn't too enthused about Rocky when it was announced, but I know by now that Drew makes almost anything worth listening to... and I could throw a couple examples here, haha. But the songs released in the press conference have really grown on me, and when I turned around and watched the movie again - it had been years upon years - I changed my mind. It truly is an excellent film, well worth its reputation. A little understated, even, quieter and deeper than I expected it to be, even with the classic sports-underdog-feel-good story in there.

I'm sure it will really surprise. I wonder how they will really handle that last match - that's what is most up in the air in my mind right now - but it has fantastic material. I find myself actually looking forward to it, whod've thunk?

Rudolf reuploasd

[ext_1495727]

Hey, sorry for writing here, but I had no other choice to contact you. Could you please reupload the subtitles for Rudolf Musical? I've been looking everywhere in the internet for it and the only one who seems to have subtitles is you. Thanks :)
Peter

Re: Rudolf reuploasd

[rabekriegerin]

sendspace.com/file/v6emr8
sendspace.com/file/5iokqv

There you go :) enjoy!