LuPone's performance was nothing short of a masterclass in performance
Presented by: Michael Cassel Group in association with Adelaide Festival Centre
Reviewed: 19 June, 2024
The 2024 Adelaide Cabaret Festival program has been packed with a wonderful selection of performances. The centrepiece: the one, the only…Patti LuPone. What a night, and what a celebration of the extraordinary career of such an astounding performer.
LuPone’s Adelaide performance marked the start of her national tour, and it was nothing short of a masterclass in performance. The audience hung off every note she sang and lapped up every word spoken. A Life in Notes is a musical memoir of LuPone’s life following her successful written memoir. The show is full of stories of her life growing up in America and the songs selected, especially in the first half, take the audience on a journey of her youth during the fifties, coming of age in the sixties and then the success stories of her career in theatre.
LuPone is musical theatre royalty. With Grammy Awards, Tony Awards and Olivier Awards to her name, she made her mark with acclaimed roles in Evita (both here in Australia in 1981 and on Broadway), Sweeney Todd, Anything Goes, Gypsyand most recently her award winning portrayal of Joanne in Sondheim’s Company.
The first half of A Life in Notes sees LaPone weave stories of her upbringing with a musical tapestry of songs that reflect key moments in her life. Opening with A Song For You, LuPone’s stage presence is hypnotising. She is a master at storytelling, both through song and her banter with the audience. Her wicked sense of humour kept popping out with well placed one-liners. It was in the quieter moments of the first half where LuPone’s ability to suspend time shone through, especially in numbers like Lilac Wine and Alfie. Of course, there was a smattering of songs that LuPone has made her own scattered in the first half, including Some Peoplefrom Gypsy. The first half closed with a very rousing Those Were The Days.
The second half focused more on LuPone’s life in the theatre, fittingly opening with On Broadway. From there, it was LuPone hit after hit with Don’t Cry For Me Argentina into I Dreamed A Dream. It’s amazing how a simple prop could cause an audience to erupt with applause, but as soon as LuPone raised a martini glass, the audience could not contain their excitement for what was to come. Ladies Who Lunch from Sonheim’s Company was worth the ticket price alone. LuPone’s performance of this number alone perfectly showcased this broadway legend’s ability to combine acting through song, comedic timing and powerhouse vocals.
A world-class act like LuPone needs world-class musicians to accompany her. Musical director, arranger, backing vocals and pianist Joseph Thalken, and Brad Phillips on guitars, violin and backing vocals were exquisite. Their musicianship was sublime to listen to. Phillips’ haunting violin playing perfectly matched Thalken’s masterful piano accompaniment. The stripped back arrangements allowed LuPone’s iconic voice to be the centrepiece.
After spending two hours with LuPone, it is clear to see why she has had the successes in the industry that she’s had. At several points throughout the performance she spoke warmly to the audience how music has helped shape her life and her career. As LuPone told us, “Music has the power to crystallise a moment in time’ . For those of us at her Adelaide performance, A Life in Notes is certainly a moment that will be crystallised in our memories. Let’s hope it’s not too long before LuPone graces our stages here in Australia again — I’d drink to that!
Reviewed by Ben Stefanoff
Photo credit: Douglas Friedman
Venue: Festival Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre
Season: ended
Additional dates for Patti LuPone’s national tour can be found at https://pattilupone.com.au/
