Patti LuPone: Our Favorite Moments
Get ready to be transported to “Far Away Places,” on Saturday May 9th. That legend of the Broadway stage, the one and only, Patti LuPone is bringing back her acclaimed concert to the Schimmel Stage for one night only! Conceived and directed by Scott Wittman (lyricsit of the Tony winning hit Hairspray) and with musical arrangements by Joseph Thalken, “Far Away Places,” takes us along on a musical journey with two-time Tony award winner (Gypsy, Evita) Patti LuPone and a five-piece band. The evening has LuPone singing renditions of songs from an ecclectic list of songwriters ranging from Cole Porter and Stephen Sondheim to Willie Nelson and the Bee Gees! To prepare for the big evening, please find the videos below of some of her best and most electric moments!
“Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina”
Patti LuPone first rose to stardom playing Eva Peron in Andrew Llyod Webber and Tim Rice’s 1978 hit rock opera, “Evita.” Although Elaine Paige had made a splash originating the role on London’s West End a year earlier, it was Patti who originated the role for american audiences in 1979 and who made her way into our hearts with the definitive performance of, “Don’t Cry For Me, Argentina.” Patti won her first Tony Award for playing the ill-fated Argentinian first lady. Here she is in a more recent PBS- broadcasted, concert performing the quintessential tune.
“I Dreamed a Dream”
Ms. LuPone ventured cross the pond for her next notable outing. Playing everyone’s favorite put upon French prostitute with a tragic heart of gold, Patti originated, “I Dreamed a Dream” to English speaking audiences with her turn as Fantine in Les Miserables. Here she is stunning the crowd at a Royal Variety performance in 1991.
“Anything Goes”
The 1987 Theatre season saw LuPone make yet another splash when she played everyone’s favorite singer turned evangalizer, Reno Sweeny in the hit revival of Cole Porter’s 1934 musical, Anything Goes. In this show stopping rendition of the show’s title number on the 1987 Tony Awards, our favorite diva shows off both her incredible pipes as well as her dancing chops.
“As Long As He Needs Me”
Patti famously portrayed Nancy in the 1984 revival of Oliver! based on the Dickens’ 1837 novel Oliver Twist. Nancy’s famous ballad has quickly become one of Ms. LuPone’s most requested songs in performance.
“The Worst Pies in London”
Patti LuPone has notably played Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd three times. The first two times came courtesy of concert presentations. The third time, Patti took to the boards of Broadway opposite Michael Cerveris as the murderous barber in an acclaimed revival directed by John Doyle. The following video comes courtesy of a concert version opposite George Hearn in the title role.
“We Are Women”
This is an excuse for me to post a video of two fabulous leading ladies together. Patti joined forces with everyone’s favorite comedic soprano, Kristin Chenoweth in this acclaimed concert staging of Leonard Bernstein’s Candide which was thankfully preserved in a broadcast on PBS.
“Everything’s Coming Up Roses”
Patti tread triumphantly back to the Broadway boards in 2008 as one of musical theatre’s most venerated roles. Scoring a second Tony for her portrayal of Mamma Rose, LuPone cemented her status as musical theatre’s premiere diva with her performances of “Everything’s Coming up Roses” and “Rose’s Turn.” Here she performs the show’s Act 1 closer for the 2008 Tony awards.
“Ladies Who Lunch”
In 2011, Patti took on yet another famous Sondheim tuner when she took on the role of Joanne in a starry concert version of Sondheim’s 1970 smash hit Company with the New York Philharmonic and featuring the likes of Neil Patrick Harris and Stephen Colbert. Joanne may not have much stage time but she sings arguably one of the greatest songs in Sondheim’s entire canon. Below, LuPone previewed her version of the number for a special concert celebrating the composer’s 80th birthday. She did so while sharing the stage with the legendary Elaine Stritch who famously originated the song. No pressure for Patti LuPone.
Be sure to come see the reigning queen of musical comedy live on our stage on Saturday, May 9th. There’s no telling what magic will be made on our stage!
Patti LuPone: Far Away Places; Saturday, May 9th at 7:30pm; $119 | $99 | $89 | $79; Schimmel Center at Pace University, New York, NY, 10038; (212) 346-1715; https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/938453
