CONCERT RESPONSE: AUDRA MCDONALD

Tuesday night was one of the best evenings EVER. Not only was Ms. McDonald extraordinary but I had the most wonderful time with my dear friend Peter Tarter. We got to the city early because we wanted good seats and we got 'em - we were in the fourth table back in the front area. Audra was backed by her long-time musical director Ted Sperling and a band of 4 other musicians. Her concert was divine. She did everything - songs from her amazing new album Build a Bridge, Broadway songs both old & modern, standards and showstoppers.

I was so entranced with what an amazing performer she is - she is so connected to the material and you see it in her eyes. I remember the first time that I saw her live with the SF Symphony - I was with my best friend Heather and we were I think on the 7th row on the side. During one of her pauses, people started to shout "I Love You Audra!" and then my friend Heather who has a really loud voice (like me) shouted "Hi Audra I Love You Too - I'm Heather & this is Martin!" Then I heard the sound of 3,000 people laughing and then Audra McDonald waving back "Hi Heather, Hi Martin!" I was in Heaven. So we wanted to meet her after the show and as soon as she saw us she said "Are you two Heather & Martin?!" She was so sweet and signed my songbook of hers (Way Back To Paradise) with this inscription: "To Martin 'I Love You!' Much Love, Audra McDonald." It just doesn't get any better than that.

Some of my favorite songs she did on Tuesday night were: Stars & The Moon (you know I hear so many people try sing this song - it was so nice to hear her do it justice), Bein' Green, Tom Cat Goodbye, My Stupid Mouth, Wonderful You, When Lola Sings (written especially for her by Michael John LaChiusa) a cut version of The Glamorous Life from A Little Night Music (which I took as a sign of good luck - next month are auditions for it at school =+), Will He Like Me, and she closed her set with When Did I Fall In Love? She returned to sing only 1 encore - even though her public wanted more - a lovely acoustic/no microphone rendition of Edelweiss. Her rendition of I Won't Mind had me in tears.

What I really loved about this particular performance was that she showed a very human side to performing - she had to start over a couple of times - she hit a couple of funky notes - I mean that's life - that's real. No one can ever be 100% perfect. Who the fuck wants that? I would rather see my favorite performer say oops - than be flawless. Audra McDonald in my eyes is a flawless performer and I will always remember this particular concert. This was my third time seeing her perform live and I hope she continues to return to the Bay Area every year. I know I will be there.