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Post by kari on Oct 10, 2013 21:02:18 GMT
Prodigy Jackie Evancho at Hanover Oct. 11www.telegram.com/article/20131010/NEWS/310109889/-1/RSS01source=rss "Her poise. Her control. Her range. ... Her voice and her performance exhausted all of the superlatives in the dictionary," exclaimed one reviewer about classical crossover prodigy Jackie Evancho. How about "awesomely talented," "technically flawless" and "voice of an angel," to quote from others. The 13-year-old Evancho will perform at The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester, at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11. Evancho had already been earning superlatives before her appearances in "America's Got Talent" in 2010. Since then she's been named twice to Billboard's annual list of under 21 "movers and shakers," sung for President Obama, and appeared in the movie "The Company You Keep" with Robert Redford. Tickets are $47.50, $57.50, $67.50 and $77.50. (877) 571-7469; www.thehanovertheatre.org. (Richard Duckett)
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Post by kari on Dec 3, 2013 18:05:13 GMT
rick158 on JEFC Order of the songs was:Pure Imagination When you wish upon a Star Ombra Mai Fu Pirates of the Caribbean (interlude) To where you are Reflection Lords Prayer Intermission Lovers My Heart will go on Imaginer Interlude Bohemian Rhapsody (it was awesome) Se Impossible Dream (dedicated to her mother, nice) O Mio Babbino Caro (Curtain Call 1) Music of the Night (Curtain Call 2) --- From kringle:   From sylvester twitter.com/jackieevancho/status/389040168352493569 twitter.com/jackieevancho/status/389059681156493312 --- From kringle: Here's a picture of page A2 in the Saturday paper from Worcester  --- Len and his special framed Jackie poster:  |
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Post by kari on Dec 3, 2013 18:11:43 GMT
jackieandbuffyfan's review:
Preamble
I have written and posted my view of Jackie's Worcester concert day before reading anyone else's.. so that likely means I have repeated some of what others have already written - sorry.. I find it good for me to write anyway, it's therapeutic, reliving and capturing the special Jackie moments.. and I love being able to reread at a later date to bring back such wonderful memories..
this turned into a bit of a book (haha), rather than just a review, but I didn't want to leave anything out that I could remember.. I write for me and for those who like some details, not really for those who just want quick-hit facts.. if you think I got a detail wrong, kindly send me a PM so I can correct..
and so... Come with we... And you'll be... In a world of pure imagination...
Pre Concert
I drove to Hanover Theatre for about 3:00.. maybe just maybe catch a Jackie sighting or hear some orchestra warm-up.. nothing going on yet.. staff said she had not arrived.. met PJ out front and had a nice chat while we kept our eyes peeled for anything.. and then at 3:30, an old red ford ranger drove into the alleyway beside the theatre and stopped at the stage door entrance.. didn't think much of it as a blonde haired jean clad lady got out of the driver's side – probably orchestra.. but then, in succession, out popped Mark (Jackie's agent), Lisa, AND JACKIE (wearing typical teenager jeans and such).. so from a good half block away, we wave and yell “Hi Jackie” - and Jackie turns and waves to us..!! they head into the stage door entrance and it's over in a couple seconds.. but so cool.. we continue chatting and then Lisa and Jackie come out of the stage door entrance – what's going on? - maybe they'll walk to the front of the theatre? - no such luck – they quickly walked around to the back of the theatre and that was the last we saw of Jackie until showtime.. what a most delightful start to a Jackie concert day..!!
the fan gathering restaurant was about a 5 minute walk away.. we headed over there about 4:30 with Lin too.. good turnout at fan gathering, seemed about 15 to 20 people – very nice to meet old and new Jackie fans.. I hesitate to name names for fear of missing someone, but I'll make an exception for my fellow Canadian Jackie fan - it was very good to see Kent again..
back to the theatre about 6:45.. doors opened shortly after 7:00.. I had some extra Jackie buttons which I shared with the 2 ladies beside me and the little girl behind (maybe 5 or 6 years old).. and then, just like that, it was 7:30.. how's this for mixed emotions – yay, it's Jackie concert time – nay, it's closer to being over..
Concert - 1st set
John Mario and members of the Massachusetts Symphony warmed us up with an opening number from the opera Cavelleria Rusticana.. a couple of spotlights *1* hovered over the stage, then eventually settled on the curtain to the audience left as the orchestra finished and the familiar initial strains of Pure Imagination started – in seconds we would see Jackie again.. and soon she did start to sing, but where was Jackie – not on stage.. Jackie must have sang the first 30 or so seconds off stage *2* before entering from the usual audience left.. as she entered she was singing “We'll begin with a spin...”, and on the word “spin”, she gave us one – sweet *3*..!! Jackie wore a lovely pale blue floor length fluttery dress, with form fitting sparkly jewel top.. very very beautiful.. shoes were hidden mostly, but eventually saw them to be very high heels of 3 or 4 inches.. Jackie sang mostly in center of stage holding mic in right hand, but did walk to the audience right of the stage at one time during Pure Imagination.. although Jackie could not be seen by the vast majority of the audience for the first part of Pure Imagination as she sang off stage, for those of us in the right side front few rows, we could see Jackie's left arm (and occasionally the mic in her right hand) as she stood mostly hidden behind the left hand curtain - in my mind, I kept gently urging her to “come on stage Jackie – let us see you dear”..
after Pure Imagination, Jackie told us how happy she was to be there, she'd be singing songs from 2 CDs, had already sang one (got a laugh), and said her next CD would come out “later this year”.. some fans feel that she probably misspoke when she said “later this year”, but that is what she said, ie, not next year..
her 2nd song was When You Wish Upon A Star, for which she held the mic but did no stage walking.. but oh what a powerful rendition she gave.. same with Pure Imagination and throughout the night – lovely powerful notes reverberating throughout the theatre..
before her 3rd song, Ombra Mai Fu, Jackie talked about flying to Boston, and the lovely fall leaf colors and how she loves the fall because of the trees and their colorful leaves.. and she invited everyone to close their eyes *4* for the next song and imagine a favourite tree, a favourite for whatever reason.. I'm not sure what others did, but because Jackie asked me to, I closed my eyes (just for a brief few seconds though).. but I expect like everyone else, I was going to have my eyeballs glued to dear Jackie as she sang – I could close my eyes later and think of a tree.. my memory tells me that she sang with mic in stand, so no stage walking..
after Ombra Mai Fu, Jackie exited the stage to audience left, and the orchestra played Pirates of Caribbean receiving a nice round of applause..
the audience clapping faded away, followed by a pause, then more clapping as Jackie entered center stage from the rear of the stage *5* to sing To Where You Are.. John Mario accompanied her on the piano – no other orchestra instruments (that I remember).. with mic in right hand, Jackie sang mostly in center, but again walked the stage to the audience right.. she seemed to be favouring audience right vs left, but I wasn't complaining from my right side seat..
before Jackie's next song, Jackie talked about each of us looking in the mirror and having the “courage” to be who we want to be.. this clearly was going to be Reflection, but she wasn't dedicating it to her mom this time.. she was stressing “courage”.. with mic in hand, Jackie walked the stage both left and right.. she was ever demonstrative throughout the evening – sweeping arm and hand movements – often gesturing with her left index finger on key words..
The Lord's Prayer was Jackie's typical 1st set closing number.. with mic in stand, Jackie delivered a most powerful version, one well deserving of the Standing O that she received.. and omigosh, it was half over, just like that.. I have got to learn how to slow down time..
during the break after 1st set, we all caught our collective breaths as we stood and milled around the front.. looking around I could see that it wasn't sold out, but it seemed like a very good size turnout..
in the 1st set, Jackie had done a fair bit of stage walking.. and in very high heels.. she often had to use her left hand to lift her dress a bit off the floor, so her shoes wouldn't get caught in her dress – it was quite a billowy dress, and being floor-length, it seemed easy to get tripped up by it.. but Jackie wore those high heels very well.. and looked lovely doing so.. and executed that early spin flawlessly – what a fearless trooper..
Concert - 2nd set
as the break ended, John Mario and the orchestra assumed their positions and began to play Lovers.. and surprise! - Jackie entered from audience right of stage *6*.. and she was absolutely stunning in a floor length golden brown full dress, with shimmering glittery gold sparkles over all, except a sash wrapped snugly around upper waist.. it reminded some fans of “the dress” with its sparkles.. but it was all golden brown – absolutely stunningly beautiful.. Lovers was magnificently rendered and garnered Jackie her 2nd Standing O of the evening.. I think we were all just as much in wonder of how fantastic she looked in her dress too..
then came a real special event.. little 13 year old Jackie took control and fearlessly addressed the audience talking about families and if there were any families in the audience, and then set about to peer into the audience looking for young girls to invite on stage *7*.. the house lights went on a bit to help her see, but the spotlight stayed on her and it was clearly difficult for her to see into the audience.. she walked back and forth across the stage a couple of times talking to audience and eventually finding 5 girls to join her on stage.. 3 girls about her age (maybe a year or 2 older) were on the audience left and 2 much younger girls (5 and 8?) were on audience right.. apologizing to them about the dirty stage floor, Jackie invited them to sit on the stage as she sang them a song about love.. when seated, Jackie gave a strong emotive My Heart Will Go On.. the 2 little girls sat facing the audience and did not really react to Jackie, but Jackie and the 3 older girls interacted nicely.. it was real special to see Jackie take control and make the event work..
for Jackie's next song, she invited the audience and the girls to imagine what they would like to change to make the world a better place.. the 1st little girl she asked was tongue-tied, but Jackie showed great patience, giving the little girl lots of time – Jackie didn't panic, rush, or put words in the little girl's mouth – well done Jackie – I was very proud of her.. Jackie eventually went to one of the older girls, who said “no more hate”, then a younger girl said “no war”, and another older girl said she'd like “world peace”.. all wishes were gratefully acknowledged by Jackie and audience.. if she had chosen old geezers to come on stage, and if I had been lucky enough to be one, then I'd like to think that I would have said something like how I'd wish everyone in the whole wide world would see and know Jackie and her family and hear Jackie sing.. then Jackie asked us to imagine these things as she sang a song about imagining just such a world.. a most beautiful version of Imaginer followed, giving me the usual goosebumps.. at the end, the 3 older girls exited the stage, but not before one of them engaged in some sort of somewhat demonstrative conversation with Jackie (we could only wonder what that was about).. as they exited the stage, Jackie turned to the 2 younger girls, and quickly scooted over to them with arms outstretched for an endearing 3 girl hug – it was sweet..!! much audience clapping.. as it happens the youngest girl was the one that I had given a button to before the the show, but oh drat, her mom had not helped her put it on – I was left to only imagine that if it had been pinned on, that Jackie would have for sure seen it and quite likely mentioned it – I was this close to fame – haha..
Jackie exited the stage for a break and John Mario took over with another crowd pleasing version of Bohemian Rhapsody..
soon after the clapping died down, Jackie entered center stage from stage rear and sang Se.. as beautifully sung as ever, a favourite of mine..
before her next number, Jackie thanked the audience for coming, she had enjoyed herself so much, and she drew very special attention to the orchestra and the “magnificent John Mario”.. as the audience clapped, John turned to Jackie with a double handed blown kiss thank you.. this certainly gave us the sense that this would be her final set number, although she never said as such.. then Jackie talked about how when she was young she didn't really think that having a singing career was possible, but her mom continually encouraged her that it was possible.. and so she dedicated The Impossible Dream to her mom.. she thanked and curtsied *8* to the audience to a Standing O and exited the stage with John Mario..
Concert - encore
much applause and shouts of encore brought Jackie back for O Mio Babbino Caro.. she placed the mic in the stand, clearly expecting to sing this hands free, but as the music started, there was sound feedback, so Jackie quickly grabbed the mic out of the stand and proceeded to complete the song holding the mic.. Jackie was greeted with another Standing O to which she thanked, and curtsied, and waved, and again exited the stage to audience left with John Mario.. applause continued and cries of “one more” brought Jackie out for a 2nd encore, Music Of The Night.. star lights were included in the background *9* for this rendition.. and Jackie switched hands holding the mic at one time during the song – I almost missed it but I did note to myself that something was different and it was that she was gesturing with her right arm, but she switched hands back and finished as usual.. again Standing O, much applause, thankful and curtsying and waving Jackie, and Jackie exited with John.. and the curtain closed.. phew – what a concert..!! it was so so good to see and hear her again – and she was a magnificent treat – a fearless in control ubber-talented “13” year old.. she's amazing now and I can only wonder if we're ready for what she will become..
Set List
1st set
opening piece from opera Cavelleria Rusticana (orchestra)
Pure Imagination
When You Wish Upon A Star
Ombra Mai Fu
Pirates of Caribbean (orchestra)
To Where You Are
Reflection
The Lord's Prayer
2nd set
Lovers
My Heart Will Go On
Imaginer
Bohemian Rhapsody (orchestra)
Se
The Impossible Dream
encore
O Mio Babbino Caro
Music Of The Night
Post Concert
about a dozen fans headed back to the Shangri-la restaurant for post-concert food, dessert and beverages.. the highlight was Len's unveiling and description of his much traveled Jackie poster with Jackie fan signatures from a host of Jackie concerts over the last couple of years.. the poster is now nicely framed, and hanging on one of Len's walls as it awaits its eventual spot in the Jackie Evancho wing of the Smithsonian..
after the fan gathering ended and all had headed off, I made a last visit to the concert site after midnight.. the streets and area were mostly quiet except for the occasional passerby.. standing in front of the closed unassuming theatre I was again amazed, humbled and teary-eyed as I gazed at seemingly plain ordinary ground which has now been transformed into a special hallowed site for me because of the memory that our dear Jackie once graced this side alley, this parking lot, this stage door entrance, this theatre.. maybe over the top somewhat, but one day I can see myself retracing my Jackie concert attendances, because these places have become so meaningful.. gosh, I hate leaving for home – that's when it's truly over – I can sort of fool myself up until that point, but then the sentimental old coot in me gets all blurry eyed.. all hopes and promises of a Jackie concert the next day or that evening are gone.. the wait for her next concert seems interminable.. it's such a mix of emotions – a “happy sad” - so happy to have seen and heard her again, so sad that it's over..
Wrap up
a beautiful sunny day for concert; cloudy and overcast the next day - highly symbolic..
if you were wondering about the *#* throughout the above, and figured out that I was numbering Jackie's “enhancements”, then give yourself a gold star.. I absolutely loved every one of her tweaks to her program – super well done dear Jackie.. I didn't include things that I deemed just changes, such as, Jackie changed the order of her songs, Jackie changed the song dedicated to her mom, Jackie wore 2 new dresses, Jackie had new between songs talking material, or Jackie seemed to include different hand/arm movements.. one particular seemingly new to me hand movement, which I found very endearing, was when she would lean in toward the audience and, on beat, punctuate a particular key word with a rhythmic forward swoop push of her left index finger – it seemed perfectly right on each time she did it..
during the evening, I was continually trying to open my eyes wider to “see” more, straining my ears to “hear” more, hands clasped to “feel” more.. you just want to slow each second down to savour it fully – slow it down, stop it, replay it.. but as you try to stop and savour one second, the next second comes along, the seconds pile up, it's impossible to fully savour, you just got to relax and let it wash over you.. I think that's the super power I'd like, the ability to slow down, pause, rewind, and replay time – just for Jackie concerts – is that too much to ask..?
throughout the concert, I was constantly reminded that Jackie has it all – beauty, smarts, grace, composure, spirit, and that amazing voice – SHE HAS GOT IT ALL..!! – THE FULL PACKAGE..!! but no longer the sweet, angelic, cute and cuddly Jackie - now the dynamic, impressive, exquisite and elegant Jackie.. a tall classy young lady in full control of her magnificent voice AND the whole show – such confidence – I'm so happy for and proud of her..
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More reviews on JEFC....
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Post by kari on Dec 3, 2013 18:15:30 GMT
rick158 on JEFC: "I've finished uploading 11 of the 13 songs. I missed Pure Imagination (interface error between the seat the record button) and I simply cannot bring myself to upload To Where You Are due to the interference (intense buzzing sound) through the entire video. I hope attendees of other shows capture better quality video/audio than I did." www.youtube.com/channel/UCN8JbPg4y1aR-at4t2k0R5Q |
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