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Post by don78710 on Oct 8, 2016 2:50:57 GMT
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colin
New Member
Posts: 12
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Post by colin on Oct 8, 2016 4:28:47 GMT
As the Merrillville concert is wrapping up, and I wish I was at that one too, I'll write up some notes on the St Charles concert.
The concert began with "Pure Imagination". I love that this song has made it's return, as it was also there for Milwaukee. Although it never was a standout song for me before, she did sing it as the first song at my first several concerts. That certainly elevated it's status for me. Hearing that song means it's time for an amazing night of music to begin. This was certainly no exception. With the next 3 songs, I was wondering if this was going to be the "new" concert or not, as there wasn't any surprises yet. Peter's instrumental was new.
But then, when Jackie started to introduce her next song, she mentioned Coldplay's "Fix You". I just about jumped out of my seat. I totally love that song. It really impacted me when the Shibutani siblings (figure skating ice dancers from the U.S.) skated to that song this last season and almost won the world championship. It's a powerful song, and I was so excited that we were getting to hear Jackie sing it. Not surprisingly, Jackie's vocals were far better than the original. In total honesty though, I do prefer the music of Coldplay's version.
I was sad to see that "Your Love" got cut, as that is my 2nd favorite song of Jackie's. But I'm happy that "Nessun Dorma" stayed, and having it as the conclusion to the 1st set is perfect. As she introduced it, she said that she loves to sing it because she loves seeing our reactions to it. She definitely seemed more at ease than ever, speaking to the crowd. She talked more than ever before & joked around.
The 2nd half saw the new song "Think About Me" (not Think of Me). It is more on the pop side, but earlier, she emphasized that she is not totally abandoning the classical crossover style. An irrelevant thing about this song is that on the big screen behind her, part of the video was driving through downtown Dallas at night. It was in the Dallas area where I saw Jackie for my 1st concert. Peter also had a new instrumental piece.
Then, the famous medley, singing snippets of 6 songs, walking through her journey. It was just Peter's piano playing & Jackie's voice, and she would talk about each song before singing the snippet. It was so beautiful & moving. And Jackie then just continued to sing more & more songs. I was blown away at how long she was going, well over 2 hours. That is something that you can't do when you hire an orchestra or orchestra members for 2 hours. With it just her & Peter on stage, they can go as long as they want. Most of us would have been alright with a couple more hours.
When she sang "The Lord's Prayer", I thought that maybe they wouldn't even do an encore, since that is usually her encore song. If the lights come up after she walks off stage, then everyone understands there won't be an encore, and the cheers will die down. I have been to many concerts where they don't do encores. But the lights stayed down, and we kept cheering loudly. She came back out, having shed the shoes, and with a little furball following her out onto the stage. I guess Maggie wanted to sing a duet with Jackie. Jackie carried Maggie off the stage, then came back out to sing "All I Ask of You". I was so happy to get to hear that song. I have heard her sing the other 3 Phantom songs in person, but never this one.
The venue might not have been perfect for sound, and the lobby area was tiny, but it was a very charming & beautiful old theater. I really enjoy these kind of theaters. And St Charles downtown was also very charming. I enjoyed walking around the town, and a few of us found a nice restaurant to eat at before the concert. I ran into a couple fans by the theater around 1:30, as I was passing by on my way to my hotel, which was a very top notch Quality Inn & Suites, one of the best mid-scale hotels I've ever stayed at. I loved staying only 1 mile from the venue, as I usually stay further away. A few of us gathered together to talk about the great night after the concert as well.
1. Pure Imagination 2. Made to Dream 3. Memories 4. Music of the Night Instrumental: Marriage of Figaro 5. Fix You (from Coldplay) 6. Impossible Dream 7. What a Wonderful World 8. Nessun Dorma Intermission 9. Take Me There 10. Think About Me 11. Over the Rainbow Instrumental: Mambo (West Side Story) 12. Unbelievably awesome medley, singing snippets of: O Mio Babbino Caro Time To Say Goodbye Think of Me Somewhere When you wish upon a star The Prayer 13. Writings on the Wall 14. Safe & Sound 15. Lovers 16. The Lord's Prayer Encore: 17. All I Ask of You
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Post by kari on Oct 8, 2016 4:40:42 GMT
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Post by kari on Oct 8, 2016 4:45:31 GMT
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Post by kari on Oct 8, 2016 5:02:37 GMT
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Post by kari on Oct 8, 2016 5:14:04 GMT
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Post by kari on Oct 8, 2016 17:00:18 GMT
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Post by kari on Oct 8, 2016 17:02:14 GMT
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Post by kari on Oct 8, 2016 18:18:50 GMT
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Post by yellowstone on Oct 8, 2016 18:35:13 GMT
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Post by kari on Oct 10, 2016 4:47:00 GMT
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Post by kari on Oct 11, 2016 19:29:04 GMT
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Post by don78710 on Oct 12, 2016 4:52:04 GMT
On the theatre site $249 would have paid for a theatre VIP membership that "Includes M&G's when available". Rehearsal was included too (if viewing was available.) However, I didn't see any fans I recognize in the photos. The takeaway is, theatre membership-only M&G's (and sometimes PBS M&G's) are often not advertised (like here), but may be worth it to many fans. I like Jackie's expression on this one. That little fluffball is becoming quite a star: Don edited 2 different outfits; perhaps this group viewed the rehearsal?
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colin
New Member
Posts: 12
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Post by colin on Oct 13, 2016 6:27:48 GMT
Here is that famous moment, when Maggie decided she wanted to be the star of the show.
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