Aren't you tired of this yet?

Seriously, isn't everyone sick of Phantom of the Opera yet? For real, people. I do realize that for every one time the audience hears me participate in this particular tome of musical theatre, I have probably played it at least three times, usually more like six. So that's a 1:6 ratio of them hearing it to me playing it. So I can see why I might dislike it MORE than your average pops audience member. But still, why is it that you can't play a Broadway themed pops show without Phantom. Would they riot if it wasn't on the program? Do they know something I don't know?

I've been playing some concerts with this guy. If you bother to read his bio you'll see that he was in Phantom. Of course, Phantom has been running so long its hard to imagine that anyone HASN'T been in it. But I digress. After his rendition of Music of the Night today, the audience went APESHIT. I happened to notice a woman and her husband in the front row of the mezzanine who popped up before the orchestra had even finished the last chord, hooting and hollering. The woman obviously had tears in her eyes and I saw her mouth the words, "Amazing. Just amazing."

Really? For real? Was it THAT good? I mean, okay, he hit all the pitches. He didn't forget the words. He didn't come in a measure early like he did in the Cats medley in the first half. We'll give him a point or two for that. But "amazing?" I don't know. Maybe I'm a jaded, cynical, snob. Or maybe I just have really high standards. Or maybe I'm just out of touch. But I'm really okay with all that, at least this time. I don't like to get all snotty "oh I could do that" or whatever. Sure, there's a part of me that's a Broadway star. But that part of me only comes out when no one is around, or in the car driving down the turnpike late at night. I don't think I could do what they do. But that's partly because having to sing "Phantom" every week would possibly drive me batty.

I only have one run out show left for this particular series, and while it wasn't that bad, I'm happy to not have to hear Peter Nero's jokes for a few days. I'm also happy I don't have to play the never-ending Richard Rogers Medley. While it is certainly one of the better ones I've ever played (I love the transition into "Climb Every Mountain"... genius, I tell you) I found myself humming it last night and couldn't get it out of my head. That gets old QUICKLY.

Its unseasonably warm in Philly, and I'm looking forward to some fall weather. I went apple picking last week and came home with a bushel of apples, which is enough to make about 10 gallons of applesauce. So if any of you are hungry, please, come join me for a bowl!