i'm often asked to name my favorite pieces from the musical theater. it's a tough call because so many touch me. each piece generally holds something special and takes me to a memory. some happy so very very happy. some take me to a sadder place...perhaps even a darker place. but they nonetheless get to me each time i hear them.
some will always outshine the others always. 'being alive', 'on my own', 'what i did for love' 'storybook', 'somewhere', 'children will isten'' and 'far from the home i love' come to mind automatically.
and among these there is 'unusual way' from 'nine'. this is a happy memory, a better time, a great time. it was broadway 1982. i was mad for this tony winning musical. i still am. it ranks among my 'best'. the actress was shelly burch as claudia nardi. she got me and didn't let go. laura benati made it her own in the 2003 revival.
recently i was happy to hear john barrowman sing it. what i love about john is his daring. his 'i am what i am' attitude toward his career and musical choices. he also happens to be a really nice man. i first met him after a performance of 'sunset boulevard' in london. i then had the pleasure of sharing 'an american songbook' evening with him in new york. he was/is the most down to earth guy on the planet.
well anyway i digress....so here i share his brilliant 'unusual way' in a live version and a prerecorded version. i love the song and the man.
some will always outshine the others always. 'being alive', 'on my own', 'what i did for love' 'storybook', 'somewhere', 'children will isten'' and 'far from the home i love' come to mind automatically.
and among these there is 'unusual way' from 'nine'. this is a happy memory, a better time, a great time. it was broadway 1982. i was mad for this tony winning musical. i still am. it ranks among my 'best'. the actress was shelly burch as claudia nardi. she got me and didn't let go. laura benati made it her own in the 2003 revival.
recently i was happy to hear john barrowman sing it. what i love about john is his daring. his 'i am what i am' attitude toward his career and musical choices. he also happens to be a really nice man. i first met him after a performance of 'sunset boulevard' in london. i then had the pleasure of sharing 'an american songbook' evening with him in new york. he was/is the most down to earth guy on the planet.
well anyway i digress....so here i share his brilliant 'unusual way' in a live version and a prerecorded version. i love the song and the man.
and just for the heck of it...ms laura benanti
