Tours:

Concerts:

Roanoke, June 4-5, 2009

 

Ticket_20090604_RoanokeThe show tonight was fantastic.

The weather.  It's apparently monsoon season in Virginia.  It started raining around lunch time and hasn't stopped since.  There are flood watches and warnings out and there were some tornado warnings this afternoon.

The crowd.  I've used the term geriatric for some other shows, but it's not totally accurate for this one.  I will say, though, that AARP was well represented.  Standing ovations were only reluctantly given; I think I may have started one of them.  The gentleman next to me hardly clapped at all but did let a "Whoa!" slip after Nella Fantasia; apparently a Chloë fan.

The venue.  The Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre is quite nice.  The seats are comfortable and not too crowded.  The sound is excellent, too.  Interestingly, there was a concession stand selling popcorn and soft drinks which people were bringing to their seats, yet they made an announcement that no food or drinks (except bottled water) were allowed in the theater.  Makes me wonder who's in charge.

Venue_20090605_Roanoke_BThe view.  I've become accustomed to being up front and I wouldn't trade an up-close seat for a distant one, but this was apparently an all PBS show and I ended up in row R for tonight (I have row P for Friday).  Row R is the first row of the second tier of seats and there is about a 10 foot walkway that extends from one side of the theater to the other right in front of it, so there is plenty of room to stretch out.  In addition, the height difference puts row R well above the last row of the first tier so the view is totally unobstructed.  This is the first show in a long time where I've been above the stage.  The stage opening is also quite high and with the clear view of the whole stage it was almost like looking through a giant picture window into another world.  It was actually quite spectacular and any disappointment in the seat location quickly vanished.  In fact, I'd trade tomorrow's Row P for another row R (or, of course, row A)!  I may have to do a reverse ISU.

Máiréad.  Máiréad seemed to be running about 120% of her usual energy.  She did ten (count 'em, 10!) spins during Coast of Galicia, tying her record at the shows I've seen.  She's changed it up a little, though.  She used to just spin, now she does the first 3 or 4 at her normal speed but then she turns into the Tasmanian Devil from the old Bugs Bunny cartoons and becomes a blur.  I've got to ask her about that the next time I meet her!  She was still wearing her "bandage" but it must just be a precaution because there were absolutely no signs of her hurting or taking any shortcuts.  She even landed on that leg during several leaps.  She's also added some noticeable new flourishes to Shenandoah.

Ticket_20090605_RoanokeThe show.  There's not much to say that hasn't already been said, so here are just a few random observations.  In Charlotte there was no smoke at the beginning of SDS; tonight they brought a little of it back.  There was also more smoke at the beginning of the second half, but not enough to overwhelm the front rows.  I really like the reverberation effect they've added to the beginning of The Voice; it gives it a more mystical sound.  One thing I never noticed before is that the set is equipped with "runway lights."  They turned them on during a few songs in the second half and they outline both sides of the center ramp and the edges of all of the steps.  You can't see them if you're at or below stage level.  Both Alex and Lisa have changed their hair since I last saw them in March.  Lisa has bangs again but she kept the color the same.  Alex's hair is now much longer and curly; it looks good on her.

The original review is here.

 

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