CityRep Scores Big with Mandy Patinkin
Elizabeth Hurd Published: June 23rd, 2016
Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre presented an incredible event at Oklahoma City Community College Visual & Performing Arts Center Theater on Saturday, June 18. “Mandy Patinkin in Concert: Dress Casual” was a brilliant show of many aspects and massive energy.
Patinkin is beloved for his movie roles including ‘The Princess Bride,’ ‘Yentl,’ and ‘Men with Guns,’ to name only a few. He also starred in Broadway hits such as “Sunday in the Park with George,” “Evita,” and “The Wild Party”; he was nominated for Tony awards for all three and won for the last two. He also starred in ‘Criminal Minds,’ ‘Dead Like Me,’ ‘Chicago Hope’ (for which he won an Emmy) and currently stars in ‘Homeland’ on Showtime. Clearly, Patinkin is a man of varied talents; his concert performances and recordings showcase his vocal range and resilience. “Mandy Patinkin In Concert: Dress Casual” is both a popular concert and a recording on CBS Records.
Every performing artist has a special talent that is uniquely his own. Some are known for comedic timing and others for dramatic characterization; most performers are versatile, some are more athletic, and others are more empathic. Patinkin has it all wrapped up in his own peculiar package. What distinguishes him as separate and special is that he is blessed with excellent timing in connectivity, a rare commodity. This is the kind of timing that tells him exactly what his audience wants from him and when they want what they never thought they wanted. It’s stage presence—the deluxe version—and a bonding with all those in earshot.
“Mandy Patinkin in Concert: Dress Casual” told us to come comfortably and watch Patinkin perform comfortably dressed all in black. The setting was that of a stage just before the set is built. He then built an ideal set in the mind and entertained us with songs from Rodgers and Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin. He was accompanied on the piano by musical director and pianist extraordinaire Adam Ben-David, also in black.
On June 18 Patinkin opened with a guest artist: a little dog who performed his own little show with great stage presence. As Patinkin sang, he told stories and connected the songs in a beautiful experience. From ‘Rock-a-Bye Your Baby’ to ‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game,’ ‘God Bless America,’ and ‘Maria’ in Yiddish to ‘It’s Not Easy Being Green,’ Patinkin revealed himself as an admirable individualist and a multi-talented showman.
Patinkin is not the only star brought to us by the indomitable spirit of Donald Jordan, Artistic Director of Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre—CityRep. We have been privileged to host Patti LuPone, Bernadette Peters, and Robert Picardo in past concerts; Picardo also returned this past season to star in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”—all this in addition to an excellent selection of professional theatrical productions. CityRep is known for wonderful shows and Oklahoma audiences can look forward to exciting productions. The 15th season opens on September 30th with “Pryor Rendering” (a world premiere Oklahoma musical) at CitySpace Theatre in the Civic Center and then moves to Tulsa in October. The season will also include the popular “A Tuna Christmas” in December; “Defending the Caveman” for Valentine’s weekend; and, in collaboration with Oklahoma City University, “Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play” opening late in February in the CitySpace Theatre. Regardless of what else they do, or who else they bring, they will find it hard to top “Mandy Patinkin in Concert: Dress Casual.”