CONCERT HALL

IMAC Theater
Huntington NY
March 31, 2000

    Ah, the first TriState show of the new millennium.
     Since Diane was too broke to spring for tickets, Trish and I (only mildly less broke) headed out to The Island with the promise to bring back all the sordid details for our absent compatriot. And for you, our kind visitors, as well.
      I was happily surprised to see the sign on the door of the theater, announcing that the show was sold out. Although I imagine that the people outside the theater who kept trying to buy my tickets off me weren't as enthused about the situation. Parking was also a nightmare. Trish went off in search of a parking space, and I went inside to pick up the tickets. My watch was ticking closer and closer to 9pm, and Trish was nowhere in sight. I began to fidget nervously outside the theater, but finally I saw Trish hurrying down the sidewalk. "Come on, woman! Run!" I hollered. The two of us ducked into the theater just in time.
     Yet another happy surprise: considering that I'd ordered the tickets pretty late after the show was announced, we had very good seats: 2nd row on the left side. Of course, we were right in front of three very large speakers, but I figured "all the better to hear them with, my dear." (Unfortunately, they made an announcement about no photography, so we don't have any shots from the actual performance. Kind of shame since we had such a great vantage point. But we decided not to risk getting roughed up by security.)
     A little after 9:15pm, the guys took the stage, opening with "I Am Your Man." Scott did the usual intros and disclaimer, and every time I go to a show I have to think that there's at least one person in the audience thinking "Those sneaky bastards have a pre-recorded tape hidden SOMEwhere." The set was compiled mostly of new songs from "R2," including "That's The Way," "People Change," "Blah Blah Blah" and "Tempted." There were the occasional breaks for various anecdotes, including Scott's hysterical "Girly Man" monologue, which I never get tired of hearing. Elliott showed us a picture of his son Eli, and Kevin also told how his baby daughter has come to associate Elliott with "elephant" and acts accordingly. Very funny. After a particularly energetic rendition of "Long Cool Woman," it was pretty apparent that all the guys were having a good time despite their hectic schedule over the last few weeks.
     There was a brief intermission (they have to breathe sometime!), during which I wondered aloud to Trish about who would be chosen as the Pretty Woman for the night. "Well, if it's going to be either one of us, it'll be you," I told her. "I'm just not meant to get up there, I guess."
     "Oh, yeah, right. I don't think so," she said.
     "You wouldn't want to go up?"
     Trish laughed. "Hell no."
     "Come on, you get a free CD."
     "Well, when you put it that way..."
     The lights dimmed once again, and we soon discovered that our Pretty Woman musings were indeed a moot point: the lady of the evening had already been preselected. But that was fine with me; she looked like she was having fun. The requisite performance of "Carmen Sandiego" included not only Jeff's solo (which seems to have gotten longer and more intricate) but also the Folger's jingle, which I thought was a neat way to arrange things. A big pop culture medley of sorts.
     There were (count 'em) three encores, the last of which was a beautiful off-mic performance of "A Change In My Life." Kevin always seems totally in his element during the off-mic songs, probably due to his musical theater experience. There's just something magical about the five of them standing on the edge of the stage with nothing but their voices. That's something you can't get off a CD. The song ended, and they all took a bow amid a thunderous standing ovation.
     We filed to the lobby with the rest of the masses, who crowded around the autograph table, CD liners in hand. Me, I'd forgotten my CD liners in the car (again), but I had another mission in the meantime. After the crowds thinned out, Trish decided to get one of her group pictures signed and I followed her down the line. I spoke briefly to Jeff about the Oxygen on-air promo, and then chatted with their manager, who was very nice indeed.
     All in all, a very enjoyable evening, I think. The two of us were so giddy that we missed the exit to the Throgs Neck Bridge twice. Yes, twice. You see? Rockapella withdrawal is hell. (SJE)

AFTER-SHOW PHOTOS
Click on any picture to enlarge it.
[photos by T. Tranquillo, except where noted]

See, I didn't scalp them...

Back to
Rockapella
Paradise