Just wanted to drop you a quick "Break a Leg" on the start of this historic weekend. Wish I could be there to witness it in person, but I will be there in spirit (listening to the CD the whole time).
You've already received a standing ovation from this fan.
Just don't forget to post all the awesome details!!!!! Until you release (I hope) a DVD of the event, I will have to live vicariously through the written word. Please be generous!!!
Wow-what an amazing day! Not only being at Abbey Road, AND not just witnessing this terrific show, but I got to speak to its creative genius, Eric Woolfson AND the man with THE voice - Steve Balsamo! I am still buzzing! It was fantastic!
I won't go into details tonight about the show because that might spoil it for those attending on Friday or Saturday, but let me tell you, if you have got tickets for one of the next two nights, you are in for a wonderful treat!
A huge congrats to Eric, Steve, and the rest of the cast and crew for such a memorable event. I won't forget this for a long time-if ever!
This is a praisee of my review on the messageboard at www.stevebalsamo.net (currently undergoing a redesign). Trying not to give too much away for those that have performances to come:
Not so much a concert as a musical performance with acting and costumes etc! Very dark and gothic, everyone in black, all characters wearing feathers in some form to represent Poe's famous raven. And even a large stuffed (!) raven hanging over the stage area! And there were more raven surprises to come in the second half but I'm not giving that away...!
Fantastically sung by all. Many names from the West End if you're into that kind of thing and know your West End performers. David Burt in his full and mighty splendour was a sight to behold. Scary, mesmerising, charismatic and enigmatic.
The voices were wonderful and Steve was on fine form. The story all makes sense now and the songs came alive off the album. I haven't heard the album yet so it was all new to me (apart from the downloads) but I loved it. Pit and the Pendulum was so heavy and Immortal was quite spectacular. And Steve, as Poe, cried during "Somewhere in the Audience".
Also met Mr Woolfson himself (very tall!) and he was getting very positive feedback from everyone. One of my spies told me that they overheard him saying he'd like to stage it in the West End as a musical some day. I'm really not sure the climate is right in the West End right now for this, financially things are tough out there, but one day - in the right time and place - I think it could happen and be a huge hit. Look forward to that day. The more I look back on the performance, the more I liked it. At the time, I was more stunned I think.
Unbelievably good. I really hope there is a DVD. There was certainly a man filming whilst we were there so fingers crossed.
Ruth, lorrain and I were there last night. All day we have been singing, humming the songs. What a musical!
To be in Abbey Road, to see the Musical, to shake Eric's hand.
I won't spoil in either.
All I will say is that the song immortal is "fun bumps---the end of a project album----near the perfect conclusion.....made me stand up almost as soon as the song ended,
Eric...I really hope this works/tours/resides somewhere/ it is good.
Oh to be there on saturday.
Graham Carter
I know I have got to be just about the luckiest girl alive! Eric has been absolutely wonderful - as has the whole Woolfson organisation! Not only are they top-notch professionals in the music business, but they are great people too! May I just publicly give a big thank you to each and all involved and particularly for your kindness to me.
The past two evenings at Abbey Road have been filled with magical moments from everyone on the project both on stage and off and I would like to extend a "break a leg" for the World Premiere performance tonight to everyone involved. I can't wait for the electric atmosphere for Saturday's show! You're a great bunch and I wish you all success in POE and your other endeavours.