While restrictions surrounding the coronavirus may not be lifting anytime soon in London or New York's theaters, the other side of the pond is making moves towards more live theatre. A fantastic example is Rachel Tucker and John Owen-Jones' one night only concert at the Crazy Coqs, performed in front of a live audience while live-streaming to people all over the world.
With a brilliant set list, beginning with the likes of Bridges of Madison Country, Pippin, Dreamgirls, and Song for a New World, this concert was off to a brilliant start. There is no denying the stage presence that both actors have, and they're even more entertaining together, with snappy one liners and jokes that incited a lot of laughter from the audience in person, and likely the audience at home too.
John Owen-Jones sang "Begin the Beguine" by Cole Porter, something he had never sang live before, as well as "Some Enchanted Evening," which was included on his 2019 album, and adjusted the lyrics to include social distancing guidelines. Joking that he was a bit of a one trick pony, singing short songs that had a high note at the end, he also sang classics such as "Music of the Night," from Phantom of the Opera and "Evermore" from Beauty and the Beast before blessing everyone with his rendition of "Bring Him Home" from Les Miserables. There is no denying that he can play a range of characters, and do it very well.
Rachel Tucker also blessed the audience with "Woman" from The Pirate Queen, a role she played shortly before the shutdown, "Tale as Old as Time" from Beauty and the Beast, and "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," which is featured on her album. She also sang "If You Ever See Me Talking to a Sailor" from The Last Ship, which was the show she made her Broadway debut in, and brought together "Me and the Sky" from Come From Away, which she was performing in on Broadway until the shutdown, and "Defying Gravity" from Wicked, providing a stunning mashup.
The pair also sang several duets, including "If I Said I Loved You" from The Pirate Queen and "Wheels of a Dream" from Ragtime, and their clear friendship and enjoyment in what they do was clear even through a computer screen. It continues to be a wonderful experience to witness theatre performances in any shape or form, and this one was no exception.
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