There’s so much to say about Barry Manilow’s last show in Las Vegas, it’s taken me over a week to put this article together. Anyone who knows me can confirm - to their dismay :) - I’m rarely at a loss for words, but this time I’ve struggled with appropriately giving voice to the palpable emotion of the evening. How do you explain feeling? How do I express heartfelt gratitude for not only this show, but all the one’s before it? In the end I’ve decided to write it the only way I know how, from the heart. I apologize for it’s length, sometimes a few words just won’t do!
If I’d never seen Barry’s show before, and never - heaven forbid - see another, it would be his closing night in Vegas, on December 11th, that I’d want to be there for. Again, he set a new standard in his own excellence as a person and performer. Phenomenal, the descriptive word I’ve used hundreds of times in writing about Barry, is an understatement!
I arrived early for the show, something I never did before - watching people take their seats isn’t really that exciting - but that night I wanted to soak in every second of the theaters opulent elegance which for two years has been the perfect showcase for the elegant gentleman that is Barry Manilow and his music. No matter who takes that stage in the future, they will never fill it as Barry has.
My mind wondered to the first time I’d stepped inside the Paris - the January before Barry opened as headliner, when he did a QVC taping to promote his beautiful album “Greatest Love Songs of All Time”. And then there was the first show, I’d never been to an opening, the excited adrenaline is unforgettable. I thought of all the shows I’ve been fortunate to attend since that night. All the memories, how my life has changed since then, how those trips were always the respite I counted on to get me through the stress of the bad times, sharpen the joy of the good ones and often one’s, spur of the moment just because.
My seat was in the last row of the balcony, it was the only one available when I had the funds to buy it. It didn’t matter, I knew how I’d regret not being there. By kindness from the powers that be and luck that’s part of Vegas, I was moved to the one available empty seat in the sold out theater, tenth row center!
The music begins, and the “showman of our generation”; Barry Manilow owns the stage….
I swore I wouldn’t allow myself to engage in the catharsis of emotion the music always creates. I wouldn’t relate the lyrics to anything in my life, for once I’d try not to feel, for fear of getting lost in the feeling and missing the moments. However just words into the opening of “Could It Be Magic, I quickly learned that plan was impossible.
Barry’s classic high energy seemed stronger than usual. He gazed at the crowd, his smile immediately lit the theater, shining brighter than any light on the Vegas strip. Arms outstretched, he exuberantly exploded… the audience followed suit; standing, shouting, applauding. He and we were basking in a festival of love that would continue for the rest of the show.
Barry always connects with the audience, but tonight it seemed he connected more intently. Looking out a little longer, a little deeper. We were all creating memories that will last a lifetime on this special night making history in his career.
I don’t usually mention his appearance, not a necessary part of the story. It’s obvious he’s an attractive man, with a stunning form perfect for the clothes he wears. But this time I get to say it, with the joy he radiated, Barry was gorgeous!
After an upbeat “Daybreak” reminding us “there’s no time to grieve” and a beautiful medley of “Somewhere in the Night” - just a look as only he can do it, had the ladies screaming, followed by a powerful “Looks Like We Made” set the tone for what was to come.
For the ballad, Barry’s choice of “I made it through the Rain” was perfect and of course he sang it… perfectly! In fact his voice was more powerful than ever, with a purity of depth that defies description. This after four consecutive nights of shows which followed a whirlwind trip to perform at the Royal Variety Show in England on Monday. WOW!
Again, I couldn’t help but think how much “rain” this one man’s music has helped so many of us through. The times when “life seems so unkind and friends are hard to find, you feel afraid” his music has inspired us to “just aim beyond the clouds and rise above the crowds and start” our “own parade”
The huge “Karaoke” of “Can’t Smile Without You, and the dancing, plus dueling pianos during “New York City Rhythm” brought us back to the party.
Switching to jazzy, bluesy, “Brooklyn Blues” reminds me how many genres of music Barry creates, performs and excels at seamlessly incorporating into his show.
The songs filled with quiet passion were intense, again magnified by the distinctness of this special show. Grandpa Joe had to be looking down, his heart bursting with pride during Barry’s dedication to him of “This One’s for You”. There was great power in the line “you just might miss me too”.
Perhaps I was imposing my own feelings, but throughout the show, there seemed to be particular lyrics that Barry gave extra emotion to.
I so love “I am Your Child”… Barry is the epitome of what the love of family creates in the foundation of a child, who becomes, as he has, an exemplary gentleman of integrity. It’s not the monetary gifts, but what the heart gives that counts. I thought of my sons with a silent hope that I’m a good role model in helping them become the young men they are and will be.
“Nature Boy”! The expressions on Barry’s face as he listens to his four year old self tugs at the heart as you feel his sweet nostalgia of the days before his gift was realized, leading to a life he never imagined. And then Barry, singing the song now; the lyric that always touches me; “the greatest thing you’ll ever learn; is just to love and be loved in return”. Through his talent, generosity and kind heart, he’s proven to have learned the lesson well and graciously pays forward the teaching a million times over.
Each time it was mentioned this was the last show, moans and shouts of “noooo” shook the walls! If Barry ever needs a dose of love or a jolt of self confidence, he need only recall this very special night, when no one held back anything they could give to prove how much we appreciate him.
I was sorry those there for the first time didn’t get to hear the wonderful songs from “15 Minutes”, but having a Christmas segment, was a fabulous trade. Barry and Kye Brackett did a light hearted duet of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”, in a style reminiscent of vaudeville, complete with witty one liners. As they left the stage, the curtain opened to reveal a winter wonderland, with Christmas Trees and the band donned in Santa hats. His talented back-up singers, in white coats over sparkly red dressed, joined Barry to begin a beautiful medley of holiday songs we know and love. It’s hard to not sing along, even when you just want to hear the “one voice” on stage.
“The Christmas Song” was especially beautiful with Barry waving his hand over the audience singing “Merry Christmas to you”. “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” was adorable with Barry, Kye and Keeley playing as they sang and danced.
Beautiful snow flakes - white confetti - fell from the theater sky as Barry did a gorgeous rendition of “White Christmas”. If I didn’t already love the holidays, this would do it for me.
And then “River”… oh my, Joni Mitchell’s song no longer belongs to her or anyone else. Once you hear it with the magnificent touch only Barry can add, it becomes his. Seated on a stool, center stage, lights dimmed, the scenario is created. I imagine a guy alone at dusk on Christmas Eve, standing on a wooden bridge overlooking the frozen river bed, owning his part in what went wrong. The robustness of his voice, gently heeds to plaintive emotion. One hand clenching in emphasis from time to time, toe tapping gently as one might do in deep thought. Barry’s gaze drifts far away, to a place that’s all his own. And my mind goes to personal memories especially vivid at holidays, anniversary’s, special moments; still wondering what my part was in ending twenty years without tangible reason. What signs did I miss along the way, what could I have changed, was I in-fact “too hard to handle”? I might never know, perhaps it will always be a ghost of my past.
Soon emotions shifted to a new, but equally touching place… The notes for Barry’s gorgeous, original “Because It’s Christmas” began, first with him singing at piano, then joined by adorable members of a children’s choir. As many times as I’ve seen this song performed live, my privilege and gratitude in being a mom always comes top of mind and gets me teary. Barry’s powerful voice, backed by the gentle voices of the kids, their expression and his, would move the hardest heart. My heart melted, as Barry held a small hand to his right, and looked down to return the smile of the sweet child on his left, looking up at him in awe, her arm linked in his. It was a perfect Norman Rockwell moment that stays with you forever. He wasn’t a superstar allowing these kids on his stage to enhance his show, but rather a mentor, a teacher, a man wise from life giving these kids a memorable time to share the glory, much like he did the night before when seventeen year old Malia Civetz, performed. For that time, they were the stars, he was just with them.
We were back at the party in high spirits, dancing, singing and having pure fun with Barry and the crew at the “American Bandstand” segment.
All evening, as I watched Barry; singing, dancing, moving non-stop, making it appear as effortless as blinking, the incomprehensible - and unfair - fact remained that in just a few hours, this dynamic “showman” would leave the stage to be the “regular guy”, entering a hospital for hip surgery to repair abductor muscles and bursa’s. Pain and procedure doesn’t care who or what you are, it doesn’t differentiate in making it easier to face discomfort and apprehension. And yet this consummate professional, raised the bar to unmatchable heights in giving us his unwavering all and then some with no acknowledgement to the six weeks ahead of him. I’d been wrong in saying it’s impossible to admire or respect Barry more; because I do!
Ah, “Mandy”… the song that started it all for him and so many of the fans who have been there since day one. Again his voice in duet with his young self, has a power that needs to be heard to fully understand. The audience blew up, holding on to every note and giving Barry the appreciation he so richly deserved.
I wanted the minutes to slow for just awhile, but time, like life, has it’s own unstoppable pace. All too soon the end of this Paris show and of his seven year run headlining in Vegas, was drawing near as “I Write The Songs” began. No one could sit, following the lead of mega talented percussionist David Rozenblatt, high in his tower, showing us what to do, one more time, glow sticks waved in unison as we listened and sang along.
Sing, dance, have fun; “Copacabana” was absolutely bitter-sweet, One last time, the stage elevator lowered Barry, as he grinned with his funny expression. Soon he rejoined us, rising into the stage, looking more gorgeous than ever in white tie and tails, with a smile that I need to repeat, was bright enough to light the Vegas strip.
The neon sign stating “The End” that Barry takes his place in front of, has always appeared too soon, you never want a Manilow show to end, but this time it had poignancy, because it was a statement of fact for this chapter.
Instead of the usual ending, Barry had something special planned for just this night. I recognized the first notes of the song he was about to sing; “Where Does the Time Go?”. It happens to be one of my favorites, I’ve loved this song - an original by Barry and talented lyricist Bruce Sussman - since I first heard it on Barry’s album “Singin’ With the Big Bands”. Each time I hear it, its sound reminiscent of days gone by, I always wonder; where has the time gone, wasn’t I young just a blink ago with my whole life uncharted and full of possibility? I almost wished he’d done the medley of his commercial jingles to avoid how hard the message of this song was going to hit me. The song, the lyrics, Barry’s heart-felt performance; all beautiful and poignant. I’m pretty sure I heard some breaks of emotion in his voice as he sang.
And hit me it did. Not helping was a well coiffed lady next to me, who wasn’t a die-hard fan, but enjoyed his music through the years, now softly sobbing. I know for fact, she wasn’t the only one! I gave up keeping it together. That’s the purpose of water-proof mascara!
He followed this song with another he wrote in homage to Vegas prior to opening at the Hilton. “Here’s to Las Vegas” is fun, upbeat, lovely and touching, remembering the greats who make Vegas what it is - Elvis, Sammy, Dean, Jerry, Frank.. Pops rang out, as we all became blanketed in colorful streamers.
Before the curtain dropped, Barry, humbly and genuinely again thanked everyone in the audience for being there this night and all the other nights before. He then eloquently introduced the band, the back-up singers, the crew, sound techs, Paris security, ushers, the entire staff of his management family “Stilletto Entertainment”, his wonderful manager, Garry Kief, his fantastic assistant; Marc Hulett.
Lastly, Barry stated marriages and births have been part of these seven years amongst his close knit “family” of friends. Spouses and children; tiny infants, adorable little boys and girls all dressed in holiday finery, a little one of perhaps three or four, knowing Barry well, immediately walked towards him. All the people who together worked tirelessly through the years to make these shows happen gathered on the packed stage, to join Barry for a final bow, closing the show with three resounding shouts of “hip-hip” and inviting us to add “hooray” each time.
I’ve never heard a response so tumultuous as this audience. Fifty thousand people couldn’t have been louder or more sincere. No one wanted him to go. Cameras flashed, theater aisles filled with people perhaps from the casino floor. Before the lights went on, and we headed to where we were going, it looked as if Barry’s eyes roamed to every person from front row to last, before the curtain dropped and we finally let him go.
I always happily chat with strangers and hum along to the piped in music when leaving the theater. But that night, I couldn’t do it. I wasn’t sad or happy, just caught in a gamut of emotion. I thought I’d pulled it together pretty well, until I stopped to talk with friends,. They might have justifiably thought I’d lost my mind, as suddenly I tearfully asked one of them to “say something to make me laugh”. He smiled, giving me a warm hug and gently reminded me, it was just the end of a show, there will be others. Logically, I knew he was right, but emotionally, I wasn’t ready to buy it. I was a “trainwreck” (a nod to one of the people I spoke to).
That night the five hour drive home felt unbearably long - thank heavens for AM/PM coffee when there are no Starbucks to be found. I did some mental searching. What was I really upset about; what was triggering this over-the-top reaction. Barry isn’t retiring, merely leaving a place, there are shows already scheduled for 2012 in various venues around the country. His music will always be a part of my life.
I’m truly happy for Barry as he embarks on new ventures; pursuing new goals makes life worthwhile. For all he’s given us, he deserves to follow his bliss, where ever it may lead him. I equated it to my children growing up. Of course I’d love for them to stay as they were forever, but how selfish would that wish be, what’s that saying about setting those you care for free?
Then it dawned on me why I was feeling so intently. I thought of the giant hot-air balloon above the Paris marquee and a line from the “Wizard of Oz” as Dorthy prepares to leave for home, the tin-man says “now I know I’ve got a heart ‘cause it’s breaking”. It would be an exaggeration to say my heart was breaking. However, since the music of Manilow became the catalyst to my personal epiphany of change, one major effect I love has been the disappearance of a numbing bubble of indifference I’d grown so used to living in, I barely noticed it, until it was gone. Barry’s innate ability to make one feel through his music, has given me a keen awareness to deeply feel life, with everything I’ve got, as it happens, spontaneously in the moment, with no reservation.
A pinkish hue of the sky at sunset, the beauty of fresh snow on the mountains, the joy of seeing the sparkly eyes of a young child, music, art… take my breath away and can bring me to tears. I feel the pain in another’s loss and the happiness of their achievements as if they were my own. I wake up each day with gratitude just for being with all I have, and go to sleep each night, looking forward to what the next day may bring. I’ve always been thankful for the big things, but until Barry’s music touched my life, I’d never taken the time to let it all sink in. His music is powerful stuff, perhaps there is a hint of magic!.
It was ok, I hadn’t drifted to an excessive place, I was just feeling everything the evening contained. The absolute wonder of one’s man’s incredible talent, the celebration of what had been and the joy of what’s to come, saying goodbye to people and places I might never encounter again; all combined into moments..
To say thank you to Barry for all his music and shows have given me seems so simple, but what else is there to say.. Because of his inspiration, I’m a richer person, in discovering what truly matters as I continue to search for all that’s to be, filled with hope, ambition and the belief nothing is impossible.
To Barry, as I close this final post about your shows in Vegas and as you begin the next chapter of your amazing career; I wish you a quick and complete recovery, continued good health, luck, love, success, joy, fulfillment and the attainment of every goal you wish to reach. May your career continue to flourish and head to exciting directions in writing and performing, including introducing a new generation to music as it should be and all the joy it brings to life.
Though geography will make the shows I attend fewer - unless of course I win Lotto:) - I know each one I do have the honor of seeing will be tremendous; it’s the only way you know how to do them. And just in case you miss Vegas in the years ahead and heed the call to return, I’ll keep the directions handy, it’s really an easy trip up the I-15!
Happy Holiday’s Barry, see you in 2012!
Barry