Audra McDonald in concert presented by @VanRecital Vancouver Recital Society
It’s a little bit sad how many amazing cultural (and diverse) events we have in Vancouver, and how little does the younger generation take the opportunity to enjoy them. This was the case with Audra McDonald‘s intimate concert presented at The Orpheum by the Vancouver Recital Society. While it was pretty much a full house (and I was thrilled to see a couple of my colleagues from the UBC Department of Political Science there to see Audra’s performance), the vast majority of attendees were over the age of 40 (though there were a few youngster in the audience).
This is kind of sad, because it made me wonder whether this means that younger generations are excited about pop singers and hockey more than a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see an incredibly talented, exquisitely beautiful singer with a soprano voice that simply defies definition. Audra McDonald has an extensive repertoire that spans popular silly songs like Craigslistlieder by Gabriel Kahane or the one that made me shed tears, along with many other attendees, the beautiful I’ll Be There from Ordinary Days by Adam Gwon. Dressed in a beautiful black gown and accompanied only by a piano, Audra created an intimate atmosphere that made the concert twice as enjoyable.
Equipped with an ability to create a level of rapport I have rarely seen in any other singer, Audra McDonald brought the adoring audience to their feet with her singing, but even more so, with her witty remarks throughout the concert. Accompanied by her artistic director, Andy Einhorn, who was extraordinary at the piano, Audra ran through an extensive repertoire. I loved a few more rhythmic, makes-you-want-to-dance-along-in-your-seat Ain’t it de Truth from Cabin in the Sky by Harold Arlen / EY Yip Harburg and Double Dare You with words and music by Terry Shand& Jim Eaton, and made me shed tears with songs that perhaps even shouldn’t have made me be so emotional, like Baby Mine from Dumbo (Frank Churchill / Oliver Wallace)
This video is not from the actual concert, but it does showcase one of the songs that Audra made us sing along with her (I Could Have Danced All Night).
I very, very strongly encourage you to attend some of the concerts that the Vancouver Recital Society puts together as they are incredibly good and very affordable. I’ll be giving away tickets to some of their concerts in a few weeks time, so stay tuned! I am so grateful to the Vancouver Recital Society for having brought Audra McDonald (and no, Audra – Chipotle burritos are not as good as Salsa and Agave’s!)
Disclosure: I attended Audra McDonald in concert presented by the Vancouver Recital Society on media tickets. A review is not required nor a favorable review expected. As always I retain editorial control with anything I publish on my site.
I’m disappointed that I wasn’t able to make it to her concert. I had already committed to see another show that night.
It’s true that there is a generational gap within the audience going to these types of events. When I attended the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s season opener, the make up of the audience was quite similar.
There’s a lot of discussion in the theatre community about the diversity of the audiences coming out to see shows. From programming to marketing to ticket prices, all things must be considered to reach out and engage the range of audience members that are available.
It’ll be something of a challenge for years to come.
Thank you for helping me relive the concert and for some of the song titles – I didn’t realize till afterwards that they weren’t listed in the program! I loved that Audra chose some less well known pieces and her accompanying anecdotes made them all the more memorable.
My 14 year old daughter was one of only a handful of young teens there that night…she and a few of her close friends are often the only young teens at opera performances, more serious theatre, the symphony…they may be the only kids who squeal in delight at having recently discovered Sondheim’s “Evening Primrose” and share their finds with each other. Why is this? My first response would be that they have parents who have have always encouraged them to widen their interests and have taken them along to the theatre, opera, ballet etc. Why is it other kids moan at having to sit through an opera or ballet on a school field trip? I think it’s because they don’t understand what’s going on, they have not been prepared properly in advance.
My daughter and her friends saw The Crucible at Studio 58 (a fantastic value I might add!) recently and enjoyed it thoroughly because we discussed the play and it’s ideas beforehand – not so much as to spoil the enjoyment but to enhance it.
When people complain of the price of tickets, I say that students can find a million ways of getting out to see events at great savings. Sit too close and you can get a cheap seat! Sit far back and get a cheap seat! Our kids recently volunteered at the gorgeous “Light in the Piazza” and saw the show for free every night for just an hour or two of work.
Obviously, our culture has changed and it’s no longer the norm for young people to be routinely exposed to these types of entertainment and something needs to be done about it. I think VO does an outstanding job of marketing to the younger generation though social media and student pricing and it’s lovely to see twenty-somethings there, all dressed up and enjoying themselves…and my daughter and a friend in their $25 seats!
By the way, Audra was gracious enough to speak with my daughter afterwards and have their photo taken together – what a magnificent woman she is!