Concerts thread: Best/Worst/Next/Last one you attended?

For Dead fans, a lot of drugs helped.

 

Not a concert, but on the trip to NYC to see my kid in a regional show on Long Island, my wife and I were able to get ridiculous 7th-row seats today to the matinee of "Gypsy," starring Audra McDonald as Rose.

I've always said I've wanted to see Audra in person, and this was my first chance.

Oh. My. God.

I mean, it's a brilliant revival in all ways, including what they did with race. But Audra was, of course, incredible. The voice is obviously out of this world and her control over it is even more immense - "Rose's Turn" brought forth a minutes-long standing ovation and audience members were weeping - but the physicality of her acting blew me away. She's athletic. It shouldn't be a surprise, but when you're that close and can see her rage and triumph tremble, it's an otherworldly experience.

It's a show that is an all-time staple of Broadway, and I got to see that woman do it. I imagine this is what people who saw Ethel Merman, Angela Lansbury and Patti LuPone play Rose felt in the moment, too. It's the best singular performance of anything anywhere I've ever seen in person.

I don't think I'll ever see any one performance better.