And Then There Was Harmony...

In 2020, just before the pandemic stopped the world, I had tickets to see Harmony in New York. I had waited for years for it to come to the Big Apple and I planned an entire trip around finally seeing it. At the last minute, as is often the case in the Manilow world, it was cancelled due to the director’s sudden appendicitis. Which at the time, seemed odd. But, none the less, it was finished. 

I have loved the music from this play since I first heard him sing “Stars in the Night” in San Antonio, Texas at a concert with Brian D’Arcy. I began my quest to find every single song from the play and absorb the story. A friend of mine even got her hands on some of the practice sessions when the play was in LaJolla, California and I got to listen to the rough cuts of those. I was hooked. 

Fast forward to 2022 and Harmony has finally opened in New York. It’s a story we all need to hear. It’s a story of love and hope and joy in the darkest of times. The music is outstanding and I’m sure the book is great as well. I hope it is met with great accolades and even makes it to Broadway where even more audiences can experience the story of the Comedian Harmonists. 

For now, I’ll have to enjoy the music I have and dream that one day I will get to see the play on stage. 

Here’s to Harmony being a smash! 

Texas Fan

The ever constant fan pursuit

 Yes. I have come out of retirement to comment on the most recent Manilow world fan news. 

In January, an article appeared on Page Six of the NY Times about a group of fans "crashing" Barry's dinner with Bruce Sussman.

"A group of Barry Manilow fans serenaded the singer with his own 1978 tune “Copacabana” as the entertainer and his longtime songwriting partner Bruce Sussman were enjoying dinner at the NYC hot spot."

 

I'm sure he was thrilled as the fans proceeded to start a conga line in the restaurant. "Insert sarcasm".

The “Mandy” singer, 78, was amazed by the crowd’s devotion to the disco classic.

“Barry was giggling and screaming to Bruce, ‘I can’t believe they all know all the lyrics!'” the spy added.

I could never do something like that when a celebrity is enjoying his dinner. Yes. We all feel like we know the man. We love his songs. We enjoy his shows. But he also is a person who values his privacy. Saying hello is ok. I suppose even asking for an autograph is acceptable. But a conga line?

It never ceases to amaze me the lengths people will go to "let Barry know he is loved". What the article doesn't tell you is how long those fans probably have been stalking him all over New York to find out where he eats and the places he frequents. I wouldn't put it past them at all. It also doesn't tell you the conversation he and Bruce had afterwards. Boy, would I have loved to be a fly on the wall in that cab or limo.

With Harmony set to debut soon and Barry and Bruce frequenting New York restaurants, expect more of these shenanigans. After all, he owes his fans everything...and that means he has to put up with these invasions of privacy every day. And. End with sarcasm.

Leave the poor man alone,

Texas Fan