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        Okay, I've tried to live up to my review writing standards... I think I got all the songs in here, the only one I cannot for the life of me remember where it came is Bridge Over Troubled Water, so I added it at the end.  I apologize if this review isn't up to my usual standards... I got the most precious gift from Chloe yesterday afternoon, which I'll put in my review, but it's throwing me off a little bit.
   My adventure started with taking Amtrak into Milwaukee on Saturday.  I left at about 8am and arrived in Milwaukee around 3:30ish in the afternoon.  My hotel was about 3 blocks away, so I walked to my hotel and collapsed on the bed in my room.  I did sleep on the train, but for some reason, it made me even more tired.... The next day, I got up early so I could take a shower, do my hair and iron my dress... (which the stupid hotel iron ended up ruining/burning.. well, just the back).  Ncoua stopped by my hotel to pick me up to head over to the theatre for the M&G.  I met Glen in front of the theatre, and gave him my money for the ticket and M&G.  We headed inside and were told the passes weren't there yet, so we hung out around the entrance of the theatre.  After a few minutes, the PBS lady came out to get our names and we started congregating by her.  Glen's daughter was there with her daughter (Glen's grandaughter), and she was too cute!!  It was her first CW live show, and she loooves Mairead.  She was so excited to meet the girls!  She got A LOT of attention during the show as well, but I'll get to that later.  A little later, Libby walked in and I almost bowled a whole bunch of people over trying to get to her, then we gave each other the biggest hugs, since we hadn't seen each other in about 3 years.  We slowly made our way towards a private part of the theatre, and we ended up in this huge banquet room that smelled REALLY GOOD!! I saw Andy, Tommy and the bass player (can't remember his name) walk through... then Anthony came in and started filling up his plate... I was kinda having a mini spazz attack, even though I had met him before.. haha  Finally someone from the tour (I can't remember his name) came out and introduced himeself and gave us all the rules of the M&G.  He told us the girls would be walking by us to get to the M&G room.. and about 2 minutes later they did, and I freaked... I yelled out "CHLOE!"  and she looked at me and gave me one of her infamous winks :D
   THE MEET AND GREET : They let us in a few people at a time.  I pulled Libby in with me and made her hold my hand, so I wouldn't bawl.  The first girl when we walked in was Chloe, and she all but threw herself at me for a hug.  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mairead off to the side and as soon as I pulled away from my Chloe hug, she gave me a huge "hi!" and held out her arms to me.  I'm surprised I didn't trip running into them. :D  Then of course, I HAD to have a Lisa Lambe hug, since I've heard so much about them!!  Reviews/retellings do not do her hugs justice... at all.... I don't know if I can even describe them... other than... :O :O  Then, I walked over about half a step to say hi to Susan, who actually reached out to give me a hug too :)  I was honestly surprised... not that she remembered me, but that she reached out for a hug.  She seems to be more comfortable this tour.  I got like a gazillion hugs from Lisa, and of course, my sweet Chloe.  Mairead wouldn't let me leave without another hug either. ;)  Of course, Libby and I got a picture with the girls. :)  Then, as I was being rushed out ( I never even saw Libby leave) I ran back to Chloe to give her one more hug, and to tell her how she helped me through my hospital stay last week for my depression.  I didn't go into detail, I just told her how I was hospitalized for self harm and she really helped me through it.  All of a sudden, she is around me again, and when we pull away, she reaches out and puts her hand on my cheek and says "Take care, okay sweetie?"  I looked right into those mesmerizing, heart-melting eyes and squeaked out "I will" (I had started to cry).  She would not take her hand away and said "I'm serious, look after yourself okay?"  Then I got ANOTHER hug!!  I feel so safe and loved in those arms.  This leads to what happened at intermission, which I'll write about in that part of the review.  I don't have the picture yet... Still waiting for Libby to post it.  Although, I found out this morning as I was packing my hotel room.. I had my camera the whole time... it was in a pocket of my suitcase I didn't even know I had.. ::)
   There's something for you guys to enjoy while I work on the 1st Act part of my review.  I'm gonna head out to catch my train in about 2 hours or so... and once I get to the Amtrak station, I'm not gonna be online to post it, cause they charge a ridiculous amount to get wi fi at the station.  I'm still at the hotel, waiting in the lobby, so I'll post as much as I can before my battery dies too.. haha

Sounds like you had an amazing time so far. :) Can't wait to read the rest of your review, and I'm ALWAYS here if you want to talk. (http://forums.hilaryfan.com//images/smilies2/hug.gif)

Glad you had such an amazing time.  Can't wait to hear about the rest of it.

Still on the train guys... And my laptop is dead.. I`ll post the first act tomorrow :)

  Sounds great so far....    :D

Sounds good! :)

About halfway done with the first act.....
This show is super emotional for me, so it's taking me a little longer... thanks for your patience :)

No problem, take all the time you need. :)

Okay, Act 1

Awakening: I didn't realize my seat was as close to the stage as it was, and I've been in the pit before, but after my amazing M&G with Chloe, I was feeling pretty emotional.  I was sitting by Glen, as well as his daughter and granddaughter, and as soon as Mairead walked on the stage, her eyes were glued to the stage.  The music started and Mairead walked out and started the song as always.  As soon as Chloe walked out, the tears started.  I was trying so incredibly hard not to cry, because I didn't want to miss anything... didn't work too well.  We were on the piano side, and the first time Mairead came over to our side, she found Jasmine (Glen's granddaughter) and played to her the rest of the show.  She kept giving her these smiles and "hi!"s.  Jasmine loved it, and we loved watching her. :)  All 4 girls were really on, and it was a joy watching them.  Even though I didn't tell her in the M&G where I was sitting, Chloe instantly found me and kept giving me her infamous winks.  During breaks in the vocals I would catch her eye and blow her kisses, which she gave right back.  I've said this before, but I've always felt a connection with her, but something was stronger this time.  I felt more connected to her than I ever have before, and she silently told me from that first wink from the stage that I was not alone and she wanted to be there for me.  The coreography was slightly altered as well, but it worked.. it looked incredible!!  This was my first glimpse of the new choir girls as well, and they are gorgeous!!  I've seen pics of them, but live, they are stunning!!  I could not take my eyes off of Sarah.  They both fit in incredibly well, but something about Sarah drew me to her... (I don't know if it's the name or what.. haha).  
Dulaman: Lisa was on fire, as always!!  This song starts out a little differently though.  During one of the breaks in Awakening, Lisa goes over by the piano and puts on the little filmy wrap on her skirt, which Chloe and Susan stand in front of her, hiding her from, well, most of the audience... ( I was on the piano side, so I could see).  Then, after Awakening, Chloe, Mairead and Susan leave the stage, leaving just Lisa and the band.  Normally the song is started by the male choir, but they changed it.  Lisa starts this song with the gorgeous slow ballad like song.  It confused me at first because I knew Dulaman was second in the lineup, but I was enjoying her new song as well.  It gave me goosebumps.  Then, as she was finishing, the 2 choir guys came up and started their "Dulaman" chant.  Lisa then launches into the most incredible Dulaman I have ever seen her perform!!  She looooooooves playing with her skirt, and she really gave it her all!  And Ray!  He took the male solo in this song!  It was amazing!!  I have to admit though, when I saw him come down, and saw he had a mic on, I was wondering if he was going to take that solo.. and I'm glad he did!!  Lisa playing her spoons on Ray was adorable, as always. :)  Towards the end of the song, the choir girls came out as well to dance with the choir guys, and I'm just gonna say here that I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE how much more the choir does this tour!!  Even if they're not involved more vocally with the show than in the past, they seem to be getting a lot more stage time this tour, which is always good, in my book. :D
Nocturne: I'm just going to put this disclaimer in here... any songs with Chloe in them (as you can tell from Awakening), I may get just a little emotional with.  She means a lot more to me now after intermission from yesterday, which I'll get to, but I've felt a stronger emotional connection with her since yesterday.
After Dulaman, Chloe comes out the band side of the stage with a hand held mic and says her traditional hello to everyone.  (She seemed worlds away on the other end of the stage, by the way.. haha).  She asked if we were having a good time, and there were  few cheers, so she got her adorable Chloe "pout" and said "That doesn't sound very convincing... Are you having fun so far?!"  That got a better response out of the crowd, and her smile is just heart melting.  She talked for a little bit... (she sure does love to talk.. hehe) saying how much they appreciate such a warm welcome back to Milwaukee and about how they've been coming here since the beginning of Celtic Woman.  Then, she talked a little about the new tour and how they were bringing older songs back.  She introduced Nocturne by saying that this was one of her "newer favorites"  She explained a little about what the song was talking about, then started the song... and I think I died... I have always loved how she does this song, but she was 150% on yesterday, and added a few "frills" to it, and really gave it everything she had!!  I had goosebumps all over and was in complete and utter awe.  Of course, when she was over by the piano side, I did get a lot of love from her.  When she ended, I leapt out of my seat and could not stop cheering... I got a lot of funny looks from people around me, but I didn't care.  Chloe is my favorite and I was gonna show her all kinds of love... especially after all the love she's shown me. :)
Coast of Galacia: Mairead was ON FIRE during the show yesterday afternoon!!  You could tell she was playing to Jasmine, who kept inching up towards the steps like she wanted to run onstage after Mairead.  Every time Mairead came over to our side of the stage, she sent smiles and kisses her way,and of course, I had to blow her a few kisses, which she acknowledged with a Mairead smile and a "hi!"  I think she was excited to have this song back... She was going to town!!  She was all over that stage flying everywhere and never missing a beat.  Her bow strings were shredded by the end, but it never threw her... She has always played off of the energy of the audience, and you could tell she was yesterday.  Once she found Jasmine, she gave her most of her attention... which was soo cute! :)  I don't even know what else to say about this song, other than... WOW... :o :o
New Ground: I liked that they gave this to Tommy without attaching it to Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears.  Don't get me wrong, I LOOOOOOOOOOVE IOH IOT, but I love that they let Tommy have his moment.  It was the first slower song since Chloe's Nocturne, and it gave me a chance to let it sink in.... I was crying by the end of this song... I think partly because of how gorgeous it was, and partly because of how much meeting Chloe meant to me yesterday... That was one special M&G.  I do like that they brought this song back... I've missed it.
Orinoco Flow: I am still ecstatic that they brought this song back!!!!!  The girls did something interesting with the gowns for this song too... It's the same material that Lisa has attached to her dress for Dulaman, but for this song, it's used as capes.. and all 3 girls have it.  That was the first thing that caught my attention when the girls first came out.  The choir, like always, started this song... and this choir.. even though there are only 4 of them... they are a force to be reckoned with!!  Such strong voices!!  The coreography was changed for this song too, and I honestly have to say, I liked the older coreography a little better.  I have always loved seeing this song live though!!  And the girls added their little "solos" in the middle that were there during the SFTH tour.  Susan's gave me goosebumps!!  She seems a lot more confortable letting herself go this tour, and she really shines!! <3
Caledonia: Susan walked out with a hand held mic and introduced this song.  More choir stage time, too, which is good ;)  Now, I have to say, I have always been a fan of Lisa's Caledonia, but Susan gives Lisa a run for her money on this song!!  I was getting chills.  She makes it her own and is not afraid to make a few changes.  The choir's background is just lovely for this song as well... I really think they picked the perfect choir arrangement for this show.. their voices blend so well together.  I couldn't help it, after this song, I had to give Susan a standing ovation.  She left me in awe.  Not that I was expecting any less, of course, but I had goosebumps the entire time.  There really isn't a way to describe it, other than, if you haven't seen Susan perform this live yet, you really need to!  :)
Teir Abhaile Riu: This is the part of the review I've been avoiding writing... It's so hard to sum this song up in words.  Last year, I was on Chloe's side of the theatre, and this year, I was on Lisa's side.  the beginning "argument" always always always cracks me up!! :D  Lisa came down the aisle singing, and when she saw Jasmine, she bounced over to her, picked her up in her arms and started dancing with her.  It was sooo sweet!!  Chloe entered from the other side of the audience, and made her way over as well.  Jasmine got a tweak on the nose from Chloe, which she couldn't stop talking about. :)  I have to say (and I think I said this in my review last year too), "pissed off Chloe" is tooooooo adorable!!  Lisa kept looking at us, then pointing in Chloe's direction and shaking her head. :D  Then, they both make it up on the stage, and Susan comes out to "intervene".  She gets the cutest look on her face too.  Then the 3 of them go at it, for what seemed like longer than last year, but it was adorable!!  The rest of the song is pretty uneventful... Other than Chloe pushing Ray off the stage and flirting with the piano player (can't remember his name, sorry :( ).  The choir really got into it too, and I got a few smiles from Sarah. :)
Granuaile's Dance: LOOOOVE seeing this song back too!!  I'll say it again, Mairead was ON FIRE!!!!!!!!  I counted 15-16 spins, when I remembered to count... haha.  She was really playing to Jasmine, and off the energy of the audience.  I really honestly don't know how to review this song.... It just left me with one reaction... :o
Danny Boy: This is another song I don't know how to review.  Just because of how gorgeous and amazing it was!!  I can't even remember who introduced it...  But the harmonies between these 3 girls are chilling!!  David did an incredible job with the current line up!  I think I remember reading this in another review, but I wouldn't mind the line up staying like this forever... Their 3 voices just melt so beautifully together!!  Love that Mairead is in this song too!!  I know she has been for a few tours, but it adds a lot! :)
Mo Ghile Mear: I started crying when I recognized this song, because I knew the first act was almost over.  But, as always, it's incredibly entertaining watching the audience jump at the beginning! :D  And again, this choir is fierce!!  They are incredible!!  The one part of this song, that I could not stop talking to Libby about, was during, I believe it's the 2nd verse was they sing "know that I will sing to you..." Lisa Lambe looked at me, and reached out towards me very purposely during that part.  I had been blowing her a gajillion kisses during this song, anyway, cause she likes the piano side of the stage hehe and I kept reaching out to her (actually we kept reaching to each other).  But I remember very specifically at that part of the song, she purposely reached out to me... wanting me to know that she was singing to me.  That touched my heart and made me fall even more under her spell. <3 <3

I'll post Act 2 probably tomorrow sometime... This show really got to me... with all the old songs they brought back and I somehow connected more with our girls than I ever have, so it's difficult emotionally for me to write this review... But Act 2 will be up tomorrow sometime, I promise :)

Sounds like you had an amazing time! Can't wait for the rest of the review tomorrow. ;)

Great review Sarah....it really brought back the memories of my recent show......sooooo glad Chloe gave you those hugs!....and you didn`t trip ..not even once...of course there would have been no laundry baskets around , anyway ::)

Can't wait to read the rest of your review! :)

Great review we all had a great time. You know a guy came up to us on the way out after the show and asked us if that was all prearranged with the little girl. Couldn't believe he asked us that but we told him no it wasn't and only thing was the girls knew this concert was her 5th birthday and that she loved the girls and had met them before the show. All the girls really turned on the love to her during the show Plus after the show out back by the bus. All I can say is thank you to the girls they really made her day big time she will never forget this day. When she got home she told her daddy that Chloe pulled my nose. We bought her a CW t-shirt and she had to wear it to school Monday morning to show all her little friends where she had gone. This was by far the best show I have been to and I think this was show 8 or 9 and this was the best time I have had. The picture is my Grand daughter meeting her girls as she says

(http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/glen143/47973_10151315511311710_838335313_n.jpg) (http://s872.photobucket.com/user/glen143/media/47973_10151315511311710_838335313_n.jpg.html)

Thanks, Sarah for great reviews of the M&G plus first act.  I loved every word.  It just whets my appetite even more for my concerts in May.

Sorry the 2nd half is taking so long guys... I was in the hospital for a few days.. .and now I need to go to bed soon since my flight leaves tomorrow morning...
I'll post the rest of it tomorrow... I promise :)

Okay, I know you guys have been waiting a long time, and sorry you'll have to wait a little while longer. :(
I'm almost done.. I promise.
But... the special intermission I was talking about.....
TA DA!!  Enjoy ;)

INTERMISSION
Okay, so here's the long anticipated intermission story.  Mostly, I hung out with Libby, and we chatted about the show and how amazing the M&G was. :)  Then, we decided to make a run to the restroom before the 2nd act.. a literal run.. haha.  We wanted to make sure we didn't miss and if the 2nd act.  Then, I was hanging out with Libby at her seat before the 2nd act started (since her seat was on the other side of the theatre than mine :(), when Naomi came up to me and asked if I was Sarah.  I thought I was in trouble or something, but I said I was.  Then she told me something that has kept me going throughout this whole week... something that helped me through my 3 days at the hospital this past Wednesday-Friday.  She looked at me and said, "Chloe wants you to have a meet and greet for Dayton."  That touched my heart and made me tear up.  I kept asking "Are you serious?  Are you kidding?"  She assured me that she was serious and asked me if I wanted 2 passes then for the M&G.  By this point I was bawling uncontrollably, but I was able to squeek out "Yes."  I've been asking Libby ever since (even this morning) if it was real or not... if it actually happened.  She keeps having to reassure me that it was real and it actually did happen.  Sorry Libby... :(  I'm probably gonna be asking you right up until Tuesday right before the M&G hehe
So, there's my incredible intermission story and Chloe's incredible gift!  Hope that lives up to your expectations of what I've been talking about with my intermission story. hehe

YAY SARAH!!!   looks like Chloe is your new BFF....have "fooooon" in Dayton. ;)

You're so lucky Sarah!!! Yes, the intermission story did live up to my expectations. Can't wait for the rest and have fun in Dayton!

Remember, "once your mind is blown, it can not be un-blown" - The Big Bang Theory

I'm so happy for you, Sarah. :)

Can't wait to hear about the rest of the show.

   Haaa... I like that quote  Jerad....    ;D

   Thanks James. ;D

I promise the rest of my review will be up sometime today.. Since my next show is tomorrow...haha

Dream come true! No M&G for me tomorrow.  :(  The only one of the current 4 I haven't met is Chloe who's my favorite! And this year, when they're not in Cinci, they do the M&G with all 4 members. Someday Chloe. Someday!  ;)

And I also plan on posting one of my fun long reviews after my concert tomorrow too! Since it'll be my friend Brittany's first CW live experience, it'll be interesting! Hopefully we can assimilate another into our Collective!  ;D

Okay, here's the 2nd act... sorry it took so long :(

Amazing Grace: As always, Anthony started this song coming down the aisle on his pipes.  He came right next to where Glen and Jasmine were sitting, and Jasmine was starting at him.. I'm so happy for her, that she got so much interaction from our girs, and it seemed like the choir, (well, and Anthony) were right there in front of her, in the audience quite a bit.  Chloe, Lisa and Susan went on to blow the roof off the theatre with Amazing Grace!!  I always bawl during this song, but thiswas the best I've heard it!
She Moved Thru the Fair: I believe it was Chloe and Lisa who sang this... I can't remember... I'm finishing this review a week after the show... hehe  This song was gorgeous!!  I didn't want it to end!!  There really are no words...
Tribute to Broadway: Susan came out and introduced this song, saying how she's been on Broadway her whole life, and she loves being a Celtic Woman and being able to sing Broadway.  I Dreamed A Dream always tears me up... especially after Chloe's special gift, I couldn't look at her without bawling.  Susan and Chloe's voices really do blend well together... I got chills.  Circle Of Life is always fun to watch!!  Lisa is so playful and puts so much energy into this song!!  The choir seemed to be having a lot of fun too.  I got a lot of love during this song.. and even a kiss from Susan. <3
Nil Sen La : Ray came out and did a solo... kinda like the SFTH tour.  He is AMAZING!!!!!!!  I loved being on the piano side for this show, cause that's where Ray is.  I was clapping and laughing throughout the whole solo!!  Then Mairead came out and Ray and Mairead "fought" which was HILLARIOUS!!!!!
I love how they did Nil Sen La!  I mean, during the SFTH tour, I loved how they started it slowly and with candles, but this was fun too!!  The choir and some of the band were in the aisles.. (on my side.. Sarah was sooo close!! :D) and they were dancing and "playing".  It was incredibly entertaining to watch.  I don't really know what happened on stage, since I was honestly paying attention to the choir, but I do remember Lisa came halfway down the steps, gave the choir a "look" and pointed up onto the stage.  Chloe and Lisa were "glaring" at the choir as they made their way up to the stage.  Edel and Sarah had different outfits on for this song too, and they really had fun "playing" with their dresses. :)  I loooooooove the the girls had their Ceili dresses for this song, and they really had a lot of fun!!  I could hardly stay sitting, I wanted to get up and dance... hehe
Shenendoah: This was GORGEOUS!!  I had never heard it live before, and it gave me goosebumps and almost stopped my heart.  I love it on the CD, but seeing/hearing it live is just breathtaking!!  Then Mairead and the tap dancer (I can't remember his name... sorry :( ) had a duel which was hillarious!! :)
The Voice: Okay, to me, this is Lisa's song, even though I've never heard her sing it live, but Susan's version was incredible!!  She added a few little parts of her own, which made the song that much better. :)  I love that she feels comfortable adding her own little bits to it.  And this honestly gave me chills too!!  Obviously, she's not Lisa, and no one can replace Lisa, but I am falling in love with Susan's version! :)
You Raise Me Up: Mairead introduced this song, saying that it's one of their favorites and they've done it since the beginning of Celtic Woman.  I honestly do not have words for this song... it's always made me bawl, but something about it this time just touched my heart in a way it never has before...especially after Chloe's gift.  I felt like she was singing it right to me, and that meant everything to me. <3
Parting Glass: I  can't remember which girl introduced this song, but I remember as soon as she said the name, I started crying.. again... Knowing that this was the end of the show, and the end of my evening in heaven really really hurt.  Even though I knew I would be seeing them again in a week, it was hard.  I don't honestly even know how much of the song I heard.. I was trying so hard not to let my crying be too loud.  Although I did get a little bit of Sarah time, which was nice. :)  It seemed like they gave the choir a little more to sing in this song too. :)
Finale: Amazing as always!!  The girls always have so much fun, and you could tell they were really enjoying myself.. Chloe caught my eye and gave me a huge wink and kiss, which has stayed with me.  I was trying to have fun and clap along, but it's always hard for me when the show is over.  I did notice in this song, you can sometimes hear Susan above the others... which is really cool! :)
Ceili Playout: The choir did their bows, and the band got acknowledged and everything as usual.  I don't know, there really isn't much to say about this one.  Other than more love from the girls. <3

(Bridge Over Troubled Water): I CANNOT remember where this came in the concert order, so I thought I would put it at the end.  I have always loved this song, since it first aired when Believe aired on PBS, but Lisa's solo version... :o :o :o  :o  And the lyrics actually settled in this time, which, I've always loved the lyrics, but this time they really touched me.  Especially the "sail on silver girl.." verse.  It meant a lot to me where I am in my life right now, and with Lisa's gorgeous voice.. it touched my heart... I felt different, and that song has helped me a lot since then.

Okay, end of this review... sorry it took so long to get the 2nd part up.  My next concert is tonight... In a few hours, actually.  Chloe gave me that wonderful gift of a 2nd meet and greet, so I'm really looking forward to that.  And Starman... thank you so so much for that closer seat!!  I owe you. :)  Can't WAIT to see the girls up close again!!
Stay tuned for my next review.. ;)

Love the second act. It's OK that you took so long to get it up.
I'll be waiting patiently for your next review, and have fun in Dayton tonight, M&G and all. ;)

Loved your review of the second act. Have fun tonight :)

Thanks, Sarah.  Loved it!  :)