We meet again, Celtic Woman Forum.... Ha ha ha! Okay! On to business!
Part 4 - Act 2Amazing Grace- What a wonderful way to begin the second act! Such a beautiful song and the girls perform it so, pradon the pun, amazingly! Seeing Anto playing the... *leans back to see past man next to him who's leaning forward* ...Seeing Anto on his bagpipes playing... *leans forward cuz dude decided to lean back* ... Anto playing the pipes and then to have.... *dude leans forward again* Okay, seriously?! Who's bright idea was it to put Anto over to the left wing of the stage? All of us are having to move around like some bizarre game of musical chairs just to see him! For those of you with bigger theatres, I'm so jealous. And Barb, sorry! You probably had it worse... Me and my egghead... Lol!
Anyway... This song was so beautiful! Susan sang Lisa K's part very well. She sang it a little bit softer than Lisa did but there was more emotion behind it. The girls performed so well as did the whole group. The song got a huge standing ovation.
A Spaceman Came Travelling- LOVE this song! Plus the drums, like on Mo Ghile Mear, really tear into you! Lisa L was on fire with this song! She was running around similar to how she did on the dvd. And remember the spinning part? Well she went faster this time. And so her dress swished upward and those in the front row probably had a rather interesting view! But she took it in stride, as she slowed to a stop she grabbed the left side of her dress and playfully brought it across herself, all the while giving a gentleman in the front row a little "Uh-uh" look! Lol! Classic! Lisa, you are absolutely terrific!
Songs From The Heart- This song is constantly on repeat in my car! I love it so much. But does everyone remember how I mentioned earlier that Lisa was having microphone trouble? Well it apparently wasn't yet fixed. I could hear, especially during her more powerful notes on Amazing Grace and here, during Walking The Night especially, that her voice was layered over a soundtrack. Whatever mic problems she was having had not yet been fixed. I could definitely hear the difference. Nevertheless, this duet is breathtaking as always. Then the musical interlude began. So nice to see the whole interlude! So much fun too! Then Andy comes down with his bodhran and The World Falls Away begins! I've always loved this duet! So much fun! And Susan did so well on Lisa's part! So much fun seeing the two of them really jam it out to this song! Then Lisa joins them as always! But! Her mic was fixed! You could hear the difference so clearly! Her voice wasn't layered over and she came out guns blazing as she skipped her way down the steps to join the others. The song finished with its usual power and nothing but smiles from the girls! Including a big smile from Susan my way as she raised her hands during the finale of the song! Yay!
The Water Is Wide- What a beautiful song! Sung by an incredibly beautiful lady! Susan sang with such passion and power! I was absolutely blown away! I did miss Anto on the bagpipes. I twas also weird that Mairead didn't show up till the musical interlude midway through the song. Still, such an amazing song. I was so happy when I heard this song sung by Susan because it was one of my favorites from the cd and she does it so beautifully! I also like how at the end of the song, she held the final note at a higher level than Lisa K did! Such a good job Susan! David? I approve! Please Susan. Would you stay forever?
Ray's Solo- Okay, this song was unexpected, but a whole lot of fun! The audience didn't expect it and so we were somewhat slow on the uptake. So then he goes to stage left, "How're we doing over here tonight?" We all cheer! He was happy and did the same thing for the other side. Then he asked the people in the very back and they roared the loudest! Then he started going faster and we all clapped and cheered along, all shock forgotten. Then he did some tricks! At one point, he stopped playing with the stick thing itself, but you still heard noise. We laughed harder at that. Then he started playing the stick on the air while sound still came. It was hilarious! What a showman! He had a blast and so did we!
Green Grow The Rushes- When Ray finished, Chloe came out to teach us this song! She told us some background info about the song, about how when its sang at a pub, its a song where everyone joins in. So she decided to teach us the song. But when she said the name of the song, a lot of the people cheered. She responded, Oh good! Some of you have done your homework! Lol!
So she proceeds to teach us the chorus. The first time, it was only the first few rows who sang loudly. Chloe noticed and said, okay that wasn't too bad I can work with that. But you all back there were not singing. Then she comments and says that she's stubborn and that she would stay up there and keep those light shining until we all sang. So we went for a second round and the whole theatre sang along! She was blown away, commenting that no theatre took up the challenge that quickly and sang that enthusiastically. She said we were ready and called Lisa out. Lisa skipped out happily and stated that she, too, was impressed by us. So the song started. It went very very well, with the audience singing along and the girls happily leading us! I got several Lisa Lambe smiles as I sang along. Then I got a Chloe, ear to ear grin as they sang the last chorus. They were very very happy with us and responded very enthusiastically! Yay! Go Cincinnati! We ROCK!!!!
A Tribute To Broadway- Susan came out and introduced herself as being the newest member of the group, to which the audience gave her an encouraging, enthustiastic applause. She mentioned now that, coming from a musical background, the next song held a very special place in her heart as the songs are songs that she's loved since she was a child. With that, she announced the Tribute, and thus began I Dreamed A Dream. I must admit, I did love her vocals on the first half of the duet with Chloe. But the part that begins "But there are dreams that cannot be" wasn't as good as Lisa Kelly, mostly because she didn't sing it with the raw power that Lisa K sang that part with. Otherwise, she and Chloe sound like perfection together. Then when Lisa Lambe joined them and began Circle of Life, Jimmy and I looked at each other and grinned. It was really cool to have seen this movie, then come and see Celtic Woman sing this song! And it was neat seeing Anto come out on the bongo! He and Craig are both so very multi-talented! I was rocking along to this song, singing along and snapping my fingers. Consequently, I got a Lil Lambe smile and also got a wink from Susan! First wink from the new girl! Eep!
Ave Maria- What can I say about Chloe that hasn't been said already? She is so breathtakingly beautiful and has a voice to match. She seemed to have a bit of trouble in the beginning adjutsting the mic stand. Lol! But as the choir harmonized, and everyone else was watching them, I turned away from them to look at Chloe, only to see her smiling directly at me. I smiled back and nodded encouragingly. And she winked right at me. Jimmy! Call 911! I think I'm going into cardiac arrest! Oh Chloe! My heart! You must stop teasing me like this! She sang this song so wonderfully! Her voice, once again, sounded so much better than on the cd and dvd with her solos. She sang with so much more power and emotion than before. I even sang along a bit, having sang this song with my choir before. As she went into a deep curtsy, the audience applauded as, as one, we rose to our feet for Chloe. She seemed on the verge of tears.
You'll Never Walk Alone- Another fantastic song! So beautifully sung! It was also really neat how the spotlights were a pure white color and shone straight up as beams. It was a very ethereal effect that Jimmy really seemed to like. Seeing as he insisted on pointing it out to me. After I had already noticed. Just saying, Jimmy. Anyways, as the girls descended and the choir arrived to sing their part, I noticed we were short one Craig. Where'd he go, I wondered. Oh that's right! He's probably getting ready for the duel with Mairead. Anywho.... As the girls reached the climax of the song, people around me were singing along. It was a lovely moment. Lisa Lambe once again had eyes only for the elderly couple that she sang to during A Woman's Heart. The woman was crying freely. So moving. I got a Chloe and Lisa look. Susan was on the other side.
Mná Na hÉireann- I was looking forward to this song! Mairead began by saying that we were a very welcoming and wonderful audience and that she loved hearing us singing on Green Grow The Rushes. She also recited a line of some sort that went along the lines of how singing is more beautiful than the melodies of strings. She then proceeded to say how this next song she hoped we'd be inspired in the same way. She played so beautifully! I loved the slower part of the melody with the piano. As she finished the slow part, she said thank you in her beautiful lithe voice. Then she began the faster part. Then Craig came out and the two of them had an excellent duel! The audience clapped along the whole way! We had a blast watching these two go head to head! At the end, the audience erupted into applause.
The Parting Glass- Mairead took up poistion for the final song as the three singers came out. Lisa began by saying that we were a tremendous audience but that it was time for parting. As she said this, a woman to my left yelled out something along the lines of "No! Please don't go!" in a very loud voice. Lisa went, "Aww..." while she and the other girls laughed. It was a very bittersweet moment as the girls began The Parting Glass. But I'm so glad they put this song in! It is the perfect ending to a perfect show! And I also got a smile from all three singers! I got one from Chloe as I swayed along during the "La la" part, Lisa during several moments, and Susan as I freely sang along to the final chorus. Lisa also lifted her hand as though holding an invisible glass while her eyes were closed towards the end of the song while she sang "So fill to me the Parting Glass and drink of health what'er befalls." Such a beautiful song! And as much as I loved YRMU, this song is ten times better to end the show.
Finale/Mo Ghile Mear- Mairead was on fire during this song! And Jimmy nearly died as well! When she came leaping our way, she gave him her game face as she rocked it out on the violin! It was so much fun! I nearly died laughing at the OMG look on his face! Ha ha ha! Then each of the band members got their time in the spotlight, then Craig came out and danced for us one final time, then came the girls. Susan was first to bow to much applause, then Lisa. Then when Chloe came out, I yelled, quite loudly, "Woohoo! Go Chloe!!!" And she smiled and winked right at me! Love that girl! My fave! Then while they sang Mo Ghile Mear, it seemed that most people around me joined in the chorus. I did as well, of course. Then we all cheered as we saw their spotlighted silhouettes!
Ceili Playout- As we cheered and cheered, Chloe thanked us, barely audible over the roar of the audience. Then she thanked us fully as the audience died down a bit and led us into the Ceili Playout! She and Susan took each others arms and danced around as Lisa shook someones hand in the front row. They all danced their way out as the audience cheered and clapped along.
Then, it was simply over. Saddest part of the night.
Part 5 - Post-ShowSo after the show was over, Jimmy and I waited along with the other M&G-ers in the first few rows. We struck up conversation with Barb and her sister and had a lovely conversation with them. Then we sheparded out of the first few rows. They were moving them out. It was actually quite entertaining to watch as the entire front 3-5 rows slowly descended as though it was a giant elevator. I had no idea they did that! Then we were lead to the M&G room.
While there, the whole group had a rather entertaining conversation with the security guy. He mentioned we were not permitted to walk behind the table, climb onto the table (which really upset me since I was DYING to pull a Tom Cruise! lol
), or reach UNDER the table. He said if we did so, then we'd feel the wrath of Bubba, who, he said jokingly, is a blackbelt. He also mentioned that pics were not permitted when actually at the table, but that we were free to take pics in line of the girls, of our neighbors, or of the lovely wallpaper. Someone then said, can we take a picture of you? He then responded, sure if you want to. Then everyone sort of cheered, and I gave a little "Aw yeah!" Ha ha ha!
I just couldn't resist.
Then walked in Susan and Mairead. Jimmy was pumped. I was disappointed to not meet Chloe, but was very happy for him and very happy I got to meet two of the girls regardless. Jimmy went first. Both of us got our tickets, M&G passes, and tour programs signed. I also got my Believe cd signed. He also got the cd case he made signed. Mairead was very impressed with it. He also told Mairead that he was a violin player and she got very excited. She was thrilled to meet another violin player and they talked a bit about that. He also mentioned that I was the one who actually intorduced him to Celtic Woman in the first place by showing him the video of Granuaile's Dance. She was so thrilled about that and thanked me openly, saying how sweet I was to do that. Susan also mentioned that Granuaile's Dance was a favorite of hers too. Jimmy also got to tell Mairead that he kept on with the violin and actually became a better player because of discovering her. She was so thrilled, but also humbled at the same time. I moved up to speak with Mairead as he moved over to Susan. No idea what he said to her as I was focused on Mairead. We chatted a bit and she, again, thanked me for introducing another aspiring violinist to her music.
Then I chatted with Susan who said she loved seeing me out in the audience singing along to every song. She was also thrilled when I told her that I secretly loved her version of Follow On more than Lisa's. She then said, "What about The Water Is Wide?" And I responded jokingly, "Don't push it." She and I laughed and as she signed my program I also offered her congratulations on her engagement. She smiled and said thanks. And then I said that it was wonderful to meet her. She responded with the same. Then, unfortunately, I had to leave.
Thus ends my night with Celtic Woman. Well, not entirely. I did have the windows down while blaring Celtic Woman as Jimmy and I jammed to Awakening all the way home. Even through Over-The-Rhine! Lol!
ROCK ON CELTIC WOMAN!!!!