[link to Baltimore Sun article]
I received a student discount and was so fortunate to attend the final performance this Sunday afternoon! I've only heard André from the Broadway cast recordings, but hearing him live, and in a context separate (mostly) from Hadestown, was another experience entirely.
He wove together an uplifting, sincere, deeply personal account of his Baltimorean roots, and paid tribute to his mother and father, and the Black performers who came before him. He sang about love and empathy, which just filled my heart with SO much joy because that's also ultimately what Hadestown is all about. He even performed an incredible rendition of the Broadway version of "If It's True," with a full band/orchestra behind him as he belted out his faith in the people.
What an incredible artist! I can't believe how much he's thriving at the ripe old age of 75, it's so admirable.
He also wrote the program notes himself -- I have an image here, if you want to read: https://imgur.com/a/UiMNHpI
Base64 Decode
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André De Shields, legend of Broadway, plays our game about canals or Narrow Ways. He is joined by panelists Mo Rocca, Negin Farsad, and Adam Burke.
My friend and I were watching the show and the TV lost reception due to weather RIGHT AFTER ANDRÉ WON and I have to know what he said or I'll never be happy.
