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greaterstokesawareness · 1 year

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My RECAP: Brian Stokes Mitchell and Seth Rudetsky with South Shore Orchestra at Madison Theatre at Molloy University, March 31, 2023

[Brian Stokes Mitchell performs with Seth Rudetsky and the South Shore Orchestra at Madison Theatre at Molloy University in Rockville Centre, Long Island, New York on Friday, March 31, 2023.]

Road trip to Long Island

This was our first Stokes show of 2023 (and hopefully not our last). We were hoping that a miracle would happen and that some tickets to the Ragtime Reunion Concert would materialize for us, but alas it was not in the cards. Not to worry though, because we had this Stokes show lined up for just a few days later. So, me and my bestie hopped in the car for the 2-hour drive to Long Island soundtracked by Little Steven's Underground Garage on SiriusXM because our tastes are eclectic even when driving towards musical theater royalty.

The last time we saw Stokes with Seth Rudetsky was almost a year ago to the day, on April 4, 2022 at The Town Hall in NYC (x). At that show, they sang and talked around a single piano with no other accompanists. This time around, Seth and Stokes were joined by a full orchestra, The South Shore Orchestra, so once again, we were treated to a slightly different configuration that made this show another really special night. It's hard to explain how multiple shows with very similar set lists can feel so fresh and alive and different, but this is just always how I feel after going to see Brian Stokes Mitchell - granted I am that goofy nerd that will listen to a song on repeat for days and get goosebumps every time and find an element of it I've never clocked before on like listen number 72. Side note: please consider listening to these two Leonard Cohen songs back-to-back on repeat for like 14 days straight to prove you are a normal functioning adult human person.

Happy birthday to me? And the president plays guitar

The pre-show butterflies were real when we were sitting in the seats in this really beautiful venue and chatting with the retired women in our row, looking out at the stage with all the instruments resting near the chairs and highlighted by that purple glow all venues seem to have. The show was preceded by some remarks by members of the university brass (the people in charge at the fundraisers not the horn players). At one point, the president of the university got up to speak and mentioned that he was going to be filling in on guitar with the orchestra. We saw him in the lobby after the show and told him he did a great job, which was a fun, wholesome little moment!

Another fun moment (also terrifying?!) happened about halfway through the show, when Seth suddenly said "Where's Dana?" and when I tell you the adrenaline rush that went through me was no joke. Now for those of you that don't know, my name is Dana, but Seth was not talking about me, apparently the university president's wife is also named Dana and it was her birthday. Anyway, I got to hear Stokes and a whole auditorium sing "happy birthday" to Dana, so I'll take that as a win for me personally and will play that for myself next January.

Turns out songs sound super cool with a full orchestra

The rest of the show was fun and moving and sounded really amazing with the full orchestra. There were songs we got to hear with the full orchestra for the first time that we had only ever heard with a small band or just piano before. Some full orchestra highlights were "This Nearly Was Mine," "A Wizard Every Day" (apologies to everyone for the unhinged shoutout, but it's like our fave), "Feeling Good," and "Getting Married Today." Stokes did his Methuselah bit in "Ain't Necessarily So," which honestly, I never get tired of seeing because the goofiness of it all. And to cap things off, at the end of the same week of the very emotional Ragtime reunion, Stokes asked Seth to sing Audra's parts on "Wheels of a Dream" and it was everything.

Here's the full set list:

I, Don Quixote

How to Handle a Woman

Stars

Ain't Necessarily So

Happy Birthday (to Dana)

This Nearly Was Mine

A Wizard Every Day

Feeling Good

Getting Married Today

Wheels of a Dream (Seth doing Audra's parts)

Impossible Dream

Who has CDs anymore (hint: it's me)

This show was at a theater on a college campus and it was inside a bigger campus building and so they didn't close down after the show was over. We ended up hanging out for a bit, which is when we got to chat with the guitar-playing-university-president and other Dana of birthday fame, but we also had the opportunity to briefly meet Stokes too. So, one year after being incoherent at the stage door of the Town Hall show, I actually was able to say words this time.

Earlier in the night, Seth opened up the floor for a few questions and people were very interested in what Stokes might be up to next, including my best friend who had the courage to raise their hand and ask about plans for the Plays With Music re-release. Like Stokes has said before, the album will be re-released soon along with both of his other albums. He made a joke about the fact that you can only listen to it right now if you have the CD, and who has CDs anymore. He also mentioned that the Ragtime Reunion concert was filmed and to keep an eye out for information on that by visiting the Entertainment Community Fund website.

So, I managed to say "hi" and ask Stokes to sign something. When he saw the Plays With Music CD in my hand, he enthusiastically said "You had the CD!" and I said "I had the CD!" which honestly made my night. He signed my CD and took a selfie with both of us and that was that. We walked off into the chilly, early spring night feeling that spiritual renewal that only your favorite music can bring you.

#brian stokes mitchell #musical theater #broadway #seth rudetsky #greater stokes awareness #greater stokes awareness: my recap #greater stokes awareness: author's note

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