Glendale05rev - Page: 1 of 1

My husband, Jerry, and I attended Anthony's concert in
Glendale, Arizona again this year. Like last year, it was a
memorable evening hearing Anthony's gorgeous voice in the
quiet setting of St. Thomas More Catholic Church. The large,
white tickets featured a color photo of Anthony. Some
attendees must have asked to keep their ticket as a souvenir,
because I saw Anthony and Patrick autograph several of them
at the Meet and Greet afterward. The ushers looked formal
and friendly in their tuxedos and white gloves. The programs
were nicely done, with several photos of Anthony and
one of Patrick. It featured a quote I hadn't seen before:
"Anthony Kearns was once asked, 'What do you do when you
aren't singing?' He replied without hesitation, 'When I'm not
singin'...I sing. It's what I do!'"

As before, it was a well-organized event. These are the pieces
Anthony
sang:

My Lovely Celia
Trottin' to the Fair
Off to Philadelphia
Believe Me if All Those Endearing Young Charms
Bird Songs at Eventide

Patrick sang, I'm Shy, Mary Ellen, I'm Shy

Shine Through My Dreams
As I Sit Here
Phil the Fluther's Ball
Sweet Vale of Avoca
Kitty of Coleraine
At the Ball

Intermission

The Harp That Once Through Tara's Halls
I Saw from the Beach
On Wings of Song
Kitty Me Love
Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes

Patrick sang The Major General song from Pirates of
Penzance

A Father's Prayer (written for Anthony by Patrick Healy)
Seranade from The Student Prince
Oh Little Plane Don't Leave Without Us (duet with, and written
by, Patrick)
Danny Boy
Granada
I'll See You Again

It's always a joy to watch Anthony and Patrick perform
together. They have such an easy rapport, they don't seem to
be working, but enjoying themselves. Patrick's droll manner
blends well with Anthony's blithe humor. Patrick is earth to
Anthony's sky, and what a magnificent and varied musical
horizon they create for their audience.

Anthony was in splendid form, vocally and in his presentation.
His voice is so agile and breath support so sure, he performs
with perfect confidence and skill. One of the highlights was
"A Father's Prayer." Patrick introduced the recently composed
lullaby, explaining that he'd written it expressly to
suit Anthony's voice. He took care to point out that the baby
in the song "is NOT Anthony's child, lest it go out over the
Internet" and cause rumors. The audience laughed, and as
Anthony approached the piano, he quipped, "The cat's out
of the bag now." Our bachelor tenor sang the touching lyrics with
tenderness and maturity. He ended on a soft, crystalline
high note, so pure it could break your heart. Several of
the pieces he performed ended similarly, such as Bird Songs
at Eventide when he held the delicate last
high note forever, it seemed.

If a parallel universe existed, I think Anthony might be a
deft comic actor in his other life. In "Off to Phildadelphia,"
for example, in character as "Paddy Leary" he sang, "How
can she be Mrs. Leary if I'm off to Philadelphia in the morning?"
It was as if "Paddy" were standing in front of us
realizing at that moment the dilemma he'd created for
himself. Anthony must have sung this song a hundred times
by now, and it's a wonder how he can keep it so fresh and
real for each new audience.

Another fun moment was the end of "Kitty Me Love". This
song has fast, intricate lyrics relaying his consternation
getting Kitty to make a decision whether she will marry him.
(I'm sure other women there were like me, wondering what's
Kitty's problem? He's so adorable, the answer's obvious!)
At the end, after "marry me, or not marry me?" he threw up
his hands in exasperation and said "Achh!" Foolish Kitty
lost her chance!

Patrick and Anthony had a great time with Patrick's duet
describing their adventures traveling. I'm not sure of the title,
but the refrain goes, "Oh Little Plane Don't Leave Without Us."
The lyrics are very funny. Patrick's baritone voice blends
beautifully with Anthony's. "Granada," an encore song, was
another example of their brilliant partnership. The lush richness
of Anthony's voice showed spectacularly on this piece, and
Patrick answered him with vivid runs on the piano. At one point,
while Patrick was diligently playing a cadenza, Anthony pointed
to him, as if saying to the audience, "He's really good,
isn't he?" It was a brilliant performance from both.

Anthony and Patrick seem to particularly like this venue.
Patrick told the audience that they "remember with great
affection being here last year." He said they hope to be back.
At the end, Anthony took a moment to thank Clara
Brooks for organizing the concert once again. I believe he told
her, "It's a credit to you." Speaking for myself, I certainly
hope Anthony will be back next year. Living in Southern
California, it's difficult for me to get to his eastern concerts.
Glendale is a six hour drive over the desert for
my husband and me, and it's a very worthwhile trip. Perhaps
next year Anthony will come back to S. Calif. We've missed him!