METRMAG Spotlight On: Judy Collins bringing her "Holidays & Hits Tour" to the Hanover Theatre (Worcester, MA.)
METRMAG Spotlight On: "JUDY COLLINS: HOLIDAYS & HITS TOUR" coming to the Hanover Theatre
The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts
Presents
"JUDY COLLINS: HOLIDAYS & HITS TOUR"
One Night Only!
Performance:
CANCELLED!
Presented at the HANOVER THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester.
TICKETS:
For more information, please contact the box office at 877-571-SHOW (7469) or email info@thehanovertheatre.org
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METRMAG Spotlight On: "JUDY COLLINS: HOLIDAYS & HITS TOUR" coming to the Hanover Theatre
Something that should be on everybody’s Christmas "To Do" list – seeing iconic musician JUDY COLLINS perform a blending of her hits with holiday classics for one night only at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester on December 3rd.
METRMAG had the distinct pleasure of speaking with JUDY COLLINS who, after six decades of performing, still maintains a rigorous schedule which (immediately following her appearance at the Hanover) includes stops in California, Hawaii, then back to New England for Vermont, Rhode Island and Connecticut dates and more. (Whew! I’m exhausted just reading this schedule).
Since so much is already known about JUDY COLLINS' illustrious career, this article will be limited to just some of the milestones.
According to her website’s biography, COLLINS began her impressive music career at age 13 as a classical piano prodigy.
However, as she matured, she soon became drawn more toward folk revival music and was influenced by artists such as Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger.
Ever since the beginning of the 1960s, JUDY COLLINS has maintained herself as a major contemporary figure in American music.
She has a music catalog consisting of a staggering 55 albums.
Her elevated vocals with near-perfect pitch, her superb songwriting and song interpretation skills, always have been aligned with COLLINS' firm commitment to social activism.
As devoted as she is to her music, COLLINS is equally ardent as an activist against social and environmental injustices.
JUDY COLLINS' defining rendition of Joni Mitchell's “Both Sides Now” from the landmark 1967 album, “Wildflowers,” is now included in the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Additionally, COLLINS has been Grammy-nominated seven times in multiple categories for her ongoing approach both in interpreting traditional songs and folk standards to her own original works, more recently in 2022 for the album “Spellbound.”
In 1975 COLLINS - along with collaborator Jill Godmilow - was nominated for an Academy Award for the documentary “Antonia: A Portrait of the Woman” about the first woman to conduct major symphonies on a global scale (and who was COLLINS' classical piano teacher when she was young).
Arguably, COLLINS' most notable rendition of another composer’s songs came in the 1970s with her defining take on Stephen Sondheim’s “Send in the Clowns,” a ballad written by Sondheim for his Broadway musical “A Little Night Music.”
While it may surprise some, it is fairly well known in theatre circles of how Sondheim didn’t particular care for the song when he composed it for veteran actress Glynis John in “A Little Night Music.”
After becoming a solo hit for JUDY COLLINS, COLLINS discusses Sondheim’s reaction.
“I didn’t meet Stephen (Sondheim) for the first time until 1978 and I had recorded ‘Clowns’ in ‘75-’76,” COLLINS recalls. “So, the first time we met in person, it was at a fundraiser - and he came up to me, pulled me aside and said, ‘Congratulations – and I am so grateful to you for recording it.’”
COLLINS recounts the song’s enormous popularity at the time.
“It (the song’s popularity) really started over in England and then it came back over here to the states.”
After that, the single skyrocketed and the song has since become one of two "signature songs" for COLLINS.
And yet, according to COLLINS, after that conversation with Sondheim, “I don’t think he (Sondheim) ever said much more about it or ever really ‘endorsed’ me for singing it.”
COLLINS also describes how, “Stephen was actually convinced it was Sinatra who had the very first hit with the song, which was not true.”
(Editor’s note: Frank Sinatra did record “Send in the Clowns” as part of his 1973 comeback album “Ol’ Blue Eyes is Back.” There was a Sinatra single of “Clowns” released in 1973 on Reprise Records - but it was the “B” side of the 45rpm. “Clowns” did not get re-released by Reprise until 1976 and only AFTER JUDY COLLINS had established it as a hit.)
In addition to COLLINS winning for performing the song, Sondheim received the Grammy Award for composing that 1976 winner of "Song of the Year.”
Along with many others in a long list of song covers, JUDY COLLINS enjoys the distinction of having two massive hits, covering songs by two very different composers, Sondheim’s “…Clowns” and Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now.”
Not only were they hits, to many listeners COLLINS defined and cemented for many how these songs should be performed.
Whenever someone might be “playing” either of those two tunes in their head, they might be thinking of Sondheim, Johns or Mitchell, but it is almost assured they will only be hearing JUDY COLLINS' voice singing them.
As an artist, have there ever been covers of either tune that COLLINS thought was not necessarily better, since that is subjective, but perhaps a version she prefers listening to more than her own?
“I’m actually not all that interested in songs I’ve recorded,” COLLINS admits. “I’m not a musicologist – I only listen when it is important for me to listen, like with a new song or a new singer that is interesting for me to listen to.”
COLLINS says she would rather “listen to Horowitz or (Montserrat) Caballé - or people I studied when taking lessons for years: Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and the great tenor (Luciano) Pavarotti who most intensely knew how to sing.”
She elaborates on these legendary singers she admires.
“I’ve always been interested in the voice and approach. With Sinatra (and all three), there was a clarity. With Luciano Pavarotti, he was a master of the bel canto opera style and was extraordinary in that arena.”
Returning to the subject of Sondheim:
In 2017, COLLINS recorded “A Love Letter to Sondheim” a collection of Sondheim tunes.
While there are some familiar tunes (“I’m Still Here” “Finishing the Hat” and “No One is Alone”), COLLINS also recorded some “deep cuts” of songs even ardent Sondheim fans might not instantly recognize (like the gorgeous “Take Me to the World” from “Evening Primrose”).
COLLINS says she personally selected all the tunes for the recording and describes how “A Love Letter to Sondheim” came about and of Sondheim’s involvement.
“Those tunes I chose were chosen because they were my favorites,” COLLINS says. “When I first went up to discuss the album I wanted to make (back in 1992), I went to his place (Sondheim’s).”
“The one thing I was really astonished by, having previously worked with Jonathan Tunick who did the orchestration on ‘Send in the Clowns,’ I did not realize every Sondheim orchestration that Jonathan did came from the fingers of Sondheim - every single note.”
COLLINS elaborates, stating, “I was at the piano - and he was playing the song, and all the orchestration was there in his hands. I had picked out a bunch of recordings of workshops Stephen did with Hal Prince. Sondheim gave me all these tapes of auditions - and when I played them, the recording was of him playing the piano. This...blew my mind. From there, I chose the songs for my album which was again orchestrated by Jonathan Tunick.”
In 2017, COLLINS also recorded the video “JUDY COLLINS: A Love Letter To Stephen Sondheim” backed by the Greely Philharmonic Orchestra.
JUDY COLLINS' recording career includes a multitude of gold- and platinum-selling albums.
Rufus Wainwright, Shawn Colvin, Dolly Parton, Joan Baez, Leonard Cohen honored her legacy as part of the recording, “Born to the Breed: A Tribute to JUDY COLLINS.”
In addition, COLLINS worked with writing partner Ari Hest on the album “Silver Skies Blue,” which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Folk Album in 2017, the first Grammy nomination for Collins in over 40 years.
Her website biography describes JUDY COLLINS as “a modern-day Renaissance woman,” noting her accomplishments as “filmmaker, record label head, musical mentor, and an in-demand keynote speaker for mental health and suicide prevention.”
Meanwhile, quickly approaching her upcoming date at the Hanover Theatre, JUDY COLLINS continues to bring songs of hope and healing that, as the website describes, “lights up the world and speaks to the heart.”
For “JUDY COLLINS: HOLIDAY AND HIT TOUR" the show blends some of COLLINS' iconic songs with holiday standards and more.
According to COLLINS, a few of the songs Hanover Theatre audiences can expect to hear and enjoy come December 3rd include “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Let It Snow,” “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” along with “Send in the Clowns” and “Amazing Grace” for sure.
COLLINS also notes she’ll be including songs from her most recent recording. “Spellbound.”
The trajectory of COLLINS' life and six-decade career has endured is replete with its many ups and downs, successes followed by obstacles to overcome, personal and professional joys and tragedies.
Some of these may have been publicized while others perhaps were never publicized and instead were kept close to the vest of COLLINS and her circle of closest family and friends.
And yet, if COLLINS were to pick just one song that might best symbolize or best reflect that trajectory of her life and career, which song would COLLINS pick?
The answer is simultaneously shocking and not so surprising.
“I’d probably pick Sondheim’s ‘I’m Still Here’,” COLLINS responds while instantly offering up the lyrics, singing:
“Good times and bad times, I've seen them all and, my dear…I'm still here.”
As the interview concluded, I thanked MS. COLLINS for her valuable time and wished her well.
I then went out for a cup of coffee and, upon my return, it was then - and only then - that I realized, "OH MY GOD! JUDY COLLINS just sang directly to me!"
Celebrate the holidays with JUDY COLLINS singing directly to YOU, pulling from her vast catalog of original material, holiday favorites and iconic anthems at the "JUDY COLLINS: HOLIDAYS & HITS TOUR" live at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. on December 3rd.
For tickets and more information, contact the Hanover Box Office at # 877-571-SHOW (7469).
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Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
In her 50-plus years in music, JUDY COLLINS has always exhibited impeccable taste in songcraft.
On her landmark 1967 album, "Wildflowers," she curated a stunning collection featuring originals alongside songs by not-yet household names such as Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen, and adventurous selections by Jacques Brel and Francesco Landini.
Her discerning palette, and her literary gifts, have enabled her to evolve into a poetic, storyteller songwriter.
Now, in her SIXTH decade as a singer and songwriter, JUDY COLLINS is experiencing a profound level of growth and prolific creativity.
The cultural treasure’s 55th release, the Grammy-nominated "Spellbound," finds COLLINS enjoying an artistic renaissance.
The 13-song album is a special entry in her oeuvre. It marks the first time ever she wrote all the songs on one of her albums.
It features 12 new recently-written modern folk songs, and a bonus track of her evergreen, “The Blizzard.”
"Spellbound" is an introspective and impressionistic album.
It unfolds as if COLLINS curated a museum exhibit of her life, and welcomed us into a retrospective of her most formative moments, some big and public, and some intensely personal and intimate.
While JUDY COLLINS celebrates many passages in life with her lyrics, her vocals sound untouched by time.
JUDY's singing on "Spellbound" shines pristinely as she eases from warm low-register vocals to soaring high tones, as if no time has elapsed since her singing mesmerized a generation on "Wildflowers."
That’s a combination of good fortune, extreme luck, and hard work and discipline,” JUDY COLLINS reveals. “I do a lot to protect and take care of my voice, and I practice every day—you have to or you lose it.”
In a life and a career brimming with milestone moments, "Spellbound" is a high watermark of artistry and personal evolution.
Though JUDY COLLINS has been writing for half a century, her latest album ushers in an era of unbridled creativity.
“I always knew I was going to be a late bloomer,” COLLINS says, cracking up with laughter.
"JUDY COLLINS: HOLIDAYS & HITS TOUR" celebrates COLLINS' wide range of musical offerings from her freshest material to her iconic anthems.
Please contact the Hanover box office at 877-571-SHOW (7469) for more information.
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ABOUT THE HANOVER THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Worcester Center for Performing Arts is a registered not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, which owns and operates The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
HANOVER THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
2 Southbridge Street
Worcester, MA. 01608
# 877-571-SHOW (7469)
