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Concert Sun Feb 22 2009
James Earl Jones wishes Abe a happy birthday.
I am of the firm opinion that James Earl Jones narrating anything is cool. Saturday night, a sold out Symphony Center shared that sentiment.
The Lincoln Bicentennial Tribute at Symphony Center featured the backing of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, who alone may not be enough to pull people out to a southern Michigan Avenue address in what seems to be an everlasting winter. The program featured music that old Abe himself liked; marches, symphonies, and lighter fare. But the main draw was undoubtedly James Earl Jones himself.
Making his debut at Symphony Center, he, along with Kevin Gudahl and Gerard McBurney, put the "words" into the program's theme of "A Likeness in Words and Music". Jones read poetry by Walt Whitman and Carl Sanberg, while Gudahl and McBurney read some of his letters and articles of the day that attempted to portray Lincoln as a man with a good sense of humor as well as personable to others. Of particular interest were the recollection of Lincoln's first inauguration ball and a letter he wrote his wife while still an Illinois representative.
The second part of the evening, after intermission, was the Orchestra's rendition of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, for which quite a few people stayed around for. But Jones earned the star of the night as he recounted a series of Lincoln quotes, including the Gettysurg Address. And when he boomed out, that James Earl Jones way, the last few lines - " that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth"- that was, without exaggeration - pretty damned awesome.
There will be another engagement on Tuesday, but sources tell me those tickets are long sold out.
EDIT: No, tickets are NOT sold out. Tickets are available in the boxes and in the lower balcony. Get over and buy, forthwith!
Chris / February 23, 2009 9:39 AM
There ARE still tickets! I just bought two in the Lower Balcony on the website. Can't wait! Thanks for the post.