VOICE CHOICE

Keep playing your song again and again, Lucie Arnaz. Thank you for sharing your joy of music with us each time you got the job from the past.

Lucie Arnaz Luckinbill is one hell of an entertainer and performer who has taken to heart the advice of two very dear people to her. The first is from her father, who told his daughter years ago that she should develop an act showcasing her song versatility. At that time, she jokingly told him she only had two Broadway shows under her belt. But she remembered her father’s words and has since amassed a glorious musical repertoire.

The second pieces of advice came from her dear friend, the late Marvin Hamlisch:

“You have to respect the instrument you were given.” and “Find humour in life because it’s so precious and short.”

Tonight’s show indicates that she has done just that. In between musical numbers, Lucie regaled the audience with some very funny bits where she unabashedly drops the ‘f bomb’ with such class and pizazz.

Atta girl.

Arnaz continues reiterating how grateful she is to return to New York’s 54 Below after four years with her show “I GOT THE JOB: Songs from My Musical Past.” She also appreciates those whose tickets changed umpteen times because of Covid and who could make it to the show.

As a Canadian fan, Lucie, keep playing your song again and again. I was honoured to be in the audience tonight, and I sincerely hope Toronto will be playing your song very soon.

Arnaz looked terrific tonight in what appeared to be an aqua-blue top with form-fitting slacks and dark shoes. There were moments, however, when her top's colour appeared magically to change to green depending on the stage lights at any given moment.

Her passion is performing live, which was oh so gloriously evident in several musical numbers. Arnaz doesn’t just sing. She feels the consonants of each word and tastes its meaning before breathing that healing force of music and sound toward the audience.

A couple of people sitting around me were indeed affected. I saw one big burly fellow wipe tears from his eyes. His guest at the table put his hand on his friend’s shoulder. What a lovely selfless act of compassion and trust.

A couple of musical moments touched my heart. Lucie played Annie Oakley years ago in “Annie Get Your Gun” A beautiful moment from the end of ‘I Got Lost in His Arms’ had her looking lovingly and longingly at her wedding ring. Everyone in that room just sensed and knew there was a moment between her and her husband, Larry Luckinbill, and that no explanations were necessary.

The second occurred with the song ‘I Still Believe in Love’ from the show “They’re Playing Our Song” where she got the opportunity to create her character, Sonia Walsh, from scratch. At the song's end, Lucie blew a kiss skyward to Marvin Hamlisch and again no explanation was necessary.

That’s the power and reach of music.

I had the opportunity to see her perform in London’s West End in “The Witches of Eastwick”. I learned producer impresario Sir Cameron MacIntosh wanted Lucie so desperately for the production that he offered her any of the lead roles in the show. Lucie comically stated she wanted to play the devil before she said she would play Alexandra, the mother. Arnaz’s comic genius inherited from her father and mother was evident in how she sang ‘Who’s the Man?’

The piece de resistance of the evening (or the eleven o’clock number)?

Lucie was contacted when the revival of ‘Pippin’ went on its national tour. She was asked if she would play Pippin’s grandmother, Berthe. Even though the grandmother doesn’t have much stage time, Arnaz jumped at the chance after speaking with her husband. She loved ‘Pippin’ when she saw the Bob Fosse original many years with Irene Ryan (Granny Clampett) playing Berthe and singing the song: ‘No Time At All.’

Another reason why she performed the role on tour? She got to play on a trapeze bar high above the stage during the song.

And when she sang ‘No Time At All,’ tonight, I found myself mouthing the words while several around me were swaying in their chairs, keeping time to the music.

I loved that Lucie left us this message at the end of I GOT THE JOB. Don’t regret wondering if you should do something. Do it now because life is so short. Appreciate its preciousness and wonder of the moment and in the moment.

That’s what Lu did.

And she wants us to do that too.

See I GOT THE JOB: Songs from My Musical Past.

It’s a Voice Choice from me.

Running time: one hour and 30 minutes with no intermission.

The show runs until July 22 at 54 Below, 254 West 54th Street, NYC. I hear the show is sold out, but if you are in the area and would like to try and get tickets, visit http://www.54below.org. The show is to be streamed on Saturday, July 22 so if you can’t get tickets, learn more about how to stream the show.

Visit Lucie’s website: www.luciearnaz.com to learn more about the actress and see where I GOT THE JOB: Songs from My Musical Past will be performed next.