Long before Mandy Patinkin became an Emmy Award-winning star, he established himself as a Tony Award-winning Broadway legend.
He will celebrate what he loves most about art in his “Being Alive” concert on Friday, February 16th at the Mesa Arts Center.
“Oh, I love it there,” he said of Arizona.
“I've been there many times over the years. I just love it. Especially in the East Coast winters, you hang out a little extra, enjoy the terrain and breathe the great air.”
During the 90-minute show, Patinkin, 71, will perform his favorite Broadway songs and American classics, from Irving Berlin to Harry Chapin. Still, he said he won't reveal too much about his own performance for fear of disappointing his ticket holders.
“I can promise you that I’m going to do everything I can to make sure that myself and everyone who comes to the show has a good time,” he said.
“I don't like to say what songs I'm doing. Some people say they've driven for a long time to hear my songs, but sometimes they change their mind at the last moment or in the middle of a show. .”
Patinkin said the show was created to be eclectic and fun, which is certainly what the cast, guests, and everyone needs after the pandemic.
“We designed this show to have fun after the pandemic,” he explained. “Before the pandemic, it was a different show. It was a little bit darker. We have it in a drawer. After the pandemic, (pianist) Adam Ben-David and I decided to make a return for ourselves and the audience. It needed to be welcomed. Having fun: That's what people needed to see, and that's what I needed to see and do.”
Patinkin first performed the show on February 6 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and he explained that he was happy to be able to bring it to the stage. The stage is where he belongs, he said.
Patinkin made her theatrical debut in 1975, starring opposite Meryl Streep in the comedy play Welles' Trelawney at the Public Theater's Shakespeare Festival.
He first played the role of Che in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita, for which he won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. In 1984, he was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his role as George Seurat/George in Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George.
Patinkin has also received acclaim for his television roles. Dr. Jeffrey Geiger from “Chicago Hope” (1994-2000), SSA Jason Gideon from the crime drama “Criminal Minds” (2005-2007), Saul Berenson from the drama “Showtime” “Homeland” series (2011-2020). Patinkin has been nominated for seven Primetime Emmy Awards, winning Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1995 for his role in Chicago Hope. Patinkin has had recurring roles in “Dead Like Me” (2003-2004) and “The Good Fight” (2021).
Patinkin won a Golden Globe Award for playing Inigo Montoya in Rob Reiner's family adventure film The Princess Bride (1987) and Avigdor in Barbra Streisand's Yentl (1983). won the Best Actor Award. Nominated in the Picture Musical or Comedy category.
Still, his heart takes him back to the stage.
“Of all the blessings I've been blessed with – acting in movies, acting in theater, appearing on television, performing on stage, recording and podcasting – if I could do one thing, it would be to choose a live concert venue,” he said. said. He said.
“It's immediate. The best thing is the audience. They liven up the night. Without them, there's nothing. I'm the luckiest man on the planet. I've been doing it since about 1989. I just love myself. Just pinch it. I can't believe you can do that.”
It's not about praise or praise.
“It's a feeling of being together,” Patinkin said.
“These songs were written by women and men, great artists, some would call geniuses. They wrote down what they wanted for themselves and the world at large.
“Even though they left us, they left behind their wishes for us to enjoy the rest of our lives. Those are the wishes of your loved ones, your wife, your children, and the world. They run the gamut of silly, fun, and heartfelt things to say to the people who matter most to you. They're like vitamins to my soul.”
Patinkin is humbled by the love he receives on stage. He can sing that song a thousand times, but in different ways, depending on “what happened in your life that day and the lives of people in the audience, in the town, in the country, and in the world at large.” can be absorbed.
“In my humble opinion, that's the mark of a great artist,” he added.
“I don't call myself a great artist. I'm just a mailman for the artists so the rest of us can have fun too. That's the deal. That's exactly what I am. That's right. I'm no genius. I can watch you open it and read it.”
Patinkin laughed and said he knows his show won't be for everyone.
“I promise you a good time,” he said. “If you don't like it, you can go home or take a nap. We won't disturb you unless you snore too loudly. Then we'll humiliate you.”
