When I saw Amour, Christopher Fitzgerald was simultaneously absurd and sincere and so damn hilarious beyond description when he delivered "The Advocate's Plea" that I thought I was watching the first performance of someone who would go on to be the preeminent musical theatre clown of his generation. His performance on the recording is lovely, but doesn't capture what a showstopper it was live, perhaps because he is such a gifted physical comedian.
Fitzgerald has had a lovely career, but he certainly hasn't become a musical theatre "star," even amongst ardent theatergoers. Nevertheless, I think he's brilliant and has deserved much more. |
