Mandy Patinkin has to be one of the coolest people of all time. He is an outrageously talented singer, he played Inigo Montoya, he is well spoken enough to make Stephen Colbert speechless AND he can grow a mean beard.
We’re talking an awesomely mean beard.
He originated the role of George in Sunday in the Park with George, a production which I’ve been listening to a lot lately for a university assignment, and his voice and interpretation is just beautiful. He has so much controlled passion when he sings and gives everything his all – if you want proof of that, check out his version of ‘God-Why-Don’t-You-Love-Me Blues’ from Follies; it’s outrageously high energy.
Yesterday I bought an album of his, Mandy Patinkin Sings Sondheim, which had me sold on the name alone. Today, I’ve listened to about half of it, but my god, is it glorious. I could listen to him sing Sondheim for weeks. He flits from one song to the next, weaving in and out of melodies seamlessly. It’s brilliant.
If I were to nominate someone for ‘World’s Most Awesome Guy’, it’d probably be him.
Or Mel Brooks.
Always nominate Mel Brooks.
Crazy is Perfect 