Meet the Artists: Mandy Patinkin & Nathan Gunn

When Broadway legend Mandy Patinkin and celebrated baritone Nathan Gunn first met, neither could have predicted the lasting friendship—and musical partnership—that would follow. Blending the soul-stirring world of opera with the storytelling magic of musical theatre, the duo’s collaboration offers an evening that is as heartfelt as it is unexpected.

Ahead of their upcoming performance, Patinkin and Gunn took time to talk about their artistic synergy, the joy they find in performing together, and why their concerts are, above all else, about having a good time!

Your collaboration brings together the worlds of Broadway and opera. What inspired you to join forces for this unique musical evening, and how did the idea come about?

Patinkin: If memory serves me correctly, Nathan and I met each other sharing a dressing room at Avery Fisher Hall, which I believe has a new name. It was an event; I think for Stephen Sondheim’s 80th birthday party, we started talking. I enjoyed his company, and I heard him sing, listening to him on the monitor above my head. When he came back to the dressing room, I said, “Hey, why don’t we put something together the way Pavarotti and Sinatra did, mixing classics and pop culture music?” He said, “I’d love to do that,” and we went to work, and the love affair began.

Gunn: We met because we shared a dressing room the size of a closet for a special celebrating Stephen Sondheim’s 80th birthday. Mandy liked my voice and thought we might want to put together a show. How could I possibly say “no”? He’s an American treasure and a hero to all of us performers. I can’t begin to express how grateful I am for having been shoved in that closet-sized dressing room with him.

How do you approach blending your different musical backgrounds and styles to create a cohesive and engaging performance?

Patinkin: I don’t know how to answer that other than we just do it; we pick songs we both like; some of them we do together, some of them we do solo. We just have fun. It’s not brain science. It’s just two guys having a good time.

Can you share how your long-time friendship has influenced the dynamic on stage, particularly in terms of comic timing and interplay?

Patinkin: I wouldn’t dare to begin to answer this question. We just have a good time together. He plays Nathan. I play Mandy. We enjoy each other’s company. We enjoy singing together. We enjoy screwing around and having fun. Come join us.

What are some of the challenges and rewards of performing together, especially when covering such a wide range of musical genres?

Patinkin: Nathan has one of the most glorious voices I’ve ever heard, so I give up. I don’t even try to sound good. I can’t compete. I just croak out my words the best I can and hold on for dear life, and I enjoy listening to him. It’s one of the great pleasures of my existence, and I know anybody who comes will enjoy it because he’s a gift from God.

Gunn: I don’t find it challenging at all. For me it’s all about the rewards. I find it inspiring, joyful, moving, and fun. Mandy and I look at music from slightly different angles, much like looking at a painting from a different perspective and different lighting. He helps me see things I didn’t see before. I think, I hope, I do the same for him.

Mr. Patinkin, as a Broadway legend, how do you approach performing with an opera singer like Mr. Gunn, and what have you learned from each other through this collaboration?

Patinkin: Our main approach is trying to figure out where we wanna eat. That’s the best advice I could give anybody. And it’s a family affair; what could be better?

Mr. Gunn, this is your sixth appearance in the Presenting Series at DPAC. How does it feel to return, and what do you enjoy most about performing here?

Gunn: I love performing at DPAC! It is one of the most well-run presenters in the country. The staff is incredibly professional and aware of their guests needs. The different performing spaces are perfectly designed for maximum enjoyment for both the performers and the audience. I truly love being there.

Can you tell us about a particularly memorable moment from your rehearsals or previous performances together that stands out to you?

Patinkin: We did a Nathan and Mandy concert for my 60th birthday. That was a kick in the butt. We had a blast.

Gunn: I remember performing at Ravinia with Mandy, outside, in 105-degree heat. I was tired. It was the end of the show. The last song was “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” I started the song but forgot the words…drew a complete blank. I stopped and said, “I’m sorry, but I can’t seem to remember any of the words.” Mandy didn’t hesitate and said, “Do you want me to sing it in Yiddish?” 
….Of course he knew the song in Yiddish! It was great.

How do you select the repertoire for a concert like this, and what can the audience expect in terms of the range of music you’ll be performing?

Patinkin: We look for music and stories that complement each other, things that are fun for us to sing and fun for the audience to listen to. We listen right along with them. We listen to the material and go over it. Try to see what fits best with whatever comes before or after each song; it kind of tells us what to do. We don’t tell it what to do.

Gunn: The repertoire is all music that we like, music that moves us, music that is really good. It ranges from Rossini to Tom Waits, and when we put it together and present it the way we do, the audience won’t be able to tell which is which!

What do you hope audiences will take away from this concert, particularly in terms of the blend of musical traditions and the shared experience of the performance?

Patinkin: I hope everybody has a good time. That’s all I ever wish for; what more is there? I figure if we have fun, the audience will have fun, so that’s our goal—to have fun—and you’re never gonna get me to tell you what to expect; you gotta come and see for yourself. It’s no fun if I tell you.

Looking ahead, do you have any plans for future collaborations, and what other musical projects are you excited about pursuing?

Patinkin: We’re available for weddings, bar mitzvahs, baptisms, brises, and funerals; we will do anything, and we’re cheap. What more can you ask for? We’re looking forward to everything and anything. See you at the concert.

Whether trading stories mid-song, improvising with comic timing, or harmonizing across genres, Mandy Patinkin and Nathan Gunn bring a spirit of spontaneity and camaraderie to the stage that is unmistakable. Patinkin puts it best: “If we have fun, the audience will have fun,” and that’s exactly what they promise—a night of musical joy, connection, and a little bit of mischief along the way!