Ever the stylist tenor who loves patter songs, word-intensive and emotionally explosive songs – Mandy Patinkin never sounded better. Nathan Gunn, the powerful baritone and classical opera star easily breezed through his varied assortment of tunes that included cowboy songs, Broadway tunes with a sampling of pop and folk tunes
The 26th Annual Bucktown Arts Fest came to a close last Sunday. For those of you who have never had a chance to take it in, the festival is an end of summer celebration of Chicago artistry. There’s always good food, drinks, and music…even things for the kids to do. I urge you to check … Read more
After we meet three families, one American, one Mexican, and one Canadian, we begin to realize that each family has a connection to the tragic femicide occurring in contemporary Juarez, Mexico. Much of the entire first act involves the back story of the three families – each with a young girl. With all the clutter with the fantasy scenes and the weird movement, the emphasis of the real story has to wait for all the stage antics to be played out.
For The Boys follows the story of the 1940’s big band ear singer -Dixie Leonard (who many believe is really Martha Raye) as she becomes the star on many USO tours for servicemen in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. The play focuses on the unique and volatile relationship between Dixie and Eddie (possibly Bob Hope?) as they form a terrific two-person act that thrilled soldiers, concert goers and lead to a TC variety show in the 1950’s.
Bradford’s overwhelmingly strong talent for resourcefulness separates him from other contemporary artists. Utilizing found scraps that were a part of his south L.A. neighborhood to which he’s still deeply devoted to, Bradford creates socially conscious, pseudo-pop mixed media pieces.
I also wasn’t too impressed by Quinn’s reductionist humor made famous by Jerry Seinfeld. Quinn reduces world history in 80 minutes of ignorant, simplistic and anachronism-filled dialogue that tries to be an equal offender of most religions, nationalities and countries. Quinn tries to comically channel the demise of great world civilizations through shallow cliches and rudely crude observations. His rawness lacks the bite and depth of a George Carlin and the bravado of Lenny Bruce.
We meet Anya Botvinnik (the fabulous Janet Ulrich Brooks) a witty but jaded cynical Russian veteran arms negotiator whose many years in Geneva leaves her frustrated by the process. When the Americans send a new diplomat – John Honeymen (David Parks) the battle of wits begins. They both decide that walking in the woods outside Geneva could allow more honesty and glibness than the stuffy table in the confined conference rooms.
God damn I like Lyle Lovett. He’s a real craftful songwriter. His songs are funny, bitter, poignant, satirical – sometimes all at once. They are a celebration and satirization of the decadent and depraved segments of our society through joyous absurdity. He’ll cut a record with some of the funniest songs you’ve ever heard, and right next to ‘em will be stuff to make you bawl your eyes out. And live, he’s even better.
Featuring the golden tenor from William Bennett , as the Prince, and the fine soprano from Danielle M. Knox, as Kathy, Light Opera Work’s production of the classic 20th Century Romberg gem is spirited, glamorous looking and stunningly well- sung affair. The fun begins as Karl Franz, (William Bennett) the prince of the (fictitious) German kingdom of Karlsberg heads to University of Heidelberg for an education and to experience the ‘real world’ filled with male bonding and a few beers. Romberg’s “Drinking Song” was a Prohibition 1924 hit song!
I went to Ravinia last Sunday hoping for a good show, good music, and maybe something supremely interesting: the CSO was also billed, after all, so presumably they would be performing together. And, indeed, they did. The CSO began the evening with the overture to Beatrice et Benedict by Berlioz; they then went into Mendelssohn’s scherzo and nocturne from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. All were excellent – exactly what you would expect.