Friday, May 16, 2008
Hope For The Future: Teens Rock For Darfur
The Memorial Day weekend will be here any minute, lots of backyard BBQ's and hopefully plenty of sunshine. In the town of Scituate some local teens have a lot more on their plates than burgers and potato salad ... they're holding an all-day rock concert to benefit the victims of genocide in Darfur.The concert is the brainchild of three Scituate High School juniors who are thinking globally and acting locally. Colleen Farragher, Kristine Downing, and Sydney O'Connell (pictured at left, Courtesy: Brian Nanos, Scituate Mariner) got the idea for the fundraiser while chatting with friends. That's right, these kids were talking about an epic human tragedy on the African continent that most adults I know choose to ignore ... not the latest prom fashions or how to spend that gift card at Abercrombie. More importantly that conversation led to action.
So, what's the plan? Well on Sunday May 25th, an 8-hour concert will kick off at 2:00 pm in the Scituate High School gym. A limited number of tickets are available now at the Front Street Book Shop in Scituate Harbor for $15 (pick up a book while you're there as well!) ... they'll be available at the door for $20. Among the bands announced for the show: Zox, Emergency Exit, Interrobang, Barefoot Truth and Rhyging.
An event of this kind takes a massive amount of planning and carries a number of expenses. Hopes for raising $10,000 will hinge on community support. Please, if your a South Shore resident ... or anyone with a conscience ... give this event your support. If you can't make the show, make a donation. Show you care, and that the efforts of these young people are valued and appreciated.
In the press release on the concert, Colleen mentioned the help of two faculty members at Scituate High, Kerri Hallihan and Amanda Bird ... ladies you have taught these young people well.
http://geocities.com/shssavesdarfur/
Posted at 7:54 AM by Michael A. Cole
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
The Boston-Broadway Connection: Back In A Big Way
If gas prices, the credit crisis, and the endless race for president have you wondering if there's any good news out there, I'm here to throw a spotlight on some spectacular news for the Hub's theatre scene -- the return of the Boston-Broadway connection.
Broadway Across America's just released 2008-2009 season will bring not one, but two Pre-Broadway shows to Boston in the coming months. Not too many years ago this wasn't an uncommon occurrence -- producers would experiment a bit in Boston before bringing the final cut to New York (The Odd Couple, and La Cage aux Folles are two well known examples). This was great for local audiences because we all had a role in the shaping of these shows. How we reacted had a major impact -- and let's face it who has better taste than Bostonians!
So why is Harry Connick Jr.'s chiseled mug at the top of this blog? Well, the world premiere of "Nice Work If You Can Get It" -- a new musical featuring the music of George and Ira Gershwin -- will play the Colonial Theatre beginning in December. That is just too cool for school! Harry last hit the boards in "The Pajama Game" back in 2006, and his performance drew raves. I can't think of a better holiday present than tickets to "Nice Work."
A couple months earlier our other world premiere rolls in -- "Brigadoon." Lerner & Loewe's classic is probably best remembered for the film adaptation starring Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse, but it's true magic is on the stage. The production is under the direction of Tony Award winner Rob Ashford, and has a revised book written by another Tony winner, John Guare. "Brigadoon" will also play at the Colonial.
That's all pretty amazing right? But wait there's more! A national tour of the landmark musical "Spring Awakening" will absolutely blow the doors off the Colonial next April. I saw the show last year, a couple of months before it won the Tony, and I have to tell you, it was the most exciting evening of theatre I have ever experienced. Yes, it's that good. More than a rock musical, it is a celebration of the creative spirit.
Want more? How's this ... the national tour of "A Chorus Line" kicks off the Broadway Across America season in September at The Opera House -- after that "Legally Blonde The Musical" arrives in October.
For you drama sans music fans, Frost/Nixon starring Stacy Keach will play the Colonial in January. It's the giddy tale of star-crossed lovers -- just kidding, it's a look inside the Post-Watergate interviews between British talk-show host David Frost and Richard Nixon. We also get Chaz Palminteri in "A Bronx Tale" next March.
The wild card of the season will be "Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage" at the Opera House in February. Classic? -- well the jury's still out on that one, but I'm sure the "Mamma Mia" crowd will be very happy.
For ticket information and the complete schedule check out the Broadway Across America website (the link is just below). It's going to be fun folks, hope to see you at the shows.
http://www.broadwayacrossamerica.com/BOSTON
Broadway Across America's just released 2008-2009 season will bring not one, but two Pre-Broadway shows to Boston in the coming months. Not too many years ago this wasn't an uncommon occurrence -- producers would experiment a bit in Boston before bringing the final cut to New York (The Odd Couple, and La Cage aux Folles are two well known examples). This was great for local audiences because we all had a role in the shaping of these shows. How we reacted had a major impact -- and let's face it who has better taste than Bostonians!
So why is Harry Connick Jr.'s chiseled mug at the top of this blog? Well, the world premiere of "Nice Work If You Can Get It" -- a new musical featuring the music of George and Ira Gershwin -- will play the Colonial Theatre beginning in December. That is just too cool for school! Harry last hit the boards in "The Pajama Game" back in 2006, and his performance drew raves. I can't think of a better holiday present than tickets to "Nice Work."
A couple months earlier our other world premiere rolls in -- "Brigadoon." Lerner & Loewe's classic is probably best remembered for the film adaptation starring Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse, but it's true magic is on the stage. The production is under the direction of Tony Award winner Rob Ashford, and has a revised book written by another Tony winner, John Guare. "Brigadoon" will also play at the Colonial.
That's all pretty amazing right? But wait there's more! A national tour of the landmark musical "Spring Awakening" will absolutely blow the doors off the Colonial next April. I saw the show last year, a couple of months before it won the Tony, and I have to tell you, it was the most exciting evening of theatre I have ever experienced. Yes, it's that good. More than a rock musical, it is a celebration of the creative spirit.
Want more? How's this ... the national tour of "A Chorus Line" kicks off the Broadway Across America season in September at The Opera House -- after that "Legally Blonde The Musical" arrives in October.
For you drama sans music fans, Frost/Nixon starring Stacy Keach will play the Colonial in January. It's the giddy tale of star-crossed lovers -- just kidding, it's a look inside the Post-Watergate interviews between British talk-show host David Frost and Richard Nixon. We also get Chaz Palminteri in "A Bronx Tale" next March.
The wild card of the season will be "Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage" at the Opera House in February. Classic? -- well the jury's still out on that one, but I'm sure the "Mamma Mia" crowd will be very happy.
For ticket information and the complete schedule check out the Broadway Across America website (the link is just below). It's going to be fun folks, hope to see you at the shows.
http://www.broadwayacrossamerica.com/BOSTON
Posted at 8:27 AM by Michael A. Cole
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Pork and Beans: Tasty Comfort Riffs from Weezer
Check out that moustache partners ... Rivers Cuomo is saddled up and ready to ride again! He may have a Harvard degree now, but Rivers isn't singing about nouvelle cuisine ... it's Pork and Beans, baby. The new single from Weezer is everything long-time fans could hope for. Simple, but clever ... pop rock friendly, but with a nice alt-crunch underneath. After the disappointment of their last album, "Make Believe" it looks like we're back on firm ground again.Maybe it's the color thing. The next release will be self-titled, like two others ... this one will be red, joining blue and green. Primary hues tend to bode well for Weezer. The Blue album dates back to 1994 and has earned classic status. It's crammed with not just good, but great songs ... My Name Is Jonas, Buddy Holly, Undone (The Sweater Song), Say It Ain't So, In The Garage. Awesome.
The Green CD, put the band back on the map in 2000. It was tight, catchy and brandished a little 'tude as well. Sweet, with songs like Don't Let Go and Island in the Sun ... but snarky with Hash Pipe and Crab.
In between the colors came "Pinkerton", "Maladroit", and "Make Believe." "Pinkerton" is in a class by itself ... arguably the best of all Weezer albums. It's so wrenchingly personal that it can be draining, but Rivers opens up in that one like nowhere else ... it's just not as much fun as the colors.
So let's get back to the table and talk about Pork and Beans. Like the dish it celebrates, Pork and Beans isn't out to impress, but it sure does satisfy. Rivers is basically restating that he's happy being uncool ... 'cause, seriously what's cooler these days than being uncool! He's not gonna wear the clothes that are hip (see album cover at top of article) ... he's not gonna write the kind of songs that sell these days ... he's just gonna do his thing. I don't care if your 15 or 50, who can't relate to that! Best of all, it's all wrapped around a chorus that you can't help singing to the rafters ... I'mma do the things that I wanna do, I ain't got a thing to prove to you/I'll eat my candy with the pork and beans, excuse my manners if I make a scene.
Yeah, so it's not exactly Conor Oberst at work, but hey that's alright with me. I need a little comfort food now and then. So will the rest of Red be as good as Pork and Beans? We won't know 'til the end of June, but I'll be picking this one up on release day (June 24).
I know Rivers can be a bit of a trial for his fans, and his band mates too, but he can uncork a vintage piece of rock and roll like few others. It's great to have him back in top form ... and expect to see a lot of 15 and 50 years olds for the upcoming tour.
Posted at 5:20 PM by Michael A. Cole