Ah, yes the cognoscenti know them. Those “theatre people”, both professional or community players who enhance both their lives and ours creating entertainment in live theatre. There are some special shows that bond the ensemble into one joyous and selfless entity.
“Funny Thing... Forum”, “The Fantasticks”, “Joseph...Dreamcoat” are three. Add one more... now that “Rent”has become available for licensing. Most definitely this last title has an edgier message than, say Forum, where Pseudolus (the Zero Mostel character) runs around ogling skimpily dressed courtesans. “Rent” deals with AIDS and is set in the '90's when all of us felt the Black Death had converged on the world.
There is no doubt this cast loves one another and will remember this experience the rest of their lives. We saw it in their faces.
Director Chris Turner has done a magnificent job in casting and staging this Delaware premiere. This is rock opera (think JC SUPERSTAR). It is more difficult a task to keep a large cast moving and relating to the lyrics of the music when there is no dialog. Turner kept his cast engaged and credible and made us feel the power of the lyrics and the emotion.
Another interesting element of the direction was Turner's naturalistic approach. Normally actors 'cheat' toward the audience to declaim their lines and sing their tunes. Turner had his ensemble speak directly to one another, no matter even if a back was turned away.
Turner was able to break down inhibitions of his cast; another achievement. To understate, the dancing at times becomes very suggestive and kisses are exchanged between members of the same sex. Yet, it all flowed and was organic.
This is a rock opera. It is loud. This is an enclosed space. The five person on stage band headed by Matt Caserino did a fantastic job with the work. Yes, once in a while the sound overpowered the lyrics.
The back story of “Rent” makes it all the more powerful. Composer Jonathan Larson worked for years on this update of Puccini's La Boheme. The night before opening he died of an aneurysm. That's as substantial a piece of Broadway legend as it gets.
Roger (Brendan Sheehan) had just come off an evocative performance of Anthony in City Theatre's “Sweeney Todd”. He sang beautiful ballads there. The young man not only is a thoughtful actor but exhibited huge rock pipes in an outstanding performance.
Tom (Timothy Lamont Cannon) and Angel (Matt Bennis) even more than the characters Roger and Mimi are the heart of the show. The feeling the two shared for one another was palpable. When Angel succumbs to AIDS, Tom's reaction glazed the eyes of more than one audience member.
Maureen (former Miss Delaware Laura Moss) gives a stirring over the top rock edged rendition of “Over The Moon.”
WDL is to be congratulated for this production. It is a daring and provocative affair. The cast, under Music Director Casarino, handles the shows most popular tunes “Without You”, “One Song Glory”, “Light My Candle” and the most mesmerizing “Seasons of Love” with love and tenderness.
One of the highest compliments that Aisle Say can deliver is that he would see this again.
Til February 13 WilmingtonDramaLeague.org 764.1172
Showing posts with label green. Show all posts
Showing posts with label green. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Friday, May 15, 2009
The Commercial Greening of the World
The twisted troglogdyte rant that global warming is a ruse has about as much credibility as Bristol Palin's call for abstinence when the 19-year-old unwed mother said, “abstinence is the only 100 percent way to prevent pregnancy.”
The diminishing cabal who rails against global warming, like Noah Robinson, an Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine professor who preaches 100 percent abstinence from climate change initiatives, assert that research does not show human use of hydrocarbons is harmful. To the contrary, they claim, increased atmospheric carbon dioxide is helpful (Yeah, great fun for marathon runners at the Beijing Olympics).
Last week, I reported on the state of Wilmington conference. While Aisle Say hopes Wilmington may be deemed “World Class,” that approbation is still down the yellow brick road.
One panel member, Scott Johnson of the development and real estate company McConnell Johnson, is a visionary for the greening of the world. With this company's innovations, we may arrive at the Emerald City before submersion of our coasts by melting ice packs.
Like any owner, they sought to cut energy costs. This financial interest, allied with their own passion, led to SolarDock.com, a subsidiary company that installs a patented solar electric roof racking system.
Ironically, they were the landlord for Astro Power, one of the first U.S. solar companies that went under, and Johnson realized Astro Power's mission and made it his own.
Saab Sports Car Service in Wilmington installed the system last year. Half the cost was covered by state grants. The feds kicked in as well. Today, the SolarDock is generating 80 percent of the company's electricity. Bottom line, Saab will have its investment returned in five years, will bid sayonara to electric bills and, in fact, will be selling electric back to Delmarva. The pollution reduction will be the equivalent of 3 million vehicle miles.
The company is expanding exponentially globally, growing 350 percent this year alone from last.
Astra Zeneca on Concord Pike has a modular installation. SolarDock's biggest is in Madrid at the headquarters of Otis Elevator.
Flat roofs are necessary, so SolarDock deals in commercial only.
The company has resolved many of the issues that were problematic with solar installations, including creating a modular system such that a commercial owner can add photo voltaic cells as the need arises, engineering a mounting system that does not penetrate a roof and violate its warranty and angling the modes so that ice and snow do not stick and reduce electrical production.
All this makes for a low maintenance, high return product that protects our environment.
American innovation has continually led the world. One reads of a daunting issue and considers that someone or some company will come up with a resolution. It appears SolarDock is just one of these valuable – and world class – American success stories.
The diminishing cabal who rails against global warming, like Noah Robinson, an Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine professor who preaches 100 percent abstinence from climate change initiatives, assert that research does not show human use of hydrocarbons is harmful. To the contrary, they claim, increased atmospheric carbon dioxide is helpful (Yeah, great fun for marathon runners at the Beijing Olympics).
Last week, I reported on the state of Wilmington conference. While Aisle Say hopes Wilmington may be deemed “World Class,” that approbation is still down the yellow brick road.
One panel member, Scott Johnson of the development and real estate company McConnell Johnson, is a visionary for the greening of the world. With this company's innovations, we may arrive at the Emerald City before submersion of our coasts by melting ice packs.
Like any owner, they sought to cut energy costs. This financial interest, allied with their own passion, led to SolarDock.com, a subsidiary company that installs a patented solar electric roof racking system.
Ironically, they were the landlord for Astro Power, one of the first U.S. solar companies that went under, and Johnson realized Astro Power's mission and made it his own.
Saab Sports Car Service in Wilmington installed the system last year. Half the cost was covered by state grants. The feds kicked in as well. Today, the SolarDock is generating 80 percent of the company's electricity. Bottom line, Saab will have its investment returned in five years, will bid sayonara to electric bills and, in fact, will be selling electric back to Delmarva. The pollution reduction will be the equivalent of 3 million vehicle miles.
The company is expanding exponentially globally, growing 350 percent this year alone from last.
Astra Zeneca on Concord Pike has a modular installation. SolarDock's biggest is in Madrid at the headquarters of Otis Elevator.
Flat roofs are necessary, so SolarDock deals in commercial only.
The company has resolved many of the issues that were problematic with solar installations, including creating a modular system such that a commercial owner can add photo voltaic cells as the need arises, engineering a mounting system that does not penetrate a roof and violate its warranty and angling the modes so that ice and snow do not stick and reduce electrical production.
All this makes for a low maintenance, high return product that protects our environment.
American innovation has continually led the world. One reads of a daunting issue and considers that someone or some company will come up with a resolution. It appears SolarDock is just one of these valuable – and world class – American success stories.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
