As with every arts organization, New Candlelight is seeking pathways to a younger audience down sylvan Arden way. It did not take long for Disney to turn their deliriously successful teen-driven TV phenomenon, “High School Musical” into a stage show. Ergo, the Delaware premiere of the musical which runs through February 27.
The plot has gravitas similar to the excruciating tension as to who will buy Laurie's covered dish in OKLAHOMA. In fact, the story line makes Disney's first animated cartoon, Mickey Mouse in “Steamboat Willie”, seem like 'War and Peace' in comparison. The sugary fluff on top of the crème brulee offered by one of the 'jocks' (Jordan Weagraff) to his unrequited love, Sharpay Evans, (Jenna Angeloni) has more substance than the sophomoric dialog conceived by the authors. (All sophomores I know would be offended).
But Troy and Gabriella will live on past Aisle Say on stage and screen and be forever memorialized as the bridge of amelioration between 'The Jocks” and “The Brainiacs” of East High School. Now that's a legacy! (Where are Tony and Maria from “West Side Story” when you need them?)
As with every production New Candlelight has staged in its two years, the cast is unequivocally exuberant and enthusiastic. NCT veteran Dann Dunn, a skilled and creative choreographer, assumed the reins of director as well.
All of the dance numbers worked but “Get Your Head In The Game”, sung by the basketball players. The mind-numbing redundancy of the title lyrics allied with the fact that none of the actors ever played the game competitively dramatically leavened the high energy and rah-rah attitude the dance was attempting to capture.
Troy Bolton (Josh Bernaski) played a strong leading man conflicted between athletics and love. His father, the stereotypical myopic Coach Bolton, (Bob Miller) is pressuring him to be the 'man' for the championship game. Yet he met Gabriella Montez (Becca Lee) during the summer (think “Grease”) and his macho facade is dissembling quicker than Tiger Woods' endorsements. Bernaski would do well with more engagement of the audience with eye contact, but generally his role was solid.
Lee as Gabriella exhibited more depth to her character and has a stage charm that all actors aspire toward. It's a quality that is innate in this very amorphous craft of acting. There is some chemistry between the two romancers as they converse. Their voices sit well and they light up the stage during their duet of “Breaking Free”, the song that serves as the metaphor for the show; i.e. Breaking free from stereotypes.
Brother sister act Ryan and Sharpay ((Bradley Vile) and (Angeloni) play over the top drama king and queen respectively. Angeloni has the meatier role and never drops character. She was an audience favorite. Both, however, are accomplished singers and dancers. And - restating the aforementioned tension of the plot - in the final scene we are told why her canine name! I will treasure that moment.
Two of the dancers, Nicki Curmaci and Jessica O'Brien, showed us high kicks only The Rockettes could achieve.
It would be helpful if NCT could attach names to the head shots in the lobby. All actors want to be recognized; that's a tenet of theatre. The other tenet is the value of dinner and musical theatre.....at $55.00 per. My dear sister Liz and I continue to enjoy the bonhomie of the new friends we meet at our table with every show.
NewCandlelightTheatre.com 302.475.2313 Until February 27.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
RENT at Wilmington Drama League with AIDS DELAWARE
RENT, the musical most responsible for helping to increase the popularity of musical theater amongst the younger generation, opens at the Wilmington Drama League opens on January 29.
It is the Delaware premiere of the show that won both a Pulitzer and several Tonies.
Based upon Puccini's “La Boheme”, the setting is transferred from the Parisian tenements to NYC's East Village. The tuberculosis that affects the lead female Mimi is replaced by AIDS. In the mid-'90's the epidemic was at its peak, taking the lives of young and old people alike. Two of the characters have HIV; two are afflicted with full blown AIDS. In fact, WDL has partnered with AIDS Delaware for the production. The production focuses on a community of artists who struggle to survive and “celebrate life in the face of death.”
Idina Menzel was discovered in "Rent," went on to play the guacamole-pussed witch in Wicked and recently performed solo at The Grand in support of her new album.
WilmingtonDramaLeague.org 302.762.1172
An Austrian-American thank you
The Austrian-American Society hosts a “Dankkonzert” (Thank You Concert) at the Music School of Delaware on January 16. The Society was founded decades ago by recently deceased Delaware arts icon Charlotte Shedd. The self-described Grande Dame of Culture had a weekly talk show on WDEL for years. Aisle Say recalls her signature high-pitched screed of a voice provoking seismic shudders in one's body throughout her weekly discourse.
But Shedd's heart was in the right place and for one aspiring singer a year, she offered a life-changing opportunity. The recipient of last year's scholarship will 'sing' her thanks.
Lyric soprano Kelly Curtin won the Society's 2009 scholarship for six week’s study with leading international vocalists and coaches at the prestigious Mozarteum Summer Academy in Salzburg, Austria. While in Salzburg, she studied with world-renowned teachers and performers.
The theme of Miss Curtin’s program is “Night and Dreams.” She will perform songs and arias by American, Austrian, English, French, German and Italian composers including Samuel Barber, Debussy, Fauré, Gounod, Puccini, Respighi, Shubert and Strauss.
The concert is free and open to the public. 3 pm on January 16 @ 4101 Washington St.
The Austrian-American Society's 2010 scholarship competition for instrumental and vocal students of classical music (instrumentalists ages 18-30, vocalists ages 21-35) will be held at the Music School of Delaware at 4101 Washington Street, Wilmington on Sunday, March 21, 2010. The first prize is aforementioned. There are cash prizes for second and third place winners.
Applicants must be legal residents of Delaware or reside within 25 miles of Wilmington. For applications and information: Geralyn M. Alexander 3205 Falcon Lane, Limestone Hills Wilmington, DE 19808 or call 302-239-2058. The deadline for receipt of completed applications is 6:00 p.m., March 5, 2010.
Delaware Music School is celebrating its 85th anniversary this year with a big celebration at The Grand. “Einstein's Mozart” will be performed at the school on January 10th at 3PM. It speaks to the inspiration that the former received from the latter. The event features the renown Serafin Quartet and poet Kate Light.
MusicSchoolofDelaware.org 302.762.1132.
It is the Delaware premiere of the show that won both a Pulitzer and several Tonies.
Based upon Puccini's “La Boheme”, the setting is transferred from the Parisian tenements to NYC's East Village. The tuberculosis that affects the lead female Mimi is replaced by AIDS. In the mid-'90's the epidemic was at its peak, taking the lives of young and old people alike. Two of the characters have HIV; two are afflicted with full blown AIDS. In fact, WDL has partnered with AIDS Delaware for the production. The production focuses on a community of artists who struggle to survive and “celebrate life in the face of death.”
Idina Menzel was discovered in "Rent," went on to play the guacamole-pussed witch in Wicked and recently performed solo at The Grand in support of her new album.
WilmingtonDramaLeague.org 302.762.1172
An Austrian-American thank you
The Austrian-American Society hosts a “Dankkonzert” (Thank You Concert) at the Music School of Delaware on January 16. The Society was founded decades ago by recently deceased Delaware arts icon Charlotte Shedd. The self-described Grande Dame of Culture had a weekly talk show on WDEL for years. Aisle Say recalls her signature high-pitched screed of a voice provoking seismic shudders in one's body throughout her weekly discourse.
But Shedd's heart was in the right place and for one aspiring singer a year, she offered a life-changing opportunity. The recipient of last year's scholarship will 'sing' her thanks.
Lyric soprano Kelly Curtin won the Society's 2009 scholarship for six week’s study with leading international vocalists and coaches at the prestigious Mozarteum Summer Academy in Salzburg, Austria. While in Salzburg, she studied with world-renowned teachers and performers.
The theme of Miss Curtin’s program is “Night and Dreams.” She will perform songs and arias by American, Austrian, English, French, German and Italian composers including Samuel Barber, Debussy, Fauré, Gounod, Puccini, Respighi, Shubert and Strauss.
The concert is free and open to the public. 3 pm on January 16 @ 4101 Washington St.
The Austrian-American Society's 2010 scholarship competition for instrumental and vocal students of classical music (instrumentalists ages 18-30, vocalists ages 21-35) will be held at the Music School of Delaware at 4101 Washington Street, Wilmington on Sunday, March 21, 2010. The first prize is aforementioned. There are cash prizes for second and third place winners.
Applicants must be legal residents of Delaware or reside within 25 miles of Wilmington. For applications and information: Geralyn M. Alexander 3205 Falcon Lane, Limestone Hills Wilmington, DE 19808 or call 302-239-2058. The deadline for receipt of completed applications is 6:00 p.m., March 5, 2010.
Delaware Music School is celebrating its 85th anniversary this year with a big celebration at The Grand. “Einstein's Mozart” will be performed at the school on January 10th at 3PM. It speaks to the inspiration that the former received from the latter. The event features the renown Serafin Quartet and poet Kate Light.
MusicSchoolofDelaware.org 302.762.1132.
Friday, January 1, 2010
3 Delaware News Stories put to Xmas tunes
“WHYY, How dare you leave our city”, (to the tune of O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree)
O HYY
O HYY
How dare you leave our city
O HYY
O HYY
Without an ounce of pity
You say you're not aband'ing us
And who are we to make a fuss!
O HYY
O HYY
How dare you leave our city
O HYY
O HYY
We put big money in you
O HYY
O HYY
Citizens are left to stew
You say your plans are misconstrued
But bottom line, we all got screwed
O HYY
O HYY
We put big money in you
O HYY
O HYY
Each month we get a call for cash
O HYY
O HYY
But now it all seems balderdash
Your anchor was a talking head
I tuned at 5 with fear and dread
O HYY
O HYY
Each month we get a call for cash
O HYY
O HYY
Next stop may be the FCC
O HYY
O HYY
Ted Kaufman's vote may be the key
You state your costs will not allow
But your GM makes 500 thou.
O HYY
O HYY
Next stop may be the FCC
The Dredging of the Delaware River
( to the tune of Deck the Halls With Boughs of Holly”)
Deck the shores with tons of sewage
Folly, folly, folly la la la la.
Underneath Memorial Brid...ge
Folly, folly, folly, la la la la
Trust Army Corps of Engineers?
Folly, folly, folly, la la la la
All we get are haughty sneers!
Folly, folly, folly, la la la la
See the wildlife dead before us,
Folly, folly, folly, la la la la.
Just say no and join the chorus,
Folly, folly, folly, la la la la.
Call Markell to voice displeasure,
Folly, folly, folly, la la la.
No corp'rate greed, no corp'rate treasure,
Folly, folly, folly, la la la la.
Ode to Mike Castle, “Biden's Son is Coming to Town” (to the tune of Santa Claus is Coming to Town”)
You better watch out
Don't sit, don't sigh
Better not flout
Joe's telling you why
Biden's son is coming to town
Beau's making a list
And checking it twice;
Goin' to DC to get some advice
Biden's son is coming to town
Beau sees you when you're polling
Beau knows that you're ahead
First state's... been historic'ly blue
Castle wants to make it red!
O! You better watch out!
You better look spry
Won't be a blow out...
Could make you mince pie
Biden's son is coming to town!
O HYY
O HYY
How dare you leave our city
O HYY
O HYY
Without an ounce of pity
You say you're not aband'ing us
And who are we to make a fuss!
O HYY
O HYY
How dare you leave our city
O HYY
O HYY
We put big money in you
O HYY
O HYY
Citizens are left to stew
You say your plans are misconstrued
But bottom line, we all got screwed
O HYY
O HYY
We put big money in you
O HYY
O HYY
Each month we get a call for cash
O HYY
O HYY
But now it all seems balderdash
Your anchor was a talking head
I tuned at 5 with fear and dread
O HYY
O HYY
Each month we get a call for cash
O HYY
O HYY
Next stop may be the FCC
O HYY
O HYY
Ted Kaufman's vote may be the key
You state your costs will not allow
But your GM makes 500 thou.
O HYY
O HYY
Next stop may be the FCC
The Dredging of the Delaware River
( to the tune of Deck the Halls With Boughs of Holly”)
Deck the shores with tons of sewage
Folly, folly, folly la la la la.
Underneath Memorial Brid...ge
Folly, folly, folly, la la la la
Trust Army Corps of Engineers?
Folly, folly, folly, la la la la
All we get are haughty sneers!
Folly, folly, folly, la la la la
See the wildlife dead before us,
Folly, folly, folly, la la la la.
Just say no and join the chorus,
Folly, folly, folly, la la la la.
Call Markell to voice displeasure,
Folly, folly, folly, la la la.
No corp'rate greed, no corp'rate treasure,
Folly, folly, folly, la la la la.
Ode to Mike Castle, “Biden's Son is Coming to Town” (to the tune of Santa Claus is Coming to Town”)
You better watch out
Don't sit, don't sigh
Better not flout
Joe's telling you why
Biden's son is coming to town
Beau's making a list
And checking it twice;
Goin' to DC to get some advice
Biden's son is coming to town
Beau sees you when you're polling
Beau knows that you're ahead
First state's... been historic'ly blue
Castle wants to make it red!
O! You better watch out!
You better look spry
Won't be a blow out...
Could make you mince pie
Biden's son is coming to town!
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