Regional theatres, both community and professional, were as anxious as expectant fathers in a delivery room, or perhaps more to the point, all Flyers fans, when rights became available for “Rent.”
The show is a seminal event for musical theatre ages, on the Great White Way's Mt. Olympus alongside “Showboat” - whom some believe to be the greatest American musical; “Oklahoma”, the first production to have songs move plot along; “Gypsy,” to my mind the most fully integrated musical; “West Side Story,” brilliant choreographer by Jerome Robbins and music by Leonard Bernstein and a neophyte named Stephen Sondheim; “Sound of Music," the most popular movie musical by far and spoofed in hysterical 'sing a longs'; “Hair," one other topical event ripped from the life and times of American culture; “Les Mis,” the all time ALL time most popular show. (No need discussing this. We've all seen it)
But, dear and committed Aisle Say readers, you should see “Rent” as well, and you should see it at The Media Theatre. The theatre cognoscenti knows “Rent.” They've seen it several times. But it's really a populist show and should be devoured by the masses that watch “Sound of Music” and “My Fair Lady.” This production will move you; by song, by passion, by evoking the oppressive malaise we ALL endured during the AIDS scare of the '90's.
There are some special shows that bond the ensemble into one joyous and selfless entity. 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.
This was a challenging assignment for artistic director of the theater and director Jesse Cline. Broadway shows of the '50's are so much easier to direct. The protagonist sings the tune either solo on stage or with very little background distraction. The show demands (and Cline complied) with a very naturalistic approach. Normally actors 'cheat' toward the audience to declaim their lines and sing their tunes. The ensemble spoke directly to one another, no 'cheating' allowed. Much movement, much energy, much dynamism.
Aisle Say feels remiss without acclaiming the entire cast; they were all that talented, dedicated and in love with what they were creating on stage. The vast majority of them are N.Y. actors who journeyed to Media. Okay, perhaps they had nothing going on at the moment, but young talented types are dedicated to be in “Rent,” that's what the concept, the power and the music means to them.
The two main lovers, Roger (Patrick Ludt) and Mimi (Eileen Shibley) were superb. Shibley especially had that Greenwich Village edge to her that rocked the audience. That's good, this being a rock opera.
Maureen (Chloe Patellis) was the best “Maureen” I have seen – and how many liver pills has Carter? Her “Over The Moon” was worth the price of admission. Maybe Aisle Say is too shallow, for I have never understood how the song itself fit into the show, but...whatever...it's a show stopper.
Media Theatre is only twenty minutes away on the Blue Route. The main street is fun and full of ethnic dining. Would this were the way in Wilmington.
Showing posts with label Rent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rent. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
RENT at Media Theatre
Patrick Ludt, who plays Roger in The Media Theatre's “Rent,” opening May 5, suggests that this iconic rock musical is his era's “Hair.”
That comparison brought back vivid images in this columnist's cerebellum. As a struggling actor in NYC in 1971, I responded to an open audition for “Hair.” Thinking myself brilliant to avoid the certain rush, I arrived at the venue two hours early. By that time, the line was already twice around the block...and NYC blocks are huge! The guy in front of me let out exactly one syllable of the song “Oklahoma” (the “O”) and was cut off with an abrupt, “We'll call you”!
There is more to this forlorn tale for Aisle Say readers, but one that I will leave for a later time.
The East Village in the early 1990's; a district and a nation devastated by crime, drugs and worse, the AIDS epidemic. This was the scourge of the century; fear, dread and discrimination were knee jerk responses to the questions surrounding the disease and the fact that it was mostly attached to the homosexual community.
For years, composer Jonathan Larson worked on a pop opera based on Puccini's “La Boheme.” The plot chronicles a group of friends over a year in their struggles against poverty, drug abuse, AIDS and the inability to make 'rent.' (Larson also explained rent was defined as being 'torn' as in 'emotionally wracked.')
The production has only recently become available for rental and Media is the first professional group to license it in this region.
The career of Idina Menzel was made in “Rent.” She met her husband, Taye Diggs, in the show and both did the movie. Menzel, as we know, originated the Wicked Witch in “Wicked” and that scary guacamole painted face.
“Ren,” like “Hair," marks a cultural watershed and will be with us forever. Perhaps the most popular song is “Seasons of Life.” The entire cast harmonizes to sing "Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes" (the number of minutes in a common - non-leap - calendar year).
The main question asked is, "How do you measure a year?" Various answers are suggested, from points of the day ("Daylights," "Sunsets," "Midnights") to units of measure ("inches," "miles"), to everyday events ("cups of coffee") to more symbolic concepts ("laughter," "strife"). In the chorus, the song reaches the conclusion that love is the only proper measure of a year in a human life.
The back story of “Rent” makes it all the more powerful. Composer Jonathan Larson worked for years on this update of Puccini. The night before opening he died of an aneurysm. That's as substantial a piece of Broadway legend as it gets.
The Media Theatre is a wonderfully refurbished former vaudeville house in picturesque Media, only 20 minutes from New Castle County. There are close by restaurants. Son Grant and I enjoyed a recent “Wizard of Oz,” with a cast replete with many professional credits.
May 5 to June 6. MediaTheatre.org 104 E. State St. (follow the Media Exit off of the Blue Route. 610.891.0100.
That comparison brought back vivid images in this columnist's cerebellum. As a struggling actor in NYC in 1971, I responded to an open audition for “Hair.” Thinking myself brilliant to avoid the certain rush, I arrived at the venue two hours early. By that time, the line was already twice around the block...and NYC blocks are huge! The guy in front of me let out exactly one syllable of the song “Oklahoma” (the “O”) and was cut off with an abrupt, “We'll call you”!
There is more to this forlorn tale for Aisle Say readers, but one that I will leave for a later time.
The East Village in the early 1990's; a district and a nation devastated by crime, drugs and worse, the AIDS epidemic. This was the scourge of the century; fear, dread and discrimination were knee jerk responses to the questions surrounding the disease and the fact that it was mostly attached to the homosexual community.
For years, composer Jonathan Larson worked on a pop opera based on Puccini's “La Boheme.” The plot chronicles a group of friends over a year in their struggles against poverty, drug abuse, AIDS and the inability to make 'rent.' (Larson also explained rent was defined as being 'torn' as in 'emotionally wracked.')
The production has only recently become available for rental and Media is the first professional group to license it in this region.
The career of Idina Menzel was made in “Rent.” She met her husband, Taye Diggs, in the show and both did the movie. Menzel, as we know, originated the Wicked Witch in “Wicked” and that scary guacamole painted face.
“Ren,” like “Hair," marks a cultural watershed and will be with us forever. Perhaps the most popular song is “Seasons of Life.” The entire cast harmonizes to sing "Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes" (the number of minutes in a common - non-leap - calendar year).
The main question asked is, "How do you measure a year?" Various answers are suggested, from points of the day ("Daylights," "Sunsets," "Midnights") to units of measure ("inches," "miles"), to everyday events ("cups of coffee") to more symbolic concepts ("laughter," "strife"). In the chorus, the song reaches the conclusion that love is the only proper measure of a year in a human life.
The back story of “Rent” makes it all the more powerful. Composer Jonathan Larson worked for years on this update of Puccini. The night before opening he died of an aneurysm. That's as substantial a piece of Broadway legend as it gets.
The Media Theatre is a wonderfully refurbished former vaudeville house in picturesque Media, only 20 minutes from New Castle County. There are close by restaurants. Son Grant and I enjoyed a recent “Wizard of Oz,” with a cast replete with many professional credits.
May 5 to June 6. MediaTheatre.org 104 E. State St. (follow the Media Exit off of the Blue Route. 610.891.0100.
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.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Community News - La Boheme
Donning my Jimmy Olson investigative hat, I posed a query to Lee Kimball. “One hanky?”
Kimball, general and artistic director did not miss a beat. “Two or three minimum. You can loan one to your neighbor.”
“La Boheme is the perfect opera for the first time opera goer,” says Kimball. “It has some of the most beautiful music written for voice; its theme is of youth and artistic risk, of experiencing love and loss for the first time and of sacrifices one makes for one's art. And, as we know, its plot was borrowed and turned brilliantly into the long running Broadway rock opera 'Rent.' ” The success of the stage show spawned the movie.
Giacomo Puccini's masterpiece is set in 1830 in the bohemian section of Paris; the iconic Latin Quarter: 1830 bohemians begat 1960 hippies. An author, a painter, a philosopher, a singer and a seamstress are huddled in a shabby apartment conspiring on how to forage for food and make...rent.
The irony of OperaDelaware is that the organization is better known and respected more outside of the state than by its own residents.
“Consistently,” says Kimball, “we have artistic directors from around the nation attend our performances. Many of our leads have gone on to successful careers, including The Met. OperaDelaware is a showcase for amazing young talent."
All parts are paid in each production, including chorus. Anyone can try out. Kimball auditions not only in Wilmington but also in New York.
“This year we had one singer fly in from California for a 10 minute audition and fly back the same day. That is the reach and the recognition of our group.”
This fact also resonates on the power of regional theatre. Two La Boheme leads live elsewhere: North Carolina and Ohio.
Marcello, the painter, is 22-year old Jeffrey Chapman who grew up in Newark and studied at the UD. Youna Jang, the title character from last year's successful 'Madama Butterfly,' returns as Mimi, the seamstress. Her discovery by Kimball came about from his long time association with the graduate program of Temple University's Department of Music.
“Youna stunned audiences last year. We will be debuting another South Korean tenor from Temple, Injoon Yang, playing Mimi's lover, Rodolfo. This voice will soon be heard in theatres around the world, believe me.” (At his lover's tragic passing, Rodolfo cries out in anguish, weeping helplessly, thereby prompting the implementation of the aforementioned hankies.)
Kimball is proud of the fact that ticket sales - only 30 percent of the organization's budget - are up 25 percent this year. OperaDelaware is one of five beneficiaries of “Arts for Delaware's Future,” a fund headed by arts philanthropist Tatiana Copeland. Kimball reports the group has received a grant of $250,000.00 for a market survey by a major national firm. That's a lot of money. Kimball suggests the aim of the results will be to examine audiences, create focus groups and determine how to motivate various corporate stakeholders for the future of the arts in the state.
Performances are Nov. 2 at 2 p.m. and Nov. 7 and 8 at 8 p.m. The Humanities Forum is funding an hour long lecture on La Boheme before each show. OperaDelaware has connected with The Exchange Restaurant on Market Street for dinners.
Kimball, general and artistic director did not miss a beat. “Two or three minimum. You can loan one to your neighbor.”
“La Boheme is the perfect opera for the first time opera goer,” says Kimball. “It has some of the most beautiful music written for voice; its theme is of youth and artistic risk, of experiencing love and loss for the first time and of sacrifices one makes for one's art. And, as we know, its plot was borrowed and turned brilliantly into the long running Broadway rock opera 'Rent.' ” The success of the stage show spawned the movie.
Giacomo Puccini's masterpiece is set in 1830 in the bohemian section of Paris; the iconic Latin Quarter: 1830 bohemians begat 1960 hippies. An author, a painter, a philosopher, a singer and a seamstress are huddled in a shabby apartment conspiring on how to forage for food and make...rent.
The irony of OperaDelaware is that the organization is better known and respected more outside of the state than by its own residents.
“Consistently,” says Kimball, “we have artistic directors from around the nation attend our performances. Many of our leads have gone on to successful careers, including The Met. OperaDelaware is a showcase for amazing young talent."
All parts are paid in each production, including chorus. Anyone can try out. Kimball auditions not only in Wilmington but also in New York.
“This year we had one singer fly in from California for a 10 minute audition and fly back the same day. That is the reach and the recognition of our group.”
This fact also resonates on the power of regional theatre. Two La Boheme leads live elsewhere: North Carolina and Ohio.
Marcello, the painter, is 22-year old Jeffrey Chapman who grew up in Newark and studied at the UD. Youna Jang, the title character from last year's successful 'Madama Butterfly,' returns as Mimi, the seamstress. Her discovery by Kimball came about from his long time association with the graduate program of Temple University's Department of Music.
“Youna stunned audiences last year. We will be debuting another South Korean tenor from Temple, Injoon Yang, playing Mimi's lover, Rodolfo. This voice will soon be heard in theatres around the world, believe me.” (At his lover's tragic passing, Rodolfo cries out in anguish, weeping helplessly, thereby prompting the implementation of the aforementioned hankies.)
Kimball is proud of the fact that ticket sales - only 30 percent of the organization's budget - are up 25 percent this year. OperaDelaware is one of five beneficiaries of “Arts for Delaware's Future,” a fund headed by arts philanthropist Tatiana Copeland. Kimball reports the group has received a grant of $250,000.00 for a market survey by a major national firm. That's a lot of money. Kimball suggests the aim of the results will be to examine audiences, create focus groups and determine how to motivate various corporate stakeholders for the future of the arts in the state.
Performances are Nov. 2 at 2 p.m. and Nov. 7 and 8 at 8 p.m. The Humanities Forum is funding an hour long lecture on La Boheme before each show. OperaDelaware has connected with The Exchange Restaurant on Market Street for dinners.
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