“Chicago” is the grandest community theatre production Aisle Say has witnessed in the past five years. Jody Anderson is unequivocally the most talented choreographer in the state. Anderson has taken a coterie of dedicated amateur hoofers and molded them into a razzling dazzling unit that pays homage to the singular talent of Broadway legend Bob Fosse; he of the thrusting pelvis, rounded shoulders and signature bowler hat.
Director Matt Casarino's exemplary cast includes wonderful singers, beginning with the leads Velma (Barbara Wright) and Roxie (Ashley Harris), extending to Mama Morton (Rebecca Gallatin) and then to the chorus. Christopher Tolomeo leads a great band excelling at the period music of the roaring '20's; all perched atop the set – always on stage but never intrusive to the progress of the plot.
Most of us have seen the movie. Aisle Say believes the stage show to be more endearing and certainly funnier. Son Grant accompanied me on opening night. He commented that he had to keep focused for so many exciting twists and turns were happening with such fluidity. That is a credit to both the director and the choreographer. He also commented on the quality that WDL produces, hearkening back to last season's “Rent”.
I loved the entire cast but Harris was most wonderfully perfect as Roxie, the doe-eyed murderess. How in the world could this harmless looking naif be so cold-blooded? “Chicago” is predominantly a woman-driven show with Velma and Roxie. Billy Flynn (Jeff Santoro) played the ultimate legal sleezeball hotdog with relish. He was having too much fun in the role. (Minor costume point. Would have loved to see him in a double breasted stripe suit with those '20's era black & white shoes).
Billy was appropriately condescending to Amos (Edward Elder), Roxie's long suffering husband. He continually referred to him as “Andy”, a running joke that was undoubtedly lost on those in the audience younger than 50. Amos, the poor schlub, had his moment, though. His “Mr. Cellophane” was a show stopper. The fellow can hold a note!
Fred Casely (Chris Turner) was very funny in the role of the deceased. He is the only one in the cast who did not seek out Anderson's help with choreography.
If you are seeing only one musical this year...this is the one!
Through November 13. 302.764.1172 WilmingtonDramaLeague.org
RAIN: A Tribute to The Beatles
Aisle Say fervently believes The Beatles had more to do with the dissembling of the Berlin Wall than Ronald Reagan. The stone monolith demarcating Berlin was not high enough to block radio waves emanating from The West. Communist kids were just like the rest of us kids back then; “All You Need Is Love” was a global rallying cry.
Many of the tunes from the mightiest canon in popular music history will be performed four times at The DuPont Theatre on November 12-14.
One might entitle the show a Baby Boomer's delight. My compadres in Boomerism can count their watershed events on one hand. One of mine is Ed Sullivan and The Beatles on 9 February 1964. One can only guess the numbers of Americans tuning in that night. Oh, and those teenyboppers in the audience crying, you remember, the ones with the horned rimmed glasses.
RAIN: A Tribute to The Beatles, was born as a bar band in Southern California in the '70's Founder Mark Lewis had struck a nerve; surrounded himself with electrifying musicians and still here after 40 years. Lewis comments that they will be on Broadway after the first of the year.
The group has 200 tunes in their repertoire, spanning from Uncle Ed to Abbey Road, through psychedelia, to the rooftop: 'Hard Days Night', 'Revolver','Sgt Pepper', 'Magical Mystery Tour', 'The White Album'. My oh my, the passages of time, the memories.
“Rain” is a multi-media, multi-dimensional experience...a fusion of historical footage and hilarious television commercials from the 1960s lights up video screens and live cameras zoom in for close-ups.
The tunes are sung live and note for note. There is nothing pre-recorded.
The chefs at the Hotel du Pont are having some fun with the show as well. They are offering a Beatles themed dinner buffet during the run of the show. The buffet is $30.00. Some of the possibilities include:
“SGT PEPPERS” – PENNE PASTA WITH ROASTED RED PEPPERS, PROSCIUTTO & PEAS
“ELEANOR RIGBYS”- COMPOSED SALADS
“LOVELY RITAS” – CAESAR SALAD
“MEAN MR. MUSTARD” GLAZED PORK LOIN
“OCTUPUSES GARDEN” SEAFOOD STEW
DESSERTS
“Strawberry Fields Forever” Cheese Cake
“Ain’t She Sweet” Crème Caramel
For tix; 302.656.4401 DuPontTheatre.com, For dining: 302-594-3154 or 800-338-3404.
Showing posts with label dupont theatre. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dupont theatre. Show all posts
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
URINETOWN with DE All State Theatre
Live theatre is all about risk. It's in the moment. If a line is missed or a flub occurs in motion picture filming, no big deal; a re-do. In live theatre, however, actors lay it all out there. That's what makes it so exhilarating...and important.
Producer / director Jeff Santoro of the Delaware All State Theatre has led such a life over decades of performing. Three years ago he left the comfortable and nurturing nest of Delaware Children's Theatre and its iconic director Marie Swajeski to strike out on his own and create his own signature.
Jeff and co-producer Deb Johnson 'parented' the organization to give elementary, middle, and high school theatre "geeks" the unique opportunity work on a large-scale musical production in partnership with the world famous DuPont Theatre. Full-time students (up to age 19) from across Delaware and the immediate surrounding area are eligible to participate either as a performer or behind the scenes in a technical capacity.
The first show, “Les Mis” was a slam dunk and huge hit; every child with a voice and Broadway aspirations yearned to be in that cast. The audience could not believe that caliber of performance came from school aged kids. Last year's “West Side Story”, an American classic, drew critical raves. One performer closed that show and his next gig was in the chorus of the Broadway revival of “Bye Bye Birdie”.
So, gentle readers, Aisle Say urges you to support this year's production of the multiple Tony award winner with the unsettling, wince-inducing title, “Urinetown”.
Dismiss the title from your mind. It is irrelevant to the hysterical comedy and melodic tunes that will unfold in front of you.
And now we return to risk management. Santoro knew what he was getting into with the choice of the show. Why, you ask? Why not the safe “Sound of Music” or “Annie'?
Santoro knows that live theatre is about challenge. There is oppressive financial risk as well. In magnum opus understatement, the director says “It's very different from our previous productions” he says. “No serious music or themes. It's a comedy. Something we haven't tried ever, which is definitely a challenge for the student performers. Doing comedy well is an art form, and I am excited to say that the kids and teens are doing a brilliant job and will deliver lots of laughs!”
“Urinetown” was conceived by writer Greg Kotis, when as a poor student traveling in Europe, he encountered a pay-per-use toilet; funny in itself. It's a satirical musical comedy, taking on the legal system, capitalism, social responsibility, politics and bureaucracy...all issues Americans rail about today.
Aisle Say attended a rehearsal last week. I have a bit of knowledge and experience in this arena and can state he has the most accomplished band of talented kids I've ever witnessed.
They come from all over. The numbers from Cab Calloway lead the list but Brandywine High, Mt. Pleasant, McKean, Sallies, Padua, Tatnall, Sanford and a half dozen other schools are represented.
Kudos to DuPont Co for partnering in Jeff Santoro's vision.
Only 4 performances. June 18-26. For tickets DuPontTheatre.com 302.656.4401
Producer / director Jeff Santoro of the Delaware All State Theatre has led such a life over decades of performing. Three years ago he left the comfortable and nurturing nest of Delaware Children's Theatre and its iconic director Marie Swajeski to strike out on his own and create his own signature.
Jeff and co-producer Deb Johnson 'parented' the organization to give elementary, middle, and high school theatre "geeks" the unique opportunity work on a large-scale musical production in partnership with the world famous DuPont Theatre. Full-time students (up to age 19) from across Delaware and the immediate surrounding area are eligible to participate either as a performer or behind the scenes in a technical capacity.
The first show, “Les Mis” was a slam dunk and huge hit; every child with a voice and Broadway aspirations yearned to be in that cast. The audience could not believe that caliber of performance came from school aged kids. Last year's “West Side Story”, an American classic, drew critical raves. One performer closed that show and his next gig was in the chorus of the Broadway revival of “Bye Bye Birdie”.
So, gentle readers, Aisle Say urges you to support this year's production of the multiple Tony award winner with the unsettling, wince-inducing title, “Urinetown”.
Dismiss the title from your mind. It is irrelevant to the hysterical comedy and melodic tunes that will unfold in front of you.
And now we return to risk management. Santoro knew what he was getting into with the choice of the show. Why, you ask? Why not the safe “Sound of Music” or “Annie'?
Santoro knows that live theatre is about challenge. There is oppressive financial risk as well. In magnum opus understatement, the director says “It's very different from our previous productions” he says. “No serious music or themes. It's a comedy. Something we haven't tried ever, which is definitely a challenge for the student performers. Doing comedy well is an art form, and I am excited to say that the kids and teens are doing a brilliant job and will deliver lots of laughs!”
“Urinetown” was conceived by writer Greg Kotis, when as a poor student traveling in Europe, he encountered a pay-per-use toilet; funny in itself. It's a satirical musical comedy, taking on the legal system, capitalism, social responsibility, politics and bureaucracy...all issues Americans rail about today.
Aisle Say attended a rehearsal last week. I have a bit of knowledge and experience in this arena and can state he has the most accomplished band of talented kids I've ever witnessed.
They come from all over. The numbers from Cab Calloway lead the list but Brandywine High, Mt. Pleasant, McKean, Sallies, Padua, Tatnall, Sanford and a half dozen other schools are represented.
Kudos to DuPont Co for partnering in Jeff Santoro's vision.
Only 4 performances. June 18-26. For tickets DuPontTheatre.com 302.656.4401
Friday, April 9, 2010
Children's Environmental musical at DuPont Theatre
Ah, but from the mouths of babes, the knowledge one can acquire. Jamie Kleman, a Landenberg, Pa., resident and author of several books for children, asked her then 5-year-old son, Will, what he thought it meant by “going green,” environmentally speaking.
Will, as with many children, associated the phrase with witches, toothsome crocodiles, hissing snakes and your (green) garden variety fearsome monsters.
The seed of a play, thought Kleman...and better yet...a children's musical, “It's Not Mean To Be Green.” The adaptation for the stage was aided by Richard Gaw, an award-winning local playwright and past special sections editor at Community News.
The music was written by Chris Cotter of Pocopson, Pa., Bill Kleman of Landenberg, Pa., and Colin McGetrick, also of West Chester.
“It’s important for parents and teachers to realize that children may not understand the meaning behind what we think are common expressions,” says Kleman, the mother of two. “It’s equally important to teach children at a young age how to care for the environment so they can become responsible stewards in the future—and to do that in a fun, entertaining way.”
The production is rooted in this region, starring child and adult performers and will be staged at The DuPont Theatre April 18-20. Earth Day is April 22. This important national date is a catalyst for discussion on why it's NOT mean to be green, in fact just the opposite.
Aisle Say had an opportunity to see a rehearsal this past week.
The plot revolves around the McDurth family, all save one of whom are active environmentalists. The holdout, son Michael, is the theatrical doppelganger of Will Klerman's 'green' fears. (Christopher Cooke of Wilmington, a fifth grader at Wilmington Montessori School, plays Michael.)
In fact, when Michael's sister Issie (sixth-grader Abby Cocco) announces at the dinner table that she is 'going green,” Michael has bedtime dreams of vampires with apple green complexions and fire-breathing green dragons. Original over-sized puppets were made by a puppet maker in New York especially for this production.
Michael's fears are assuaged through both dance and song by his mother (Donnie Hammond) and father (Tom Wang). Wang is also the director of the production and is a professional actor that has appeared nationally.
Stephen Blahut as The Narrator with a penchant for iambic pentameter rounds out the cast.
The musical’s contributions to the community are not limited to the stage.
The original music from the show is available on CD. Partial proceeds from the song “Pass it On,” available as a download, will go to Project Night-Night (projectnightnight.org), which provides books, bags and blankets to homeless children.
Thanks to funding from Bank of America, 250 tickets to the show are designated for Title I students.
The 15-foot-by-30-foot backdrop was created by Art Therapy Express (arttherapyexpress.org), which serves children with intellectual, physical and emotional disabilities.
Girl Scouts & Boy Scouts get $1 off the $10 ticket price on April 18 at 3 pm., and they earn a patch just for attending the show.
Performances in Delaware elementary schools and in Pennsylvania and Maryland will follow.
Will, as with many children, associated the phrase with witches, toothsome crocodiles, hissing snakes and your (green) garden variety fearsome monsters.
The seed of a play, thought Kleman...and better yet...a children's musical, “It's Not Mean To Be Green.” The adaptation for the stage was aided by Richard Gaw, an award-winning local playwright and past special sections editor at Community News.
The music was written by Chris Cotter of Pocopson, Pa., Bill Kleman of Landenberg, Pa., and Colin McGetrick, also of West Chester.
“It’s important for parents and teachers to realize that children may not understand the meaning behind what we think are common expressions,” says Kleman, the mother of two. “It’s equally important to teach children at a young age how to care for the environment so they can become responsible stewards in the future—and to do that in a fun, entertaining way.”
The production is rooted in this region, starring child and adult performers and will be staged at The DuPont Theatre April 18-20. Earth Day is April 22. This important national date is a catalyst for discussion on why it's NOT mean to be green, in fact just the opposite.
Aisle Say had an opportunity to see a rehearsal this past week.
The plot revolves around the McDurth family, all save one of whom are active environmentalists. The holdout, son Michael, is the theatrical doppelganger of Will Klerman's 'green' fears. (Christopher Cooke of Wilmington, a fifth grader at Wilmington Montessori School, plays Michael.)
In fact, when Michael's sister Issie (sixth-grader Abby Cocco) announces at the dinner table that she is 'going green,” Michael has bedtime dreams of vampires with apple green complexions and fire-breathing green dragons. Original over-sized puppets were made by a puppet maker in New York especially for this production.
Michael's fears are assuaged through both dance and song by his mother (Donnie Hammond) and father (Tom Wang). Wang is also the director of the production and is a professional actor that has appeared nationally.
Stephen Blahut as The Narrator with a penchant for iambic pentameter rounds out the cast.
The musical’s contributions to the community are not limited to the stage.
The original music from the show is available on CD. Partial proceeds from the song “Pass it On,” available as a download, will go to Project Night-Night (projectnightnight.org), which provides books, bags and blankets to homeless children.
Thanks to funding from Bank of America, 250 tickets to the show are designated for Title I students.
The 15-foot-by-30-foot backdrop was created by Art Therapy Express (arttherapyexpress.org), which serves children with intellectual, physical and emotional disabilities.
Girl Scouts & Boy Scouts get $1 off the $10 ticket price on April 18 at 3 pm., and they earn a patch just for attending the show.
Performances in Delaware elementary schools and in Pennsylvania and Maryland will follow.
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