Oh, Boy! 1985 - Articles Page 29

The original Jersey Boy Frankie Valli will headline a one-night-only concert for his first-time-ever appearance at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines on Friday, Oct. 28, 2011. With his three-and-a-half-octave vocal range, over 100 million records sold and a multi-decade career, iconic Frankie Valli, along with his The Four Seasons, demonstrate why they are still the hottest ticket in town with a catalog of hits like: 'Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You,' 'Big Girls Don't Cry,' 'Rag Doll,' 'Grease,' 'Dawn,' 'Let's Hang On,' 'Sherry,' 'December 1963 (Oh What a Night)' and so many more.

Stephen Sondheim's COMPANY is in over five hundred movie theaters starting on Wednesday and that simple fact is enough to make one want to celebrate with a thousand vodka stingers - and imbibe in the delectable Sondheim zingers. I was lucky enough to see COMPANY last week and I can tell you that not only is it the best live representation of the show that any audience could ask for - Broadway babies, Sondheim neophytes and everything in between and far, far beyond - but a considerable reexamination of the themes, elements, emotions and the steely, chrome machinations ringing within the heartbeat of the show's cynical core. Lonny Price's COMPANY is something unique in modern entertainment, on Broadway, on film or anywhere else - it is multi-dimensional in a revolutionary way that is, frankly, unprecedented. This is Broadway in the 21st century at its best with a cast led by the brightest stars in the Broadway and TV universe on full display for a film audience and if this enterprise is successful, the mind marvels at the endless possibilities this format could afford in the future, both near and far. Yes, this is what you have been waiting for - whoever you are. If you love music, if you love wit, if you love comedy, if you love to laugh and think simultaneously - COMPANY is for you. Yes, this is that kind of review - and, thank goodness it is. It's due all the praise of a birthday boy like Bobby - with a generous dose of icing black as death; or, night. Icing

First Night: The Tony Concert, presented by Keeping Scores Concerts at Franklin's Boiler Room Theatre on Monday, June 6, at 7:30 p.m. Featuring some of Nashville's biggest and brightest theater stars performing songs from Tony Award-winning musicals, the concert is the kick-off of the 2011 First Night Season, culminating with First Night, The Nashville Theatre Honors, which will be presented at Belmont University's Troutt Theatre on Sunday, September 4.

Today we lost one of the greats: the gentle giant of directors, Sidney Lumet. What a resume! Just to pick seven of perhaps the best known of the bunch, the bunch in question being over 100 titles strong: 12 ANGRY MEN, LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT, SERPICO, DOG DAY AFTERNOON, NETWORK and BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD - the films spanning fifty years from MEN in 1957 and DEVIL in 2007 - it is clear to see why Lumet was one of the most cherished and celebrated directors in Hollywood, especially known for his tough, gritty New York stories and his pristine stage-to-screen transfers. For an excellent example of the latter (in addition to LONG DAY'S JOURNEY and the others) check out DEATHTRAP - based on Ira Levin's play, the longest-running thriller in Broadway history - featuring Michael Caine in one of his best roles and Christopher Reeve and Dyan Cannon in their finest performances on film. For an example of the former genre, look no further than NETWORK, containing one of the strongest screenplays ever penned, from the fiery and ferocious pen of Paddy Cheyefsky, and Faye Dunaway in her Oscar-winning performance for all the ages. As far as theatrical screenplays on screen, Lumet would be hard-pressed to even come close to the power, prescience and transformative brilliance at the core of the conceit of that film - yet he did just that; with his final, 2007 film no less. I am speaking, of course, of the underrated and riveting BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, Marisa Tomei, with Albert Finney and Rosemary Harris. Taking an original screenplay that could just as well have been written for the stage - shades of 12 ANGRY MEN, DOG DAY AFTERNOON, NETWORK and SERPICO, certainly - Lumet made a bristling, biting brilliant work of staggering craft and ingenuity - all with verve, energy and drive of a man a quarter of his age at the time (80). His films were classics in his own time and, now, in his passing, they are just as timeless - if not more so. With each passing year, new layers of truth, beauty, sadness and soulfulness can be found in the countless frames in the innumerable unforgettable scenes in his many masterpieces.

One of the most highly acclaimed and most riveting films of 2010 is undoubtedly the Academy Award-winning BLACK SWAN by Darren Aronofsky. While the stunning lead performance of Natalie Portman was the only nomination of the five (for Picture, Directing, Editing and Cinematography being the other four) to score Oscar gold, director Darren Aronofsky has now solidified himself in recent years as one of the most notable and accomplished directors of his, or any, generation. Stanley Kubrick is somewhere smiling. The Blu-Ray, released this week, brings BLACK SWAN to home video in the most, well, perfect of manners.

Smuin Ballet presents the riveting Oh, Inverted World by acclaimed choreographer Trey McIntyre set to music by the popular indie-rock band The Shins in Walnut Creek (Feb 4-5), Carmel (Feb 18-19), and Mountain View (Feb 23-27).. This dynamic ballet the New York Times called 'striking' and 'remarkable' made its world premiere in San Francisco last October. The program will also include Bluegrass/ Slyde by Michael Smuin, an electric piece called 'riotous' by the SF Examiner and featuring the bluegrass twang of renowned banjoist Béla Fleck and master bassist Edgar Meyer. Rounding out the program is Smuin's classic ballet Brahms-Haydn Variations, a lyrical favorite filled with courtly references, called 'lovely' by the San Francisco Chronicle and 'impressive' by the New York Times. Single tickets ($49-$62) are available through their prospective theatres or by visiting www.smuinballet.org.

Greg MacKellan and Stephanie Rhoads, producing artistic directors of 42nd Street Moon, today announced details of the upcoming 2011-12 season of uncommon musical theater. For its nineteenth season, the company takes its audience on the journey of a lifetime, with the Eureka Theatre serving as a portal to eras and locations that are exotic, glamorous and exciting.

Albert Schultz, General Director of the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, today announced six new Resident Artists who will, for the next twenty-four months, call the Young Centre home: Ravi Jain actor, producer and artistic director; legendary Toronto poet Dennis Lee; theatre designer Ken MacKenzie; singer, percussionist and band leader Aline Morales; filmmaker and actor Charles Officer and pianist and conductor Gregory Oh.

Monument Records - The House That Roy Built: The Big O's Monument Singles Collection Debuts First-Ever CD Release Of Original Mono Mixes of All A & B Sides Cut For The Label, Plus DVD of Nine Songs From 'The Monument Concert 1965' Digitally Restored, Includes The Official Video For 'Oh Pretty Woman'

Smuin Ballet presents the riveting Oh, Inverted World by acclaimed choreographer Trey McIntyre set to music by the popular indie-rock band The Shins in Walnut Creek (Feb 4-5), Carmel (Feb 18-19), and Mountain View (Feb 23-27).. This dynamic ballet the New York Times called 'striking' and 'remarkable' made its world premiere in San Francisco last October. The program will also include Bluegrass/ Slyde by Michael Smuin, an electric piece called 'riotous' by the SF Examiner and featuring the bluegrass twang of renowned banjoist Béla Fleck and master bassist Edgar Meyer. Rounding out the program is Smuin's classic ballet Brahms-Haydn Variations, a lyrical favorite filled with courtly references, called 'lovely' by the San Francisco Chronicle and 'impressive' by the New York Times. Single tickets ($49-$62) are available through their prospective theatres or by visiting www.smuinballet.org.

In a conversation encapsulating everything from Albee and WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF to Aristophanes and Virginia Woolf herself - and even a little Stephen King - this concluding portion of this exclusive interview with this remarkably gifted actor ends with a look ahead to LEAP OF FAITH. Plus, what's on his iPod, what books he's reading, and a whole lot more!

Since today is only a week away from Christmas Day, we are taking a special look at the absolute must-own Christmas- themed releases for the Broadway baby on your list. From Barbra Streisand to Sondheim, Raul Esparza to Liza Minnelli, Barbara Cook to Straight No Chaser - there's certainly a little bit of holiday cheer to cast some winter starlight upon even the saddest of Charlie Brown Christmas trees. Here are seven ways to make your holiday a little more sparkling and bright - and some cool Yule selections for how to change-up your Christmas tune listening for the last seven days until Santa Claus & Co. arrive late next Friday night!

Andy has a sweet Catholic mother, a sour Catholic father, and a severely retarded younger brother named Mickey. When he brings his Jewish atheist fiance to meet the folks on Christmas Eve, his worst fears about family blow ups are realized. But Mickey, whose entire vocabulary is 'oh boy' and 'wow,' suddenly says 'Greetings!' An ancient, wise and witty spirit who is set upon healing the family has borrowed Mickey's body.

Andy has a sweet Catholic mother, a sour Catholic father, and a severely retarded younger brother named Mickey. When he brings his Jewish atheist fiance to meet the folks on Christmas Eve, his worst fears about family blow ups are realized. But Mickey, whose entire vocabulary is 'oh boy' and 'wow,' suddenly says 'Greetings!' An ancient, wise and witty spirit who is set upon healing the family has borrowed Mickey's body.

Smuin Ballet presents the riveting Oh, Inverted World by acclaimed choreographer Trey McIntyre set to music by the popular indie-rock band The Shins in Walnut Creek (Feb 4-5), Carmel (Feb 18-19), and Mountain View (Feb 23-27).. This dynamic ballet the New York Times called 'striking' and 'remarkable' made its world premiere in San Francisco last October. The program will also include Bluegrass/ Slyde by Michael Smuin, an electric piece called 'riotous' by the SF Examiner and featuring the bluegrass twang of renowned banjoist Béla Fleck and master bassist Edgar Meyer. Rounding out the program is Smuin's classic ballet Brahms-Haydn Variations, a lyrical favorite filled with courtly references, called 'lovely' by the San Francisco Chronicle and 'impressive' by the New York Times. Single tickets ($49-$62) are available through their prospective theatres or by visiting www.smuinballet.org.

Broadway's Sarah Pfisterer ('Phantom of the Opera,' 'Show Boat,' 'Children and Art') leads a cast of 200 singers and dancers in Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston's holiday spectacular 'It's ChristmasTime' December 3-12. Now in its 28th edition, this joyous Boston area tradition features Pfisterer singing 'The Most Wonderful Birthday of All,' 'The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,' 'Mary's Boy Child,' and 'Oh, Holy Night.'

Andy has a sweet Catholic mother, a sour Catholic father, and a severely retarded younger brother named Mickey. When he brings his Jewish atheist fiance to meet the folks on Christmas Eve, his worst fears about family blow ups are realized. But Mickey, whose entire vocabulary is 'oh boy' and 'wow,' suddenly says 'Greetings!' An ancient, wise and witty spirit who is set upon healing the family has borrowed Mickey's body.

Long considered a 'songwriter's songwriter,' John Prine is a rare talent who writes the songs other songwriters would sell their souls for. With one of the most influential and unmistakable songwriting voices of today, Prine continues to cast his perceptive eye upon the subtle complexities of the human condition, delivering his observations in his uniquely concise, illuminating compositions. Some four decades since his remarkable debut, John Prine is ready to release In Person & On Stage, a new live album proving he's still at the top of his game, both as a performer and songwriter. Recently honored at the Library of Congress by US Poet Laureate Ted Kooser, he's been elevated from the annals of songwriters into the realm of bonafide American treasures.

B.B. King Blues Club & Grill is located at 237 West 42nd Street (between 7th and 8th Avenues) New York, NY 10036

Forget the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade or schlepping to the mall to shop 'til you drop on Black Friday, the best - and definitely the most joyous - way to welcome the holiday season is a trip to Crossville for Cumberland County Playhouse's gloriously rapturous production of She Loves Me, the lovely and lyrical musical from Joe Masteroff, Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick.

Broadway's Sarah Pfisterer ('Phantom of the Opera,' 'Show Boat,' 'Children and Art') leads a cast of 200 singers and dancers in Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston's holiday spectacular 'It's ChristmasTime' December 3-12. Now in its 28th edition, this joyous Boston area tradition features Pfisterer singing 'The Most Wonderful Birthday of All,' 'The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,' 'Mary's Boy Child,' and 'Oh, Holy Night.'

Andy has a sweet Catholic mother, a sour Catholic father, and a severely retarded younger brother named Mickey. When he brings his Jewish atheist fiance to meet the folks on Christmas Eve, his worst fears about family blow ups are realized. But Mickey, whose entire vocabulary is 'oh boy' and 'wow,' suddenly says 'Greetings!' An ancient, wise and witty spirit who is set upon healing the family has borrowed Mickey's body.

Born in a little town outside Lynchburg, Tennessee Dee W. Ieye was the sole heir to the Jack Daniel's fortune. She began her circuit of beauty pageants at a young age and eventually found herself out here in L.A. competing for the crown in Aid for Aids Best in 'drag' show in 2004. Taking her new found fame from that competition, Dee stepped into the role of Tupperware Lady in 2005, doing in home party demonstrations of Tupperware's classic food storage containers. It wasn't long before Dee became the # 1 Personal Seller of Tupperware products in the Nation. For 3 years she has held that title of # 1 in personal sales and is on her way to find out if it's year # 4 in Orlando next week at the big Tupperware convention. Not only is Dee busy with her party demonstrations, she is also very active in the community doing personal appearances, MC -ing events, private parties and fundraising. She's best known for her charitable works with raising money for Aids Services Orange County and their affiliate Friends of Dorothy. Each year 4 events are held where money is raised directly to support those in Orange County living with HIV / AIDS.

American-born singer/actress Carmen Cusack has certainly had a lot of experience playing extraordinary women. Besides turns as Christine on PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and Fantine in LES MISERABLES (both in England), she took on the role of Elphaba in the US National Tour of WICKED. Now she's wowing more audiences across the country in yet another iconic musical theater role: as Nellie Forbush in the First National Tour of the critically-acclaimed Lincoln Center Theater revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC, currently on stage at the Orange County Performing Arts Center through October 24. Before the tour arrived in Costa Mesa, Cusack chatted with BroadwayWorld's Michael Lawrence Quintos about her early musical roots, her roles in this landmark musical as well as that other musical that turned her skin green, and her current woes battling a certain miniature critter colony that's been constantly in the headlines.

The Buddy Holly Story, a dramatic jukebox musical at the Spencer Theater, Sunday, September 26 at 2 p.m., tells the story of the young Lubbock man in horn-rimmed glasses who became the world's top recording artist with a show that features over 20 of Buddy Holly's greatest hits including Peggy Sue, That'll Be The Day, Oh Boy, Maybe Baby, Ritchie Valens' La Bamba, and the Big Bopper's Chantilly Lace.