Sunday in the Park With George
A couple weeks ago I went to Studio 54 to see the Broadway revival/London transfer of Sunday in the Park with George.
This Stephen Sondheim musical has been updated visually now. When it opened in the 80’s the set and stage of Suarat’s images was illustrated using pop-up scenes. This new, contemporary stage is white, floor to ceiling. The art and imagery is all done with computer-generated images on the blank walls and canvases. The entire staging comes alive as the artist arranges the people in his life into his piece “Sunday Afternoon.”
The musical follows the life (a fictional generation) of artist George Seurat. The show captures his quest to create a new and different type of artwork. Using millions of dots of varying color he discovered that from a distance the overlap created a completely different color and shade.
I can’t say Sunday in the Park with George is a favorite of mine but I was glad I got to see it and I loved seeing this production.
Then there’s Passing Strange…
Passing Strange
I kept hearing about this show. It was in Time magazine…Entertainment Weekly…and a dozen more. I didn’t know anything about it except that it isn’t the anti-Broadway show that made its move from the Public Theater to Broadway.
An inexpensive ticket became available, so I decided to check it out.
I was taken by its style and energy. Passing Strange is a hybrid of sorts: a cross between a concert and show. I’m not sure if it’s a Broadway musical, in fact I’m pretty sure it isn’t, but I do think that it brings a unique voice to the table.
When I walked out of the theater I kept thinking that I’d witnessed the evolution of Broadway. I look at the current musicals on Broadway…shows like Gypsy, In the Heights, Spring Awakening, Avenue Q, etc. and I think the genre of musical is hitting a growing spurt in its evolution. Passing Strange is perfect evidence of that.
The show incorporates a wide variety of music styles and performances and spans the globe telling the story of an Artist finding himself and his sound.
Adding Machine
I love dark
I love comedies.
I love dark comedies and dark humor.
Adding Machine is darker than anything I’ve ever seen. It was described as “darkly comic and heartbreakingly beautiful” – so it sounded like something up my alley.
I don’t normally get swayed by reviews but when I saw a 5 Star review from Time Out New York, I thought that, coupled with the description above, should mean that it would be worth checking out.
So I did.
The one-act musical, running off-Broadway down in the West Village lived up to all its hype. It is dark and the whole show seems to be written in a minor key. When the show started I fear that it’s droning monotony would get the best of me. I knew that it was part of the tone of the musical but I wasn’t sure I could take a whole show of it.
But it got me. It pulled me. I can’t remember one song from the score but it moved me.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Broadway '08
Update…
Tony season is upon the theater community here in NYC and I’ve been making some rounds to really incredible shows.
In no particular order...
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
The all African-American production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams opened a couple months ago and I recently got to see it. It boasts an amazing cast featuring the legendary James Earl Jones, powerhouse Phylicia Rashad, recent movie Dreamgirl: Anika Noni Rose and movie star turned theater newbie: Terrance Howard.
This is one of my favorite classic plays and I really enjoyed the layer having an all Black cast added to the production. I love the show’s language and less that subtle subtext.
It was thrilling to see Mr. Jones embody the role of Big Daddy and Ms. Rashad as Big Mama. I’ve never gotten to see either one of these fine actors on stage, so getting to see both of them…on the same stage…in two amazing roles was simply incredible.
A few years ago I got to see Anika Noni Rose in the musical, Carolina or Change. She picked up a Tony for Best Featured Actress in a Musical and only great things have followed. She was in the motion picture Dreamgirls with Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson and now she’s back on Broadway sharing a stage with some of the industry heaviest hitters. What a brilliant career…with more to come.
From Up Here
A year ago I raved about Julie White in the play, Little Dog Laughed (she did go on to win the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play), she’s back in NYC and is off-Broadway in the play, From Up Here.
I went to play knowing little about it except that Ms. White was in it. That sold me. The play was great and showcases some of the strongest acting I’ve seen on stage in a while. The entire cast pulls their own weight and seem to bring out the best performances in each other. A true ensemble.
The play frames a complicated, troubled teen and his family with biting, real humor. In the beginning you don’t know exactly what the son has done but the fall out seems to ripple through the entire family.
August: Osage County
A whole other beast…the play August: Osage County. The play just won the Pulitzer Prize and as collected the most amazing, completely deserved reviews. For the first time in Broadway history (I think) a show has moved next door to the theater it was in. Shows move on occasion but it’s rarely next door.
It played out like this…August: Osage County was at the Imperial which is now going to be the home of Billy Elliot. Billy Elliot it isn’t there yet, but they need to get the joint ready. So August: Osage County moved next door to the empty Music Box theater. The cool thing is the marquee is up for August: Osage County at both theaters.
I snapped a few pictures the other day to commemorate the happening.
On to the show…I can hardly articulate the experience of this play. Coming in at over 3 hours with 2 intermissions this show is a marathon of talent.
This play is filled with emotional landmines, verbal sabotage and transcendent performances by almost the entire cast of 13. The dinner table scene in the second act is the stuff actor’s dream of. Even with the show clocking in over 3 hours – I would’ve sat down and watched the second act all over again.
The show is brilliant. Absolutely…start to finish brilliant. As I walked out of the theater and toward the subway…I just kept shaking my head and saying, “Wow.” Pulitzer Prize aside, this show will sweep the Tony’s.
The play was so intense and packed that I picked up a copy today and started reading it right away.
Prepare yourself and check out:
www.augustonbroadway.com
A Catered Affair
If August: Osage County was a loud, brash, family drama the other end of the spectrum would land at A Catered Affair. This is the new Harvey Fierstein musical that is really more of a play with music.
The show has divided musical theater lovers. People seem to either love it or hate it. I’ve yet to find anyone who’s thought it was just Ok.
For the record: I loved it. I thought it was gentle, poignant and heartbreaking. There is nothing else like it on Broadway and that’s why it belongs.
It also just got nominated for 12 Drama Desk Awards...not too shabby.
Tony season is upon the theater community here in NYC and I’ve been making some rounds to really incredible shows.
In no particular order...
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
The all African-American production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams opened a couple months ago and I recently got to see it. It boasts an amazing cast featuring the legendary James Earl Jones, powerhouse Phylicia Rashad, recent movie Dreamgirl: Anika Noni Rose and movie star turned theater newbie: Terrance Howard.
This is one of my favorite classic plays and I really enjoyed the layer having an all Black cast added to the production. I love the show’s language and less that subtle subtext.
It was thrilling to see Mr. Jones embody the role of Big Daddy and Ms. Rashad as Big Mama. I’ve never gotten to see either one of these fine actors on stage, so getting to see both of them…on the same stage…in two amazing roles was simply incredible.
A few years ago I got to see Anika Noni Rose in the musical, Carolina or Change. She picked up a Tony for Best Featured Actress in a Musical and only great things have followed. She was in the motion picture Dreamgirls with Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson and now she’s back on Broadway sharing a stage with some of the industry heaviest hitters. What a brilliant career…with more to come.
From Up Here
A year ago I raved about Julie White in the play, Little Dog Laughed (she did go on to win the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play), she’s back in NYC and is off-Broadway in the play, From Up Here.
I went to play knowing little about it except that Ms. White was in it. That sold me. The play was great and showcases some of the strongest acting I’ve seen on stage in a while. The entire cast pulls their own weight and seem to bring out the best performances in each other. A true ensemble.
The play frames a complicated, troubled teen and his family with biting, real humor. In the beginning you don’t know exactly what the son has done but the fall out seems to ripple through the entire family.
August: Osage County
A whole other beast…the play August: Osage County. The play just won the Pulitzer Prize and as collected the most amazing, completely deserved reviews. For the first time in Broadway history (I think) a show has moved next door to the theater it was in. Shows move on occasion but it’s rarely next door.
It played out like this…August: Osage County was at the Imperial which is now going to be the home of Billy Elliot. Billy Elliot it isn’t there yet, but they need to get the joint ready. So August: Osage County moved next door to the empty Music Box theater. The cool thing is the marquee is up for August: Osage County at both theaters.
I snapped a few pictures the other day to commemorate the happening.
On to the show…I can hardly articulate the experience of this play. Coming in at over 3 hours with 2 intermissions this show is a marathon of talent.
This play is filled with emotional landmines, verbal sabotage and transcendent performances by almost the entire cast of 13. The dinner table scene in the second act is the stuff actor’s dream of. Even with the show clocking in over 3 hours – I would’ve sat down and watched the second act all over again.
The show is brilliant. Absolutely…start to finish brilliant. As I walked out of the theater and toward the subway…I just kept shaking my head and saying, “Wow.” Pulitzer Prize aside, this show will sweep the Tony’s.
The play was so intense and packed that I picked up a copy today and started reading it right away.
Prepare yourself and check out:
www.augustonbroadway.com
A Catered Affair
If August: Osage County was a loud, brash, family drama the other end of the spectrum would land at A Catered Affair. This is the new Harvey Fierstein musical that is really more of a play with music.
The show has divided musical theater lovers. People seem to either love it or hate it. I’ve yet to find anyone who’s thought it was just Ok.
For the record: I loved it. I thought it was gentle, poignant and heartbreaking. There is nothing else like it on Broadway and that’s why it belongs.
It also just got nominated for 12 Drama Desk Awards...not too shabby.
The Last Lecture
I just finished The Last Lecture a few minutes ago.
A couple of months ago I saw Randy Pausch on Oprah and I was so impressed with his character and presentation entitled, The Last Lecture.
The other day in a bookstore I noticed that the lecture had been released in book form with his thoughts, ideas and childhood dreams scattered throughout.
I picked it up and was moved immediately by the honesty and power of his words.
I’ve already shared passages and quotes with friends, family and co-workers. I’ve never met Randy Pausch but I’m a better friend, co-worker and human for his words and life.
www.thelastlecture.com
A couple of months ago I saw Randy Pausch on Oprah and I was so impressed with his character and presentation entitled, The Last Lecture.
The other day in a bookstore I noticed that the lecture had been released in book form with his thoughts, ideas and childhood dreams scattered throughout.
I picked it up and was moved immediately by the honesty and power of his words.
I’ve already shared passages and quotes with friends, family and co-workers. I’ve never met Randy Pausch but I’m a better friend, co-worker and human for his words and life.
www.thelastlecture.com
Friday, May 02, 2008
Backwoods Barbie Tour - Dolly Parton at Radio City
On Thursday night...with my friend Joshua...I sat 4th row center for the one and only Dolly Parton.
It was a sold-out show at the famous Radio City Music Hall and she did not disappoint. She sang everything from Coat of Many Colors to Jolene to Jesus and Gravity. She also pulled out the stops musically...it's not uncommon to see her playing guitar but at this show she not only played her guitar but also the violin, the piano, the harpsichord and piccolo (each bedazzled with rhinestones).
It was a sold-out show at the famous Radio City Music Hall and she did not disappoint. She sang everything from Coat of Many Colors to Jolene to Jesus and Gravity. She also pulled out the stops musically...it's not uncommon to see her playing guitar but at this show she not only played her guitar but also the violin, the piano, the harpsichord and piccolo (each bedazzled with rhinestones).
Thursday, May 01, 2008
4 Year Anniversary
My how time flies.
4 years ago today, May 1, my dear friends Greg (from Atlanta) and Damon Bishop (from Astoria, NY) moved me into my Manhattan apartment.
It was many, many, many trips up and down the four flights of stairs but that evening I slept in New York City.
4 years ago today, May 1, my dear friends Greg (from Atlanta) and Damon Bishop (from Astoria, NY) moved me into my Manhattan apartment.
It was many, many, many trips up and down the four flights of stairs but that evening I slept in New York City.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
AIDS Walk NYC...coming SOON
On May 18th I'll be walking in the AIDS Walk.
This will be my 12th year walking and I couldn't be more excited about walking once again with The Container Store.
I'm looking for sponsors...any mount. $5, $50, $500...
Anything you can share will make a difference to those living with and fighting HIV/AIDS.
You can sponsor me directly by visiting a special AIDS Walk site at: http://aidswalknewyork2008.kintera.org/jasondanielhood
This will be my 12th year walking and I couldn't be more excited about walking once again with The Container Store.
I'm looking for sponsors...any mount. $5, $50, $500...
Anything you can share will make a difference to those living with and fighting HIV/AIDS.
You can sponsor me directly by visiting a special AIDS Walk site at: http://aidswalknewyork2008.kintera.org/jasondanielhood
Thursday, March 20, 2008
March Re-Cap...so far...
Antuan took part in a charity event with ABC Daytime benefiting Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS. It took place at the famed Town Hall theater right off Times Square (it was at Town Hall in NYC that the phrase “no bad seat in the house” was born).
The event gathered some of Daytime television’s biggest stars (Whoopi Goldberg from The View, Susan Lucci from All My Children, etc.) to entertain their fans. The crowd was made of mostly of Soap Opera fans who shelled out a pretty penny to see their favorite Daytime actors dance, sing and put on a “Broadway style” show.
Antuan danced in a couple numbers including one with Susan Lucci. She “sang” the Bette Midler classic, Do You Wanna Dance? and Antuan provided the actual dancing.
There was a nice party afterwards. I got to meet and hang out with the other dancers and singers. We were drinking a nice glass of wine and chatting it up when we heard, “Could you scoot down? Ms. Lucci needs two tables.”
We did scoot and Antuan introduced me to her. She was very nice and even posed for a picture with Antuan.
The beginning of March was a really busy theater month for us as well…it started with…wait for it…wait for it…
Gypsy.
Last Summer I was able to see City Center’s production of Gypsy starring the legendary Patti LuPone. I was thrilled when it was announced in the Fall that the show was so well-received that it would make a move to Broadway.
We took in the show on the 4th and were once again blown away. From the show's goose-bump inducing Overture to when Ms. LuPone stops the show with her interpretation of Rose’s Turn…you can feel the magic that is live theater. I think anyone who truly loves musicals and theater should get a ticket and experience Gypsy.
On the other end of the spectrum…later that week we saw the new Broadway stage adaptation of the movie dud, Xanadu. The movie I could hardly sit through…it is painfully bad…but the musical was hysterical. Its camp value is high and it’s sense of humor is right on par with mine. I would re-visit the show again and again.
It was nice to see Cheyenne Jackson back on the Broadway stage. I wrote about him a couple of years ago when I saw the jukebox musical, All Shook Up. I thought All Shook Up was great. I think (on and off with different friends I ended up seeing it 4 or 5 times) it was a fun show. Ok, maybe it’s not revolutionary theater…but a fun way to spend a night out in NYC. Cheyenne’s a talented, tall-drink-of-water who commands the stage. He’s got a great vocal range and I was really impressed with his comic timing in the show.
Antuan also attended the opening of In The Heights. He was in the show when it was off-Broadway and will probably go back in when during the summer when cast members start taking vacations.
The show opened last weekend to wonderful reviews and I think is bringing a whole new audience into the theater.
Ok…I think that’s the latest, well…from a theater standpoint.
I know there's more to share...Elizabeth and I are writing music again...work is going well...but I'll catch you up on that a little later.
The event gathered some of Daytime television’s biggest stars (Whoopi Goldberg from The View, Susan Lucci from All My Children, etc.) to entertain their fans. The crowd was made of mostly of Soap Opera fans who shelled out a pretty penny to see their favorite Daytime actors dance, sing and put on a “Broadway style” show.
Antuan danced in a couple numbers including one with Susan Lucci. She “sang” the Bette Midler classic, Do You Wanna Dance? and Antuan provided the actual dancing.
There was a nice party afterwards. I got to meet and hang out with the other dancers and singers. We were drinking a nice glass of wine and chatting it up when we heard, “Could you scoot down? Ms. Lucci needs two tables.”
We did scoot and Antuan introduced me to her. She was very nice and even posed for a picture with Antuan.
The beginning of March was a really busy theater month for us as well…it started with…wait for it…wait for it…
Gypsy.
Last Summer I was able to see City Center’s production of Gypsy starring the legendary Patti LuPone. I was thrilled when it was announced in the Fall that the show was so well-received that it would make a move to Broadway.
We took in the show on the 4th and were once again blown away. From the show's goose-bump inducing Overture to when Ms. LuPone stops the show with her interpretation of Rose’s Turn…you can feel the magic that is live theater. I think anyone who truly loves musicals and theater should get a ticket and experience Gypsy.
On the other end of the spectrum…later that week we saw the new Broadway stage adaptation of the movie dud, Xanadu. The movie I could hardly sit through…it is painfully bad…but the musical was hysterical. Its camp value is high and it’s sense of humor is right on par with mine. I would re-visit the show again and again.
It was nice to see Cheyenne Jackson back on the Broadway stage. I wrote about him a couple of years ago when I saw the jukebox musical, All Shook Up. I thought All Shook Up was great. I think (on and off with different friends I ended up seeing it 4 or 5 times) it was a fun show. Ok, maybe it’s not revolutionary theater…but a fun way to spend a night out in NYC. Cheyenne’s a talented, tall-drink-of-water who commands the stage. He’s got a great vocal range and I was really impressed with his comic timing in the show.
Antuan also attended the opening of In The Heights. He was in the show when it was off-Broadway and will probably go back in when during the summer when cast members start taking vacations.
The show opened last weekend to wonderful reviews and I think is bringing a whole new audience into the theater.
Ok…I think that’s the latest, well…from a theater standpoint.
I know there's more to share...Elizabeth and I are writing music again...work is going well...but I'll catch you up on that a little later.
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Photos from the new musical HIT (yep, it's a HIT!), Xanadu....the most fun I've had on Broadway in a long time.
Friday, February 15, 2008
What's Up Doc? It's Valentine's Day
Yesterday was Valentine’s Day…it fell on a Thursday this year which meant: I was off from work.
The day started off quiet and slow. Which was perfect. Antuan and I got up and made breakfast…bacon, eggs, pancakes, etc. and then we headed down to Columbus Circle. At almost 1pm, Broadway powerhouse, Idina Menzel, signed copies of her new CD: I Stand. We waited in line for a little bit and I had the opportunity to meet her. It was a quick hello and autograph but I got to express my support and gratitude for her music.
Antuan was really just there for me. He snapped pictures. (I'll add them soon)
Afterwards we got back on the train and went down to the neighborhood of Chelsea (23rd street on the west side of the island of Manhattan). For Valentine’s Day they were showing the 1970’s screwball comedy, What’s Up Doc? on the big screen. We didn’t have major Valentine’s plans…so a movie from before either of us was even born fit the bill just fine.
We got tickets to the 7pm show and then carried on with our day.
That meant…Antuan’s Valentine’s gift to me…are you ready for it?
Build-a-Bear.
That says it all, right?
I’d …never…experienced the ‘magic’ that is Build-a-Bear. The world’s largest store resides right here in NYC just off 5th Avenue.
Antuan had been years ago and has a stuffed Koala named Kendall to prove it.
I’d browsed through the one in the Westchester Mall in White Plains and I have to admit, it’s a little creepy. Yep, it creeped me out. All these teddy bear skins laid out in bins.
Before I knew it…I was swept away and building my own bear.
There’s a whole ceremony as your bear is being…filled (again, a little creepy) with cotton stuffing. Antuan let the staff know that he wanted me to have the FULL experience. After the bear was stuffed, I got to choose a satin red heart that would go inside the bear before it was sewn shut. I had to rub the heart in my hands to “warm it” then rub it on my cheeks so it would be “cute like me”…rub the heart of my head so it would “always know that it was loved”…you get the picture.
I did it all.
45 minutes later I walked out with my bear (being denied the bear’s birth certificate because I couldn’t think of a name on the spot).
We headed back uptown to Antuan’s apartment, first making a stop at a local fish market. Seafood straight from the sea…literally. We were going to make dinner. We didn’t know what – but we were going to make it.
And we did.
We got shrimp and they steamed it on the premises and then we went home and sautéed it. We didn’t know exactly what we were doing but it was a delicious adventure.
After the dinner and a quick nap we were heading back downtown to see the movie. I know it line for line but it was still a lot of fun knowing that a funny line coming would crack Antuan up – and it usually did.
As we traveled to the movie I continued to kick around names for the bear…Chandler…Mark…whatever came to me.
As we came out of the subway I saw a sign for a restaurant named Porter’s. Porter was one of the names I’d picked out of the air just after we’d left Build-a-Bear earlier in the day.
As the movie began and Barbra Streisand sings You’re the Top over the film’s opening credits, I noticed that the song was written by Cole Porter.
Double confirmation.
The bear’s name is Porter.
And I love him.
The day started off quiet and slow. Which was perfect. Antuan and I got up and made breakfast…bacon, eggs, pancakes, etc. and then we headed down to Columbus Circle. At almost 1pm, Broadway powerhouse, Idina Menzel, signed copies of her new CD: I Stand. We waited in line for a little bit and I had the opportunity to meet her. It was a quick hello and autograph but I got to express my support and gratitude for her music.
Antuan was really just there for me. He snapped pictures. (I'll add them soon)
Afterwards we got back on the train and went down to the neighborhood of Chelsea (23rd street on the west side of the island of Manhattan). For Valentine’s Day they were showing the 1970’s screwball comedy, What’s Up Doc? on the big screen. We didn’t have major Valentine’s plans…so a movie from before either of us was even born fit the bill just fine.
We got tickets to the 7pm show and then carried on with our day.
That meant…Antuan’s Valentine’s gift to me…are you ready for it?
Build-a-Bear.
That says it all, right?
I’d …never…experienced the ‘magic’ that is Build-a-Bear. The world’s largest store resides right here in NYC just off 5th Avenue.
Antuan had been years ago and has a stuffed Koala named Kendall to prove it.
I’d browsed through the one in the Westchester Mall in White Plains and I have to admit, it’s a little creepy. Yep, it creeped me out. All these teddy bear skins laid out in bins.
Before I knew it…I was swept away and building my own bear.
There’s a whole ceremony as your bear is being…filled (again, a little creepy) with cotton stuffing. Antuan let the staff know that he wanted me to have the FULL experience. After the bear was stuffed, I got to choose a satin red heart that would go inside the bear before it was sewn shut. I had to rub the heart in my hands to “warm it” then rub it on my cheeks so it would be “cute like me”…rub the heart of my head so it would “always know that it was loved”…you get the picture.
I did it all.
45 minutes later I walked out with my bear (being denied the bear’s birth certificate because I couldn’t think of a name on the spot).
We headed back uptown to Antuan’s apartment, first making a stop at a local fish market. Seafood straight from the sea…literally. We were going to make dinner. We didn’t know what – but we were going to make it.
And we did.
We got shrimp and they steamed it on the premises and then we went home and sautéed it. We didn’t know exactly what we were doing but it was a delicious adventure.
After the dinner and a quick nap we were heading back downtown to see the movie. I know it line for line but it was still a lot of fun knowing that a funny line coming would crack Antuan up – and it usually did.
As we traveled to the movie I continued to kick around names for the bear…Chandler…Mark…whatever came to me.
As we came out of the subway I saw a sign for a restaurant named Porter’s. Porter was one of the names I’d picked out of the air just after we’d left Build-a-Bear earlier in the day.
As the movie began and Barbra Streisand sings You’re the Top over the film’s opening credits, I noticed that the song was written by Cole Porter.
Double confirmation.
The bear’s name is Porter.
And I love him.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Back to Songwriting...
Elizabeth came over tonight
I was finally about to give her both her birthday (October ‘07) and Christmas (December ’07) presents.
We got up a bit and then started to the business at hand.
Music.
She started playing a new song (as yet still untitled) and I started arranging, writing and re-arranging lyrics.
It’s a lot of fun getting into a groove with her. She knows where she wants the song to go and I get to help her get there.
I always approach a song as a story. What happened before the first verse? What’s happening during the song? What will happen after the song is over?
I look for a through line…a story. Then we hang the lyrics on that.
For some people that makes no sense…for me, it’s one of the best ways to spend an evening.
I was finally about to give her both her birthday (October ‘07) and Christmas (December ’07) presents.
We got up a bit and then started to the business at hand.
Music.
She started playing a new song (as yet still untitled) and I started arranging, writing and re-arranging lyrics.
It’s a lot of fun getting into a groove with her. She knows where she wants the song to go and I get to help her get there.
I always approach a song as a story. What happened before the first verse? What’s happening during the song? What will happen after the song is over?
I look for a through line…a story. Then we hang the lyrics on that.
For some people that makes no sense…for me, it’s one of the best ways to spend an evening.
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