As a teacher, patron, and reviewer I have seen at least a third of the twenty different stagings of A Christmas Carol that the Great Lakes Theater Festival has done. It is the Romeo and Juliet of Christmas plays. Everyone knows the characters, everyone knows the conflicts, and everyone knows the ending, but if it is done well those things just don't matter.
The current production now being performed at the Ohio Theater is done well. Very good casting, great costumes and scenery, an added story within a story that allows for some festive holiday singing, all make it an enjoyable night of theater. If you want to be picky, there are some criticisms, for example there is more machine generated smoke than at a Journey concert. But all in all it is another fine production of Dickens' classic.
Direct by Victoria Bussert, the show features long time Great Lakes veteran Aled Davies as Scrooge, and he does a great job with it. Almost stealing the show from Davies is seven-year-old Shannon Kelley who plays Tiny Tim.
A Christmas Carol is often watered down, but this current production keeps loyal to Dickens' original text, including his references to British folk tales and mythology. It's doesn't get too heavy, and the dramatic effects do not get in the way of the story.
The opening night audience was filled with many well-dressed and well-behaved children, enjoying a night out with parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles.
A Christmas Carol will be presented at the Ohio Theater until December 23, including matinees on the weekends. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.greatlakestheater.org or call 216.241.6000.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
J.D.Souther at Nighttown Cleveland 19 November 2008
It was a wonderful night of songs and story telling as one of the architects of the California rock sound of the 70's J. D. Souther packed Nighttown for a solo show. I don't think anyone left disappointed after 21 songs plus 3 encores that covered his forty year career, as hits, near misses, and new ballads all sounded good.
Souther presented himself in a polished but laid back fashion, and he had the audience buying in to everything he did. He strolled on stage carrying a book he had been reading quietly at the bar beforehand. He's lost a bit of his range over the years, but the high parts still sound sincere, and his guitar and piano playing was simple but beautiful. He was witty without being over intellectual; he was political without being extreme or preachy.
He opened with "I'll be Here at Closing Time" off his new album "The World was You", a song reminiscent of Tom Waits. He was quite proud that you could by his new album in a double album on high quality vinyl. He did great versions of the songs he wrote or help write for the Eagles and Linda Ronstandt including "New Kid in Town," "Best of my Love," "Black Roses and White Rhythm and Blues," and "Prisoner in Disguise." Also included was "How Long," his 1972 composition that turned out to be the first single off the Eagles' 2007 release "Long Road out of Eden." Several gems off his 1979 "Only Lonely" album, included the title track and "The Last in Love" also stood out.
He enjoyed the night as much as the audience, reaching back to his very first album for "Lullaby" as the last encore, something he doesn't often do.
Opening for Souther was New York City singer/songwriter April Smith, who was everything an opening act should be: she was a good fit for the audience, she did a very good job, and she did not play too long. She's a short spunky woman who's in that 'not young any more but not showing her years yet' stage, and is a fine songwriter to boot. She did five originals and a cover of "Unchained Melody," with "To Tell You" and the "One Who Got Way" standing out.
For more on J. D. Souther and his music visit www.jdsouther.net. Nighttown will be featuring Christmas shows by jazz artists with local roots during December, including
Helen Welch, Kelly Chapman, and Joe McBride. Trumpet player extraordinaire Dominick Farinacci will be their New Year's Eve show. Visit www.nighttowncleveland.com for more information.
Souther presented himself in a polished but laid back fashion, and he had the audience buying in to everything he did. He strolled on stage carrying a book he had been reading quietly at the bar beforehand. He's lost a bit of his range over the years, but the high parts still sound sincere, and his guitar and piano playing was simple but beautiful. He was witty without being over intellectual; he was political without being extreme or preachy.
He opened with "I'll be Here at Closing Time" off his new album "The World was You", a song reminiscent of Tom Waits. He was quite proud that you could by his new album in a double album on high quality vinyl. He did great versions of the songs he wrote or help write for the Eagles and Linda Ronstandt including "New Kid in Town," "Best of my Love," "Black Roses and White Rhythm and Blues," and "Prisoner in Disguise." Also included was "How Long," his 1972 composition that turned out to be the first single off the Eagles' 2007 release "Long Road out of Eden." Several gems off his 1979 "Only Lonely" album, included the title track and "The Last in Love" also stood out.
He enjoyed the night as much as the audience, reaching back to his very first album for "Lullaby" as the last encore, something he doesn't often do.
Opening for Souther was New York City singer/songwriter April Smith, who was everything an opening act should be: she was a good fit for the audience, she did a very good job, and she did not play too long. She's a short spunky woman who's in that 'not young any more but not showing her years yet' stage, and is a fine songwriter to boot. She did five originals and a cover of "Unchained Melody," with "To Tell You" and the "One Who Got Way" standing out.
For more on J. D. Souther and his music visit www.jdsouther.net. Nighttown will be featuring Christmas shows by jazz artists with local roots during December, including
Helen Welch, Kelly Chapman, and Joe McBride. Trumpet player extraordinaire Dominick Farinacci will be their New Year's Eve show. Visit www.nighttowncleveland.com for more information.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Wine Tasting Evening at Sokolowski's University Inn 16 October 2008
Every so often they will the good people at Sokolowski's University Inn in Tremont dress the place up for a special event. Last Thursday they had their first ever wine tasting, and by the reaction of the sold out crowd it was quite the success.
Eighty-five food and wine enthusiasts were treated to a five-course affair, each one featuring one of the Inn's signature dishes with a wine furnished by Heidelburg Distributors. Perogies were paired with a Pinot Noir, stuff cabbage with a Malbec Select, and Grilled Flank Steak with a Cabernet Sauvignon.
The affair was hosted by Dr. Dave Rogers, aka as "the Wine Snob," who did a great job giving the background of each wine presented, the health benefits of a glass a wine a day, and the economics of being a wise wine consumer.
The food was outstanding, the wines were very good, and the company was friendly. The evening was capped off by a dessert buffet featuring University Inn's outstanding rice pudding along with an assortment of Polish pastries called kalachis.
It was a great job by the Sokolowski's and their staff at the University Inn and the people from Heidelburg Distributors. And on top of it, for the $50 ticket price it was a bargain of an evening. For more information on Sokoloski's University Inn including upcoming special events go to www.sokolowskis.com.
Eighty-five food and wine enthusiasts were treated to a five-course affair, each one featuring one of the Inn's signature dishes with a wine furnished by Heidelburg Distributors. Perogies were paired with a Pinot Noir, stuff cabbage with a Malbec Select, and Grilled Flank Steak with a Cabernet Sauvignon.
The affair was hosted by Dr. Dave Rogers, aka as "the Wine Snob," who did a great job giving the background of each wine presented, the health benefits of a glass a wine a day, and the economics of being a wise wine consumer.
The food was outstanding, the wines were very good, and the company was friendly. The evening was capped off by a dessert buffet featuring University Inn's outstanding rice pudding along with an assortment of Polish pastries called kalachis.
It was a great job by the Sokolowski's and their staff at the University Inn and the people from Heidelburg Distributors. And on top of it, for the $50 ticket price it was a bargain of an evening. For more information on Sokoloski's University Inn including upcoming special events go to www.sokolowskis.com.
"10" Tommy Wiggins Chilidog Records 2008
Tommy Wiggins is many things. He runs the Recording Arts & Technology Program at Tri-C Metro and hosts the award winning television show "Crooked River Groove," and in his spare time he makes his own music. He is a talented singer songwriter who just released his tenth effort appropriately titled "10" and it is very good. It is Wiggins' best record yet, filled with catchy original songs and featuring a line up of talented musicians.
Wiggins' music is rock and roll for adults, songs about long ago friends and events, dealing with the aging process, making sense of life’s mysterious. "Ten" features twelve tracks, all penned by Wiggins. “Sliver of Moon” is about a romantic night with a favorite woman. “Hang On” is trying to keep up as time goes by. ”Skyline Drive” and “Summer of ‘69” look back on childhood events both innocent and destructive. "Crooked River Groove," and "Bible's on the Table" are funky blues numbers.
"Ten" has more of a blues feel to it than his more recent works, with some fancy guitar work by Wiggins and Al Moss, keyboards by both Wiggins and Jackie Warren that could be mistaken for Gregg Allman, and a blues beat laid down by bassist Derek Poindexter and drummer Jon Niefeld. Guests also include local reggae statesman Carlos Jones on percussion.
Tommy Wiggins and various friends occasionally play about town, and if you got a chance check them out do so, as well as checking out this album. You won’t be disappointed. For more information on Tommy Wiggins and his music and various projects go to www.tommywiggins.com.
Nick Lowe at the Beachland Ballroom 15 October 2008
It was another night of very enjoyable music at the Beachland Ballroom last Wednesday, as Nick Lowe delivered a well received solo set featuring work from all stages of his illustrious career.
He brought out a sold out audience filled with mostly older fans, with more than a few local musicians and song writers in the crowd. Including encores he did 23 songs without taking a break, all but one an original. The set included recent songs (“People Change” and “Long Limbed Girl” from his 2007 release At My Age); gems from the classic Rockpile album Seconds of Pleasure (“Heart” and “When I Write the Book”); his own pop hits (“Cruel to be Kind” and “I Knew the Bride When She use to Rock and Roll”); hits he wrote for others (a beautiful haunting version of “What’s So Funny About Peace, Love, and Understanding” that closed the show); and fan favorites like “All Men Lie.” He even previewed an unrecorded new song “I Read A Lot” that was warmly received. The only nonoriginal was a rocking version of Eddie Cochran’s “Seven Nights to Rock” which was the last encore. All of it was wonderful, and the audience enjoyed every moment.
The themes and styles of Nick Lowe’s music flow between two extremes, the music of Buddy Holly, the Everly Brothers and very early Beatles, and the ironic and sad humor and insight of classic twentieth century British poets and authors. In between songs he told a few great stories along the way in the same style, like A.E. Houseman if he had a sense of humor.
It was another seating on the floor show at the Beachland. I love it when the chairs come out there. I have seen it really rock there, but when the chairs come out it attracts an older, wiser audience that is really there for the music, and sits silently and enjoys each moment. And the crowd was void of the “We love you, Nick” and “Cleveland loves you, thanks for coming” self centered idiots that attended the recent Shelby Lynne and Roul Malo shows at the Beachland.
As always there are a lot of great shows coming up at the Beachland including Matthew Sweet this Saturday, October 25; Glass Harp doing a benefit for Roots of American Music on Saturday, November 1; Bluesman Bill “Sauce Boss” Wharton on Friday, December 12; Grace Potter and the Nocturnals on Saturday, December 13; and a rescheduled Leon Russell show on Friday, January 16. Check out their seven days a week live music calendar at www.beachlandballroom.com.
A tip of the Red Stripe bottle to Cindy Barber and her staff at the Beachland for another great night of music. Keep up the good work!
He brought out a sold out audience filled with mostly older fans, with more than a few local musicians and song writers in the crowd. Including encores he did 23 songs without taking a break, all but one an original. The set included recent songs (“People Change” and “Long Limbed Girl” from his 2007 release At My Age); gems from the classic Rockpile album Seconds of Pleasure (“Heart” and “When I Write the Book”); his own pop hits (“Cruel to be Kind” and “I Knew the Bride When She use to Rock and Roll”); hits he wrote for others (a beautiful haunting version of “What’s So Funny About Peace, Love, and Understanding” that closed the show); and fan favorites like “All Men Lie.” He even previewed an unrecorded new song “I Read A Lot” that was warmly received. The only nonoriginal was a rocking version of Eddie Cochran’s “Seven Nights to Rock” which was the last encore. All of it was wonderful, and the audience enjoyed every moment.
The themes and styles of Nick Lowe’s music flow between two extremes, the music of Buddy Holly, the Everly Brothers and very early Beatles, and the ironic and sad humor and insight of classic twentieth century British poets and authors. In between songs he told a few great stories along the way in the same style, like A.E. Houseman if he had a sense of humor.
It was another seating on the floor show at the Beachland. I love it when the chairs come out there. I have seen it really rock there, but when the chairs come out it attracts an older, wiser audience that is really there for the music, and sits silently and enjoys each moment. And the crowd was void of the “We love you, Nick” and “Cleveland loves you, thanks for coming” self centered idiots that attended the recent Shelby Lynne and Roul Malo shows at the Beachland.
As always there are a lot of great shows coming up at the Beachland including Matthew Sweet this Saturday, October 25; Glass Harp doing a benefit for Roots of American Music on Saturday, November 1; Bluesman Bill “Sauce Boss” Wharton on Friday, December 12; Grace Potter and the Nocturnals on Saturday, December 13; and a rescheduled Leon Russell show on Friday, January 16. Check out their seven days a week live music calendar at www.beachlandballroom.com.
A tip of the Red Stripe bottle to Cindy Barber and her staff at the Beachland for another great night of music. Keep up the good work!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Cast! at Nighttown 18 September 2008
There was a window of time back in the 70's when jazz musicians had their music played on progressive rock radio. That radio play help make artists like George Benson, Chick Corea, and David Sanborn mainstream artists. A trio made up of sons of three of the major players from that time period played Night Town last Thursday. Drummer Karma Auger (son of Brian), guitarist Julian Coryell (son of Larry), and bassist Nicklas Sample (son of Joe) call them selves Cast!
It can be such a hit or miss proposition when dealing with the offspring of established musicians. For every Rosanne Cash, some one who succeeds despite being in a parent's shadow, there are many who don't. The members of Cast! are already seasoned veterans of the music world, and are all talented musicians in their own rights.
My notes described their music as George Benson meets Rare Earth meets Funkadelic meets Dicky Betts. And, of course, you couldn't help but notice the influences of the elder Auger, Coryell, and Sample. The trio did a great job of keeping the audience's attention with instrumentals with catchy titles like "Nadine," "Beautiful," "The Purple Panther," and "Walking the Dragon." Most of the songs left room for solos and improvisation from all three members. Both the songs and the performance were very good.
The two best numbers had more than a touch of funk, "Coolidge Returns" and "Rice Krispy Socrates," and I predict both with soon become bumper music staples on radio and television programs everywhere.
For now their music is only available on iTunes and CD Baby. They will be working around their commitments to their other projects for the next few months, hopefully doing another small tour later this fall or winter. For more about Cast! and their music visit their page on MySpace Music.
As always there are a lot of great shows coming up at Nighttown, including Maria Muldaur for two shows this Sunday; The Four Freshmen on October 6 & 7; Steve Smith's Jazz Legacy Band, featuring the drummer from Journey, on October 13 & 14; EMI recording artists Eroica Trio on October 25; singer/songwriter J.D. Souther on November 19; and on November 20 & 21 the John Pizzarelli Quartet, who will be featuring music from their Richard Rogers tribute album "With a Song in my Heart," the follow up to last year's Sinatra tribute. To see their complete music calendar go to www.nighttowncleveland.com.
It can be such a hit or miss proposition when dealing with the offspring of established musicians. For every Rosanne Cash, some one who succeeds despite being in a parent's shadow, there are many who don't. The members of Cast! are already seasoned veterans of the music world, and are all talented musicians in their own rights.
My notes described their music as George Benson meets Rare Earth meets Funkadelic meets Dicky Betts. And, of course, you couldn't help but notice the influences of the elder Auger, Coryell, and Sample. The trio did a great job of keeping the audience's attention with instrumentals with catchy titles like "Nadine," "Beautiful," "The Purple Panther," and "Walking the Dragon." Most of the songs left room for solos and improvisation from all three members. Both the songs and the performance were very good.
The two best numbers had more than a touch of funk, "Coolidge Returns" and "Rice Krispy Socrates," and I predict both with soon become bumper music staples on radio and television programs everywhere.
For now their music is only available on iTunes and CD Baby. They will be working around their commitments to their other projects for the next few months, hopefully doing another small tour later this fall or winter. For more about Cast! and their music visit their page on MySpace Music.
As always there are a lot of great shows coming up at Nighttown, including Maria Muldaur for two shows this Sunday; The Four Freshmen on October 6 & 7; Steve Smith's Jazz Legacy Band, featuring the drummer from Journey, on October 13 & 14; EMI recording artists Eroica Trio on October 25; singer/songwriter J.D. Souther on November 19; and on November 20 & 21 the John Pizzarelli Quartet, who will be featuring music from their Richard Rogers tribute album "With a Song in my Heart," the follow up to last year's Sinatra tribute. To see their complete music calendar go to www.nighttowncleveland.com.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Steve Mackall's "Sunday Bubble"
I use to joke, but it wasn't that far from the truth, about not realizing until I was thirty that not everyone had Sunday dinner at their grandparents each week. My old friend Steve Mackall out in California did a great piece about Sunday family dinner. Click on the You Tube link below, or cut and paste it into your browser. Good stuff!
My favorite Sunday dinner story was about when I was stilll in high school and had worked my first week at Quality Industries, a place where you heard the F word a hundred times a minute. If you screwed up a piece you had to write "NFG" on it, meaning it was No Fu---- Good. If a machine made a mistake you wrote "MFUA" on it, meaning the Machine Fu---- Up Again. That first week at the machine shop I worked six days, ten hours a day. I was exhausted, barely keeping awake at the dinner table. I remember we had roast beef and both sets of grandparents were there along with my whole family. I remember after we said grace turning to my grandmother and saying, "Nanny, pass the fu----ing potatoes." Believe me when I say I was not the golden child that day!
Check out Steve's monologue, it is wonderful.
Greg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qih3EYHRn0A
My favorite Sunday dinner story was about when I was stilll in high school and had worked my first week at Quality Industries, a place where you heard the F word a hundred times a minute. If you screwed up a piece you had to write "NFG" on it, meaning it was No Fu---- Good. If a machine made a mistake you wrote "MFUA" on it, meaning the Machine Fu---- Up Again. That first week at the machine shop I worked six days, ten hours a day. I was exhausted, barely keeping awake at the dinner table. I remember we had roast beef and both sets of grandparents were there along with my whole family. I remember after we said grace turning to my grandmother and saying, "Nanny, pass the fu----ing potatoes." Believe me when I say I was not the golden child that day!
Check out Steve's monologue, it is wonderful.
Greg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qih3EYHRn0A
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