Sunday, September 29, 2013

"SECONDHAND LIONS" MUSICAL AT THE 5TH AVENUE THEATRE — A "FIRSTHAND" REVIEW

l-r Young Hub (Kevin Earley) and Young Garth (Jared Michael Brown) in Secondhand Lions at The 5th Avenue Theatre.
Credit Tracy Martin
 
        At The 5th Avenue Theatre, the projected newsreel-like image of a huge, fast moving bi-plane appeared to roar outward toward the audience, as if to say, “Comin’ at ya!”  It looked like we were in for quite a ride on opening night of the new musical Secondhand Lions, a world premiere production that runs through next weekend. We would see many more brilliant, almost magical, multi-media special effects, where cast members would pass through a curtain that served as a projection screen and become part of a vintage-looking, almost cartoonish moving picture. We would see dazzling costumes and the beautifully detailed and cleverly designed sets I always love at this theatre. Excellent singing, dancing and acting came in abundance. Doesn’t that seem like a recipe for great entertainment? It was, in most ways.
       Considering all the creativity, hard work, and dedication by so many talented people, whose efforts I appreciate, I would love to be able to give this show a rating of two thumbs up. I just tried that gesture here at home in front of my laptop, but one of my thumbs kept folding over a bit and twitching. Something—actually several somethings—just wouldn’t quite let me make that sign.
l-r Hub (Mark Jacoby), Walter (Johnny Rabe), Mae (Kendra Kassebaum) and Garth (Gregg Edelman) in Secondhand Lions at The 5th Avenue Theatre.
Credit: Tracy Ma
        There are many good reasons to see Secondhand Lions. Even though it won’t rank as one of my all-times favorites, the show still has so much going for it. In addition to the aspects already mentioned, it offers a satisfying story line and much more. A boy named Walter has no father but a socially outgoing mother, Mae (Kendra Kassebaum), who thinks only of her own self-serving agenda when she drops him off at the home of her two old uncles who live an isolated existence in rural Texas. The relationship the boy develops with this pair of brothers—Garth (Gregg Edelman) and Hub (Mark Jacoby) enriches all their lives, helping Walter grow up and helping the uncles come to terms with their own pasts. It involves a lot of fantastic storytelling around the elders' adventures in the French Foreign Legion involving a sultan (Jason Danieley) and the story’s female heroine, Samira (Jenny Powers). We don't learn until the end whether these stories were true or not.
The Sultan (Jason Danieley, center) and his treasurer (Nick DeSantis) in Secondhand Lions at The 5th Avenue Theatre.
       This musical features impressive performances from the entire cast. Some of the best moments included Kevin Earley as the young Hub and adult Walter. I loved his voice. Powers was outstanding as the princess Samira, sang beautifully and looked great, although her character was written as a just bit too much of the smarter-than-men, braver-than-men, emasculating superwoman who employs feminine charm one minute and literally kicks butt the next, flicking those sword bearing guards aside like pesky flies. These types of absurdities didn't always mesh well with the more serious and poignant side of the story.
       Justin Huertas was pure delight in his 5th Avenue debut, as Achmed, the sultan’s silent servant (having had his tongue cut out), who communicates through facial expressions and gestures. I appreciated the talent it took to pull off that part so perfectly, and I’m glad to discover this man of many talents. Without seeming to worship youth over veteran actors, I cannot ignore the fine job done by Johnny Rabe as the boy protagonist, Walter, and Sophia Anne Caruso as his neighbor and friend, Jane. Both showed a great deal of confidence and professionalism and belted out their songs as well as any adult.
Jane (Sophia Anne Caruso, front) and Walter (Johnn Rabe) in Secondhand Lions at The 5th Avenue Theatre.
Credit Tracy Martin
       I offer plenty of praise for Eugene Lee for his scenic design, Jeff Sugg for his projection design, and Ann Hould-Ward for the stunning costumes. When the harem girls spread their pleated, golden wing-like capes under those lights, I nearly gasped at the spectacle.
       Did I like Secondhand Lions? Yes, I did. I enjoyed it very much. Did I fall in love with it? No, we're just friends. That doesn't mean you won't be smitten. I could sum up most of what I didn’t love with one word: sound. That word covers a lot of territory beyond the merely technical side of things. Let me explain.
       Over-amplification annoyed me at once, although that problem might have been corrected in subsequent presentations. I also got the impression of an imbalance in the orchestra’s instruments. The music itself was certainly well performed and nice—as in pleasant, sweet, or fun. Resident Music Supervisor Ian Eisendrath is, of course, a wonderful conductor, but not a single one of these songs stuck in my head, had me humming, set my feet tapping, or made me want a recording. I certainly didn’t hear anything destined to become a classic. This surprised me. Since I knew Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner wrote the music and lyrics—and their combined talents in First Date blew me away—I expected outstanding tunes. The lyrics, although often clever and delightful, sometimes shifted gears into what sounded like Gilbert and Sullivan after too much caffeine. In fact, the whole story shifted gears too often.
       Then there was the matter of accents. I could not understand how so many people living in the same location, even living in the same family, could have accents ranging from none at all to the most exaggerated Texas drawl ever heard and everything in between. That inconsistency took away from believability, even in a story this fantastic.
The Sultan (Jason Danieley, center) and his treasurer (Nick DeSantis) in Secondhand Lions at The 5th Avenue Theatre

I totally respect the talents and track record of Rupert Holmes, who wrote the book for this musical, and think he struck a good balance between humor and poignancy. However, this show is not on a par with so many musicals at this theater that I have loved and will never forget. Let’s call it “one thumb up and one slightly bent at the knuckle” but still very much worth the price of a ticket. You can order yours online here: The 5th Avenue Box Office Don't wait too long because it ends on October 6.

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Wednesday, September 25, 2013

DAN LEVENSON'S NORTHWEST TOUR DELIGHTS OLD TIME MUSIC FANS

 

Here in the Pacific Northwest we’re a long way from Southern Appalachia, but over the next ten days you can experience some of that region’s musical heritage presented by an amazingly talented musician who truly knows what it’s all about. Dan Levenson, a master of Old Time fiddle and clawhammer banjo styles will be in Vancouver, Washington, Sept. 27-28 and in Seattle Oct. 3-6 (See more below.) For a sample of true Old Time clawhammer style, listen to him play an old tune called "Forked Deer" on an 1865 banjo by clicking here.

Or maybe you'd prefer fiddle.
 
 
 
Dan Levenson is a favorite among fans of this music, voted one of the top ten clawhammer banjo players in the country by readers of Banjo Newsletter Magazine. It’s no wonder. His extraordinary musicianship, knowledge of authentic Old Time styles, and ability to teach others keep him in demand around the country and even beyond its borders. That’s why you won’t want to miss hearing him play during this visit our corner of America. 

Dan will be conducting workshops and private lessons for players of both banjo and fiddle as well as presenting his popular concert program called “An Evening With Dan Levenson,” a great show for anyone to enjoy, musician or not. It includes fiddle, banjo, guitar, songs, stories, and even dance.

If you can't make it to a concert or workshop, you can order his recordings and instructional materials on the "Products" page of his website.


 

After delighting folks in Eugene, Oregon, last weekend, Dan will appear next in Vancouver, at Kennedy Violins, located at 508 SE 117th Street. His 7 p.m. concert on Friday, Sept. 27, will be followed by two workshops on Saturday. See the Kennedy Violins website for more information and tickets.

If you live in the Puget Sound area, be sure to catch Dan’s performance at Couth Buzzard Books Espresso Buono CafĂ© 8310, Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, (206) 436-2960. This FREE performance  is sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Folklore Society, donations are welcome. Time: 7:30 p.m.—9:30 p.m.

Then, dust off your banjo or fiddle and come on over to one of my favorite places, Dusty Strings in Seattle's Fremont neighborhood, for weekend packed with learning.

Workshops galore at Dusty Strings,

3406 Fremont Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98103
866-634-1662 or 206-634-1662


Register NOW for these workshops as they could fill up quickly.

Banjo: Saturday, Oct. 5 10:30-12:30 and 2:00-4:00

Fiddle: Sunday, Oct. 6 12:15-2:15 and 2:30-4:30

Welcome to the Northwest, Dan!

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Thursday, September 12, 2013

NATURAL SPECTACLE - VAUX'S SWIFTS RETURN TO MONROE THIS WEEKEND



Imagine seeing up to 26,000 small birds circling in the sky before they swoop down into a chimney in a matter of minutes. Such an amazing natural drama will take place in the town of Monroe, Washington, this weekend, where crowds will gather with their lawn chairs or blankets, binoculars, and entire families for Swift Night Out 2013. This annual event celebrates the return of thousands of Vaux's (pronounced "voxes") Swifts to a 31-foot-tall, 4-foot-square chimney in the town's community center. Now called "Wagner Center," this building was the former Frank Wagner Elementary School.

Don't miss this exciting live streaming video looking right inside the chimney. See the wonderful website "Monroe Swifts" for more information.

Photo by Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. Thanks to Pat Leonard of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for locating this image for me.
 
These Northwest birds have been described by some as "flying cigars" because of the shape of their bodies, designed for a life of nearly constant flight. They spending virtually all their daylight hours in the air without resting, in their relentless search for insects. They would naturally choose a hollow tree to nest in, if they could. With hollow trees much harder to find these days, they chose this chimney instead, and because of then it was saved from demolition.

Now the return of the birds means a community celebration. The event begins at 5 p.m. with a spaghetti feed followed by a lecture and a chance to ask questions of bird experts. Booths, displays, and vendors give the evening a festive mood. Wagner Center is located at 639 W. Main St. in Old Town Monroe, between Kelsey St. and Dickinson Rd. Bring the family and enjoy a spectacular show.


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