Xerxes at the San Francisco Opera

On Saturday night, I continue to combine my pursuit of entertainment with travel when I attend Xerxes at the San Francisco Opera.   It will be my first time at a west coast opera house.  Also, I get to see my favorite Mezzo Soprano and fellow WestTexpatriot Susan Graham in a Handel Opera!

Hugh Jackman: The Greatest Entertainer in the World!

Last month, I went to the first preview of Hugh Jackman's one man show "Back on Broadway."  Last night, I had the opportunity to go again with my college roommate Robin and my friend Karigee.  I'm thoroughly convinced that Hugh Jackman is the Greatest Entertainer in the World!  

The show was just as good, maybe better, than it was that first night.   The only difference last night was that his wife wasn't there and he didn't sing "The Way You Look Tonight," which he did that night.       When Hugh strolled on stage, singing "Oh What a Beautiful Morning," Kari leaned over and whispered, "I have goosebumps!"   I have them now just thinking about the whole show. 

The audience was raucous and there were celebrities in attendance:   Sherri Shepherd, Phyllis Newman, Lauren Bacall and Kirk Douglas!   Hugh gushed over Lauren and Kirk being there.    I have to admit that I've seen the others in the theatre pretty often, but seeing Kirk was ultra cool (Spartacus!).

It's the season on Broadway when all of the shows raise money for Broadway Cares/BCEFA.  After the show, Hugh auctioned off his undershirrts from the first act and second act (he said, "I changed at the 'interval'").   Sherri Shepherd jumped right up and shouted out the first bid:  $1,000.00!    The winning bidders paid $3,500.00 each for the shirts.   Additionally, he sold backstage visits for $1,500.00 each - Sherri stood up and asked if it included a kiss (I don't think Hugh realized who she was at the time and sort of played off her sassiness.)   There were at least 10 or more people who went back for that.   Finally, signed window cards were sold for $200.00 a pop.    Note:  there were no regular window cards or even magnets available as the vendor said they were sold out.     You gotta love that Hugh is raising this money for Broadway Cares. 

Hugh's show is running through January 1st and I hope I find the chance to see it at least one more time.   I also hope that either HBO, Showtime or especially PBS take the opportunity to film and broadcast the show - they will miss out on a good thing if they don't.   Also, I would just about kill for a "cast album" and/or a dvd of this show.

The Foo Fighters at Madison Square Garden

My college roommate Robin dragged me to the Foo Fighters concert at Madison Square Garden on Sunday night.  I have to admit that it was an awesome concert!  When I lived in Texas, I went to rock, blues and country concerts a lot - Robin and I even saw Van Halen in Houston and Austin on the same weekend.  My first concert was Sammy Hagar at Odessa Colliseum when I was 15.  My point is that even thought I spend most of my time these days at operas, classical concerts and Broadway shows,  I'm no neophyte when it comes to rock concerts.  

The Joy Formidable, a 3 person band from North Wales, rocked hard as the opening act at 7:30 pm.  I really liked their music and it didn't hurt that their lead singer Ritzy Bryan wore a really cute purple dress with a silver sequined collar. 

Social Distortion was the second opening act.  I was a little afraid, but they turned out to be a mix of all kinds of music, including rockabilly, punk, and hard rock.   They closed with a hard cover of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" which was super cool.

At 9:30, the Foo Fighters took the stage.   They played all of their mega hits which are a lot since they've been playing together for 16 years.    The light and video show were impressive, but not over the top.  What was most impressive was the sheer energy that they exerted - lead singer Dave Grohl  was all over that huge stage and spent a lot of time running down a long raised runway thru the middle of floor section and to the back of the arena.   There was a lot of screaming, but a lot of great singing too and some really great playing.  

I don't know their music well, but I recognized more than I thought I would.   I especially loved hearing "My Hero", "Monkey Wrench," and "Learn to Fly."   

Around midnight, just when I was just about to throw in the towel - I'd had enough of standing in a puddle of beer and inhaling cigarette and pot smoke (shame on Madison Square Garden for not enforcing the law of the New York) - Dave Grohl brought Joan Jett up on stage to jam with them on "Bad Reputation."  It was freaking amazing!   I had 45s of Joan Jett when I was in junior high.     She still sounds exactly the same and the audience went even crazier for her.

The Foo Fighters played for two hours and forty-five minutes!   Now I see why Robin loves them and has seen them so many times in concert.   Despite having grown out of the scene that goes along with a rock concert, the show itself was fantastic and the band members were really funny and entertaining besides being great musicians.   

The Joy Formidable

Social Distortion

Foo Fighters

Dave Grohl closer to us

Foo Fighters - "Monkey Wrench"

Joan Jett jams with the Foo Fighters



Dave Grohl - accoustic guitar encore



Where are my earplugs aka Tonight: Foo Fighters at MSG

My college roommate is visiting from Texas.  Almost 10 years ago, we visited NYC for the first time during Thanksgiving week.   By the end of that week, I decided to move to here.

Yesterday, we walked to the boat basin on the Hudson River and then to Lincoln Center and then the length of the High Line.  Today, we walked the Brooklyn Bridge and around the Central Park Reservoir.

Tonight, we're celebrating the anniversary by seeing her favorite band The Foo Fighters at Madison Square Garden tonight (reciprocation since I made her to with me to see Bernadette Peters in Austin back in March); on Tuesday, we're seeing Hugh Jackman on Broadway.

Dress Rehearsal: Rodelinda at the Met Opera

I was lucky enough to attend the dress rehearsal of Rodelinda at the Metropolitan Opera today.   In 2004, Rodelinda was the first opera in which I saw Renée Fleming perform - I specifically bought my subscription so I wouldn't miss out on seeing her and I absolutely loved it.   I saw it again during the 2006 run.  

It's a baroque opera by George Friderik Handel - light, bright and beautiful.   It's the story of attempts at staking power, mistaken identities, misunderstandings, best of all lost and found love.   The second act especially is achingly beautiful.   The finale is triumphant.   The production, directed by Stephen Wadsworth,  is set in a beautiful palace outside of Milan - and is one of my favorite sets in all of opera at the Met.  

As expected, it was wonderful today. Everybody was in terrific voice and it all went smoothly. I took my friend Byrne Harrison, who writes Stage Buzz.  It was his first time at the Met Opera and he loved it.  He couldn't get over how good the singers sounded - he said it was like they were just playing a recording and of course, he loved Renée.  After, we visited briefly with Renée. I can't wait to see her again in this opera at a regular performance!



Also, during one of the intermission breaks, I met Angela Meade!  What a thrill!

Richard Tucker Gala 2011

The 36th Annual Richard Tucker Gala was on Sunday night.  It's one of the events that I most anticipate each year.  This year celebrated soprano Angela Meade, the 2011 Richard Tucker Award Winner.

The gala concert is an annual concert to raise money for the Richard Tucker Music Foundation.  The Foundation, named after the great American tenor, was founded as a "non-profit cultural organization dedicated to perpetuating the artistic legacy of the great American tenor through the support and advancement of the careers of talented American opera singers by bringing opera into the community."  Each year the Richard Tucker Music Foundation awards cash prizes to individual U.S. born singers. There is no application process, only nomination.

This year once again brought together a plethora of stars:   Angela Meade, Stephanie Blythe, Maria Guleghina, Jonas Kaufmann, Yonghoon Lee, Zeljko Lucic, Bryn Terfel, Dolora Zajick, and Keith Miller.  Emmanuel Villaume conducted.   The New York Choral Society and members of the Metroplitan Opera Orchestra were on hand to provide backup.  

The Met Orchestra opened with Camilla Saint-Saens' "Bacchanale" from Samson et Dalila. It's always exciting to hear their virtuoso out of the pit and on a stage.   However, a moment of brevity occurred right before Maestro Villaume hit the downbeat with his baton - a cell phone went off.  He turned around and stared down the audience.

This concert is always fabulous and as expected, Angela Meade knocked it out of the park.  She opened the concert with "Santo di patria" from Atilla.   She was joined by Dolora Zajick on the final scene of Act I of Norma (in hopefully what was a preview of a new production at the Met).  Angela also joined in on the Finale from Falstaff.  It was all quite thrilling - she sounded and looked fabulous.   I cannot expound properly what is like to hear her voice - it's all at once enormous, controlled, and above all, beautiful.  It's so exciting that she's so young so no doubt, we will hear her for many years to come and no doubt, she will only get better. 

Looking utterly dapper in a velvet jacket, and barely 24 hours since singing "The Wonderer" in the Met's Siegfried, Byrn Terfel stole the show with his rendition of "Udite, udite, o rustici" from L'elisir d'amore.     He took the stage carrying a bottle of Guinness Stout as his elixer.    He eventually set it down on the conductor's podium and produced three Brooklyn Lagers out of his jacket and pants pockets.   He gave one to an audience member in the front row and then proceeded to chug one of them.  He also gave one to Maestro Villaume, who chugged it as well.   He also played up the comedy when he paused and pointed at audience members who were late arriving.   It was entirely hysterical (and also quite unfair not to share with us in the 3rd tier).  

The ladies fashion winner of the evening was Maria Guleghina who donned a black and white (ostritch?) feather stole around a subtlely sequened black evening gown, with her hair piled into a glamorous couture.   She sang an exquisite "Vissi d'Arte" from Tosca.  

The program:

"Bacchanale" from Samson et Dalila, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

"Santo di patria" Atilla, Angela Meade, Soprano

"Eri tu", Un balllo in mashera Zeljko Lucic, Tenor

"Udite, udite, o rustici" L'elisir d'amore, Bryn Terfel, Bass-baritone, New York Choral Society

"Mamma, quel vino e generso" Cavalleria rusticana, Jonas Kaufmann, Tenor

"Connais-tu le pays" Mignon, Stephanie Blythe, Mezzo-soprano

"Tsar vishnikh sil" The Maid of Orleans, Dolora Zajick, Mezzo-soprano, New York Choral Society

"O Souverain, o juge, o pere" Le Cid, Yonghoon Lee, Tenor

Finale Act I, Norma Angela Meade, Dolora Zajick,  Frank Porretta, Tenor, New York Choral Society

Finale, Carmen  Anita Rachvelishvili, Mezzo-soprano, Jonas Kaufmann

"Dio, che nell'alma infodere" Don Carlo, Jonas Kaufmann, Bryn Terfel, Keith Miller, Bass, New York Choral Soceity

"Vissi d'arte", Tosca, Maria Ghuleghina, Soprano

"Tu qui, Santuzza?", Cavalleria rusticana, Dolora Zajick, Yonghoon Lee

Finale, Falstaff, Bryn Terfel, Stephanie Blythe, Angela Meade, Deanna Breiwick, Renee Tatum, Theo LeBow, Ta'u Pupu'a, Edward Parks, Keith Miller, et al.  

Sister Act on Broadway

Last week I was treated to tickets to see SISTER ACT on Broadway by the show's marketing team.   I took my dear friend Maryann with me. I had a feeling that of all of my friends, she would be the one to really appreciate a show about Catholic nuns, especially since she grew up in Catholic schools, her brother-in-law is a priest, her cousin is a nun and her other cousin is a Brother.   I was right!  In fact, we both more than appreciated the show - we laughed until we cried!   I had to admit that I cried a little too just from loving the story and the show so much.

SISTER ACT is based on the 1992 movie of the same name, which starred Whoopi Goldberg (who is also one of the producers of the musical) as Delores and Dame Maggie Smith as Mother Superior.   It's about Deloris, a singer down on her luck who is placed under protection and into hiding at a convent after she witnesses her boyfriend commit murder.  She could not be more different than the nuns, whom she eventually comes to love as sisters of her own.   I loved the movie, which features songs from the pop hits of the 60s, but I didn't really care about seeing another "jukebox musical."   Turns out, there is nothing jukebox about this show.  

SISTER ACT the musical is a great big Broadway show featuring the original music of Oscar winner Alan Menken.  The songs are in the genres of 70s disco, soul, funk and R&B all mixed in with Broadway style.   The lyrics are a clever, funny and touching while the beat often had us dancing in our seats.  

SISTER ACT stars the wonderful Patina Miller as Deloris.  Patina originated this role in London's West End, where she was Olivier nominated and was awarded the WhatsOnStage.com Theatregoer's Choice Award for Best Actress in a Musical.  Here in New York, Patina was nominated for the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Drama League Awards and received a 2011 Theatre World Award.     She's got a warm, natural voice and just oozes charm all over the stage.  The show is full of anthem-like songs, but she has a song called "Fabulous, Baby!" that made me feel that it was written specifically for the actress, not just the character.  I want her to run in this role for a long time, but I also can't wait to see what she gets to do next.  

The no-nonsense Mother Superior was previously played by Tony winner Victoria Clark, who recently left the show.   I was disappointed to miss Victoria, but currently covering the role is Jennifer Allen, who could not have been better.   Mother Superior is the "straight man" in this comedy and gets some really poignant moments as she tries to protect her domain and eventually opens her heart to Delores.   It's a beautiful role - and she gets to sing the most beautiful number in the show, "Here Within These Walls."    Carolee Carmello will be stepping into the role later this month.   The supporting cast is fabulous and its fun to see a wide age range of actors playing the singing/dancing chorus - even the "bad guys" were lovable.  

Anytime you put nuns in the midst of a caper, hilarity is bound to ensue and there's no variation from this rule in SISTER ACT.    Besides the hilarity, it's downright pleasing to the eyes and ears.    Which each scene, I loved the show more and more.   By the final scene and even the fabulous curtain call, I was completely devoted fan of this show.  SISTER ACT literally and figuratively sparkles.  If a Catholic mass was this fun, I'd convert and be there every Sunday!

The original London cast album, which includes Patina, is available and I have been listening to it nonstop.  SISTER ACT plays at the Broadway Theatre, 1681 Broadway between 52nd and 53rd Streets.  Tickets are available online:  via Telecharge.  

A Charity Case - off Broadway

I went to a preview of the new play A CHARITY CASE by Wendy Beckett at the Clurman Theatre last week.   Alison Fraser, a two time Tony nominee, Alysia Reiner (Sideways) and Jill Shackner (Les Miserables) are starring in this three hander about a teenager (Shackner) dealing with a difficult adoptive mother (Fraser) and the decision to meet her birthmother (Reiner).   The playwright also directs. 

The best thing this production has going is its design:  scenic by David L Arsenault, with lighting by Travis McHale and costume by Theresa Squire.     The scene attempts us right to a volatile living room in the 1960s, unfortunately the execution of the dialogue gets us lost on the way.   The dialogue is choppy and it's seemingly ad libbed, as if the actresses are just making it up as they go along.    Sometimes, it's just too weird and nonsensical.

Alison Fraser is always a comedic genius, except in this play, we're forced to see her character's darker side and she does a fairly good job with the material at hand.   Unfortunately, her talent is not matched by her co-stars.   Fortunately, it's always good to see Alison Fraser on a stage.

The playing schedule for A CHARITY CASE is as follows: Tuesdays at 7pm, Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8pm, with matinees on Saturday at 2pm and Sundays at 3PM. Tickets are $35. For tickets call Telecharge at (212) 239-6200 or visit www.Telecharge.com.


Photo by photos by Kevin Thomas Garcia