The Andy Statman Trio brings its mixture of klezmer, bluegrass and jazz to The Marcus Jewish Community Center Sunday.
Statman has recorded several albums and gained acclaim as a mandolinist as a sideman with David Bromberg and Russ Barenberg, He has been nominated for a Grammy Award and appeared as a guest on the Bela Fleck and the Flecktones holiday album “Jingle All the Way.”
Bassist Jim Whitney is an original member of the jazz-bluegrass fusion group The Wayfaring Strangers and has performed with Meryl Streep, John Goodman and Philip Seymour Hoffman as a member of the group Parabola, under the direction of composer/conductor Carter Burwell. He has appeared with jazz notables Anthony Braxton, Bill Frisell and Alan Dawson, and has worked with bluegrass luminaries Richard Greene, Tim O’Brien, David Grisman and Darol Anger.
Drummer and percussionist Larry Eagle is a founding member of Bruce Springsteen’s Sessions Band (which won a Grammy for traditional folk music), and played on R&B/Soul artist John Legend’s Grammy-winning second album. He’s a Blues Grammy nominee (with Odetta) and a Country & Western Grammy nominee (with Andy). He has also recorded albums with bluegrass star Ricky Skaggs and with jazz/soul singer Lizz Wright. He has performed on The Tonight Show, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Good Morning America, PBS, and the BBC.
The Andy Statman Trio performs this Sunday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. at the MJCCA‘s Morris & Rae Frank Theatre, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. Ticket Prices: MJCCA Members: $25, Community: $32.
Get yourself down to True Colors Theatre Company now to see an outstanding performance of August Wilson’s play “How I Learned What I Learned.” Eugene Lee’s portrayal of August Wilson in the author’s personal stories of his life is not to be missed. Whether you’ve already seen the show performed by Wilson himself or on the stage in New York, this production is worth it just to see Lee. The stories themselves are mesmerizing and Lee’s performance is stellar.
With a fine scholarly oratorical prowess and near-perfect annunciation, August (Lee) winds through the stories of his life, growing up in the Hill district of Pittsburgh in 1965, going to jail, having an affair with a married woman and getting thrown out of his apartment when he couldn’t pay the rent. A man of principles who demands respect, August sticks to his guns, even when it gets him in trouble at work and with the law.
Self taught by reading reams of books since leaving high school, August became a poet and a playwright. Though he never reveals it in his monologue, Wilson was a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner (“Fences” and “The Piano Lesson”) and Tony Award winner for “Fences.”
Whole World Cast Circa 1990s: Sarah Baker, Chip Powell, Rob Poynter, Phil Cater, Emily Reily Russell, Michael Sweeney, Annie Humphrey, Lance Krall, Jim Issa, Michael Snow, David Webster, Kalen Conover: Photo by Jerry Beckham
This Friday you can see what was the greatest home-grown comedy this city has ever seen, some of the original cast of Whole World Theatre. It included Lance Krall, who starred in his own TV show, “The Lance Krall Show” and Sarah Baker, who is fast becoming a superstar after her numerous TV and movie roles.
While Baker and Krall will not be among the players, one of the standout performers and my personal favorite, Phil Cater, will be. I am hoping that he does his rendition of James Brown because no one does a comedic impression of Brown as hilariously as Cater. He can make you laugh until you cry.
The show will also feature the outstanding original cast regulars: Jenny Andrews, Jim Issa, Wes Kenmore, Annie Humphrey and Chip Powell as master of ceremonies.
The last time I saw a Whole World Theatre show was about 10 years ago, after this original cast had left, and it was nowhere near the quality of this original cast, which was better than any of the numerous Second City show I’ve ever seen.
Having lived in Atlanta and gone to the theater since the 1960s, I have never experienced comedy as great as this cast. You have one chance to see this cast as most of them now live in Los Angeles.
The Whole World Alumni Show runs one night, Friday, Oct. 10 at Whole World Theatre.
Jill Jane Clements and Rob Cleveland
Step on the gas to see ”Driving Miss Daisy” at Aurora Theatre in Lawrenceville. Just 30 minutes from Atlanta, it’s well worth the drive to see this production, even if you saw it nearly 20 years ago at the Alliance Theatre with Mary Nell Santacroce.
Set in Atlanta from the late ‘40s to the ‘70s, the play touches on race, religion and prejudice. Daisy Werthen (Jill Jane Clements) is a 72-year-old Jewish woman striving to maintain her independence after her son, Boolie (Jared Simon), forbids her to drive after her third recent accident. Boolie hires a middle-aged black man, Hoke (Rob Cleveland), to serve as her chauffeur. Daisy says that is too pretentious and she’d rather take a bus and doesn’t need anyone lurking around her home.
Pursing her lips again and again, Clements portrayed Daisy as one dimensional for the first part of the show, but she did a wonderful job of aging over 25 years and was heart wrenching when Hoke and Boolie visited her in a retirement home. Cleveland, a long-time Atlanta comic and actor, only plays Hoke up until Sept. 28. Then, Geoffrey Williams takes on the role.
Set designer Britt Hultgren Ramroop does a nice job of using a multitude of slides of old Atlanta to set the scenes and time period.
Set in Aurora’s small black-box theater, the play lasts under 90 minutes with no intermission. Seats are general admission.
“Driving Miss Daisy” won an Outer Critics Circle Award and the 1988 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The film version, starring Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman, won an Academy Award for Best Picture.
Written by Atlanta native Alfred Uhry, directed by Justin Anderson, “Driving Miss Daisy” runs through Oct. 19 at Aurora Theatre.
John Behlmann and cast; Photo: Greg Mooney
Scene after scene, the new musical “Bull Durham,” loosely based on the motion picture of the same name, is batting a thousand at The Alliance Theatre. If all it takes is a smash hit here to make it on Broadway, this world premiere and cast should be packing its bags soon.
This show, whose book is written by the original screenplay writer, Ron Shelton, pops starting with the opening number, “Opening Day.” The new baseball season brings Nuke (John Behlmann) reminiscent of Gary Bussey’s wacky film portrayal of Jerry Lee Lewis, to Durham, N.C., to become the new baseball star. He meets the bewitching Annie Savoy, who falls for him and the team’s catcher, Crash Davis (played by Will Swenson here and by Kevin Costner in the screenplay).
The musical brings more playful fun–and bawdiness–than the original screenplay, and these characters are more exciting to watch. Sexy siren Annie Savoy (Melissa Errico–Susan Sarandon’s character in the film) can shake you to the core when she belts out a torch song or sings a ballad that rips at your heart.
This production has one of those rare casts where EVERYONE is extraordinary and believable. Behlmann manages to make this cartoon-like dimwitted character totally believable. Even the ball team’s mascot (the actor is not credited in the playbill), who hassles Nuke on the sidelines, is eye catching, lovable and believable. The singers are all great, most notably the Bull’s coach, Larry Hockett (Brent Bateman) and Millie (Lora Lee Gayer).
Choreographer Joshua Bergasse mixes dances with typical baseball player moves like chest bumps and fights (set in slow motion). The hip-hop number (song and dance) is absolutely hilarious. Set designer Derek McLane also deserves a shout-out for simple but life-like sets, especially his honky-tonk bar whose shelves are filled to the top with bottles of liquor.
There is not one thing I disliked about this show. The show itself gets an A, but the cast gets A++.
Music and lyrics by Susan Werner, directed by Kip Fagan, “Bull Durham” runs at the Alliance Theatre through Oct. 5.
Cast: Randy Aaron, Jake Boyd, Chris Critelli, Khris Davis, Lily Dickinson, Erica Dofler, Benny Elledge, Wilkie Ferguson III, Randi Garza, Lora Lee Gayer, Jordan Gleber, Meg Gillentine, Joel Hatch, Manuel Herrera, Harrison McCall Lewis, Koh Mochizuki, Chase Peacock, Diany Rodriguez, Travis Smith, Manuel Stark, John Clarence Stewart, Will Swenson, Joe Tippett, Alpha Trivette, Laura Wright.
Hal Nowak of Hal’s, where there’s no equal opportunity
Hals on Old Ivy serves food like it is the 1980s but its wait staff is more like the 1950s. Supper for two can cost you more than $100 before the tip, but no woman server in the dining room will ever see one red cent of your tip.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin (http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/qanda.html), but if you speak to managers at Hal’s restaurant, they say they are exempt from that. When asked why there are no women servers on the floor, General Manager Sammy Jimez said, “Cause that’s the way we’ve always done it.”
I did say that at one time blacks and whites were not allowed to marry, and that slavery was just fine cause that was the way people here had always done it.
The irony is that Jimenez, who has a thick Hispanic accent clearly thinks it’s OK to discriminate against women but not Hispanics. Manager Brandon Hancock wasn’t fazed either by my question, Why are there no women servers in the restaurant? He said women serve in the other room. That other room is the bar. Apparently women can be bartenders or “barmaids” but cannot serve in the dining room where entrees cost more than $30.
So, how is the food? Think about food from the 1980s, lots of butter and lots of cream sauces. The food was way overpriced for the portions they give. I had expected a larger portion of Chilean sea bass for $36. Our waiter, Bobby, was nice, but I will never go to this restaurant again and urge others to ban it and all others that discriminate against hiring based solely on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
Wrong is wrong no matter how long a policy has been in existence.
Jo-Jo Steine (as Cosette)
Photo: Katie Wilson
If you missed Les Misérables at the Fox Theatre, you can see a local cast in the musical, which has won more than 100 international awards. Based on Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel of the same name, Les Misérables has become a global success on stage and screen, sweeping audiences through an epic tale of broken dreams, passion and redemption, against the backdrop of a nation seething with revolution.
Les Misérables is produced by MJCCA’s Director of Arts & Culture Brian Kimmel and directed by Levi Kaplan.
Les Misérables: Cast
Michael Barthel (as Jean Valjean), Lucas Morgan (as Javert), Kelly Tansey (as Fantine), Sarah Valleroy (as Eponine), Kyle Wilkerson (as Thenardier), Nicole Falco (as Madame Thenardier), Daniel Harper (as Marius), Jo-Jo Stein (as Cosette), Eric Rich (as Enjolras), Jake Holleman (as Foreman), Sarah Daniels (as Courfeyrac), Brett Leverette (as Bamatabois), Chase McGrath (as Grantaire), Marco Schittone (as Gavroche), Avi Spector (as Joly), Will Domenico (as Combeferre), Tyree Jones (as Bishop of Digne), Elena Dollinger (as Young Eponine).
Showtimes (Recommended for ages 14+)
Thurs, Aug. 7 at 8 p.m.; Sun, Aug. 10 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Wed, Aug. 13 at 8 p.m.; Thurs, Aug. 14 at 8 p.m.; Sun, Aug. 17 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Purchase Tickets: 678.812.4002, or visit online at www.atlantajcc.org/boxoffice.
Guitarist Tom Godfrey and jazz singer Lori Guy will perform at the Hungry Ear Coffee House Saturday, August 2. Other artists include acoustic songwriter Wil Hodge and down-home country and gospel vocalist Keren Leppo.
Keren Leppo’s sweet and rollicking down-home sound is rooted in a rich history of gospel, country, rock n roll, bluegrass, blues and soul. I’m no country fan, but whatever she’s singing, I like, I like!
Wil Hodge showcases both his acoustic and electric guitar talents along with his vocal storytelling style that crosses through country, rock and R&B.
Godfrey and Guy, who play regularly at the Noosh in Johns Creek, will be accompanied by Robert Dickson on Bass, and Reed Lukat on Tenor Sax.
All three acts play this Saturday, Aug. 2 at 8 p.m.
The Hungry Ear (www.HungryEarCoffeeHouse.com) is an outreach program of the Northwest Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 1025 Mt. Vernon Highway NW in Sandy Springs, Georgia. NWUUC promotes religious freedom, spiritual growth and ethical action in a world where racial, cultural and religious diversity is a reality. Concerts are held on the first Saturday of every month beginning at 8PM, and regularly feature a lineup of nationally acclaimed folk, country, jazz and vocal artists. General admission seating is $5, and if you have one on hand, a can of food for the homeless.
Well, Mom, I’m sorry you were sick and missed the opening night of “Evita” tonight, but you didn’t miss much.
I understand it’s not fair to compare a show to another production I’ve seen of it, especially when it was a Broadway production with two stars who won Tony Awards for their roles. So forget Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin.
In tonight’s show, Josh Young, who was nominated for a Tony Award for his Broadway debut as Judas in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical “Jesus Christ Superstar,” was outstanding as the narrator, Che. Sean McLaughlin was very good as Peron. However, this show is titled “Evita,” so you’d think the character playing Evita, who wound up co-ruling Argentina, would be uber powerful. Not so. At one point my friend Kay Powell, who came with me in your place, said, “Can you understand the words she is saying?” My answer: no. When Kay went to the restroom during intermission, she said many women were asking each other the same question, “Can you understand the words she is saying?”
The role of Eva (Evita) was played by Caroline Bowman, who had the physicality portion down for the role, arms up in the air, fingers pointing with arms outstretched in invitation or accusation like she meant it. And she had seductive moves, climbing men as if they were trees, but the heart behind the actions was missing. Evita is supposed to be a fiery woman filled with passion. I was moved to tears when I saw the Broadway show. This Evita didn’t have to sing “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina.” I don’t imagine many cried for her tonight.
Ms. Bowman would have been fine in the ensemble but not as Eva. Like the lyrics in the show’s song “Buenos Aires,” Eva should have “just a little touch, just a little touch, just a little touch of star quality.”
Lyrics by Tim Rice, Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, directed by Michael Grandage, “Evita” runs through Sunday at the Fox Theatre.
The Broadway Touring Company of “Evita” opens this week at the Fox Theatre. If the show is anything like the video above, it is one not to be missed. I saw it years ago on Broadway with Patti LaPone and Mandy Patinkin, and it was phenomenal. This cast will have a lot to live up to, but it’s been playing together at least since January, so I am hopeful that it will have worked out any previous kinks since then.
The Dallas News says it’s an “incredible cast.” Caroline Bowman who plays Eva Perón has performed on Broadway in “Kinky Boots” and “Wicked.” Josh Young, who plays Che, the narrator, performed on Broadway in the role of Judas in “Jesus Christ Superstar,” and performed in the national tours of “Les Misérables” and “West Side Story.”
“Evita” follows the humble beginnings of Eva Perón, a poor ambitious actress-seductress who claws her way to the top of Argentinian politics with Colonel Juan Domingo Perón.
It’s a thrilling musical by the multi-award-winning duo Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Weber. When the show opened on Broadway in 1980, it won numerous Drama Desk Awards and seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical.
“Evita” runs Tuesday through Sunday at the Fox Theatre.
