Four stars from the original cast of Broadway’s Jersey Boys will be performing the hits of the ’60s at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre this Sunday. Tony Award-winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and Tony Award-nominee J. Robert Spencer will sing their favorite “Sixties Hits” from The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Motown, The Four Seasons, The Turtles and more.
Watching the stars of “Jersey Boys” was like watching Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Their voices and acting were phenomenal, so I expect no less from these stars. Their rendition of “Happy Together” sounds more like The Turtles than its lead singers Flo and Eddie did when the duo performed at Atlanta’s old Electric Ballroom in the late ‘70s.
Longoria, who created the role of Joey in the original Broadway cast of Jersey Boys, would later star as Frankie Valli.
Reichard played the Four Seasons star composer Bob Gaudio, a role he created at the La Jolla Playhouse. He also played the title role in the New York City Opera’s production of Leonard Bernstein’s “Candide.”
Spencer originated the role of Nick Massi in “Jersey Boys” and originated the role of Dan Goodman in the Broadway production of the rock musical “Next to Normal.”
Hoff starred in the original cast production as Tommy DeVito, one of the founding members of The Four Seasons and won a Tony Award for “Best Featured Actor in a Musical.” Hoff holds the world record for “Most Character Voices in an Audio Book” for “Tell Me How You Love the Picture,” based on the career of movie producer Ed Feldman. In it, he performs 241 separate voices, including Jack Lemmon, Eddie Murphy and Joan Crawford. No wonder The Midtown Men’s renditions of these ’60s hits sound so authentic.
The quartet performs Sunday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
When reading about Pat Conroy’s abusive childhood, my dysfunctional family life seems not so dysfunctional. But then I’ll read something that brings me back to a horrible memory, and I’m not so sure. No matter whose childhood was worse–Pat’s clearly was–there are few people who could tell a story as compelling as he.
This Sunday, The New York Times best-selling author, whose two novels “The Prince of Tides” and “The Great Santini” were made into Oscar-nominated films, will speak at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta. Former Atlanta Journal-Constitution book reviewer, now an Atlanta Magazine columnist, Teresa Weaver, will host the talk. She conducted an interview with him that was published in the magazine’s November issue, which features riveting excerpts from Conroy’s new memoir, “The Death of Santini.”
“The Great Santini” was based on Conroy’s family and his emotionally and physically abusive father, Marine Col. Donald Conroy. “The Death of Santini” continues the tale, but it’s not wrapped around the “fictitious” Lt. Col. Wilbur “Bull” Meechum family. In his memoir, Conroy introduces readers to his family and tales about his father: A father who backhanded him after a Little League game for making errors, who slapped him in the face for missing a tackle, and who cheered to his son’s opposing team, “Cut Conroy’s legs out from under him!”
“Every time my father took off in an airplane,” Conroy writes, “I prayed that the plane would crash and his body be consumed by fire. For thirty-one years, this is how I felt about him.”
My sister told me we have to see him this Sunday at the Jewish Book Festival. On the way home from his talk we may cry about his past and ours. Or we may say, “At least our lives weren’t that bad.”
Pat Conroy speaks at the MJCCA at 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
Numerous other authors will speak there this week:
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 12:00 pm (Member: $9 / Community: $14)
Andrea Pomerantz Lustig, How To Look Expensive: A Beauty Editor’s Secrets to Getting Gorgeous Without Breaking the Bank
Andrea Pomerantz Lustig is known around the offices of Glamour magazine as the “Beauty Sleuth,” thanks to the popular beauty column and articles she has written for the magazine for the last decade. In How to Look Expensive, she combines her own experience with coveted secrets she’s learned from the experts to help readers achieve red-carpet looks without putting them in the red.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 8:00 pm (Member: $18 / Community: $24)
Alan Dershowitz, Taking the Stand: My Life in the Law
America’s most prominent legal mind and the #1 bestselling author of Chutzpah and The Best Defense, Alan Dershowitz, recounts his legal autobiography, describing how he came to the law, as well as the cases that have changed American jurisprudence over the past 50 years, most of which he has personally been involved in.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2:00 pm (Member: $9 / Community: $14)
One Program; Two Authors
This program will be “In Conversation” with Melissa Long, Anchor, WXIA-TV
- Lynn Povich, Good Girls Revolt! How the Women of Newsweek Sued Their Bosses and Changed the Workplace
Lynn Povich, the first female senior editor in the history of Newsweek, tells the unknown story of a landmark sex discrimination suit brought by 46 young women at Newsweek against the magazine in 1970. Through the lives of young female journalists at Newsweek today, Povich shows what has – and hasn’t – changed in the workplace.
- Lori Rotskoff, When We Were Free to Be Free to Be: Looking Back at a Children’s Classic and the Difference it Made
If you grew up or raised children during the era of mood rings and lava lamps, you probably remember Free to Be . . . You and Me—the groundbreaking children’s record, book, and television special that debuted in 1972. Conceived by actress Marlo Thomas, it inspired generations of girls and boys to challenge stereotypes, value cooperation, respect diversity, and reach for any dream. The book’s editors and contributors combine personal narrative, and historical analysis, to address how progressive children’s media still speaks to families today.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 4:30 pm (Member: $9 / Community: $14)
One Program; Three Authors
- Robert Weintraub, The Victory Season: World War II, the Homecoming, and the Birth of Baseball’s Golden Age (*Local Author!)
In the spring of 1946, Americans were ready to heal. WWII was finally over, and hundreds of players, including stars like Ted Williams, Stan Musial, and Joe DiMaggio returned home to get back to baseball. Robert Weintraub brings to life the on-field action, as well as the little-known tales of ballplayers at war.
- Larry Ruttman, American Jews and America’s Game: Voices of a Growing Legacy in Baseball
The Jewish presence in baseball extends beyond a few famous players such as Greenberg, Rosen, Koufax, Holtzman, Green, Youkilis, and Braun. The stories tell the history of the larger-than-life role of Jews in America’s pastime. American Jews talks about growing up Jewish and dealing with Jewish identity, intermarriage, religious observance, anti-Semitism, and Israel. Each tells about being in the midst of the colorful pantheon of players who, over the past 75 years or more, have made baseball what it is.
- John Rosengren, Hank Greenberg: The Hero of Heroes
Delving into the life and career of America’s first Jewish superstar, author John Rosengren brings us a definitive portrait of a man who overcame the prejudices of a world in turmoil to achieve baseball immortality and become a hero to a generation of Jewish-Americans. As an outsider who rose to the top of the nation’s quintessential game, no one represents the American experience quite like Greenberg.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 7:30 pm (Member: 18 / Community: $24)
Closing Night – This program will be “In Conversation” with Theresa Weaver, Columnist, Atlanta Magazine
Pat Conroy, The Death of Santini
In this powerful and intimate new memoir, The Death of Santini is a heart-wrenching account of personal and family struggle, and a poignant lesson in how ties of blood can both strangle and offer succor. It is an act of reckoning, an exorcism of demons, but one whose ultimate conclusion is that love can conquer even the meanest of men.
Visit MJCCA for tickets to all speakers.
Clayton Landey and Carrie Walrond Hood; photo: Greg Mooney
If “Warrior Class,” now playing on the Hertz Stage at the Alliance Theatre, doesn’t wow you, surely the acting will. In this Mamet-like drama about an aspiring politician who is blackmailed by a college girlfriend, Nathan Berkshire (Clayton Landey) holds the reins behind political careers. Politician Julius Lee (Moses Villarama) is the pawn in this game played by Berkshire and Lee’s former college sweetheart, Holly (Carrie Walrond Hood). Brilliant acting by Landey and Hood.
“Warrior Class” was written by Kenneth Lin, the winner of the Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition in 2006. The following year The Dramatist magazine named him one of “50 to Watch.” The Cornell and Yale graduate is now a writer for Netflix’s political show “House of Cards” starring Kevin Spacey.
Directed by Eric Ting, “Warrior Class” runs on the Hertz Stage at the Alliance Theatre through Nov. 17.
Two ghost movies I remember from the ’80s: “Ghostbusters” and “Ghost.” I’m not quite sure which–if either–would best be put to music, but someone thought the chick-flick “Ghost” would work well, so here it is: “Ghost the Musical” playing at the Fox Theatre.
The musical features an original pop score from multiple Grammy Award-winners Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard. Stewart was half of the duo The Eurythmics, which he formed with Annie Lennox. As well as co-writing “Man in the Mirror” and “Hand in My Pocket” from Michael Jackson’s album “Thriller,” Ballard co-wrote and produced Alanis Morissette’s album “Jagged Little Pill.”
“Ghost the Musical” runs Nov. 5-10 at the Fox Theatre.
Kathleen Wattis, Wyatt Fenner, and Joe Sykes; Photo: BreeAnne Clowdus
Part Theatre of the Absurd and part science fiction, “Pluto” is a supernatural odyssey with a three-headed talking dog (Alison Hastings), a quaking refrigerator, a death Martian (Joe Sykes) and gore. Time stands still at 9:30 a.m., while what actually occurs at that time changes over and over like Kurosawa’s “Rashomon.”
Stefanie Friedman is a delight as the vixen tease, Bailey, and Sykes pulls off a natural and believable performance as Death.
Written by Steven Yockey, directed by Melissa Foulger, featuring Wyatt Fenner and Kathleen Wattis, “Pluto” runs at Actor’s Express through Nov. 24. The show runs 90 minutes with no intermission.
– Andrew Benator, Courtney Patterson, Toni Trucks and Daniel Triandiflou Photo: Greg Mooney
Screwball comedies can get pretty corny, but “By the Way, Meet Vera Stark” isn’t corny. It’s a delightful funny show with some wonderful actors who portray historical black character actors in a truthful and humorous way. Not only is the script funny, but so are the actors.
The play harkens back to the days of “Gone With the Wind” with an over-the-top starlet named Gloria Mitchell (Courtney Patterson) not too unlike Norma Desmond from “Sunset Boulevard,” and black actors who were relegated to playing maids, servants and slaves. One of the funniest scens is when Lottie (Nikiya Mathis) and Vera (Toni Trucks) shuffle along as slaves in response to the style of characters movie producer Mr. Slasvick (Andrew Benator) and movie director Maximillian Von Oster (Daniel Triandiflou) are looking for to cast in their next movie. The other is when Leroy (Genesis Oliver), who has the soul of the soul of Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, tries to charm Vera into going out with him.
If only the laughs were to continue. Alas, the second act drags during a TV Mike Douglas-type talk-show segment where there is way too much talk and not enough action. Still, it’s a show worth seeing with wonderful acting by Benator, Mathis, Oliver and Trucks.
John Coyne’s set design is as elaborate as a 1930s movie set, and costume designer Esosa does a splendid job in creating costumes. We loved the early 70s-style dress with feather-like trim at the hems that looked like it came right off Phyllis Diller, Ruth Buzzy or Flip Wilson.
“By the Way, Meet Vera Stark” by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage, directed by Leah C. Gardiner, runs on the main stage at the Alliance Theatre through Nov. 10.
Over one day or three, you can sample food from more than 90 metro Atlanta restaurants, watch cooking classes and imbibe in cocktails, wine and beer.
There will be Southern classic dishes from D.B.A. Barbecue, South of the border-inspired fare from Mi Cocina, fresh Japanese fusions of sushi and steak from Amura Sushi, and signature tastes from Atlanta’s neighborhood favorites, including Marietta’s Seed Kitchen & Bar, Virginia Highland’s Original El Taco, Edgewood’s Fox Bros. BBQ, Decatur’s Chai Pani and many more! Within six blocks you can explore different culinary experiences from Metro Atlanta.
Taste of Atlanta will kick off the food-filled weekend on Friday, October 25 with a block party themed Atlanta’s Taste Revival: Local Chefs, Smokin’ Jams. Guests can join local celebrity Chefs Ron Eyester, Ford Fry, Kevin Gillespie, Kevin Rathbun, Robert Phalen and more for an evening of live Southern rock music from Parker Smith and the Bandwith, bountiful booze and the best bites in the city. Select restaurants, including Gunshow, One Eared Stag, Rosebud, Bocca Luppo and Rathbun’s, will be onsite to serve up their signature dishes.
Taste coupons are used to purchase food from participating Atlanta restaurants. Menu items are valued at 1, 2 or 3 taste coupons.
General Admission and VIP tickets for the event October 25-27 include 10 taste coupons. Additional taste coupons can be purchased: 10 taste coupons for $10 or 20 coupons for $20.
Tickets are $30 in advance (available online or at various stores around town) or $40 at the event.
The event site is in Midtown at Tech Square and encompasses 5th Street from Techwood to West Peachtree Street, and Spring Street from Biltmore Place to Armstead Place.
The Hot Club of San Francisco Play Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli
Ferst Center Friday, Oct. 18
Gypsy jazz ensemble The Hot Club of San Francisco presents Cinema Vivant, an evening of vintage silent films accompanied by live gypsy swing.
The Hot Club of San Francisco is an ensemble of accomplished and versatile musicians celebrating the music of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli’s pioneering Hot Club de France. Think jazz, meets blue grass and boogie woogie. Be prepared to dance in your seats!
Comprised of lead guitarist Paul Mehling, violinist Evan Price, bass player Sam Rocha and rhythm guitarists Isabelle Fontaine and Jeff Magidson, the HCSF borrows the instrumentation from the original Hot Club while modernizing this historic music with innovative arrangements of classic tunes and original compositions. The ensemble’s live shows and 13 albums transport audiences back to the 1930s and the small, smoky jazz clubs of Paris and the refined lounges of the famous Hotel Ritz. The HCSF has frequently toured nationally and internationally with appearances at prestigious venues from Lincoln Center to the Monterey Jazz Festival. Often called gypsy jazz, the music of The Hot Club of San Francisco has entertained audiences around the globe for over 20 years.
Two Starewicz films are featured in Cinema Vivant: The Cameraman’s Revenge, a charming film about the marital troubles of beetles; and The Mascot, an adventure story about lost toys.
Ticket and Performance Information: Tickets: $30, Special Children’s Price $22. For information and directions (349 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, GA, 30032-0468) contact the Ferst Center Box Office at 404-894-9600 or visit www.ferstcenter.org.
John Stewart and Jeremy Pope; Photo: Greg Mooney
“Choir Boy,” now playing on the Hertz Stage at the Alliance Theatre, is a knockout original story with an outstanding script and cast.
Apparently, I’m not the only one who sees genius in the playwright, Tarell Alvin McCraney. Just last month he was awarded a MacArthur “genius” grant (prize of $625,000) for exploring new roles in drama.
In “Choir Boy,” McCraney charts new territory in telling the story of an exceptionally gifted misfit, Pharus (Jeremy Pope), who struggles to make it on his scholarship in a prestigious prep school. What I love about this script, aside from the crafty, unique and amusing lines that Pharus spouts, is that the play is so lifelike, so real. The script is superb with full-of-life and believable characters. The acting from everyone in the cast is A+ quality, and their singing is beautiful and compelling.
The play is an unveiling of the human condition, the struggle we all go through to do our best and to be accepted. While the story revolves around a gay misfit and some underprivileged kids who attend an all-black boys prep school, the play is not about the plight of minorities. It’s about the struggle each of us has been through and goes through as we claw our way through life. There’s no proselytizing here. These characters break my heart, and I love them all. For they are you and me, and everyone we’ve known at some stage in their lives.
McCraney won the 2008 Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition, and premiered his play “In the Red and Brown Water” on the Hertz State that year. He later became the RSC/Warwick International Playwright in Residence at the Royal Shakespeare Company, and the 43rd member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Ensemble, one of the most renowned theatre companies in the country (home to John Malkevich, Laurie Metcalf, John Mahoney and a slew of our country’s most talented performers).
Directed by Trip Cullman, “Choir Boy” runs on the Hertz Stage at the Alliance Theatre through Oct. 13.
* N icholas L. Ashe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Junior Davis
* Joshua Boone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bobby Marrow
* Caleb Eberhardt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Heard
* Jeremy Pope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pharus Jonathan Young
* Scott Robertson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. Pendleton
* John Stewart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anthony Justin “AJ” James
* C harles E. Wallace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Headmaster Marrow
*Denotes a member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the U.S.
Grammy-Winner Arturo Sandoval
Performs at Ferst Center Friday, Oct. 4
A protégé of the legendary jazz master Dizzy Gillespie, Arturo Sandoval and his band will perform Friday at the Ferst Center for the Arts at Georgia Tech. Sandoval plays jazz trumpet and flugelhorn, and is a renowned classical pianist and composer. Sandoval’s compositions have been awarded nine Grammy Awards, six Billboard Awards and an Emmy Award. Widely considered one of the greatest living jazz artists, Sandoval was recently awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation’s highest civilian honor presented to individuals who have made especially commendable contributions to the national and cultural interests of the U.S.
Sandoval has recorded with Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, Woody Shaw, Michel Legrand, Bill Conti, Johnny Mathis, Frank Sinatra, Paul Anka, Rod Stewart and Alicia Keys, and has performed with John Williams and the Boston Pops, and in the Super Bowl Halftime show with Tony Bennett and Patti LaBelle.
Featured on many film and television soundtracks, Sandoval composed the Emmy-winning score for HBO’s “For Love or Country,” a film based on his life starring Andy Garcia. Sandoval has been commissioned by the Kennedy Center to create original compositions for several ballets, including “Pepito’s Story,” “Oman O Men” and “The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker” choreographed by Debbie Allen. Sandoval also composed the original score of “Soul Possessed,” another Allen collaboration, which opened the 2000-2001 season at Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre Company.
The band includes the following members:
Ed Calle – Saxophone
Kemuel Roig – Piano
Dennis Marks – Bass
Alexis Arce – Drums
Armando Arce – Percussion
Ticket and Performance Information: Tickets: $30, $40 and club seating section $55. Audience members are invited to “Jazz Connect,” a free pre-show jazz talk led by Jay Edwards, host of “Jazz Tones” on WCLK 91.9 FM at 7:00 p.m. For information and directions (349 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, GA, 30032-0468) contact the Ferst Center Box Office at 404-894-9600 or visit www.ferstcenter.org.
