Greer Firestone - Page 2

Back in 2016, it only took a Facebook page to show that everyone wanted to 'keep the faith with the music, the faces and the memories'. The quote is from Paula Wolkind, Executive Director of Delaware Rock and Roll Society Hall of Fame. Her husband, George serves as President. The 501©3 non-profit is gearing up for an induction ceremony on Sunday October 9 at the baby grand @ 2pm.

What did our critic think As a 5 decade long advocate for Candlelight Dinner Theatre, first as actor and then as reviewer, it is immensely gratifying to witness that not only have they survived but prospered over these years. They pay their actors and creative crew only a stipend. To a man/woman, “they do it for love”. Having been in tens of theatres over the years, no company exhibits the consistent joy and passion as do those that grace Candlelight’s stage. The packed house on opening night of SWEET CHARITY felt that vibe.of SWEET CHARITY at Candlelight Music Theatre?

Aisle Say has seen probably 600 shows in 65 years. Some I have been in, some I produced and directed. The vast majority are those he’s reviewed over 35+ years. However, next week at The Playhouse with a 4-day run of FIDDLER beginning June 9, Aisle Say announces a first! Never before has he heard a Samoan tenor.

Aisle Say’s most recent review was at DE Theatre Co’s OTHER WORLD, the largest and most technically challenging production in their 45-year history. The budgets of that show versus the cost of Candlelight’s BIG FISH are as dissimilar as Mt. Kilimanjaro to Brandywine Park’s Monkey Hill.

In it’s 45+ years existence, Delaware Theatre Company has never mounted a production of this magnitude. Originally scheduled to open 2 years ago at Bucks County Playhouse, the world went topsy turvy.

Mamma Mia must be one of the greatest juke box musicals of all time. When the film came out, a colleague mentioned that Pierce Brosnan had an atrocious voice, so I passed. He had star power. That is how two of the most horrendous miscastings of movie musicals were cast; Marlon Brando in Guys and Dolls and even worse, Russell Crowe in Les Mis.

I have been blessed with being involved in theatre for 64 years and have critiqued the arts for 35 years. Those of a certain age will remember News Journal theatre critics Phil Crossland and Otto Dekom of the 60’s through 90’s. Phil loved every show he ever saw and every actor on stage. We all wanted to be reviewed by him. On the other hand, the antagonistic Otto terrorized community theatre performers, often delivering cruel, personal attacks.

To boldly go where no 4 men ever went before: On December 4, 1956, a twist of extraterrestrial fate brought together Johnny Cash, 24, Jerry Lee Lewis, 21, Carl Perkins, 24 and Elvis Presley, 21, at the storefront studio of Sun Records in Memphis for one of the greatest jam sessions in Rock n Roll history. These 4 were not space pioneers, but they soon established new frontiers in the world of music.

Waitress entered the American zeitgeist as a somber, dark movie at Sundance years ago. The present producers of the musical had the vision to purchase the rights. They also had connections with celebrated Broadway director and Tony Award winner Diane Paulus (HAIR, PIPPIN) and Grammy Award winner – and feminist hero - Sara Bareillus who transformed it into a hilarious and beloved hit musical.

Each time Aisle Say attends a rehearsal of First State Ballet Theatre, he is stunned by the athleticism, the precision, the synchronicity of movement, and, yes, the joy exuding from the faces of these young professionals.

Candlelight Theatre opens their third show of the season with an economical inhouse production of BEST OF CANDLELIGHT, a prudent decision with live theatre the world over attempting to gain financial stasis. This show has no ‘book’, saving licensing money. The show takes us down Broadway; a smorgasbord of solos, duets and production numbers. As previously reported, Candlelight is to be commended for being the first entertainment venue in the state to welcome back grateful guests.

Ain’t Misbehavin’: The Fats Waller Musical Show, is a different juke box show from Candlelight’s previous production of BEEHIVE. From the rock n’ roll of 60’s we time travel back 30- years to the American jazz pianist Waller. His innovations in the Harlem stride style laid the groundwork for modern jazz piano. In 1922, at the tender age of 18, he produced his first piano roll, “Got To Cool My Doggies Now.” (I had to mention that only because the title cracked me up).

A juke box collection of hits from the 60’s where pleasant memories were evocative from that less provocative era. The production was curated such that only ‘girl groups’ or female solo artists were featured. An ensemble of singers and dancers carefully cast by Director/Choreographer Jody Anderson.

103,000 deathsa??and counting, and still we want live theatre to return. More than 40 million Americans filed for first time unemployment benefits, and still we want live theatre to return. Consumer spending ground to a halt in the past 2 months, and that's a massive problem for the spending-addicted US economy; 14% down in April, equivalent to $1.9 trillion lost. And yet, we still want live theatre to return.

There is no one in the tri-state region with more live theater experience than Bob Kelly, Artistic Director at Candlelight Dinner Theatre. Founded in 1969 by John and Lena O'Toole and Julian and Annabelle Borris, it quickly became a nexus for hundreds of aspiring actors, where all were inspired to self-invent and where ambition was oxygen.

New Book musical JUDY GARLAND 'World's Greatest Entertainer' available for licensing. The musical stars Judy, Liza, Frank and Dean singing 24 Great American Songbook tunes

Convulsive events happen. Sometimes they turn from considerable to colossal. The implications generally tend to take years to play out and, in worse cases, spiral into unpredictable and unintended consequences.

This is the 3rd of Aisle Say's interviews with local arts professionals. Each organization has similar overarching concerns of cancellations, lost revenues, refunds, donations, personnel anxiety and the preposterous nightmare of rescheduling in uncertainty. On the other hand, each have specific issues relevant to their own procedures and organizational structures.

When Shakespeare's career was interrupted by the Black Plague, the Bard and his colleagues did three things: a?oeThey made plans for what they were going to do when theatres reopened. They toured the provinces, sold props, costumes, bundled plays and sold thema?"that's how the First Folio got made. And they went to the King and said, 'Help! History shows how confidence and point of view served Shakespeare and his company well.

With no performing arts to review, Aisle Say has taken to interviewing arts professionals. Here is a conversation with Kristina Kambalov, co-founder and ED of First State Ballet Theatre. (Go the bottom of the column for previous chats). In March Aisle Say celebrated' his 63rd year in Delaware performing arts as actor, producer, director, playwright and theatre critic. An organization that has a sweet spot in my heart is First State Ballet Theatre.