Tag Archives: rock

Give me down to there – HAIR!

Give me down to there – HAIR!

A review of
Peregrine Theatre Ensemble’s
production of

I first fell in love with “HAIR the Musical” (with its famous nude scene) when I saw it at the Aquarius Theater in Los Angeles about 6 months after the Broadway production opened – I was 13, recently Bar-Mitzvahed, but looking so much older that no one stopped me from going in to see it.

Over the years I have seen many a production of “HAIR” – including that weird film version – and most recently the last Broadway revival (twice) and so I consider myself a bit of a #HAIRMAVEN.

Peregrine Theatre’s production of “HAIR the Musical”, now playing thru September 7th 2018 at FISHERMEN HALL (inside Provincetown High School) is one of it’s finest shows to date.

This productions stars a group of unknowns (listed below) who mingle with the audience before the show and during intermission while managing to stay in character as the 60’s hippies they portray.

Director/Choreographer Kyle Pleasant has molded his actors into a ‘Tribe’ rather than a cast which is evident as they move about the audience introducing themselves and being the flower children that their roles portray. Using choreography that feels more organic and spontaneous than rehearsed the piece flows seamlessly from song to song.

Being more of a musical journey than stage musical has always been one of “HAIR’s” greatest distinctions. This 50th Anniversary version’s Musical Director, Matthew Hougland has proved that with musical numbers that evoke the feelings of the 60’s (I was there!) which was an era of free love, psychedelic drugs, rock & roll, draft dodging, draft card burning, and an anti-war/anti government sentiment not dissimilar to today’s politically charged times.

“HAIR’s” cast is the aforementioned group that Peregrine’s creative’s have brought in to be the tribe. Each and every one of the principle cast members shine in their performances as does the Ensemble.

In addition, Gifford Williams’ Lighting Design, Chad Hayduk’s Makeup Design, and Carol Sherry’s Wig Design, are all quite professional and impressive

My only criticisms are technical in nature; Christopher Heilman’s sets are a bit too High School musical for my taste, and the auditorium’s sound system is in desperate need of an upgrade (I am told that this coming year will bring some improvements – donors take note!).

So, dress in your hippie finest, don your peace symbols, put on a flowered hairband, and go see Peregrine Theatre Ensemble’s production of “HAIR the Musical”. It’s as fine as entertainment gets.

HAIR
Book and lyrics by James Rado & Gerome Ragni
Music by Galt MacDermot
DIRECTED BY: KYLE PLEASANT
​Musical Direction: Matthew Hougland
July 10th  – Sep. 7th 2018
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!!
PURCHASE TICKETS

Director/Choreographer Kyle Pleasant
Musical Director Matthew Hougland

CAST

Claude Kevin Lagasse
Berger Jeffrey Kelly
Shelia Daisy Layman
Dionne Rhetta Mykeal
Jennie Lexi Tobin
Chrissy Rebecca Zeller
Hud Nigel Richards
Woof Brendan Williamson

Featuring

Melissa Zeller
Michael Whitty*
Carly Cherone
Alexander Tan
Landon Ebuna
Kelly Hooper
LeVane Harrington
Meridien Terrell*
Julia Solecki

*Dance Captain

The Production team includes: Christopher Heilman Scenic Design; Seth Bodie Costume Design; Gifford Williams Lighting Design; Chad Hayduk Makeup Design; Carol Sherry Wig Design; Brenna Hull Production Stage Manager; Molly Rocca Assistant Stage Manager; Alyssa Krinsky Intern & Social Media; Dusty Cohen Intern & Prop Master; Chanthoeun Hart Varon-Collins Intern and assistant to productionPatron Saint of Peregrine and front of house Carolyn Collins; Artistic Director Ben Berry; Executive Director Adam Berry

The 6th Annual Chanukah with Elli theKingOfBroadway & Friends 2018

* * * * * * * *

I am humbled ב״ה to be presenting

The 6th Annual
Chanukah with Elli theKingOfBroadway & Friends
2018 – 5779 Edition

We are privileged to present it ONE NIGHT ONLY:

Sunday, December 2nd (1st Light Chanukah) @ 7:00pm

The theme is, of course,
Chanukah the Festival of Light & Freedom!

There will be Music, Song, Comedy, Menorah Lighting, Sufganiot, Dreidels, Chanukah Gelt & MORE!

Featuring:
Elli theKingOfBroadway
and an all-star Broadway cast!

Stuart Marshall
Tommy Vance
Ron Orlovsky

with Music by “The Drey-dels”

Elliot Finkel – Piano (MD)

George Rush, Bass
Michael Bellusci, Drums
Daniel Bennett, Clarinet/Sax

TICKET INFO:
$18/Chai Cover Charge – 2 Drink Min
RESERVATIONS A MUST!!!
(212) 279-4200
www.triadnyc.com

-elli-
********

Here’s a clip from last year’s 2nd Show
Dec. 19th 7pm @The Triad NYC

Thanks for watching and make your reservations NOW
www.triadnyc.com

 

PRESS RELEASE: DEMI LOVATO GOES BICOASTAL FOR PRIDE

NYC - LA Pride

MULTI-PLATINUM SELLING RECORDING ARTIST
DEMI LOVATO GOES BICOASTAL FOR PRIDE

NEW YORK, NY | LOS ANGELES, CA – Monday, May 5, 2014 – In honor of the 45th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, two of the largest Pride events in the world— LA PRIDE and NYC PRIDE—have joined forces to announce the participation of one of the biggest names in Hollywood in this year’s LGBT Pride celebrations, Demi Lovato. On June 8th, the multi-platinum selling recording artist will join the LA PRIDE Parade as Grand Marshal and her participation will include a special performance. On June 29, Lovato will head east to headline perform at NYC Pride’s legendary Dance on the Pier on Pier 26 in Tribeca.

“It’s such an honor to be a part of both LA and NYC PRIDE celebrations this year,” says Lovato. “I have been an active advocate of the LGBT community and am wholly committed to supporting individuality and being comfortable in one’s own skin. I am thrilled to be a part of both events as they are a wonderful celebration of independence and self-confidence.”

One of the most exhilarating aspects of LA PRIDE’s weekend celebration is that of its annual parade, which brings out hundreds of thousand of participants, spectators and marchers to the streets of West Hollywood. A focal point in the flamboyantly colorful parade, the Grand Marshal represents a person whom has used their celebrity to be an outspoken supporter of the LGBT community.

“Demi Lovato is an amazing role model for today’s youth, both LGBT and non-LGBT, for her activism in the area of equality, positive messaging on body image, and level of openness with her struggles. As a community, we’re fortunate to have an ally like Demi,” said Patti DiLuigi, Co-President of Christopher Street West, producers of LA PRIDE.

Dance on the Pier is NYC Pride’s largest fundraising and community support initiative. The event’s production committee awards over $45,000 in grants to LGBT and LGBT-friendly nonprofits and community organizations each year. The event also supplies NYC Pride with critical operating revenue and pulls in countless visitors, driving attendance to NYC Pride’s other official events as well as various unofficial Pride events throughout the city. The historic event has played host to world-renowned performers, including Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Lopez, Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston and most recently Cher.

“We are thrilled to welcome Demi to our stages for this historic celebration. Now in its 28th year, the Dance on the Pier continues a proud tradition of partnering with all-star talent to create a high-quality event that raises funds to support local LGBT non-profits and New York City’s annual Pride festivities,” says Chris Frederick, Managing Director of NYC Pride.

LA PRIDE runs June 6 to 8. Visit lapride.org for more information on LA PRIDE’s Parade and other annual events, including the thrilling Festival, featuring entertainment from Jennifer Hudson, Azealia Banks, The Bangles, Mary Lambert and Betty Who.

NYC Pride runs June 21 to 29. For tickets to Dance on the Pier, visit nycpride.showclix.com. For information on NYC Pride and their full roster of annual Pride events, visit nycpride.org/events.

###

About DEMI LOVATO

Demi Lovato is a singer, songwriter, and television star with a fan base that includes over 20 million die-hard Twitter followers and 30 million fans on Facebook. She is a platinum-selling recording artist whose latest album, Demi, hit #1 on iTunes in 50 countries. The lead single—”Heart Attack”— earned Platinum status just 10 weeks after launch. Demi is currently on the road for the NEON LIGHTS TOUR which was named after the third single and “Top 5” radio hit off of her album, Demi. In addition to her musical accomplishments, in 2014, her book, STAYING STRONG: 365 DAYS A YEAR became a New York Times best-seller, she returned to television as a judge and mentor on “The X-Factor” and starred in Fox’s hit series “Glee.” She is an outspoken advocate for young people everywhere. She has become a role model by talking openly about her personal experiences and speaking out against bullying among other issues. She serves as an official Ambassador for We Day and the organization Free the Children. She has recently launched The Lovato Treatment Scholarship Program, which helps people struggling with mental health and/or addiction issues cover the cost of treatment.

About LA PRIDE / CSW

In it’s 44th year, Christopher Street West (CSW) is proud to produce LA PRIDE, a series of events celebrating the accomplishments of the TLGB community and shedding light on its continued march for equality. A year after the modern Transgender, Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual liberation movement was launched by the mob-led rebellion at the Stonewall Inn on New York’s Christopher Street in June 1969, activists in Los Angeles’ community came together to honor the rebellion with the world’s first PRIDE Parade in Hollywood, CA. Today, the organization continues to promote equality and diversity amongst the TLGB community and its allies with a three-day event held in West Hollywood, CA. The non-profit organization is comprised of an all-volunteer board of directors and professional consultants committed to the goals of human rights, education and outreach.

About NYC PRIDE

NYC Pride strives to empower individuals, groups, and our community as a whole, through the commemoration of our history—in particular the Stonewall Riots of 1969. New York City’s Pride events provide an opportunity to join together to celebrate our lives, take joy in all that we have done, and honor all those who have helped make our progress possible. The events provide a safe and affirming space in New York City while educating those both inside and outside our own community. In creating these Pride events, we reaffirm the self-worth of all Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people and all those who join in the ongoing struggle for our civil rights.

SPECIAL: Steve Cuden Interviews Randy Johnson “A Night with Janis Joplin” on Broadway

Broadwaykingdom.com was asked to film Steve Cuden (interviewed here) interviewing Randy Johnson about his amazing BioMusical “A Night with Janis Joplin”

We hope you enjoy it.

Chita: A Legendary Celebration – The Red Carpet Interviews

On October 7th, 2013 in honor of her 80th birthday, the Legendary Chita Rivera performed for almost 2 hours in “Chita: A Legendary Celebration”
a benefit concert for BCEFA at the August Wilson Theatre 245 West 52nd St, NYC
(home to the long running “Jersey Boys“)

Broadway Kingdom was invited to be at the Red Carpet Interviews at the
Blue Fin – 1567 Broadway New York, NY 10036

We got to chat with some of the performers, guests and Chita!

Enjoy!

A Video Interview with WELL-STRUNG

Broadway Kingdom never rests! While on vacation in Provincetown, MA we got the opportunity to go see WELL-STRUNG a singing string quartet perform at the ART HOUSE
The next day the boys sat down with me for this great interview.

After the interview please take some time to watch their latest music video!

Make sure to change the settings to 1080p and watch full screen for best viewing!
Enjoy!

Here’s the Music Video:
Make sure to change the settings to 1080p and watch full screen for best viewing!


For more info on Well-Strung go to www.well-strung.com
To make reservations to see them in Provincetown go to:
http://www.ptownarthouse.com/ticketing/well-strung

VIDEO INTERVIEW & REVIEW: Martha Wash at B.B. King

The Queen of Clubland sat down with me between her Sound Check and Performance at the legendary B.B. King Blues Club to talk about her amazing life in Music and how she forever changed the way singer get credited for their work.

 

Video Interview: The Metropolitan Room’s Bernie Furshpan

Shifting focus slightly we got to sit down for an Interview with Bernie Furshpan Owner/Managing Partner of the Metropolitan Room about the amazing changes and additions he has made since taking over almost a year ago. Plus, we answer the burning question, Why the Chandeliers?

We also have a scoop: Your 2 Drink minimum at the Metropolitan Room will soon include Fine Kosher wines suitable for the most discerning pallets! Kosher Wine!

The Metropolitan Room Website

NY Hysterical Society Website