Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish
a kate west recommendation

Not that she needs any promotional help from me, but I'm praising her nonetheless. Billie Eilish, at 15 years old, is pop music's fastest rising star. From appearances on shows like The Late Late Show with James Corden and acoustical sets at Apple Stores, Eilish is making her presence known internationally, including a whirlwind tour at all the usual hot cities (you can buy your tickets here, but just so you know, she sells out - fast). 

An instant sensation, Eilish has the voice of a sophisticated adult, with the energy of a (duh) fifteen-year old and her collaborations with her brother Finneas O'Connell (another pro - be sure to check out his fab band, The Slightlys) have produced numerous accessible and nuanced tunes like her runaway hit Ocean Eyes. 

Growing up in a musical family (some of them act too), Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O'Connell, was born to perform. She learned to dance, sing and act at an early age, quickly deciding to focus on music to make her mark. Her songs are simultaneously dark and upbeat and her talent is undeniable. Judging by the screaming teens at one of her latest gigs at the Rickshaw Stop in San Francisco (side note: the upside to that night was an uncrowded bar for those of us, er, just a tad over drinking age), her appeal is universal. She's super fun to listen to and dance to, and then to play again to really hear those lyrics and wonder at the masterful poetry pouring out of someone so young. Really young, but with an old soul. Seriously.

Check out her more prominent tunes, such as Six Feet Under (lyrically beautiful and poignant) or Bellyache (punchy in just the right spots). It's all on Spotify. Or iTunes. Or pretty much everywhere now. And she's only just started her career. Can't wait to see what comes next.

You can check out her family's amazing talent by watching the delightful film Life Inside Out (my previous review is here), with mom Maggie Baird and brother Finneas. It's a love note to family, in the musical and familial sense.

And by the way, if you haven't heard of Billie Eilish yet, don't worry, you will.

Music Videos

www.billieeilish.com

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HAMILTON

a kate west review
book, music & lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda
based on the book by Rob Chernow
directed by Thomas Kail
choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler
1192 Market Street, San Francisco 94102
running April - May 2017
contact: (888)746-1799 or www.shnsf.com

HAMILTON. The musical world will never be the same after this ultimately modern phenomenon premiered in New York in 2015. Winning 11 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, HAMILTON introduced a new era in theater accessibility by using rap, hip-hop, and color-blind casting to dramatically showcase the American founding fathers. Alexander Hamilton may not have been as well known as Thomas Jefferson or George Washington (although Hamilton is certainly now a household name - thanks Broadway!) but he was most certainly an interesting part of our revolutionary past. A prolific writer and an immigrant(!), Hamilton helped shape our roots, along with the legendary greats.

Lin-Manuel Miranda, genius creator of this stunning work of art, is also now a household name. Enchanted by Hamilton's story in the book by Ron Chernow, Miranda turned the tale into a brilliantly emotional and eloquent recounting of loss, envy and triumph. Who knew our own history could be so compelling, entertaining and well, so very ... educational? After taking New York by storm, HAMILTON is touring the country and is currently running in San Francisco. And yes, it's every bit as good as you've heard.


Aaron Burr, strongly portrayed by Joshua Henry in this production, is wildly and dangerously jealous of the successful Alexander Hamilton (Michael Luwoye), bringing to mind Salieri's frustration at Mozart's seemingly easy genius in AMADEUS. "How does a bastard, orphan, son of a whore and a Scotsman, dropped in the middle of a forgotten spot in the Caribbean by Providence impoverished in squalor grow up to be a hero and a scholar?" This opening number ("Alexander Hamilton") skillfully sets the intense tone for the bitterly tragic rivalry.

Joshua Henry as Aaron Burr

Michael Luwoye as Alexander Hamilton

We watch Hamilton rise quickly and almost effortlessly through the political ranks, forever bypassing his friend Burr. He meets the elitist socialites, the Schuyler sisters, and marries Eliza (the wonderfully lyrical Solea Pfeiffer) while lusting after Angelica (the larger-than-life Emmy Rover-Lampman). He later gets entrenched in scandal with a married woman and somehow manages to extricate himself by wits alone. These ladies all seem to be "Helpless" ("Look into your eyes, and the sky’s the limit, I’m helpless! Down for the count, and I’m drownin’ in ‘em"). But they are the least of his worries.


He soon becomes the vital right-hand man to George Washington himself, strongly portrayed by Isaiah Johnson. When Thomas Jefferson (played with relish and good fun by Jordan Donica) finally returns from France ("What'd I Miss?"), the political scene heats up, with one side playing the other, until Hamilton manages to win over Jefferson, leaving out Burr, once again, who is desperate to be a part of the action ("The Room Where It Happens"). 

Solea Pfeiffer, Emmy Rover-Lampman, Amber Iman as the Schuyler sisters

Michael Luwoye & Isaiah Johnson (George Washington)

Rubén J. Carbajal, Michael Luwoye, Jordan Donica,  Mathenee Treco

Even knowing how the play ends, as it's all in the history books (duh) and Burr himself tells us at the start, "And me, I'm the damn fool who shot him", the duel scene is rivetingly suspenseful. And heartbreaking, as are a few other lovely gems (not to give it all away here). Andy Blankenbuehler's choreography, in harmony with Thomas Kail's apt direction, holds our constant attention, in so many clever ways. There are slow-motion moments and rewinds and poignant portraits of isolated emotion, all amazingly effective and flawlessly expressed. King George (the delightful Rory O'Malley) even makes a few cameos here and there to ridicule the original patriots ("You'll be back ...Time will tell, You'll remember that I served you well ... We have seen each other through it all and when push comes to shove, I will send a fully armed battalion to remind you of my love"). So we've got drama, love, lust, passion, comedy, tragedy, and oh, so much history. And all of it is palatable, fascinating, and brilliant. 

Rory O'Malley as King George

Miranda has given us a modern world, framed by the old, using actors of color interchangeably, and it all works. Very, very well. The story of HAMILTON tells us that immigrants can be as important as everyone else, that equal rights matter, that the bigger picture matters most, and even better, that, as Burr eventually realizes, "The world was wide enough for both Hamilton and me". If you can at all afford to, see it now.

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People Are People

Thank you, Depeche Mode! Read more!

One Night With Janis Joplin

a kate west review
created, written, directed  by Randy Johnson
starring Mary Bridget Davies
at the Pasadena Playhouse
39 S. El Molino Avenue, Pasadena 91101
call (626) 356-PLAY (7529) or click here (www.pasadenaplayhouse.org)
running March 15 – April 21, 2013

Janis Joplin. Queen of Rock and Roll. Legend. Icon. Tragic figure. The young lady with the smokey bluesy voice. Once you heard it, you never, ever forgot it. She was big, as in larger than life, consuming and sharing music with a vibrant passion. It is hard to define a soulful voice of pain. But Joplin had it. As did Billie Holiday. These were voices that spoke to the deep ache within and moved you out of your head and into a world of feeling. Joplin learned from the best voices: Bessie Smith, Etta James, Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, just to name a few. She destroyed any preconceived notions of female performers and unapologetically put herself smack in the middle of rock and roll history forever. If you never had the luck to hear her in concert, now's your chance.

The Pasadena Playhouse presents "One Night With Janis Joplin", starring Mary Bridget Davies as the volatile and utterly relatable Janis. Accompanied by fine rock and jazz musicians and back-up singers, Davies plays the "live" version of Joplin, up close and personal. Her iconic influences (Smith, James, Simone, Franklin) join her from time to time in the form of Sabrina Elayne Carten, who charges up the stage with dynamic intensity. Talk about playing to the crowd. She'll have you dancing in the aisles.

And then there's Mary Bridget Davies. Don't look for a one-woman show or a straight biography. This is a real and raw version of Janis, giving us a real honest-to-God rock concert, just like in the old days. Davies resurrects the unforgettable Janis, matching her singularly raspy voice  (and clothing) with enormous enthusiasm and tremendous skill. In between (and during) sets, she talks to us, like Janis would, with that iconic growly laugh, telling us that nothing made her feel more alive than being with us, on stage, hearing that spirit-lifting applause. Davies is able to channel the rock star so acutely that for a moment you are transported back to a time where sex, drugs and rock and roll began, way, way back all the way. To the 1960's. Hers is a definitive performance that must not be missed. Not too many shows in Los Angeles need standing ovations (seriously we must stop standing for every single show already) but this one truly does. It demands acknowledgement for the blood, sweat and tears so obviously wrung out (from the past to the present) and given live, just for us. Lucky, lucky us. Randy Johnson is to be commended for his excellent idea of this show, come to life in such big style. You can feel Janis still with us, her presence felt so strongly as Davies sings to the rafters.

No one sang like Janis. She did amazing original music as well as amazing revamping of old music. No one had her kind of broad style either. We all know that Joplin died too young. This performance doesn't speak to that, except to say that Joplin was happiest on stage, singing her heart out, and who can really sustain that depth of need?

"I think I sound like a white chick singing the 'blues'. There was just something about that ache I heard that got me bad. After all, the blues is just a bad woman feeling good." - Janis Joplin (1943-1970)

A sampling of just some of the great classic Joplin songs you will hear:

Bye Bye Baby
Ball and Chain
Piece of My Heart
Me and Bobby McGee
Summertime
Mercedes Benz

Visit here:
www.officialjanis.com

Mary Bridget Davies and Sabrina Elayne Carten in a scene from “One Night With Janis Joplin.” Photo by Janet Macoska. 

Mary Bridget Davies as Janis Joplin. Photo by Jim Cox.

Mary Bridget Davies as Janis Joplin. Photo by Jim Cox. Read more!

The Mystery of Edwin Drood

a kate west review
book, music, lyrics by Rupert Holmes
directed by Scott Ellis
musical direction by Paul Gemignani
choreographed by Warren Carlyle
a Roundabout Theatre Company production
at Studio 54, 254 West 54th Street, New York, NY, 10019
running  November 13, 2012 - March 10, 2013
contact (212) 719-1300 or click here

Charles Dickens never finished writing "The Mystery of Edwin Drood". He died instead. So of course the only thing to do was to turn it into a musical and have the audience guess the ending. Right? That was the idea behind Rupert Holmes' vision anyway. Who better for the job than Roundabout Theatre, who sure do like to put on some fun productions (see previous review here). "Drood" (in grand old music hall tradition no less)  is no exception. And what's even more fun? To perform at the most famous former night club in the world, Studio 54. So now you'll want to see the show so you'll be able to say you were there too, just like Andy Warhol. Can't get hipper than that.

Edwin Drood (Stephanie J. Block of "Wicked" fame) is a Victorian gentleman (yep, played by a woman to stir up more mystery) who suddenly disappears. Is he dead? Who killed him? His fiance Rosa (Betsy Wolfe) or his rival John Jasper (Will Chase) or the suspicious eastern foreigners, Helena and Neville Landless (Jessie Mueller and Andy Karl)? The possibilities are endless and there is no shortage of audience participation in figuring it all out, so be forewarned. But don't worry, there is a narrator, the Chairman (Jim Norton), who guides us in the plot and in our reactions, occasionally jumping in and out of characters (as do most of the cast). A cheery Master of Ceremonies, fitting for a raucously bawdy-lite evening.

In this particular production, Chita Rivera was supposed to play Princess Puffer, madame of an underground opium den, but was substituted with Alison Cimmet, who was just fine (her normal role of Violet Balfour went to Jenifer Foote). In fact, the entire ensemble shows us a romping good time and sing some rowdy songs, including "There You Are", "Moonfall", "Ceylon" and "Off to the Races". The first act might drag a bit but the second act involves the spectators even more directly so that will definitely rouse you. The actors are all pros of course, and laughter abounds (unlike the dreary notes of the original novel). Block does a great disgruntled diva.

It's a play-within-a-play, with actors playing actors playing Dickens characters, but mostly talking to us. Some of them will run about the aisles and yes, might drag up an unsuspecting patron of the arts right there on stage. But everyone seems so earnest and of such enthusiastic good cheer that you can't help but be drawn into the fun, especially with all the asides and winks going on. Plus you get to choose the ending. And maybe sing a few notes yourself. A charming production, "Drood" delivers the fun, if not all the answers. But what fun would life be without a little mystery? Read more!

Jonathan Shue - Little City

 a kate west review

Bay Area/Seattle musician Jonathan Shue brings us another low-key folksy lyrical album, perfect for a casual beer night or to ease your traffic-congested commute. Like his previous albums, "In the Valley of Heart's Delight" (EP) / "Chasing Hurricanes" (a kate west review here), "Little City" also features that gentle guitar/harmonica combo. Sure it seeps into country, but only in that modern cool way so popular with the kids these days.

Some of the lyrics might be a bit simpler this time around: "it must feel like a crumbling ceiling, or paint that won't stop peeling, or as lonesome as a loaded gun" (The Story of Your Son) but profundity shows up too: "there's no home at the end of your road" (There's No Home) or "you're my new favorite read ... if you aren't yet through the complete works of you" (The Complete Works of You). Then there's the wistfulness of the traveler in Traveling Song, as if Shue himself were remembering his journey from San Francisco to Seattle. The title track (Little City) also has a few triumphant notes: "I'm just a man once again and you're just a town". 

And like his previous works, this is not a one-time listen. You'll want to play it a few times, easing into the nuances just a little differently each time. By the way, each song and each album shows a stronger and stronger voice. This guy is one to watch (and listen to).

Catch him on iTunes, CDBaby and Amazon.com.

Track Listing: 1) Valley of Heart’s Delight; 2) The Story of Your Son; 3) Traveling Song; 4) If Not Today; 5) Little City; 6) You Tell Me; 7) The Complete Works of You; 8) William, Old Man; 9) Grandpa Was A Mystery Man; 10) Super Moon; 11) Thick of It All; 12) There’s No Home; 13) First Night In San Francisco; 14) The Outlook (instrumental).

http://jonathanshue.com/ Read more!

Anything Goes

a kate west review
music and lyrics by Cole Porter
directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall
a Roundabout Theatre Company Production
at the Ahmanson Theatre/Center Theatre Group/L.A. Music Center
135 North Grand Ave, Los Angeles 90012
contact 213-628-2772 or Center Theatre Group
running November 27, 2012 - January 6, 2013

In the spirit of retro glam so popular these days, the Roundabout Theatre of New York brings the 1930's Cole Porter musical, "Anything Goes" to Los Angeles, home of Hollywood glitz. A match made in Heaven. Hey, if you're in the mood for fast-talking molls and tap dancing, well, everyone, this is the holiday show for you. And yes, Cole Porter's famously romantic music holds up quite well in setting the mood for this fun little jaunt overseas.

Reno (the impossibly perfect Rachel York) has the hots for Billy (smoothly portrayed by Erich Bergen) who pines for Hope (Alex Finke). Throw in the odd gangster (Fred Applegate as the gruffly fun Moonface Martin) and you have madcap misunderstandings and mistaken identities galore. When they all chase each other onto a luxury ship, appropriate hijinks ensue. Guaranteed.

The set design by Derek McLane puts us all right on top of a smooth sailing ocean, with mini cabin scenes and majestic ballrooms and Martin Pakledinaz gives us lovely old time costuming, all of which will have you yearning for the nostalgic. Then there's the music. Each song is more famous than the last, including the title song "Anything Goes", as well as "I Get a Kick Out of You", "Blow, Gabriel, Blow", "It's De-lovely" and "Friendship". And right again, you will leave the theater humming at least one of the above. Good singing and even greater dancing transports us to just the right amount of escape, thanks to Kathleen Marshall's professional directing. 

Granted, you may not be completely immersed, but even as you are aware you are watching a show, you'll give in to the broad style and occasional silliness, in spite of yourself. Some of you may even remember the grand Broadway Dame Ethel Merman's turn as Reno, immortalizing many of the tunes. This show is certainly a classic. And there is not much to complain about in this impeccable production. Edward Staudenmayer might be a bit much with his way-over-the-top Lord Evelyn Oakleigh, but then again his character is supposed to be ridiculous. The dancing however, is impeccable and as pictured above, awfully fun to watch. And it just flies by. Entertainment for the whole family. Promise.

So be sure to catch the next voyage, if it happens to land at a theater near you. Read more!

2P2: Revisted

Or: A Boy Raised by (Stuffed) Wolves
a kate west revisit
(original review here)

As a child, Bill Olson believed everything around him was alive, with actual feelings. Especially his stuffed animals (to let you in on a little secret: HE STILL BELIEVES THIS.) More on this later.

Bill grew up (if you can really call it that) to be an actor, a juggler, a teacher of the Alexander Technique and a puppeteer with Lunatique Fantastique. He likes to say he misspent his adulthood with decades of acting, directing, writing and producing. But it paid off (another little secret: NOT WITH MONEY - do you see where this is going?)
 Bill did what anyone would do (right?) and put his imagination on film (this is the later part).

Enter the stuffed animals. Again. Proving the world is big enough for any type of imagination. Influenced by Jim Henson and Warner Brothers’ Looney Tunes, Bill found the perfect outlet for his artistic bent by forming Two Plush Two Productions (2P2). What is it? According to 2P2’s Mission Statement, it is "a video production team founded to create quality entertainment for everyone through a unique form of storytelling; presenting the world as it should be, through the eyes of stuffed animals." 

How does this work? Essentially, he and his crew manipulate stuffed animals on camera into simple stories, set to different soundtracks. And just so we’re clear, it’s important to see the hand manipulation, because we need to see the blend of fantasy and reality. Remember playing with stuffed animals as a kid? It's like that, but more poignant. And funnier. And on video.

And infectious. Because Two Plush Two (2P2) is increasingly getting requests for videos. Chris Ballew, lead singer of The Presidents of the United States of America, was so excited by the video “More Bad Times”, which interpreted the Presidents' song, that he asked 2P2 to do a video for a children's song he recorded as Caspar Babypants. He says he was struck by an excellently done slow motion shot in one of the earlier videos so he commissioned 2P2 to do “Baby’s Getting Up” (later followed by "The Frogs"). This success was followed by a request from Seattle musician Jonathan Shue to illustrate his lovely lyrical ballad, “Bartholomew”, that celebrates following dreams. He had so much fun with 2P2 that he wrote his own version of "Deck the Halls" for the stuffed animals to act out. Musicians seem to love the way 2P2 interprets their themes and images.

In fact, these “critter” stories really do speak to everyone. From the classic tortoise and the hare tale, to beloved toys missing their owner (she’s off at college), it’s riveting storytelling. And it really is a unique point of view. To give you a small example, in one scene, the animals want to mail a letter, but don’t know how. They get the concept of mail, just not how it’s delivered. Their solution is adorably touching.  Oh and by the way, only one of them actually talks. That would be C.C. the black cat and unofficial spokesperson for 2P2 (watch him at a recent red carpet event here). Nothing will change Bill’s mind about this.

See for yourself in this exclusive Kate West interview:
Bill never lets go of this magic. That’s what makes it work, and makes everyone around him believe it too. Which is why the “critters” seem so real. They feel acutely and get the message of the story across in a fun and direct way. Its gentle Henson-like humor is never mean, and usually quite sweet. The greatest appeal is the way the "critters" deal with challenges - their creativity and teamwork present an idealized version of humanity. It’s obvious the 2P2 crew love what they are doing too. Bill and his human cast often share “Eureka” moments on set, which he generally voices with a pleased yelp, to the great amusement of his fellow plush fans.

The other reason it works is because we want to let our guards down a little and pretend again for a little while. To see the world from a younger, more innocent place. That’s definitely worth paying attention to. Plus (plush) it's pretty dang cute.

Thanks listening. And watching, if you’re inclined. Links to all below.

About Two Plush Two Productions
Some of us never grow up. Or at least we still know how to feed that inner child. We hold on tight to that sense of wonder. If you’ve ever felt your toys were real - if you remember loving them as true friends, and you fervently want to keep believing in childhood magic, we can help you. Two Plush Two Productions is a video production company started by friends just for fun. We make awesome videos starring stuffed animals (that we all still love and adore) acting out simple stories. Intrigued? Check us out on YouTube.


2P2 on YouTube
2P2 on Facebook
2P2 on Twitter @TwoPlushTwo
Earlier 2P2 review here


Bill Olson (the mad Pied Piper behind the critters) would like to thank:
Village Stationers
Sugar Shack
Leaf and Petal

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Two Plush Two Productions

a kate west recommendation

We're still in a recession, still at war, still escaping tsunamis and still enduring reality t.v. And yet we can take a small breather from all of that to watch Two Plush Two Productions videos featuring stuffed animals enacting short stories to cool music. In fact, we should. It's light, it's fun and it's cute. And it makes you smile. And like the work of the late Jim Henson (Muppets), none of it is ever mean-spirited. Good for the whole family.

Bunnies, cats, bears, monkeys and even unicorns bust some moves on camera, in emotional farewells to friends, cuddling with loved ones and even some getting in some holiday decorating. Manipulated by human arms (the "puppeteers"), the animals show remarkable feeling and convey perfectly soulful vignettes. From classic tales like "The Tortoise and the Hare" to simulated musical videos, the cast members demonstrate delightfully furry versatility.

What's really remarkable is that something so simple can be so enthralling. Didn't we all do this as kids - make our stuffed animals perform for a captive audience (usually our parents)? The cleverness isn't at all self-deprecating or mocking as in so much of comedy today. It's sincere. And just ... happy. And what's wrong with that? We all need more playtime, especially the older we get.

Oh and they count The Presidents of the United States of America among their fans (click here). So bring along your inner child and please spread the joy (see below).

Performers
Kirsten Egan
Susie Danzig
Nick Olson
Caela Fujii
Nathan Diehl
Bill Olson
Jake Horstmann
Paul Wu
Jonathan Bender
Alicia Dattner


Website:
http://www.2plush2.com/2plush2/Two_Plush_Two_Home_Page.html


Watch them on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/twoplushtwo

Like them on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Two-Plush-Two-Productions/139622116101249#!/pages/Two-Plush-Two-Productions/139622116101249?sk=wall

FUND IT:

http://www.kickstarter.com/pro

jects/1913952317/babys-getting-up-video-by-two-plush-two-production

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Jonathan Shue - In The Valley of Heart's Delight

a kate west review

Local San Francisco artist Jonathan Shue knows his way around a guitar. And some compelling lyrics. With the album "In The Valley of Heart's Delight", he serenades us on relationship woes (to name one recurring theme), spun to lovely strumming on his guitar (and the occasional harmonica).

The songs here are definitely universally relatable and pretty enough to keep you listening. "Honesty Gets Me In Trouble" in particular, captures an amusing take on why some guys can't help saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. "Ballad of Rene Vallaincourt" adds some western mystique, with a tang of tolerable country. Echoes of folk music drift in and out of some of his work too, in the nicest way possible.

The best piece, however, is the softly subtle "Bartholomew", about the musings of a dreamer. Because it is so brimming with visual possibilities, Shue commissioned a local production company Two Plush Two (who also know their way around a good story), to showcase one of their adorably popular videos featuring "Bartholomew" (separate review here). The resulting collaboration is sweetly wistful and perfectly executed. Catch the magic below. And remember to pass on the good feelings!

SONGS
1. Honesty Gets Me In Trouble
2. Chasing Hurricanes
3. Cryin For That Kiss
4. Bartholomew
5. Orangecoat
6. Ballad of Rene Vallaincourt
http://jonathanshue.com/

To see true artistry at it's synergetic best, watch the new video by Two Plush Two Productions below:


VIDEO

Bartholomew.mov

This one is for the dreamers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Brrrfw3baFc&feature=related 

All songs written by Jonathan Shue, Mike Schadell - drums, Jonathan Shue - vocals, rhythm & lead guitar, bass.

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Edsel and the Time Machine

a kate west review

SGC Entertainment Group & Asian Journal Publications

Directors Fenny G. Pangan & Alvin H. Reyes

Musical Director Sonny Fernando

USC campus, Bovard Auditorium

3551 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, CA 90089

(213) 740-4211 or http://edselandthetimemachine.com/

performing July 16, 2011 @7 pm only

"The Golden Boy with the Golden Voice"

Edsel Sotiangco is touted as a gifted young musical prodigy from the Philippines, known as "The Golden Boy with the Golden Voice". He recently deemed to grace USC with his variety show "Edsel and the Time Machine" and some of us will never get those two hours back. A real family affair (Dad's a producer), Edsel tours with friends and relatives, taking the audience back through time with a song from every major decade from the 1930's to the present. This would be the fifth time the show has been mounted. A former child star, Edsel showed amazing potential to be a bonafide pop star and now in his teen years, he's still at it.

The essential "story" is framed around Edsel attempting to find a little meaning in a show he's done countless times before. The mysterious Shadow Man helps Edsel get through a tedious rehearsal by pointing out the origins of musical inspiration. This means we get to see cast members trying out different songs following video clips of unrelated songs from the same eras. That's pretty much it. The talent is uneven, ranging from terrible to good. Some singers (and some musicians) are even occasionally off-key. You'll see a Beatles impersonation and some interesting violin playing mixed in there. All this seems par for the course for the rabid fans who scream with delight each time Edsel appears or hear a song we all recognize (and that would be almost all of them).

Edsel himself spends his time going through the motions of the bare minimum plot. Yes, he has a good voice, but tonight's passion wasn't in it. Some singers got really into it, however. Allyson Cantimbuhan has a nice belty voice singing "I Will Survive". Not the best choice for someone so young and unjaded, but her stage presence makes up for that a bit. Other non-terrible acts include the de Jesus sisters (Toots, Nini, Toni and Zandi) tackling some Broadway tunes ("Aquarius" from HAIR and "One Night Only" from DREAM GIRLS) and Lianna Gutierrez. The back-up dancers do a fine job as well.

Overall, the show is a crowd-pleaser, albeit with a built-in fan base. The tunes are mostly familiar and some come across much better than others. The video tracks aren't all that well organized, lightly touching on the particular eras, but not really introducing the songs performed. If you're not part of the in crowd, you might get bored (again, it's a two hour show) so unless you revel in kitsch and cheese (and some people do and more power to you) you can save that fifty dollars (you heard that right, and some people didn't even get a program once they ran out).

CAST

Junn Aquino, Lianna Gutierrez, Erika Delos Santos, Allyson Cantimbuhan, Henry Pagkalinawan, Jr., Andy Tecson, Glynis Sotiangco, Toots De Jesus, Nini De Jesus, Toni De Jesus, Zandi De Jesus, Fenny Pangan, Al Rapisura

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Happy Holidays!

a kate west greeting
from Nordstrom's Santa Anita Mall
Surprise! Xmas Flash Mob



Brought to you by All Saints Episcopal Choir, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Pasadena Presbyterian Church Kirk Choir, Pasadena Master Chorale and many others! Read more!

Glee

a kate west recommendation

"Glee" is the highly-touted mega-hit television show revolutionizing appreciation for the arts. In its second season, "Glee" depicts high school misery and joy, all centered in the glee club. It succeeds not only because of the sparklingly fresh renditions of well-known songs, but the sincerity of the characters, not to mention talented actors. Most of them are Broadway-trained, so they can all sing. Really, really well.

With that in mind naysayers, it is important to suspend a little disbelief. While this isn't "High School Musical" exactly, it is done in a musical format, so there may be a lot of fantasy and spontaneous singing that you maybe won't find at your local high. Just go with it. The music is fantastic and the story lines, while surrounded by outrageousness, involve real problems of youth - fitting in, peer pressure, angst about the future. Who can't relate? If nothing else, enjoy Coach Sue's (Jane Lynch) delicious villainy. Let these kids have a little spotlight - they deserve it.

Created by	Ryan Murphy Brad Falchuk Ian Brennan
Written by	Ryan Murphy Brad Falchuk Ian Brennan
Starring	Dianna Agron Chris Colfer Jessalyn Gilsig Jane Lynch Jayma Mays Kevin McHale Lea Michele Cory Monteith Matthew Morrison Amber Riley Mark Salling Jenna Ushkowitz

Hear the music now:

Glee: Music from the FOX Television Show (E-Z Play Today) Read more!

NINE

a kate west review

directed by Rob Marshall

music & lyrics by Maury Yeston (Andrea Guerra)

original book by Arthur Kopit

screenplay by Anthony Minghella & Michael Tolkin

Already a playful adaptation of Federico Fellini's famous semi-autobiographical film "8 1/2", the Tony-award winning musical "Nine" is now a major motion picture. Starring Daniel Day Lewis and directed by Rob Marshall ("Chicago"), it blurs the line between fantasy and memory, reality and dreams.

Guido Contini (Daniel Day Lewis) is a 1960's world famous film director at a crisis in life. He's a notorious womanizer, yet loves his wife Luisa dearly (the adorable Marion Cotillard). He can't help it - he's always loved women, starting with his incredible Mother (the incomparable Sophia Loren) and his first love, the local prostitute, Saraghina (fabulously depicted by Fergie) to his sultry mistress Carla (Penelope Cruz) and the idolized movie star Claudia Jensson (Nicole Kidman).

Deep down Contini wants to be good and needs to be loved, but mistakes worship for the real thing. What he knows best is making movies and in the course of the film, we see his desire for women conflict with his strict Catholic upbringing, creating the tortured self-absorbed egomaniac with a genius for cinematic art. His charisma will only carry him so far, and eventually everyone gets fed up with him, from his hard-working Producer to his long-suffering wife.

Marion Cotillard ("La Vie En Rose") has the most touching and tender scenes in the movie, plaintively singing "My Husband Makes Movies" as he continues to neglect her. The musical scenes are all great in fact, especially Fergie's stompingly lusty "Be Italian" and Cruz's sexy "Call to the Vatican". Most of the actors can sing, with the exception of Lewis and Judi Dench (as the matronly Costumer Lilli), but their immaculately strong performances carry them through beautifully. Kate Hudson plays an American reporter Stephanie in a brand new number "Cinema Italiano", shot like a sparkly Versace runway show.

True, the costuming and 1960's look is très chic, but the movie lacks a true heart, in spite of the excellent cast. Guido Contini should be the charming devil-may-care rascal who wins us over, but he's so tired and desolate by the end, he has nothing left to give. Small changes from musical to film (won't give it away here), don't make much of a difference, but as this is a difficult musical to begin with, technically and emotionally, it's a tough transition to screen that Director Rob Marshall just quite can't pull off.

Still, it's got some fun numbers and a few cool retro looks here and there, so is definitely well worth a viewing.

Directed by	Rob Marshall
Produced by	Rob Marshall Marc Platt Harvey Weinstein John DeLuca Maury Yeston
Written by	Anthony Minghella Michael Tolkin
Starring	Daniel Day-Lewis Marion Cotillard Penélope Cruz Judi Dench Fergie Kate Hudson Nicole Kidman Sophia Loren
Music by	Andrea Guerra (Score) Maury Yeston (Songs)
Cinematography	Dion Beebe
Editing by	Claire Simpson Wyatt Smith
Studio	Relativity Media
Distributed by	The Weinstein Company

MOVIE SOUNDTRACK:
Nine Read more!

Find Peace, Michael.

a kate west commemoration

http://www.michaeljackson.com

The Memorial and Film

Jackson's televised memorial took place at the Staples Center (where he rehearsed much of his concert tour) on July 7, 2009. We all remember the tearful Jackson family and especially his heartbroken children. Anything else that happened that day was hopelessly overpowered by the enormity of this cultural icon. And as we all know, the film "This Is It", documenting his heartrending work, was released to the public on screens in October 2009, months after Jackson's death in June 25.

The DVD

Despite any misgivings you may have over his bizarrely controversial personal life, the movie is worth a look. A consummate professional, Michael Jackson had been performing on stage almost his entire life. Granted, the intense scrutiny of the public eye and troubled family life turned him into a freak show at times, but on stage, in the true spotlight, he shone. As depicted in the film, he worked tirelessly with musicians and crew, always appreciative and humble, gently adjusting errors in order to reach the pinnacle of pop perfectionism he was accustomed to. He knew what he wanted and he got it, and you had to agree with him, because no one knew better. To dismiss him as a pop culture phenomenon is a disservice. No it's not deep intellectual pursuit, but his work was still hard - genius simply means being uniquely, impressively the best. Can't argue with that.

The DVD extras come with sincere testimonials and behind-the-scenes looks at auditions, costumes, sets, etc. The show would have had the latest 3D magic and larger-than-life puppets and pyrotechnics, but beyond all that, Jackson's mere presence, emotion and passion would have kept audiences enthralled just as he was. It would have been a great concert. I challenge you to watch the footage unmoved.

L-O-V-E. Peace, Michael.

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Michael Jackson: This Is It

This Is It

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