Archive for the 'theatre' Category

Overheard in the Theatre

Overheard at Jerry Springer - the Opera, Carnegie Hall, 1/29/08
During intermission, row T, center section:

I'm on the fence. I don't hate it, and I like it better than Grey Gardens.

Overheard in the Theatre

Overheard at Kiki & Herb: The Second Coming, Carnegie Hall, 12/12/07
Waiting in the men's room line at intermission:

Oh, by the way, my Radical Faerie name is Hand. You can call me Hand.

This night, the men's room line was wayyyy longer than the women's.

"Through A Glass, Darkly" to premiere in Minneapolis

Save the date! Mike's newest work gets its World Premiere on March 29 and 30, 2008, Minneapolis.

Last May, Mike began a major choral work commissioned by the Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus, a long-form piece that looks at the effects of crystal meth addiction on the GLBT community, their family, and friends.

Through A Glass, Darkly is a 45-minute oratorio for 3 soloists and choir and will premiere as the second half of the TCGMC's Spring 2008 concert "Friends Are Benefits". Two performances will be held at Ted Mann Concert Hall on the U of MN campus in Minneapolis: March 29, 2008 at 8pm and March 30, 2008 at 2pm. The following July, the chorus travels to Miami to perform "Darkly" for 160+ choruses at the GALA Choruses Festival 2008.

This is a really exciting and massive work, with both music and lyrics by Mike, telling the story of a boy hitting rock bottom and the effects his addiction has on those around him. It will form the cornerstone of an unprecedented outreach partnership created by the chorus to educate youth about the dangers of the growing crystal meth epidemic.

The music is thrilling, unlike anything I've ever heard in the choral world and traversing a whole slew of moody genres from classical to rock to swing to club beat. We cannot wait to hear 150 voices singing this. Mike just presented the finished work to the choir and their patrons this weekend. Clips of the demo tracks will be posted here soon.

Tickets are already on sale. Details can be found at the TCGMC website. Let us know if you're traveling there next March. We can help recommend places to stay and how to get around Minneapolis. Hope to see you there!

Overheard in the Theatre

Overheard at The Farnsworth Invention, 11/06/07
A lady in Orchestra Center, Row M:

When I go to a musical, I count the number of songs so that I know how many I have to listen to.

Good thing for her she was at a play.

Morning Rush Hour - The Platform, 8am

This is track 15 of 15 from Platforms.

The platform slowly comes back to life for morning rush hour, as those just coming home and others just getting up intermingle. A tentative Nancy and Doug, aware of how a night of "freedom" felt, find each other.

 
icon for podpress  Morning Rush Hour - The Platform, 8am [1:11m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Morning Rush Hour - The Platform, 8am
Music by Brent
(c) and (p) 2007 FatLab Music (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved
Segment choreographed by Ron De Jesus, Linda Goodrich, Nick Kenkel, Jeff Shade, and Matt Williams

from Platforms - originally produced at NYMF '07
Written by Delaney Britt Brewer
Directed by Holly-Anne Ruggiero
Choreographed by Ron De Jesus, Linda Goodrich, Nick Kenkel, Jeff Shade, and Matt Williams

Platforms - NYMF

3am - Inside the club

This is track 14 of 15 from Platforms.

Things heat up as the night drags on. Heidi and John bump in to each other and their secret double-lives are revealed. Nancy and Doug might have seen each other, but they allow their charade to continue.

 
icon for podpress  3am - Inside the club [6:20m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

3am - Inside the club
Music by Brent
(c) and (p) 2007 FatLab Music (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved
Segment choreographed by Nick Kenkel

from Platforms - originally produced at NYMF '07
Written by Delaney Britt Brewer
Directed by Holly-Anne Ruggiero
Choreographed by Ron De Jesus, Linda Goodrich, Nick Kenkel, Jeff Shade, and Matt Williams

Platforms - NYMF

Tango - Inside the nightclub

This is track 13 of 15 from Platforms.

Doug and Heidi lock eyes across the club, having noticed each other in very different circumstances on the Platform earlier in the night. They, along with other clubgoers — eventually joined by John and Eva — explore uncharted territories with their partners.

 
icon for podpress  Tango - Inside the club [5:06m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tango - Inside the nightclub
Music by Brent
(c) and (p) 2007 FatLab Music (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved
Segment choreographed by Linda Goodrich

from Platforms - originally produced at NYMF '07
Written by Delaney Britt Brewer
Directed by Holly-Anne Ruggiero
Choreographed by Ron De Jesus, Linda Goodrich, Nick Kenkel, Jeff Shade, and Matt Williams

Platforms - NYMF