Entertainment
It’s a Jolly Holiday at Paper Mill Playhouse
A Jolly Holiday: Celebrating Disney’s Broadway Hits at Paper Mill Playhouse; LEFT TO RIGHT: Kara Lindsay, Kissy Simmons, Major Attaway, Jarran Muse, and Dan DeLuca; Photo by Evan Zimmerman for Murphy Made.
The opening night performance of Paper Mill Playhouse’s A Jolly Holiday: Celebrating Disney’s Broadway Hits was a delightful evening of cheer. With a simplistic, but effective set by Kelly James Tighe and spectacular lighting by Charlie Morrison, Paper Mill Playhouse was ablaze in wonder.
A Jolly Holiday features Major Attaway (Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway) who started off the show with the winning “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast. The title song brought on Kissy Simmons (Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway) and Dan DeLuca (Disney’s Newsies). Finishing up this award winning film segment was Kara Lindsay (Disney’s Newsies at Paper Mill and on Broadway) in “A Change In Me”.
The Lion King, was next with the spirited team of Major Attaway and Dan DeLuca in a “Hakuna Matata”. The first highlight of the night. Broadway’s Kissy Simmons was back as Nala recreating “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” with Jarran Muse (Broadway’s Ain’t Too Proud). This was the first of the three leads recreating roles they played ether on Broadway or on the road and it is clear why these talented performers got the roles. Jarran then lead the company into a stirring “Circe of Life’.
Coming to Paper Mill Playhouse next year and our next show highlight was Kissy singing the gospel “Zero To Hero” from Hercules. With a voice that is heaven sent, Kissy sent this song straight to the Gods. The trio of men then brought us “Go The Distance”.
Gender switching roles brought us Dan DeLuca in “My Strongest Suit” from Aida.
Kara Lindsay in perfect voice sang the classic “Part Of Your World” from The Little Mermaid, as Major Attaway brought Jamaica to New Jersey with “Under The Sea”.
Jarran and Kissy were back to duet on the beautiful “You’ll Be My Heart” from Tarzan.
Next is one of my favorite shows Newsies with “Carrying the Banner”. Next recreating her Broadway winning role Kara Lindsay belted out “Watch What Happens”, again proving why she got the part. The spirited “King of New York” and then Dan recreating “Santa Fe” ended the first act with a bang!
In the second act “Were All In This Together” from High School Musical took on a new meanings. Creating a warn fuzzy feeling of being back.
Five songs from Mary Poppins had Kara recreating a role she played with “Supercalifragilisticexpialidicous” and Jarran doing a mean tap in “Step In Time.”
The Jungle Book brought Major explaining “The Bear Necessities”.
From The Hunchback of Notre Dame that premiered at Paper Mill Playhouse came “Someday” with Major and Kissy and a heartfelt “Out There” by Jarran.
Major took down the house as he recreated “Never Had A Friend Like Me” from Aladdin. “A Whole New World” with Kissy and Jarran and Dan bringing his emotion to “Proud of Your Boy”. Dan and Major ended the section with a rousing “Somebody’s Got Your Back”.
Ending the night, were five songs from Frozen, each one better than the last with a surprise of lights and snow.
A Jolly Holiday is so talented both in front and back of the stage. The choreography by Kenny Ingram was well thought out and executed. The music supervision, orchestrations, and additional arrangements by Jim Abbott terrific. The music direction by Geoffrey Ko done to perfection. Ko is also on piano and he is excellent, as is the orchestra: Jarred Lee also on piano, Rebecca Steinberg on trumpet, Ben Kono on woodwinds, Randy Landau on Bass and Marques Walls on percussion and drums.
My only complaints are with the book by Sandy Rustin, who at times made this feel a little theme parkish and sound design by Matt Kraus, which still is in need of adjusting.
This show however is just what the doctor ordered for these strange times. For about two hours you are transported to a simpler and brighter era. A Jolly Holiday is the perfect gift to yourself and your family.
A Jolly Holiday: Celebrating Disney’s Broadway Hits: Paper Mill Playhouse, until January 2nd
My guest absolutely loved Asi Wind’s Inner Circle pre, but if you have been to Speakeasy Magick at The McKittrick Hotel, much of what is here will seem repetitive, though still amazing.
Asi, is good looking, charming, amusing and has a wonderful slight of hand. The Gym at the Judson has been designed and lit by Adam Blumenthal to make the space warm and inviting. The space only has 100 seats so you are up-close and personal.
Before the show starts audience members are asked to write their names and initial on a blank card with red or black sharpie’s. These are the cards he uses as his deck, so that each night the show is personalize.
Wind is a wonderful storyteller and loves his craft. He is infectious about his passion and in so brings his audience in. Each trick is celebrated as he builds his momentum. You will have seen most of these tricks before, if you have been to The McKittrick, but Asi makes it fun and exciting.
My guest could not wait to bring her grandson and throughly enjoyed the show. That alone made the performance special.
Asi Wind’s Inner Circle: Gym at Judson, 243 Thompson Street, until May 28th.
Carmine Appice and David Salidor
G.H. Harding
SIXX APPICE –— (Via Ultimate Clsssic Rock) Nikki Sixx spoke out against Carmine Appice’s claim that guitarist Mick Mars had been in dispute with his bandmates in the run-up to his retirement from Motley Crue. Mars’ departure was announced on the completion of their 2022 Stadium Tour, with John 5 named as his replacement soon afterwards. The official reason given was that Mars’ longterm illness had finally caught up with him – but in a recent interview, former Ozzy Osbourne and Vanilla Fudge drummer Appice suggested otherwise.
Motley Crue 1985 by Mark Weiss
“[Mars] told me, ‘When I was on the Stadium Tour, I was not happy,’” Appice told Ultimate Guitar. “Basically, everything was on tape; it was all planned out and ultimately a lot of crap. … The truth is that everything has been weird for a while with Motley Crue… Mick told me that people that came to see it could tell that it was all pre-recorded and that everything was on tape.”
Appice added that Mars “would travel alone on a bus while the other guys flew everywhere,” and continued: “He said, ‘Man, these guys are pissing their money away, flying to every gig.’ They were all busy still trying to be rock stars, and Mick just wanted to play the music. … [T]here were a lot of disagreements. I think he was just done.” When Mars was told about Crue’s World Tour with Def Leppard, Appice claimed, the guitarist told his colleagues: “You can do it. I’m not going out with you for this.”
Earlier this week Sixx appeared to refer indirectly to Appice’s comments, tweeting: “Love how people talk FOR us without talking TO us. This is why the media has lost credibility. Obviously by printing BS they make money off of advertising and we’re not into that clickbait game. When the truth comes out it will be FROM us.”
But he was more direct during a Twitter Q&A session last night. “A washed up drummer trying to speak for us? And bottom feeder media running with it to make money off of lies? Welcome to the sad new world of LOOK AT ME LOOK AT ME,” the bassist wrote.
He more or less repeated the same answer when asked: “Is what Carmine Appice said true?” Sixx replied: “A washed up drummer speaking for our band without any of the facts is as ridiculous as bottom feeder media running with stories without fact checking. When you hear the truth it will be from us.” He later commented: “It’s a funny money game.”
Crue will continue on the road through much of the year. Asked if 5’s status in the group was secure, Sixx stated: “Of course. He’s our guitar player. We have big plans.
Seems like there’s really a rumble in the metal-jungle. First off, I love these names … but, the name ‘Carmine Appice’ actually sounds pretty normal.
The metal world is a rough one for sure with fanzines named Blabbermouth; Louder Sound; Metal Edge; Metal Anarchy; Chaoszine; and Metal Injection. Remember, look before you leap!
The Longhorn
SHORT TAKES — Growing up, every Sunday night was family-dinner night at the steak-eatery The Longhorn in Rockville Center, Long Island. Sure it was a long-time ago, but the memory survives (as does the memory of our favorite waiter Tomas). Did you know that Micky Dolenz’s father George, owner and operated a restaurant in the heart of the Sunset Strip called The Marquis? The always regal-Alison Martino did a terrific piece on it, check it out here: https://martinostimemachine.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-marquis-restaurant-once-located-on.html?m=1&mibextid=uc01c0&fbclid=IwAR3wCiU_sgRmpjqWGpda_mEHthrj7OS1UfLOVkvYdbfVP_d5Iz0fO-KZbUw
Do you know the HLN Network? I really didn’t either, but it turns out its owned by CNN and Warner Brothers. This past weekend they ran a Fringe-fest, consisting of all the season of that show (2008-2013) which was one of my all time favorites. I watched most of it and it’s uncanny how well the show holds up. It features the wondrous John Noble; Joshua Jackson; Anna Torv and the late-Lance Reddick. The writing was just off the charts and more than being a sci-fi shows, it was about relationships. Just uncannily brilliant. Right up there with the X-Files and Lost …
Is it me or has the movie 80 For Brady dropped like a lead-balloon? There was a top-heavy PR-campaign before it came out and then nada. I’d still like to see it … HAPPY BDAY Andrew Freeman and Larry Yasgur.NAMES IN THE NEWS — Charles F. Rosenay; Jodi Ritzen; Jim Burgess; Richie Kaczor; Wayne Avers; Andrew Sandoval; Tom & Lisa Cuddy; Jodi Ritzen; Donna Quinter-Dolenz; Cindy Ronzoni; Kim Garner; Alan Rothstein; Crimshaw; Julian Lennon; Roger Friedman; Felipe Rose; Shep Pettibone; Mark Simone; Harvey Levin; Randy Jones; Bruce Haring; Andy Greene; and BELLA!
The Blue Note Jazz Festival runs from May 31st through July 2nd.
On May 31st Grace Jones, singer, actress, author, traveller, artist and revolutionist will be playing at the Hammerstein Ballroom at 8pm. Her CD ‘Hurricane,’ received widespread praise. In 1977 Jones secured her first record deal resulting in a string of dance-club hits including “I Need A Man” and her acclaimed reinvention of Edith Piaf’s classic “La Vie En Rose.” The three disco albums she recorded, ‘Portfolio’ (1977), ‘Fame’ (1978) and ‘Muse’ (1979), generated considerable success in the market and established her as a major recording artist.
Jones also became a muse to Andy Warhol who photographed her extensively and created a series of iconic portraits of her.
Jones is equally famous for her motion picture roles in such features as “Conan the Destroyer” (1984) co-starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, “A View to a Kill” (1985) co-starring Roger Moore as James Bond, the vampire thriller “Vamp” (in which Keith Haring famously painted her body for her role as an undead exotic dancer) and “Boomerang” (1992) co-starring Eddie Murphy (for which she recorded the song “7 Day Weekend”).
On June 3rd at Town Hall Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers with special guests John Scofield, Kenny Garrett & Christian McBride.
Bruce Hornsby, pianist Bruce Hornsby writes powerful songs from the heart that touch on several distinctly American traditions: pop, jazz, bluegrass, and 1960s soul. He recorded with his backing band the Range. Hornsby ultimately rejected the musical mainstream, disbanding the Range so he could tour with the Grateful Dead in the early ’90s, then exploring a variety of adventurous musical fusions on his own that decade and with the Noisemakers in the 2000s. Along the way, Hornsby collaborated with everybody from bluegrass picker Ricky Skaggs to jazz musicians Christian McBride and Jack DeJohnette while also spending time composing scores for Spike Lee, but his real revival arrived in the 2010s when Justin Vernon cited Hornsby as an influence and invited the pianist to play on Bon Iver’s 2019 album I, I. Hornsby embraced the opportunities that arose with a series of electronic-inflected, unpredictable albums that ran from 2019’s Absolute Zero through 2022’s ‘Flicted.
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