Music
Tapestry Opera’s “Rocking Horse Winner” Rides Strong and True Looking for Luck
“Get me to the luck,” he cries out as he rides hard on that wooden rocking horse at the center of this captivating opera trying to harness love and attachment from a dysfunctional non-maternal narcissist. It’s a captivating visual, with this ride to ruin playing a small number of vocally stellar performances at the Crow’s Theatre main stage. The emotional need and desperation are present, almost from the get-go inside Tapestry Opera‘s new production of Rocking Horse Winner, and even for us who aren’t that accustomed to opera, the gallop is invigorating. Reuniting much of the original cast and creative members for our enjoyment, the opera begins with four souls, referred to as “The House” (solidly performed by Midori Marsh, Alex Hetherington, Anika Venkatesh, and Korin Thomas-Smith), singing out a simple childlike refrain while dancing like toy soldier marionettes upstairs above the fray. It signals a whispering and haunting element that, as directed with care by Michael Hidetoshi Mori (Sacramento Opera’s Rigoletto), majestically brings forth the perils and dangers of all that is wrong in the house of Paul. Beautifully portrayed by tenor Asitha Tennekoon (Loose Tea Music Theatre’s Angel’s Bone), the central young figure draws us into his depth and despair, roping us in and whose fragility powers all that is dangerous within.
Asitha Tennekoon in Tapestry Opera‘s Rocking Horse Winner at Crow’s Theatre. Photo by Dahlia Katz Photography
This is really a story about Paul and his torturous relationship with a mother who can’t see beyond her superficial self and her never-ending hunger for a grander life. Fueling this strong structuring, the production easily and wisely sets the musical stage for the unleashing of this award-winning creation based on D. H. Lawrence’s masterful short story. In Rocking Horse Winner, as written by composer Gareth Williams (‘Rubble’) and librettist Anna Chatterton (Sweat) with solid musical direction by Kamna Gupta (Washington National Opera’s Songbird), the tale of unrelenting greed and need unwraps its symphonic themes with a straightforward but well-crafted style, vocally digging into the unhappiness that lives and breaths inside that house with an expertise that astounds, even for us that lean more to the musical theatre side of the spectrum.
As designed grandly by Jawon Kang (Factory’s Armadillos), (based on the original designs by Camella Koo) with well-formulated costuming by Ming Wong (Crow’s The Master Plan) and atmospheric lighting delivered well by Echo Zhou 周芷會 (Studio 180’s The Chinese Lady), the house expertly unpacks the cycles of greed and desire for approval. Those aspects hang heavy on the young child-like shoulders of Paul, filling him with a simplistic need for some love and care as he looks down on his sad mother Ava, played fully by Canadian soprano Lucia Cesaroni (Metropolitan Opera’s production of Giordano’s Fedora). It’s a complicated dynamic, one filled with a need for approval and love, from a woman who only sees what isn’t there for her, not what actually is.
Ava only pays attention to her greed, her perceived poverty, and her forever want for more, as she sings of her frustrated disappointment being a wife to an “unlucky man” and mother of such a “difficult” son. “Nothing is as it should be,” she sings, focused only on her husband’s failure and weakness. Yet Paul only wants his mother to smile and be happy; to see him as enough and love him. He, in his somewhat problematic “too young” persona, can’t find his way to understand her sadness, thinking that if he only finds his way to luck and then to money, he can bring joy to her. “You’ll see,” he sings, “Paul’s lucky!”
In Rocking Horse Winner, the house hangs over him and his mother, shielding her from the winds of societal change outside. As the director states, “Her tragedy is due to being stuck in ideas of the past and believing the solution to misfortune is luck, not love.” And Paul takes it upon himself to make things better, by riding to a place of luck, and therefore, he will bring love back into the house.
Paul climbs on his lucky wooden rocking horse, riding it hard in hopes that it will bring his sad home some relief. Through a chance, somewhat clunky interaction with Paul, his uncle Oscar, played solidly by tenor Keith Klassen (‘Silly Distance’) sees a magical pathway to making some easy money through Paul’s ability to name the winners of horse races. It comes from Paul’s mad ride towards knowing, and with the help of Bassett, the caretaker and trusted companion of Paul, well-played by baritone Peter McGillivray (Metropolitan Opera’s production of La Bohème), the adult men embrace their “luck” and their greed, ultimately ignoring the toll it is taking on the young boy. They only harness their own desire for more, much like that house that never seems to give anyone any peace. Backed by that obsession, they drive the boy harder and harder towards their ‘luck’ and financial salvation.
The whispers of the house never give up though, and as embodied by the four somewhat ghost-like presences that magnificently float through the space echoing Ava’s constant desire for more, the cycle of perpetual need proves to manifest the accumulation of some wealth, but at a huge cost to Paul. His love for his mother sings true, but it is unheard, by her or anyone else in this cautionary tale. The voice of the house becomes more urgent, forever pleading, “There must be more money,” but there will never be enough to make Ava smile, something Paul never really sees or learns, so he continues, pushing himself far beyond what he can tolerate and survive.
The Rocking Horse Winner magically gifts him the names of actual live horse race winners, much to the surprise of his uncle. Thus beginning a dangerous, but ultimately successful game of betting on these horses at the race track. With great success, the winning only changes the financial circumstances, not Ava’s endless need for more. “The House” never seems satisfied, staying obsessed with money and the drinking of “bubbles.” Paul’s mother continues to refuse to welcome the embrace of a desperate son who stands before her pleading for her happiness and a smile. Tapestry Opera‘s Rocking Horse Winner, in association with Crow’s Theatre, re-shines the saddle with operatic sparkle, forcing our gaze on the dangers of materialism and the enormous cost of expending all your energy and focus on wealth. Luckily for us, Rocking Horse Winner rides strong and true, finding poetic beauty in the destruction of a young boy caught in a dysfunctional web that will never gallop away from his home. No matter how much winning there is.
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G.H. Harding
RYAN O’NEAL — For people of a certain age, Ryan O’Nea’sl portrayal of Harvard-preppy Oliver Barreett IV in 1970’s Love Story – who falls for working-class Radcliffe student Jennifer Cavilleri, was emblazoned forever in their minds. O’Neal passed Friday at 82 and left behind a rather tremendous body of work, from Peyton Place on TV, to Love Story; Paper Moon; Barry Lyndon; The Thief Who Came To Dinner; People I Know (with Al Pacino), The Driver; Irreconcilable Differences; Chances Are (with Robert Downey, Jr.) and What’s Up Doc with Barbra Streisand, on the silver screen. His output was somewhat jiggered. but boy, in each of his roles he showed a storied conviction. When I think about his roles right now, everyone reverberated with me. If you don’t believe me, watch Barry Lyndon again! Just superb!
His off-camera role was that of a wild hellion, perhaps most noted by his wooing and subsequent marriage to Farrah Fawcett, then riding her one-season arc on TV’s Charlie’s Angels. Together they had a son Redmond, who endured through his own personal tragedy.
Along with Warren Beatty, Robert Redford, Kurt Russell, and Burt Reynolds … O’Neal led the pack of leading men in the 70’s. I will miss him for sure. here’s a great tribute in the U.K.’s Guardian:https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/dec/08/ryan-oneal-actor-tribute-love-story-paper-moon
Steve Hackett
HACKETT’S CIRCUS — (Via Prog) Steve Hackett has shared the first new music from his upcoming studio album, The Circus And The Nightwhale, which will be released through InsideOutMusic on February 16. Watch the new video for People Of The Smoke below.
“My new album kicks off with People Of The Smoke, where we’re thrown back in time to the smokescape of 1950 London,” Hackett tells Prog. “A baby’s scream becomes a steam train, black smoke invades everything and industry rules the day. This is the place where the album’s story begins…”
The Circus And The Nightwhale will be the first full-blown Hackett concept album since his 1975 solo debut Voyage Of The Acolyte, which followed Genesis’s 1974 grand double concept affair The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway.
“The Circus And The Nightwhale is an album with a difference,” Hackett adds. “This time it is a story, based both literally and metaphorically on my life… It’s both faction and fiction, beginning in a gritty world of harsh reality, spinning off into a colourful and dark, weird metaphorical universe of wonder turned to terror, with an ultimately beautiful resolve.”
The album features Hackett’s touring band as well as a raft of guests including Amanda Lehmann and Big Big Train’s Nick D’Virgilio, Hugo Degenhardt return as guests on the drumstool, Benedict Fenner features on keyboards and Malik Mansurov on tar, with Hackett’s brother John once more on flute.
The Circus And The Nightwhale will be available on several different formats, including a limited edition CD and Blu-ray mediabook (including 5.1 Surround Sound and 24-bit high resolution stereo mixes), standard CD jewelcase, gatefold 180g vinyl LP and as digital album.
Here’s the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_iujNWzPL0
Micky Dolenz and Nikki Novak at KTLA
SHORT TAKES — Micky Dolenz on KTLA’s Countdown To 2024New Year’s Eve interviewed by Nikki Novak. Here’s Micky and Nikki. Thanks, Kimberly Cornell, for the photo. Speaking of Dolenz, his “Shiny Happy People” recording remains for a fourth week on the UK’s Official Physical Singles Chart, right behind Coldplay’s Xmas single.
Brad LeBeau
Congrats… Brad LeBeau’s forthcoming Teardrops On The Dancefloor doc will include interviews with David Morales; Hex Hector; Maurice Joshua; Dave Aude; David Morales and Nicky Siano … all classic DJ’s … Kevin Costner and Jewel dating? Seems an odd pairing, but that’s why they do call it Hollyweird! … Great article from Ultimate Classic Rock on the much-missed Denny Laine: https://ultimateclassicrock.com/denny-laine-songs/?fbclid=IwAR0FJFlY5IIHcC6wwStnVQV5Azk2aV_FW2laG0do5E08bBb6aTDlWJ-9V1E … Big news coming from Yorkshire Publishing; currently riding high on the charts with Mark Bego’s Joe Cocker tome …
Mark Maron
And: I’m not a huge Mark Maron fan, even though a colleague has been after me for years to listen to him
Lou Adler
so I jumped in this week and listened to a podcast with Lou Adler. Lou Adler: Johnny Rivers; Sam Cooke; Monterey Pip; The Roxy; Carole King; ODE Records …a true legend. Maron was good, but seemed somewhat confused when he discussed Monterey and Herb … Alpert that it. Here’s it is: https://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episode-1484-lou-adler
NAMES IN THE NEWS — Sam Rubin; Alison Martino; Tobe Becker; Robert Funaro; Milicient Mifficiendo; Steve Walter; Richard Johnson; Jacqueline Boyd; Peter Abraham; Adrian Niles; Jeremy Long; Joel Diamond; Les Schwartz; Tom & Lisa Cuddy; Robert Funaro; Anthony Noto; Adam White; John Weber; Randy Alexander; Jeremy Long; and CHIP!
15 days to go! Every year people panic to find the perfect gift. We at T2C have been collecting idea’s all year long to bring you the perfect gift guide at all price levels. When you’re at the end of your rope trying to find the perfect Christmas present this year, come to this guide for some great suggestions.
I am always excited to discover a new exciting musical score. Concord Theatricals Recordings has just released a studio cast recording by award-winning composer/lyricist Carmel Dean called Well-Behaved Women.
I fell in love with Dean’s music in 2018, when she made her compositional debut with Renascence, produced by The Transport Company, which I also recommend putting on your theatre and music lovers list. This show won the Off- Broadway Alliance Award for best new musical. At the time Dean was 19
Well-Behaved Women Album Sizzle. View HERE.
This new album features Tony Award®-winning artists and Broadway stars, including Sasha Allen, Laura Benanti, Andréa Burns, Liz Callaway, Jenn Colella, Hannah Corneau, Melissa Rose Hirsch, Dee Hoty, Judy Kaye, LaChanze, Lindsay Mendez, Bonnie Milligan, Lauren Patten, and Pearl Sun, among others.
I am obsessed with “Ladies Of The Press,” featuring Jenn Colella. View HERE.
“Stay And Fight,” featuring Sasha Allen. View HERE.
“We Rise,” featuring the full ensemble. View HERE
This song cycle celebrating historic women who fought to make their voices heard. This powerful album is now available on streaming and digital platforms worldwide. Stream or download the album HERE.]
17 days to go! Every year people panic to find the perfect gift. We at T2C have been collecting idea’s all year long to bring you the perfect gift guide at all price levels. When you’re at the end of your rope trying to find the perfect Christmas present this year, come to this guide for some great suggestions.
How unique is this Spiral Song Lyric with Night Sky Map Clock.
Looking for a way to capture a meaningful day and text in one beautiful design? Grab a Personalized Star Map for you on a clock. Have questions about this design or how to personalize it for you or a gift? Message, as customer happiness is their #1 goal.
You give the company The Artist, Song Title or enter lyrics, a quote, names, address (for night sky) and the date and a spiral print will be printed showing the star map, alignment of the stars and constellations from your special day. Personally I think it is an amazing gift at $53.97 .
Free proofs are provided as well as quick edits to make sure you love your design before it’s printed.
To personalize your night sky spiral print, click here.
“Light One Candle” is a song by the folk group Peter, Paul and Mary. This popular Chanukah song was performed in concerts starting in 1982 at Carnegie Hall, before recording it for their 1986 studio album No Easy Walk to Freedom.
At The Carney’s concert in 2019 I was introduced to this song. Reeve as a young child was part of the children’s choir to sing back up at Carnegie Hall.
I feel in love with the lyric and sentiment so from T2C to you we wish you a happy Hanukkah
G.H. Harding
TREE LIKE ME — Monday morning, gossip-sites were ablaze with this missive from one Tree Paine – Taylor Swift’s publicist – about swirling rumors about the singer’s love life: Travis Kelce’s sister-in-law, Kylie Kelce, subtly supported Taylor Swift after the “Anti-Hero” singer’s publicist clapped back at rumors about her love life. Eagled-eyed fans noticed that Kylie “liked” a post from the Today Show about Tree Paine slamming celebrity gossip blog DeuxMoi for spreading “fabricated lies” about Swift’s relationship with ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn.
Ms. Paine’s PR-firm is called Premium PR and by all accounts, the Nashville-based mistress has had a great ride with Swift. As we go to press, Time Magazine just named her their person of the year.
Back in the day, ZZ Top and Michael Jackson had Howard Bloom; Debbie Gibson and Run DMC had David Salidor; Elton and the Rolling Stones have Fran Curtis; and Billy and Alexa Joel and Christie Brinkley have Claire Mecuri … all stars in our book, but Ms. Paine has Swift.
Brenda Lee
BRENDA LEE — (from People) Brenda Lee has a reason to celebrate the holidays early this year.
On Monday, the singer’s 1958 classic “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the first time, 65 years following its debut.
In claiming the top spot, Lee broke many records — including those held by Mariah Carey and her mega hit “All I Want for Christmas is You” — as her hit became the third holiday No. 1 ever to be featured on the Hot 100, per a press release.
This marks Lee’s third No. 1 hit in her career. She earned her first No. 1 with her 1960 single “I’m Sorry.”
Lee was just 13 years old when she recorded the Johnny Marks-penned hit debut, and at 78, she’s now the oldest woman to top the Hot 100, surpassing previous record-holders Cher for “Believe” when she was 52 and Carey for “All I Want for Christmas Is You” at 53.
In a press release statement, Lee called the song’s latest achievement “amazing. “I cannot believe that ‘Rockin’’ has hit No. 1 65 years after it was released, this is just so special!” she said. “Thank you to the team at UMG/UMe who worked so hard to celebrate the song’s anniversary this year. But most importantly, thank you to the fans who keep listening.”
Lee continued: “The song came out when I was a young teenager and now to know that it has resonated with multiple generations and continues to resonate — it is one of the best gifts I have ever received. Keep on Rockin’ and Merry Christmas!”
Last month, Lee released the first-ever music video for her Christmas classic, which features cameos from Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood. Here’s the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFsZy9t-qDc
In addition to the music video, she shared the EP, A Rockin’ Christmas with Brenda Lee, in November featuring “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and other holiday favorites including “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” “Jingle Bell Rock” “A Marshmallow World” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” reimagined by Filous.
For record aficionados: The song was originally released on Decca Records in 1958. Dub Allbritten became Lee’s personal manager in 1956 and remained in that position throughout her formative years. In May 1956, Lee signed with Decca and two months later had her first recording session, supervised by Paul Cohen with the assistance of Owen Bradley
SHORT TAKES — RIP Denny Laine – best remembered from The Moody Blues (“Go Now”) and Paul McCartney’s Wings – and their best album Band On The Run. I loved “Go Now” btw. Here’s Roger Friedman’s take via SHOWBIZ 411: https://www.showbiz411.com/2023/12/05/rip-denny-laine-79-original-member-of-wings-and-the-moody-blues-wrote-the-hit-go-now …
Denny Laine; Linda and Paul McCartney
I didn’t see any reviews from Debbie Gibson’s 2 shows last week at NYC’s Gramercy Theater but Yahoo did run a headline that she had 5 costume changes! They were in support of her 2022 holiday Winterlicious album …The Kennedy Center Honors had their event this past weekend. Congrats all. Can’t wait to see the show next week. Here’s Deadline’s take: https://deadline.com/2023/12/kennedy-center-honors-joe-biden-robert-de-niro-billy-crystal-1235650306/ …
Debbie Gibson (by Troy Smith)
Here’s celebrity-biographer Mark Bego’s interview with NEWHD’s Zach Martin: https://www.spreaker.com/user/bigfatamerican/mark-bego-copy … RIP Norman Lear; Happy Bday Anthony Noto … On the mend: Jerry Lembo!
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