Coming Soon - "Into the Woods"

Coming up next weekend is the outstanding Stephen Sondheim show Into the Woods, which is a show that's not well known among the general public, but it's one that theatre fans love.

It's also a show that apparently generates some controversy. The story is, essentially, a mash-up of well-known nursery rhymes - so you have Little Red Riding Hood meeting Jack (who likes to climb beanstalks) and the evil Witch and Snow White and Cinderella and Prince Charming and the Baker and his Wife and the Wolf and... well, you get the idea. But it's not a "kiddie" show.

The first act of the show follows a (mostly) traditional telling of those stories, woven together with some fantastic songs by Sondheim. It's the second act where things take a surprising turn, because it covers what happens after "Happily Ever After."

Here you see that Prince Charming is something of a cad, and Jack's adventure with a giant has deadly consequences. Some prefer their fairy tales sweet and innocent (though I doubt you could say that about the orginal Grimm's Fairy Tales), and don't care for that second act.

Others have heard about stage versions of the show which included some "adult" material. Of course, almost any show can be made more "adult" - it's all in the presentation. In my own experience, First Stage has presented shows such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Cats and Les Miserables: School Edition - all shows that include scenes that could be staged in an adult, lascivious way - but directors have enough control over any show to be able to present it in a tasteful, entertaining way that doesn't offend.

The last time I saw Into the Woods, it was a production of the Children's Theatre in Columbus, and there was nothing objectionable about it (and certainly kids see lots worse things in TV commercials). It's a show that has become a staple for high school theatre groups around the country.

The show touches on the importance of love and family, and being true to your promises. The music is terrific, the show is very funny, and it's a great opportunity for young performers to tackle a challenging work of art.

I know I'm prejudiced, since I'm on the board of First Stage, but I can't wait to see this show! I've listened in to a few rehearsals, and the All-Star cast is incredible - I guarantee, you'll be amazed at these performers!

In the days ahead we'll talk more about it, and we'll have some interviews with the directors and the cast of the show - so stay tuned!

On Stage This Weekend - "Peter Pan" and "Dial M for Murder"

Once again this weekend, you have two shows to choose from - and they're both in Charleston (don't worry, Huntington gets back in the swing of things in a big way next weekend).

Here are your choices:

- Peter Pan - Presented by the Charleston Light Opera Guild, the classic musical takes the stage at the Clay Center Friday and Saturday night at 7:30 p.m., and the final matinees is Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Recommended!

- Dial “M” for Murder - Presented by the Kanawha Players Oct. Friday and Saturday night at 8:00 p.m. at the Kanawha Players Theatre.

Check 'em out!

Dancing in the Streets

Or something like that. As you can read in this story in the Herald-Dispatch, British chef Jamie Oliver is injecting some show biz into his healthy eating agenda.

You can see video of the cooking and dancing performance right here, and here's the story by Bill Rosenberger:

About 100 students from Marshall University, MCTC and the Cabell Midland High School Show Choir participated in a promotional dance shoot, held Wednesday afternoon in front of the Memorial Student Center.

The event, also known as a flash mob, was filmed for the untitled healthy eating reality show that stars British chef Jamie Oliver. He also took place in the dance routine, as one of about dozen cooks making beef stir fry in the three and one-half minute song.

“The whole point of this is to let all you at Marshall know food is fun,” Oliver said at the end of the song. “Really and truly, this was fun.”

And, as the students huddled around the fountain, he chanted “We are,” with the crowd responding “Marshall.”

The Marshall student cooperation started a few weeks ago during a filmed conversation with student body president Sean Hornbuckle. Hornbuckle said Oliver asked him what would be the best way to get students involved and to understand the importance of eating healthy.

“We’re learning how to eat healthy,” Hornbuckle said. “And we get to teach our country to eat healthy. The moral of the story (of the song and dance) is to cook a healthy meal in a short amount of time.”

"Glee" Sountrack and Live Appearances

We were talking about the TV show Glee the other day (which you can read right here), and lo and behold, they've just released a soundtrack of songs from that show.

Here's a review from Sandy Cohen with the Associated Press:

Fans of Fox's irreverent musical comedy Glee will love this soundtrack, which includes 17 songs from the show about a high school glee club performed by its talented cast.

They'll remember cute teacher Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison) pop-locking as he raps on Kanye West's "Gold Digger," feel self-centered star Rachel Berry's (Lea Michele) heartache as she sings into a hairbrush on Rihanna's "Take a Bow" and picture the fast-paced routine led by cheer captain Quinn Fabray (Dianna Agron) to the Supremes' "Keep Me Hanging On."

They'll relish the harmonies and recall the group's triumph on Queen's "Somebody to Love" and smile again at Will's bowling-alley duet with Kristin Chenoweth on Heart's "Alone."

Though the vocal performances are top-notch, those unfamiliar with Glee may prefer the originals to the cover versions on the soundtrack. But the album's eclectic mix of songs has its own appeal: Where else would you find a mix tape that includes tracks from Neil Diamond, Young MC, REO Speedwagon and Cabaret? Non-Gleeks can also appreciate the innovative choral arrangements on Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" and the girls' background harmonies on the 1989 rap hit "Bust A Move."

Missing from the soundtrack, though, are the memorable mash-ups of Bon Jovi's "It's My Life" with Usher's "Confessions" and Beyonce's "Halo" with Katrina and the Waves' "Walking on Sunshine." A second volume of Glee music is set to hit stores next month.

And if that wasn't enough, here's a video clip of the cast singing the National Anthem at the World Series - pretty impressive!

On Stage Tuesday Night - "Avenue Q"

For those who haven't heard about the Broadway show Avenue Q, which takes the stage at the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center Tuesday night, my pal Dave Lavender has an excellent story which you can read right here in the Herald-Dispatch.


Here's an excerpt:

Joshua Holden was the worst New York City waiter ever.

But boy does the Massachusetts actor play well with puppets.

Fired twice as a waiter within a couple months, Holden was back living with his parents when the trained actor and puppeteer -- who had worked with puppets in London and Chicago -- got the call of a lifetime to join the cast of Avenue Q, one of the coolest puppet shows on the planet.

Holden, who performed with the Chicago Children's Theatre and the Oily Cart in London, is one of a dozen actors/puppeteers criss-crossing the nation bringing alive the smash-hit Broadway musical Avenue Q, which pulls into the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, as part of the Marshall Artists Series.

Adult tickets are $50, $45 and $40.

Because of some adult situations, like full-puppet nudity and some Simpsons-like humor, Avenue Q may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Called "The most fun on-stage this year," by the New Yorker when Avenue Q opened on Broadway in 2003, the three-time Tony Award-winning play uses actors on stage with the puppets to tell the musical story of Princeton, a poor college graduate with big dreams living in New York City and running into a menagerie of neighborhood characters such as Gary Coleman, the building's superintendent, Brian the out-of-work comedian and his therapist fiancee Christmas Eve and roommate Rod, a Republican investment banker who seems to have some sort of secret.

Written by the then-fledgling composer/lyricist team of Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, Avenue Q has been tabbed as like Sesame Street for grownups with puppets singing straight-talking, sometimes politically incorrect songs such as "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist" and "The Internet's for Porn."

Avenue Q is Broadway’s smash-hit 2004 Tony Award® winner for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. A hilarious show full of heart and fun tunes, it's about trying to make it in NYC with big dreams and a tiny bank account.

Called "one of the funniest shows you’re ever likely to see" by Entertainment Weekly, the musical features a cast of people and puppets who tell the story in a smart, risque and downright entertaining way. The New Yorker calls it "subversive and uproarious!"

Highly recommended (but not for kids)!

On Stage in November

There are several great shows coming up this month. Here's the ones I know about - please let me know if there are any I've overlooked and I'll add them to the list:

- Into the Woods - First Stage Theatre Company presents the Stephen Sondheim musical at Huntington's City Hall on Nov. 13, 14, 20 and 21 at 8 p.m., and Nov. 15 and 22 at 4 p.m.

- Almost, Maine - Marshall Theatre Alliance will present this mystic story of love Nov. 18 - 21 at 8 p.m. in the Francis-Booth Experimental Theatre at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center in Huntington.

- Avenue Q - Marshall Artists Series presents the touring Broadway show at the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 8 p.m. You can read more about it in this story from Sunday's Herald-Dispatch.

- The Rat Pack is Back! - Marshall Artists Series presents a show based on the original Rat Pack: Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dean Martin and Joey Bishop with full orchestra and original holiday arrangements. The show wil be presented Nov. 30 at 8 p.m. at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center.

- Peter Pan - Charleston Light Opera Guild and the Clay Center present the classic musical at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences Maier Performance Hall on Nov. 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m., and Nov. 8 at 2 p.m.

- Dial "M" for Murder - Kanawha Players present the mystery Nov. 6-7 at 8 p.m. at the Kanawha Players Theatre.

- ...It's The Word - Spring Valley High School Showchoir presents a musical performance Nov. 15 at 3:00 p.m. at the Spring Valley High School Auditorium.

If you know of other shows I've missed, email them to me at TheMinskers@aol.com, or leave a comment by clicking on the link below. Thanks!

A Nearly-Missed Anniversary

Wow, I must be slipping - I almost forgot that this month marks my third anniversary with the Tri-State Theatre blog, which kicked off way back on Oct. 4, 2006!

It's been lots of fun, and I hope you've enjoyed our efforts here, gentle readers.

Thanks to all those who have sent comments, story ideas, reviews, press releases and other information - as I always say, this blog is here for everyone in the Tri-State area who's interested in theatre, so if you have something to say or a show to promote, send it along!

You can send a comment by clicking on the link at the bottom of each post, or you can email me at TheMinskers@aol.com. You can also keep up to date on this site on Twitter right here.

There are lots of shows on the way in the days and months ahead, and as always, I'll try to keep up with the news as it develops.

Thanks again for reading, and Happy Halloween!