Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Theater

“Armitage,” which follows the course of a single family across several decades during the nineteenth century, isn’t just complex to be complex. It's complexity also aims to please. ALLISON LOVE/Staff

‘Captivating’ historical play mixes time, place

By on February 7, 2012

“Armitage” messes with your head. But confusion is not the goal of the play — entertainment is. The audience will be transported to another time, but it may not know what time that is. The characters, time span and plot are wide-ranging, but one thing is common through all of it: drama. “It’s a Gothic [...]

musicalnote

Touring Broadway concert tries to ‘play to their strengths’

By on February 6, 2012

Jean Valjean, Roxie Hart and Christine Daaé will all be in one place, for one night. “100 Years of Broadway,” one of the biggest touring Broadway concerts in the U.S., created by composer and lyricist Neil Berg, will feature Broadway stars Carter Calvert, Sandra Joseph, Ivan Rutherford, Chuck Wagner and Danny Zolli. “When you deal with such incredible talent and people who are revered [...]

Michael Heald prepares to play the piece "Night Visions" alongside pianist Lovelace. The pair led and supported each other throughout the night. SEAN TAYLOR/Staff

Professor pairs with pianist for night of clear, classic music

By on January 27, 2012

The recital of violinist and University professor Michael Heald and pianist Timothy Lovelace was, indeed, a showcase — displaying their eager dedication, close collaboration and innate talent. “Night Visions” was a most outstanding and innovative work, even though the performers only had two days to rehearse a completely new piece, written by another University faculty member, [...]

Rock musical ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch has required a lot from its cast and crew in a little time. But with only a week to prepare on-stage, they have connected to a show they hope will connect with audiences. Courtesy ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’

‘Guerrilla-style’ musical spotlights ‘misfits and losers’

By on December 15, 2011

The cast and crew of rock musical “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” were only given an inch – of time to prepare. Being thrown into their first and only week of on-stage rehearsals gave new meaning to “Hell Week.” “It makes me nervous,” said Phillip Barnette, who’s playing Tommy Gnosis, an in-show rock star. “I [...]

‘My Fair Lady,’ a musical about a Cockney woman’s quest to become a lady, has resonance at the University, thanks to its themes of personal  resilience and accomplishing goals in the face of adversity. Courtesy ‘My Fair Lady’

‘My Fair Lady’ puts on strong song-and-dance

By on December 8, 2011

Not every college student takes a reading day study break to see a play about the science of language — but the unorthodox decision to switch textbooks for a theater ticket was a rewarding experience … And The Classic Center’s showing of “My Fair Lady” actually made linguistic study hilarious to watch. Actress Aurora Florence [...]

‘My Fair Lady,’ a musical about a Cockney woman’s quest to become a lady, has resonance at the University, thanks to its themes of personal  resilience and accomplishing goals in the face of adversity. Courtesy ‘My Fair Lady’

Musical’s message of hope resonates with Univ. students

By on December 6, 2011

The surprise of “My Fair Lady” is its universality. Putting hard work into the pursuance of a goal is a familiar story for college students, said Daniel Cardenas, who plays Freddy Eynsford-Hill in the show. The story of Eliza Doolittle — a working-class girl with dreams of becoming a lady despite her harsh Cockney accent [...]

Erected in 1910, Morton Theatre has played host to some of music’s most prolific jazz legends, including Duke Ellington, Ma Rainey and Cab Calloway. PHOTO COURTESY MORTON THEATRE

Show built around ‘why there is Christmas’

By on December 2, 2011

The cast of “Overnight Christmas” is reminding Athens of the deeper meaning of the holidays. A spoof off Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” this community-driven musical twists the classic story into a production that has more religious value than its counterpart. “Overnight Christmas,” a Cornerstone Productions show, follows the journey of Frank Green, a UPS [...]

The Town & Gown has been readying a new production of musical ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ led by director G. Derek Adams (pictured left, with cast and crew). The Gown’s players built the majority of the set themselves, and that sparseness is in keeping with the show’s stress on emotion and theatricality, rather than extravagant production values. In the six weeks since rehearsals began, ‘Superstar’ has grown sharper and more cohesive as it readies its stage debut. PHOTOS BY KATHRYN INGALL/Staff

PREACHING TO THE CHOIR: Director preps serious take on rock opera

By on December 2, 2011

Editor’s note: for the next in our behind-the-scenes look at local media outlets, we turn to the Town & Gown. One man’s struggle is another man’s musical. And for Town & Gown director G. Derek Adams, the plight of Judas is the driving motif in his remake of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” Tim Rice and Andrew [...]

The Thalian Blackfriars, seen performing “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot,” are an all-student group of theater enthusiaststhat has been around for more than 70 years. Its long legacy of performance on stage has informed its inclusive approach now: anyone who cares is welcome. ALLISON LOVE/Staff

Students discover ‘creative outlets’ in group

By on November 20, 2011

Where there’s a will, there’s a play. “We are here to make dreams come true,” said Nathan Cowling, president of the Thalian Blackfriars and third year theater major. The Thalian Blackfriars, a student-run extracurricular theater club, listens to the artistic voices of its members — and for a few chosen students per year, the organization [...]

"In the Heights" made its way to Athens last night, and the performance excelled at everything that has distinguished the show sine it first premiered on Broadway: powerful themes and strong, almost chaotic, production. Courtesy "In the Heights"

‘In the Heights’ sings story of family with strong voice

By on November 18, 2011

At last night’s performance of “In the Heights” the invasion began slowly.  One-by-one the cast filled the corners of the set as the lights came up and the overture began. The set was expansive: a corner of Washington Heights crammed with shops and balconies. The cast moved with chaos, multiple motions blurred together as people from all [...]