Civil War musical aims to please too well
The temptation to begin this review with the old adage about not learning from history and thus being doomed to repeat it is overwhelming.The history in question is not the Civil War, even though the show is titled, Freedom’s Song: Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. No, at issue is the history of producers and writers who set out to amend or improve a show, but end up making the same... READ MORE
Scientists take the stage with Simon farce
It’s all systems go for the rocket scientists, systems engineers and cyber defense guys and gals at the Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel for the launching of their next theatrical production, Fools: a Comic Fable by Neil Simon. The scientists, engineers and others, all members of the APL Drama Club, will temporarily leave their spacecraft plans and microscopes to tread ... READ MORE
Unearthing the original Maryland colony
In 1634, a new English colony — named St. Mary’s City by its settlers — was founded in the northern Chesapeake. The English crown granted the land to Cecil Calvert, Lord Baltimore, but in 1688 a revolution in England overthrew King James II.As a result, the Calverts lost control of their land charter, Maryland became a royal colony and, as religious freedom ended, the... READ MORE
Two free concerts draw opera fans to parks
“Opera is when a guy gets stabbed in the back and, instead of bleeding, he sings,” said Robert Benchley, the late American humorist.Spoken in jest or not, people are rarely neutral about opera. You either love it or hate it. In Coachella Valley, enough people love it to support two ambitious opera groups.In Palm Springs, the annual Opera in the Park, which is free and open to... READ MORE
A familiar, fun and kooky Addams Family
The Addams Family musical, currently in mid-run at Toby’s Dinner Theatre, continues to confound critics and delight audiences. Critics generally don’t care much for the show, while audiences embrace it fully.That’s not the case here, as both this critic and the audience are in sync. We love it.OK, the material is a bit thin. Derivative, even. After all, the stage musical... READ MORE
Generations Together at the Grammys
Did anyone watch the Grammy awards a few weeks ago on February 8th? It was a terrific show with many great performances. In fact, the performances were what stood out the most about the Grammys. Why? Because, my Generations Together project was making its debut there on live TV!Let me explain: throughout the show, there were many performances where modern day singers were paired up with... READ MORE
Chorus to sing women composers’ works
The works of three women composers — whose lives spanned from the Middle Ages to the 20th century — will be featured at Columbia Pro Cantare’s next concert on March 21 in Columbia.Singers of the 100-member choral group will perform three pieces, including the “Grand Mass in E-flat Major” by Amy Beach (1867-1944), who made her mark as a leading composer of the... READ MORE
Ruined’s harrowing portrayal of Congo war
War is hell.What matters, as playwright Lynn Nottage explores in her Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, Ruined, now playing at the Everyman Theatre, is how one chooses to deal with it.For the soldiers of the Congo — like Commander Osembenga (Manu Kumasi) of the ruling government, and rebel militia leader Kisembe (Gary-Kayi Fletcher) — war offers the ultimate expression of... READ MORE
The free pleasures of Sunnylands Center
It’s an untapped source of fun and culture in a sublime desert setting. And for most events, there’s no admission charge.Sunnylands Center and Gardens, 37-977 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage, offers a plethora of feeless programs. It’s open to the public Thursdays through Sundays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.There are nature walks, art exhibits and plein air painting, family day... READ MORE
A witty Uncle Vanya for the 21st century
Playwright/director Aaron Posner is having his way with Chekhov again, and what a treat it is for us. If you thought he’d wrung all he could out of the Russian scribe’s wintry angst with the hit Stupid F-ing Bird that sold out two separate runs at Woolly Mammoth Theatre last year, you will find yourself happily wrong. Life Sucks [Or the Present Ridiculous], now bursting off the stage ... READ MORE
