Theatre North Carolina

The Best Shows of 2009!

The TRIANGLE THEATER REVIEW wants to know what you think! Shoot Robert an email and let him know what show you loved!

What was the BEST SHOW that you saw in 2009 -- and why (in 250 words or less) was it the better than all the rest? E-mail your NOMINATION of one show in which you were NOT involved, onstage or backstage, and your NAME, TOWN/CITY of residence, and DAYTIME TELEPHONE NUMBER to me at RobertM748@aol.com. Deadline for receipt of all nominations will be 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 28th. The results of this informal readership survey with be printed in our Dec. 31st issue, and you may request anonymity then, but I need to confirm your identity during the editing process. --R.W.M.

The Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful Boys of Glee!!

Oh my!!!! It doesn't get any better than this!!!

The Beautiful Boys of Glee Make People's 'Sexiest Men Alive' List

Why Be a Hater? Rolling Stone Hates (and Loves?) on Glee - My Take on Their Take

As so many of you know the show Glee fills me with joy. There are so many reasons that I like this show. There's the obvious - cute boys and big musical numbers, but there's something more. Each episode makes me feel good. There hasn't been one show where I'm not tearing up at the end. Yes, it's corny, it's even "gay", but it's also positive and uplifting and life affirming.

So, today when I picked up the latest copy of Rolling Stone Magazine with the heading 'The Awesome Gayness of Glee' I couldn't have been more excited. The fact that an image of Madonna circa 1986 was also on the cover made my little gay heart beat that much faster.

Boy was I disappointed. Reviewer Rob Sheffield has a very different view of Glee and all I can say is that I feel really bad for this guy. He must have some real hang-ups about a whole host of issues. There are moment when he seems to love Glee and moments when he hates it. Overall his review sounds as catty and spiteful as my favorite self-hating queer Larry Craig spouting his "I am not gay!" proclamation. Maybe I'm being sensitive, but this guy seems like a bit of a homophobe.

"The best joke on Glee is the way it creates a gay teenage world in which no other world exists or is imaginable. It's not just feel-good gay, it's punish-the-outside-world gay, openly hostile to the idea that some viewers out there might not be show-tune queens."

"Punish-the-outside-world gay", are you serious? With so much hate and hurt in the life of a gay man I think it's absolutely absurd that a show that might actually celebrate gayness is seen as some how punishing the outside world. Is it possible that this show is a more positive reflection of what it's like to be gay in today's world? Middle schoolers are coming out of the closet these days in record numbers and some (many?) are having a positive experience, or as positive an experience as one can have in this homophobic society. Is it so wrong that a show might want to reflect this part of society. Of course uber-hetero shows like The Bachelor or Grey's Anatomy or Monday Night Football aren't "punish-the-outside-world hetro" are they?

Mr. Sheffield also says that Glee "tests my pain threshold in a way I didn't think was possible for a network hit about high school. Although the ads wishfully claim that this is some kind of guilty pleasure, it's really just the opposite—you have to have a cast-iron stomach to flog yourself through an entire hour of it." No, Mr. Sheffield YOU need to have a cast-iron stomach to get through the show. Excuse me, but aren't you a reviewing television here? If you've watched all the trash that I'm sure you are professionally required to watch, but if you need a cast-iron stomach to watch a fun, well-acted, unique show like Glee, then you need to get a new profession, or take yourself (and television) less seriously.

The reviewer also says that "the greatness of Glee is that it wastes no time trying to cater to any idea of how high schools actually are. Bor-ing! Instead we get a big fat colorful fantasy of a school full of Ohio show-queens belting out their perky harmonies..." While I do agree that Glee is great, I take issue with this statement. First, this show reminds me very much of the positive, theatre experience of my high school years. The only difference is that we "show-queens" (homophobic much?) were the Belles of the Ball. We were popular and respected and happy to be singing and dancing and queening it up all over the place. I think you should spend some time at a high school drama department before you say that this isn't how a high school experience might be. What's even more disturbing about this reviewers statement is that Glee does portray real high school, abet in an extreme way. The bullies and meanies and sports craziness, the drugs and sex and back-stabbing, it's all there too! Life at this high school is hard, as hard as any middle class suburban school, but God forbid these kids find some joy in singing!

That segways into my final point. Mr. Sheffield wraps up his review by saying that "for all the garishly sets, this is one bleak hour TV." Wait is he watching Mad Men? This show is one of the most uplifting shows on TV. He criticizes the story lines as "relentlessly grim, as the kids deal with teen pregnancy and the teachers deal with failing marriages, money woes and alcoholism." Mr. Sheffield is Glee too much of a fantasy or not enough of one? The beauty of Glee is that while it might not deal with real life issues, it doesn't shy away from them. This show is more Avenue Q than Mary Poppins and that's a wonderful thing! I think Glee would be pretty ridiculous if every kid was perfect and virginal and every adult was straight out of Ozzie and Harriet. The issues that the characters deal with make the songs they sing work. The song bring joy to the every day problems of life.

I don't think that Glee is a perfect show (name a perfect show), but I do think it's positive and I think the haters hate the show because it's so full of love and joy and humor.

Finally, Mr. Sheffield says that "none of the characters are all that likable or nice to each other." Again I ask, were you watching Mad Men by mistake? These kids love each other. Some of the teachers love the kids and the ones that don't are so ridiculous that they make the love of the others that much stronger. The kids stick-up for each other. They help each other. There are some bad apples and there's plenty of youthful emotions, but there are more likable characters on this show than any other on TV today.

One last note, Mr. Sheffield thinks that Glee is unfunny. Mr. Sheffield I think that you are unfunny and I think that you must not have made the cut for your high school glee club and for that I am sorry, but please, don't take it out on the kids. Change the channel and let the rest of us laugh, cry and sing along.

For me, Glee makes my heart sing, but then I am an old show-queen. And because I'm not a bitchy queen I won't say another word...but I'll leave you all with this image of Mr. Sheffield. I think this sums up his attitude pretty well.

Parabasis - A New Favorite Blog!

I've just discovered Isaac Butler's blog Parabasis and I'm in love! I've only read through a few post, but he's already got me laughing and thinking. Here are a few great lines from recent blog posts.

No-Brainer Secrets Revealed!

...how to attract younger audiences, of course! With the sub-conversation how do we use the twitters and the facebooks and the internets to do it?

So I'm going to reveal, right now, the secret to getting young people to come to your theatre and see shows. Because it's a no-brainer and I'm tired of having this conversation (For reasons that should become obvious in a second). Here's the secret:

(1) Do work they want to see.

(2) Endeavor to do it well

(3) Offer it at a price point they will find reasonable 

You know what's not on that list? Twitter. Facebook. The internets. Beer pong nights. Those are marketing channels, we'll get to how to do those better in a moment. 

No-Brainer Secrets Revealed Part Two: The Internets

"the internet is not a way to trick people into going to see your show, it's a way of telling people who might want to see your show about your show and giving people a more in depth experience of your company."

Let Me Just Say

I hate Rufus Wainwright's voice.  Or rather, thinking about it, I hate the way he uses his voice. His pinched nasal whine is not in and of itself a bad thing, but the way he holds notes out and uses vibrato emphasizes all of its negatives and none of its positives.

I couldn't agree more Issac! I couldn't agree more!

"The Twilight Saga: New Moon" New Sneak Preview!!

Scare on the Square at the State Capital in Raleigh - Oct 17

I love history and I love Halloween! This looks fun!!!

Fact will be more chilling than fiction Saturday, Oct. 17, during the State Capitol’s hair-raising but family-friendly event “Scare on the Square.” From 5:30-9:30 p.m., old-fashioned carriage rides and live bluegrass music performed by the Southern String Band will delight young and old as they wait outside to be taken on “spooky” guided tours.

The 30-minute tour will highlight various mysterious events that have occurred at the State Capitol over its long and storied history. The Capitol is part of the Division of State Historic Sites and Properties within the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources. The tour is free, and registration is strongly encouraged. Registration opens Oct. 1. To register, call the Capitol at (919) 733-4994.

Does that faint scent of cigar smoke some have smelled wafting through the old Senate Chamber come from a long-gone senator’s stogie? What have paranormal researchers discovered at the State Capitol? Why do they think that North Carolina has the most haunted capitol in America? These are some of the questions that will be answered (or at least explored) on the “Scare on the Square” tours.

A National Historic Landmark, the State Capitol is one of the finest and best-preserved examples of the Greek Revival style of architecture in the United States. It features a domed rotunda and state senate and house chambers, meticulously restored to their 1840 appearance. Until 1888 its granite walls housed all of state government, and the Legislature met here until 1961. Today the governor and her staff still occupy offices in the Capitol.

The State Capitol’s mission is to preserve and interpret the architecture, history and functions of the 1840 Capitol building and Union Square where it is located. In downtown Raleigh, the State Capitol is bounded by Edenton, Salisbury, Morgan and Wilmington streets. Free parking is available in state lots near the Capitol.

The N.C. Department of Cultural Resources is the state agency dedicated to the promotion and protection of North Carolina’s arts, history and culture through such programs as the yearlong theme observance “Treasure N.C. Culture.”

Fright Night '09 This Halloween at The ArtsCenter

The ArtsCenter is taking Teen Nightlife by storm with the arrival of Fright Night ’09!

Fright Night ’09

 

A Halloween Celebration for Teens 13-18!

THE ARTSCENTER 300 East Main Street, Carrboro, NC

October 31, 2009
8:00pm-12:00am

Tickets are $5 and are available online

The ArtsCenter in downtown Carrboro has announced plans to throw the Triangle’s best and most shocking teen Halloween happening ever! 

On October 31, 2009, teens will experience Fright Night ‘09 as a night to remember. 

 

Popular bands Cole Park, The Verge and Old 86 are slated to perform; there will be a dance party with DJ Doom, old horror movies, costume contests, Halloween concessions and photo booths to celebrate this unforgettable night. 

 

Hosted by the Youth Performing Arts Conservatory at The ArtsCenter, Fright Night ’09 is offered as a safe, secure, substance-free party for teens.  Rules of conduct at the event will be strictly enforced by on-site security. 

Cole Park with (left to right) Wesley Broome, Matt Phillips, Alex Blum and Gabe Smiley

ABOUT COLE PARK

Cole Park was formed when Matt Phillips and Gabe Smiley began playing music together.  They started writing together in a rock band club at Woods Charter School. After many amazing jams, Matt and Gabe played the school talent show with Wesley Broome. Shortly thereafter, they realized that their combined musical power was too great to be individual entities and the band was born.  At Hope Creek Church's Boo Bash Battle of the Bands they gained their final member, Alex Blum.  They are Cole Park, named after the beloved shopping center where the band members went to school.

 

The Verge with (left to right) Shan Nagar, Elijah Fox Peck, Jared Anderson, Harry Burr

ABOUT THE VERGE

In 2007, at the young ages of twelve and fourteen, four talented musicians came together to form The Verge.  Since then they have created a distinctive and addictive sound that has moved audiences of all ages.  Their original music and lyrics are generated by their natural creativity resulting in a magical mixture of Rock and Jazz.  Inspired by bands such as Coldplay, S.R.V, John Mayer and The Kooks.  The Verge has played at the Cats Cradle, Hillsborough, UNC and a variety of other organized events. Don't miss an opportunity to experience this wonderful sound composition.

 

Old 86 with (left to right) Mie Hirschfield, Joe MacPhail, Neal Dempsey, Christopher Stevens-Brown, Daniel Fields

ABOUT OLD 86

Old 86 was born in the Summer of 2007, and since then the members have been constantly honing their live show, which ventures from zydeco-influenced 50's rock to low down blues to intense psychedelia that has been known to blow minds. Whether it is the hard-rocking keys and drumming of Joe Macphail, the funky rhythms of bassist Neal Dempsey, the smooth saxophone and violin of Mie Hirschfield, or the dual-guitar attack of Daniel Fields and Chris Brown, their music is guaranteed to be what former Squirrel Nut Zipper Tom Maxwell calls "a damn good time". Old 86 has played on WUNC's The State of Things and The Cat's Cradle on several occasions. They are constantly improving, so every time you see them will be even better than the last.

ABOUT THE YOUTH PERFORMING ARTS CONSERVATORY (YPAC)

Housed at The ArtsCenter, YPAC is a performing arts program for students in grades 1-12.  Since the fall of 2005, YPAC has provided performing arts instruction for hundreds of students in Chapel Hill/Carrboro and the surrounding area.  Opportunities for students include acting, musical theatre, dance, vocal performance, stage combat, on-camera acting, Shakespeare, audition techniques, comedy technique, voice-over work and improvisation. YPAC collaborates each summer with PlayMakers Repertory Company in offering the Summer Youth Conservatory and with ArtsCenter Stage each December in offering a holiday production.  Future plans include the formation of the Youth Performing Arts Company offering plays and musicals performed by students for kids, teens and families.

Billy Elliot

I'm embarrassed to say that I've never seen Billy Elliot, neither the movie nor the musical. We'll I just rectified that mistake! What a wonderful and uplifting movie. I'm a bit of wuss, so I spent the majority of the movie in tears. I did see the Billy Elliot performance at the Tony's and loved it. I guess I need to buy the album now. Here's a bit of a tribute to Billy Elliot. Is it bad that I think Jamie Bell is hot now? He's like 23 years old...

Bob Fosse, Michael Jackson...Nuff Said!

Thanks to my friend Lisa for the tip!

Why I Love Glee!

There are so many reasons to love Glee...Mostly because it reminds me so much of life at Chapel Hill High School and Emerson College. I also love the wonderful female talent and guest stars, but what do I love the most...

My New Favorite Hunk of Glee - Mark Salling (Puck)