THE KING NEW LOCAL things to do AND I MUSIC 332 in the area GIANT 32-PAGE ISSUE! CALENDARS START ON PAGE 11 Apr. 11-17, 2019 FREE WHAT THERE IS TO DO IN FORT WAYNE AND BEYOND ARTEXPLORE DOWNTOWN MURALS OF THE CITY ALSO INSIDE: JEFF CORWIN · BUCKCHERRY · CULTURAL ENRICHMENT AT PFW SUMMER CAMPS · ALBUMS AND MOVIES whatzup.com HAVE YOUR TICKETS YET? TROMBONE SHORTY KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD & ORLEANS AVENUE BÉLA FLECK & THE FLECKTONES ELI YOUNG BAND Blues-infused Rock | June 14 Funk/Jazz/Rock Fusion | June 28 Jazz & Bluegrass Fusion | June 29 Modern Country | July 13 SLASH FEAT. MYLES KENNEDY NIGHT RANGER YACHT ROCK REVUE GIN BLOSSOMS & THE CONSPIRATORS High-octane Rock ’n’ Roll | July 19 ’70s and ’80s Party Rock | July 25 ’90s Alternative Rock | August 2 Hard Rock | August 7 JJ GREY & MOFRO & JONNY LANG THE ALLMAN BETTS BAND PAT METHENY Southern Rock & Blues | August 11 Southern Rock | August 30 Fusion Jazz | August 31 Your favorite national and international touring acts // Enjoy pristine sound via a state-of-the-art sound system // Experience Fort Wayne’s favorite food trucks // Relax with a catered glass of wine or beer // Convenient and free on-site parking // Clean, comfortable restrooms Buy tickets at Sweetwater or visit SweetwaterPavilion.com 5501 US Hwy 30 W | Fort Wayne, IN 46818 Inside This Week Volume 23, Number 37 The King4 and I 5 Buckcherry PFW Summer Camps6 Jeff Corwin8 Brian9 Posehn 16Downtown Art Columns & Reviews Calendars Road Notes ⁄ 11 Spins ⁄ 25-26 On the Road ⁄ 11-15 Affirmative for Yes tour across the Patty Griffin, The Neal Morse Band, Midwest Amanda Palmer, Pond, Kane Roberts, Road Trips ⁄ 15 Stephen Malkmus LONGE Out and About ⁄ 18 Live Music & Comedy ⁄ 19-24 Ellsworth, EART set to release new CDs Backtracks ⁄ 25 Stage & Dance ⁄ 29 Television, Adventure (1978) OPTICAL Picks ⁄ 20 Things To Do ⁄ 30 Monkey Business: The Adventure’s Reel Views ⁄ 27 of Curious George’s Creators, Bands Gloria Bell: Buoyant Moore captures Art & Exhibits ⁄ 31 Concert at PFW free-spirited gusto News and Venues ⁄ 24 Screen Time ⁄ 28 Arts orgs announce 2019-20 plans Superhero flick leaps over box office Director’s Notes ⁄ 29 Ben Butler, First Prebyterian Theater APRIL 11-17, 2019 WHATZUP 3 Get to know How to reach us Whatzup LLC 5501 U.S. Highway 30 West Fort Wayne, IN 46818 Phone: (260) 407-3198 why musical Fax: (260) 469-1027 [email protected] whatzup.com facebook.com/whatzupftwayne instagram.com/whatzupftwayne is so beloved twitter.com/whatzupftwayne Publisher Popular show dances Gerson Rosenbloom into Embassy Theatre Editor BY MICHELE DEVINNEY Jon Swerens WHATZUP FEATURES WRITER Calendar and Distribution Director When The King and I first opened on Broad- Mikila Cook way in 1951, it quickly became one of the most popular and beloved musicals of all time. The Web and App Developer fifth collaboration of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Brandon Jordan Hammerstein, The King and I was a hit from the day it premiered. The musical won Tony Awards Contributing writers for Best Musical and for the two stars, Gertrude Nick Braun, Benjamin Dehr, Lawrence and Yul Brynner. Michele DeVinney, Dennis Donahue, Evan Gillespie, Heather Herron, Although Lawrence was the star at the time, Jason Hoffman, John Hubner, the show provided an enduring legacy for Bryn- Chris Hupe, Brent Leuhold, ner who played the role of the King of Siam on Greg W. Locke, Chloe Miller, and off for the remainder of his life. His portrayal Steve Penhollow, Jennifer Poiry, of the role in the 1956 film won him an Academy Photo by Matthew MurPhy G. Ryan Smith, Kevin Smith, Award, and he even took the part to television for RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S of my life experiences brought me to this role as Rachel Stephens a series, although it ran only 13 episodes. head wife who is in charge of thousands of people THE KING AND I at the palace. Distribution STAR TOOK LONG WAY AROUND TO THE STAGE BROADWAY AT THE EMBASSY “I think you need to bring a certain amount of Whatzup is distributed once per week The popular show visits the historic Embassy 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 16 wisdom and experience to this role. The women at more than 650 locations in nine counties — Allen, Whitley, Noble, Wells, Theatre next week, bringing with it a fresh young Embassy Theatre in this show are really very strong, and our direc- Adams, Huntington, Kosciusko, Dekalb, cast of actors. One of those performers, Deanna 125 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne tor Bartlett Sher has really emphasized for us and Steuben. Whatzup is distributed Choi, fills the role of Lady Thiang, the chief wife of $35-$65 · (260) 424-5665 that the women are important because they’re on Wednesdays and Thursdays by the King. She took a particularly circuitous route shaping these children. They have a quiet voice, Whatzup LLC. to a career in theater, beginning with an unlikely are all happy to be working in the theater arts so but it’s set in 1860, and you see what women performance in her home’s laundry room. we all have the same goal. It’s a really enriching were able to accomplish in this country where Back issues “I was seven years old when The Little Mermaid experience. Everyone is happy to be there so it’s a they didn’t have much voice but were still able to Back issues are $3 for first copy, 75¢ came out, and I decided to try singing her big song good morale. A good experience.” accomplish so much. per additional copy. Send payment with in the laundry room,” Choi said in an interview “Rodgers and Hammerstein were really very date and quantity of issues desired, with Whatzup. “And it sounded pretty good so I LIVELY DANCE GOT LIVELY RESPONSE forward thinking in many ways, but they were and your name and mailing address, to Whatzup LLC at the above address. thought maybe I’d like to keep doing that.” Audience response to the show has been grati- never in your face. They approached it from the She pursued theater in high school in her fying as well, and Choi shared a recent experience heart.” Calendar listings native Portland, Ore., and moved on to study the cast enjoyed in Pennsylvania. Must be received by noon Monday the music at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. “Last week we were in Scranton, and when MAKING HER FATHER PROUD week of publication for inclusion in that But that first effort didn’t last long. ‘Shall We Dance’ began, the audience erupted in Visiting Fort Wayne on a national tour of The week’s issue and, space permitting, “I was having trouble finding my way,” Choi applause, and the applause continued through King and I the same week she used to help clients will run until the week of the event. said. “So I decided to leave college for about a the entire song,” she said. “We hadn’t had a reac- mail off their tax forms speaks to the new life Calendar information is published decade and went into accounting and tax prepa- tion quite like that before, but that audience path Choi has chosen, and it’s one she plans to as far in advance as space permits ration. I didn’t go back to college until I was about knew the show so well that they responded very continue. and should be submitted as early as possible. Whatzup makes every effort to 27 to finish my music degree. But even then I strongly to it. This production is so great, and “I think I have proved to myself that it’s time to authenticate claims and accurate times stayed in accounting, though I did community there’s so much talent in the cast. Nobody dis- make my dreams come true,” Choi said. “I’m ready and event locations. We encourage theater here and there to keep my chops and was appoints. And the dance in ‘Shall We Dance’ is a to pursue some more female roles and to do more readers to verify information prior to able to improve my singing and acting.” polka, so it’s a very lively dance, and here Anna is singing, which is what I’m most interested in. But attending events or purchasing tickets. Choi finally resolved to take her chance and wearing a 40-pound dress with a 21-steel-bone I think my time in accounting was important and begin auditioning for shows, and to her surprise bodice, but it’s gorgeous, and she carries it so helped me to know that I was able to take care of Advertising and delight, quickly found success with this pro- well. The chemistry between them is amazing.” myself and not have to depend on anyone else. Space reservations and ads requiring duction of The King and I. The show’s national Choi’s opportunity to play Lady Thiang is also “When my father saw me on stage, I don’t proofs due by no later than the Monday tour began in November, and Choi is very much much appreciated, and Choi thinks her untra- think he was ever more happy or proud. I think 10 days prior to publication. Camera- enjoying her first experience on the road. ditional career path helped her understand and he knows that it’s what makes me happy, and he’s ready or digital ad copy required by noon Friday the week before “It’s really great to be part of a national tour,” better portray her character.