School of Rock – the Musical and the Color Purple Taking Broadway by Storm Travel Spotlight MIKE COHEN
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School of Rock – The Musical and The Color Purple taking Broadway by storm Travel Spotlight MIKE COHEN NEW YORK – When in New York, there are so many amazing pro- ductions to choose from on Broad- way. Last month we told you about blockbusters Hamil- ton and Waitress. Now you can add two more to your list: School of Rock – The Musical and The Color Purple. I did know quite what to expect from School of Rock - The Musical at Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre (1634 Broadway). Based on the smash hit 2003 fi lm of the same title, it features an original score by Andrew Lloyd Web- ber. Alex Brightman and Sierra Boggess lead the cast as “Dewey Finn” and uptight principal, “Rosalie Mullins.” Let me just say right from the start that I loved every moment of this production. In fact, it is better than I could have possibly imagined. Had tickets been avail- able, I would have gone back to see it again the follow- Alex Brightman and the kids in The School of Rock – The Musical Photos: Matthew Murphy ing day. Most of the performers in this show are young kids and as the voice of Andrew Lloyd Webber himself I loved the movie, actually watching it several times, It is more like the conclusion of a live rock concert as tells us before the curtains go up, they really are play- so seeing the musical was a treat. Brightman had a big the traditional curtain call is replaced with Brightman ing their own music live. challenge as everyone who has seen the movie remem- introducing the cast as they take their bows. The show opened to rave reviews last December. It bers Jack Black’s iconic performance. Brightman stays Info: www.schoolofrockthemusical.com was nominated for four Tony Awards including Best true to the original while still making the role entirely As for The Color Purple, It is hard for me to believe Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score his own. Leaving the theatre, Jack Black was the last that I saw the motion picture of the same name more and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role thing on my mind. than 30 years ago, starring Oprah Winfrey and Whoo- (Brightman). The storyline involves Dewey Finn, a While he gives an outstanding performance, the true pi Goldberg. When I heard that it had been revived, failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn a few stars of the show really are the children. Many of them following a successful run almost a decade ago as a extra bucks by posing as a substitute teacher at a pres- were cast in a large open call in New York City. Chil- Broadway musical, I knew I just had to add it to my tigious prep school. There he turns a class of straight-A dren lined up all day for the chance to audition and I list. You can see it at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre at students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind- noticed in the playbill that many cast members were 242 West 45th Avenue. blowing rock band. While teaching these pintsized making their Broadway debuts. They are not only The original production opened on Broadway in prodigies what it means to truly rock, Dewey falls for amazing instrumentalists for their age. They play their 2005 and played 910 performances. This reimagined the school’s beautiful, but uptight headmistress, help- instruments just as well as a Broadway house band production opened in London during the summer of ing her rediscover the wild child within. would play the songs, and their energy is infectious 2013 at the Menier Chocolate Factory before trans- Brightman more than earned his Tony nomination. through the show’s most popular tunes, including Stick ferring to Broadway. The musical is based on Alice He truly did leave everything on that stage, giving what it to the Man and Teacher’s Pet. Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and the 1985 must be an absolutely exhausting performance. While Aside from the upbeat numbers, a highlight of Hollywood fi lm it spawned. watching, I couldn’t imagine him doing this eight times the show is a song called If Only You Would Listen At the 2016 Tony Awards, The Color Purple won a week, which is the standard Broadway schedule. in which the children lament to the audience about for Best Revival of a Musical while Cynthia Erivo, Even after his tiring performance, Brightman exited their parents who do not understand. Many sniffl es took home Best Actress in a Musical honours for via the stage door after the show. He was personable and could be heard from the crowd around me following playing the iconic role of Celie. I cannot possibly interactive with his fans, posing for selfi es and signing the powerful and emotional performance. start this article with anything other than the magnifi - autographs. He told me: “I have lost 55 pounds in this This is such a crowd pleaser that by intermission ev- cent performance given by Erivo, unbelievably in her role since last November”. After having seen him per- eryone in my row was saying “wow!” repeatedly. The Broadway debut. It has solidifi ed what is sure to be a form live, I can’t say that this number is surprising. closing number really sends everyone home on a high. long career for her. Le King David offers a fresh opportunity for seniors to live life to its fullest in a vibrant and friendly environment. Our residents enjoy the degree of independence they desire, complemented with a measure of personalized care. 24 The Montrealer, September 2016 • theMontrealerOnline.com SE AU S ES O Echoes of Sun Youth N L U E I E L J By Joseph Munro S U H N Y O U T Sun Youth Communications Department Golf tournament a driving force behind Sun Youth! For the 13th consecutive year, Sun Youth held the Mordy Gordon Memorial Golf Tournament in collaboration with Des Sources Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM Fiat to finance the organization’s sports and recreation programs for chil- dren. On August 11th, some 140 Danielle Brooks, Patrice Covington, Cynthia Erivo, Bre Jackson, Carrie golfers gathered at Le Diamant Golf Compere and Rema Webb in The Color Purple Club in support of Sun Youth. Like so many other great golf tournaments, Celie’s journey is not an easy one and attended (her understudy, however, was everyone wins at Sun Youth’s Mordy is surely challenging to perform eight spectacular as well). In the role of Shug Gordon Memorial Golf Tournament shows weekly. Celie endures decades Avery, originated in this production by Photos: Joseph Munro by supporting a great cause! Mordy The good people from Des Sources of abuse of all kinds: sexual, physical, Jennifer Hudson, Tony Award-winner Gordon’s widow, Frances, was pres- Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM Fiat were and emotional. Despite many losses and Heather Headley now takes the reigns, ent again at the tournament in mem- once again one of the major sponsors of obstacles, she somehow finds her way to giving a brilliant performance. ory of her late husband accompanied the tournament. In this photo Paul Lambert independence and self-acceptance. Directed by Tony Award-winner John by her good friends, Mrs Debbie (former Alouette & Sun Youth Hornet) can By the show’s end, when Erivo sings Doyle and with a memorable score of Okun, Donna Weitsman and Marla be seen surrounded by Benny Bouganim, the show’s most famous number I’m jazz, ragtime, gospel and blues, this mu- Orenstein. Gerry Quesnal and Guy Lemay. here, telling us “I believe I have inside of sical handles heavy material beautifully. The preliminary financial results indi- me everything that I need to live a bounti- Thinking back to the movie, I struggled cate that the event raised approxi- ful life”, audience members can’t help but to remember the meaning behind the title. mately $80,000, which brings tear up with joy. It is impossible for the After watching the titular song The Color the total of collected funds to over crowd to not cheer when she looks direct- Purple performed live, I can’t imagine $750,000 since the creation of the ly at us and finally declares: “I’m beau- ever forgetting that it serves as a remind- tournament in 2004. After a day tiful.” Deservedly so, the crowd rose to er that we can always find beauty in the spent on the greens, the many guests its feet mid-show for a lengthy standing world around us. It is impossible to leave were treated to an open bar cock- ovation when she completed the song, the the theatre without feeling uplifted and tail with delicious sushi provided by first time that I’ve ever seen this occur. empowered. Info: www.colorpurple.com Les services de traiteur M. Gérard, While Erivo is incredible in this pro- – with files from Alexandra Cohen and finger food. As is now the tradi- duction, the entire company of perform- (left to right) Giancarlo Lanzetta Director, tion, guests could bet on an array ers showcased their outstanding talents. Mike Cohen can be reached at info@ Integrated Advertising, Eastern Canada at of items at a silent auction while The show features powerhouse Danielle mikecohen.ca. Follow his travels at www. Postmedia Network Inc, Comedian Joey a few selected prizes were offered Brooks from Orange is the New Black), sandboxworld.com/travel and on Twitter Elias, Angelo Pacitto Print / Digital / Social in a traditional auction.