Comment Archives: Events: 5 Stars
Re: “The Pillowman”
Caught this last night. I went in being a fan of the recent films by the author, Seven Psychopaths, In Bruges, and new what type of atmosphere to expect. This play is dark, gritty, and humorous in all the wrong and right ways. One may draw comparisons to Tarintino. The performances were spectacular and really sold this show. You will be surprised at the daring themes in this play and find yourself laughing at some of the characters and lines, regardless how cynical they may be. I highly recommend this if you are into dark comedies and emotional roller coasters.
Re: “Alpha Clef Project”
Art of Cool takes the regular third Friday concert to Casbah! Excited to be rocking with Alpha Clef in this venue.
Re: “Sarah Shook & the Devil, Magnolia Collective, Vinegar Creek”
AMERICANA REVUE with Sarah Shook is always awesome! For Valentine's there is a special EARLY "VALENTINE'S DAY LOUNGE" opening show with TEA CUP GIN, 6:30 - 8:30, featuring vintage jazz and ragtime blues, dedicating your favorite songs about the glory of love, the torment of love, and the romance of love!
https://www.facebook.com/events/5055879094…
www.teacupgin.com
Re: “The Art of Cool Project presents Kate McGarry & Keith Ganz”
We are extremely excited about presenting Grammy nominated Kate McGarry and Keith Ganz! Come hang after Art Walk at Flanders.
Re: “Museum of Whores”
Set in the near future, in a Cuban neighborhood where a group of ex-prostitutes has turned an old museum into a home for retired prostitutes, this scathingly funny and sexy play follows the conflicts among a group of people at the fringes of society struggling to stay alive. A soldier chases after a transvestite thinking she is a real woman. Someone steals a statue of the Virgin Mary belonging to an ex-prostitute. A retired madam becomes an advocate for street walkers, and struggles to raise her fifteen year old grandson, who steals from tourists and worships Apple. Into this mix comes a handsome American preacher who has his own secret agenda.
About Anthony Garcia Copian
Anthony Garcia-Copian is a Cuban-American playwright. He writes about complex issues and turns disturbing into comedy. His first play Bleeding Narcissus was hailed by the Miami Herald as ' A voice that must be heard." He lives in Raleigh, North Carolina where he teaches theatre writing.
About Almost Ready: A Series of Plays by NC Writers
Almost Ready offers audiences a chance to see a series of simply staged full length plays written by North Carolina writers.
This free series is sponsored by The ArtsCenter of Carrboro and Playground a Theatre Cooperative.
These productions are seen as the last step before deciding what, if anything, needs to be tweaked to make these plays suitable for full production. The audience will be encouraged to offer comments in post-performance discussions with playwrights, directors, and actors.
Beer and wine will be available for purchase. But no rotten tomatoes.
FREE
Re: “Elliott: A Soldier's Fugue”
Byron and I don’t see eye to eye on this one; I can hardly believe we saw the same play! I disagree with his review in almost every respect.
This play is clearly intended to be literary, evocative, and non-linear rather than narrative or “theatrical.” Perhaps searching for insight into his own family distracted him from what was happening in front of him. (Tolstoy reminds us that each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way). In this family, the female character over-emotes sometimes, perhaps as a function of personality, perhaps to balance out the inability or unwillingness of her men to open up. The contrast is effective and revealing. She is a nurse. She always wants pain to go away, but she can’t get at the pain in her family to fix it. Perhaps that is why her garden is her refuge, and maybe even a source renewal and optimism; she can try new things and revel in beautiful results. She can feel close to happier times and places in her life. Artificial flowers on the set wouldn’t have added a thing.
The story is served by the many, small, slice-of-life scenes. The frequent changing of the sets suggested to me that life goes on, work must get done, and time passes even if the connections are not established, even if pain is not articulated or resolved. The reviewer seems to think that the playwright should have provided more information or insight. Why? What needed to be shown was more than adequately shown; it didn’t need to be told. Wishing for momentum misses the point.
What Mr. Woods describes as lack of pacing and “an epidemic of significant pauses” are actually the very things create that the fugue-like contrapuntal rhythm of this show. They are essential! Speeding all of this up to 70 minutes would only create confusion. This play, as presented, is intricate. Yes, we have to work a little to track all the melodies, but this soldier’s fugue plays out in a highly satisfying way.
I thought all of the actors and the director did a great job. If forced to make a tiny complaint it would be about some of the music, but that’s hardly a criticism. I’d recommend this show highly. It is thought provoking and entirely well done.
Re: “DJ Strider”
This is going to be a GREAT Dance Party!. It's actually called Shut Up and Dance Presents: Electro Black and Gold and there are two other DJs. Here is their facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/3865055181…
Re: “Copenhagen”
I saw Copenhagen at Common Ground in Durham last Saturday night and loved it! I highly recommend it.
The seating was set up as a square with seats on all four sides (of course with spaces for the entrances and exits of the actors). The only props were 3 chairs that the actors brought in themselves plus steady spotlighting. During the performance, the actors moved the chairs to the next configuration at the same time as they were delivering lines either to other actors or to the audience. I found this staging to be very effective theater-in-the-round. John Honeycutt (Neils Bohr) and Brook North (Werner Heisenberg) were very convincing as a "once-upon-a-time mentor-apprentice" duo who were now two scientists of equal gravitas. Margrethe Bohr (Bonne Roe) created a wonderful performance as the devoted, intelligent wife keeping a buffer between the two men who varied between great affection and cold scorn for each other.
The high emotions throughout were understandable as the stake in this two-man poker game was Hilter getting the atomic bomb!
Re: “Black Heart Kings album release”
A great summation of a terrifically talented group of young musicians who are always willing to "do" when others "talk about doing." Actions speak louder than words. They choose to compose and create their own music that is complex and intrically beautiful versus simplistic yet "catchy!" When you experience the Black Heart Kings live, you experience diversity, not repetitive commonality.
Re: “Nuclear Honey, No Eyes”
That was the best show I've ever seen. I crapped my pants three times, but stayed on till the end to the dismay of many people in my general vicinity. I give it two thumbs way up. The show started off with some mean GG then a stupid ass comic came on, then No Eyes recovered the show with Nuclear Honey bringing it home...all the way home. Cant wait to see these guys again. Next time I'll be wearing depends.
Re: “Nuclear Honey, No Eyes”
Like every great band, I remember the first time I heard the sweet musical stylings of Nuclear Honey. I was the ripe age of 25 and was looking for a tasty groove to sink my teeth into. And these men did not disappoint. Listening to Nuclear Honey is similar to being bathed in honey, it is smooth and sweet. If I could bring five things to an island I would bring four copies of the Nuclear Honey EP and a CD Walkman powered by the sun. Some people say once hearing Nuclear Honey the world becomes a little darker and drearier in their absence. But I say NAY to these people, Nuclear Honey is the dark and the light, Nuclear Honey is the glue that holds existence together, Nuclear Honey is existence. Come to Lincoln Theatre and have your ears made love to by Nuclear Honey and No Eyes.
Re: “Nuclear Honey, No Eyes”
Nuclear Honey
I'll do anything for tix
They're just so darn good
Re: “Nuclear Honey, No Eyes”
Last time I saw Nuclear Honey I almost the whole thing. Yeah; they're THAT good.
Re: “Nuclear Honey, No Eyes”
Nuclear Honey is da bomb diggity dog. If i could listen to only one song for the rest of my life it would be Dylan's 'Like a Rolling Stone' If I could listen to 2 it would be Dylan's 'Like a Rolling Stone' and the Stones' 'Satisfaction' But if I could listen to only 3 I would include Honey's 'Chase Away My Blues' If Nuclear Honey was a painter they would be Picasso, a gymnast - Gabby Douglas, a Curling team - Canada, a car - Bentley, a toot- my toot, a food type - Mexican, an animal - Cheetah, and a fruit- kiwi. If you are looking for greatness, look no further, you have found it and Nuclear Honey is the answer to your prayers.
Re: “Nuclear Honey, No Eyes”
I can't believe that Nuclear Honey is performing at Lincoln Theater next Sunday night, they are without a doubt the best band in Raleigh. Rumor was they had been asked to play during halftime at the Carolina Panthers v. Oakland Raiders game but turned it down to play at their favorite venue. Tickets are only $6-$8? WHAT A DEAL! These guys jam harder than your grandmother's Christmas breakfast.
Re: “Nuclear Honey, No Eyes”
The USA is forever moving "Christmas Day" from December 25 to December 23 in order to commemorate the amazing Nuclear Honey show that will take place on that day. If it's not the best music you've ever heard, this "review/comment" will automatically delete itself. Also, $6-$8 is a STEAL for these tickets. Get 'em now while you can still scalp.
Re: “Carolina Youth Ballet”
It was very well done, great job CYB:)
Re: “Wounded Warriors Benefit with Toon & the Real Laww, Chit Nasty Band, Jessica Long & the New Kind, DJ Shahzad (Showroom)”
Horray!!