NYS Music 20​19

Category: Theater Reviews

  • American Idiot Rocks Rochester Audience at Fringe Festival

    MT Ed’s production of the musical American Idiot (director Tina Crandall-Gommel, vocal director Heather Lonardo, music director David Curry) was performed at the Multi-use Community Cultural Center on September 14 as part of Rochester’s Fringe Festival. Inside of a house-turned-community-center, the local teenagers cast in the production sang their hearts out to the familiar tune of Green Day’s politically charged discography.

    For a musical named after a song released over 15 years ago now and featuring the messages of a band formed in 1986, the content expressed in American Idiot seems to have ever-increasing political relevance. The show gave the spotlight to sensitive, nuanced, and often overlooked and taboo subjects such as patriotism, sex, drug use, teenage pregnancy, and loss. In a generation where existence is inherently political, the subversive messages in American Idiot presented themselves as a sense of relief from modern society to both the audience and the young performers. 

    american idiot

    It’s difficult to express one continual, overarching plot line using bits and pieces of a scattered discography. However, the direction of this musical managed to create substance in a challenging adaptation. Each scene felt like a moving, breathing snapshot of a story; each story stitched together like a quilt. The choreography was visually captivating and often reflected the compositions seen in Renaissance paintings. The music was well executed by a 5-piece band seated high atop a balcony that almost reached the ceiling. The stripped down production featured a set and props which accomplished much despite their minimalism. The lighting was also simple. Using mostly just a red, white, or blue wash, it sarcastically referenced the musical’s titular themes of American patriotism. Throughout the show, American Idiot consistently proved itself to be a worthwhile and entertaining experience for Green Day fans.

    For more information about MT Ed and upcoming performances of American Idiot and other shows visit their website.

  • Los Blancos Bring Feeling To Historic Earlville Opera House

    On the first truly warm day in Central NY, Los Blancos, took the stage at a Historic Theater. The Earlville Opera House was built in 1890 and has survived many changes throughout its history, with the most recent phase beginning in 1970. Los Blancos keys/harp player Max Eyle’s father was actually in attendance and was the first Director of this beautiful theater.

    Just as the day, the room was warm with an excited audience, intent on hearing Los Blancos debut show at the famed Opera House. The sound in this space was perfect for the band’s very intimate performance.  One could almost compare a show here to a classic episode of VH1 Storytellers.  Colin Aberdeen, on guitar and lead vocals, seemed to sense this and kept the crowd laughing between songs with tales of the various incarnations of his band, playing bar rooms and theaters and everything in between, as well as shenanigans over 25 years of playing regionally and touring.

    [bs-quote quote=”Man it feels like we are playing at a campfire in here and I’m setting my drink on the back of a pickup…This is an incredible and legendary place, with so many icons having played here before. You can really feel it and it’s an honor to be here.” style=”style-2″ align=”center” color=”#dd3333″ author_name=”Colin Aberdeen” author_job=”Los Blancos, Guitar”][/bs-quote]

    The Syracuse based band used this show to play many original songs. Of the few covers, Los Blanks dug deep into blues/americana with Dan Penn and Earle King. With Aberdeen’s lead and Steve Winston’s solid bass playing, Eyle was allowed room to get the blues driven tunes in full gear. Lenny Milano held a steady backbeat on the vintage house drum kit from 1965 to complete this foursome with perfect fills, choosing his moments.

    Los Blancos as a whole, played the room astonishingly well, earning ovations for solos and commanding the attention of the room. Listening in this mostly wooden space, sounded like a live album that had already been mixed down. It is no wonder both the band and The Earlville Opera House have been at it so long.

    The band was able to fuze elements of swing, down home blues, and on some of the slower tunes, a campfire feel that set the tone. Aberdeen actually mentioned this in the second set addressing the audience: “Man it feels like we are playing at a campfire in here and I’m setting my drink on the back of a pickup.” During intermission he spoke about the history of the theater, which boasts many incredible performers over the years. “This is an incredible and legendary place, with so many icons having played here before. You can really feel it and it’s an honor to be here.” Los Blancos has over 200 songs in their repertoire and asked if they made a setlist Aberdeen said, “Sometimes we have an idea, but man we just play what feels right for the room.”

    Photo contributed by Sean Nevison

    Theater Director, Michelle Connelly, noted that “We are thrilled to have Los Blancos here tonight! They are a true burst of energy with heart and soul and they blew the roof of the place tonight!” The concert tonight was a testament to the theater’s great programming and care in every detail of the show.  The audience could see it in the smiles of the players, and the mutual respect could be felt as each song was enjoyed thoroughly be this very attentive crowd.

    If you are around the Syracuse area, make sure to look out for Los Blancos. They are true masters of their crafts and very humble musicians. The audience was won over from the very beginning with the band’s playing and charm. There is certainly something special about Earlville Opera House as well, that brings the best out of its performers – creating a positive and fun atmosphere, in one of the best listening rooms in New York State. This is a must see theater and one of the few Opera Houses left. The first floor is also an art gallery and there are many special events throughout the year as well.

  • School’s in Session for Schenectady with ‘School of Rock’ at Proctors

    School of Rock: The Musical takes Schenectady, NY by storm with its five-night performance at Proctors in the heart of downtown. Based on the Paramount film, written by Mike White and starring Jack Black, the musical follows suit. With lyrics by Glenn Slater and new music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, in addition to director Laurence Connor’s vision, this musical takes the movie into a completely different light.

    School of Rock follows failed rock star Dewey Finn, played by Merritt David Janes, as he takes a class of straight-A prep school kids and turns them into rock stars. With the pressure of needing to pay rent from his roommate and best friend Ned and Ned’s bossy girlfriend Patty, Dewey finds himself in an unusual predicament. With Ned being a substitute teacher, the principle of Horace Green Prep School calls in need of a fill-in. And thus, the kids at this prestigious prep school go from model students to rock and roll stars, playing in battle of the bands and learning to go outside their comfort zone.

    Opening the show was an announcement allowing the audience to know that the children in the musical do play their own instruments. Right in tune with the opening announcements, the musical was treated as a live rock concert and began with a performance in which Dewey was originally in – which was refreshing compared to most musicals.

    Throughout the show there was a balance of musical numbers and dialogue that both adults and children were able to enjoy. Keeping up with the humor that fans of the movie came to enjoy, the musical had plenty of laughs for everyone. With jokes referencing Harry Potter and making light of hot topics like, “the man” can also be a woman, it kept the crowd pleased and laughing.

    The show also had songs that everyone could relate to and enjoy. One song sung by the students called “If Only You Would Listen,” allowed children in the audience to relate to what the actors were saying. The song featured four of the students and showed us what home life was like with their parents, and the expectations parents had for their children. This song resonates not only with the children watching, but even adults because at some point we have all felt the pressure of our parents. Another song that also was relatable and hilarious was when Dewey was teaching the students to learn to relax. “Stick It to the Man” rang through as more of an anthem for the musical as a whole; the idea behind it was to teach the kids to loosen up – what rock and roll is all about. Throughout School Of Rock the audience watched how these kids went from being shy and rule-bound, to loosening up and having fun. But it’s not just the kids who go through a transformation, Dewey does as well. He goes from being a selfish, fame hungry, failed rocker to someone who realizes what it’s like to be in a band and part of a team. Dewey becomes someone the students can confide in and trust.

    The stage set up and lighting was just as impressive as the cast. The backdrops for each scene was easily movable by either sliding up, or to the side and even turning around. For the opening number and the finale of the show, the audience gets thrusted into a rock and roll concert. The kids performing for battle of the bands had their parents in the audience watching in awe, as well as us being a part of the show. With the lighting matching to that of an actual concert, bright and flashing, we were part of the show, cheering on the band of students aptly named School of Rock.

    This show was both engaging and fun. With a great cast and song selection to keep the audience both engaged and interested, School of Rock knocked it out of the park. It is both a new and inventive show, fun for all ages. The music was meaningful and there are songs that will resonate with each person. School of Rock: The Musical  enhances the movie to a whole new level of interactions. Altogether the show was enjoyable and kept you laughing at every turn.

    Performances will take place at Proctors in Schenectady Tuesday through Sunday. Following the Capital Region, the tour will makes its way to Boston.