JeremyKotin @ January 5, 2009 # One Comment
Year Begins: Things to look forward to…
1. STAGE 9 to 5 (April 2009)
Based on the 1980 femme centric revenge film comes a new musical with new songs composed by Dolly Parton to accompany her iconic title track. It’s that last bit of information about the composer that keeps me from grousing at the idea of [...]
Jason Reynolds @ December 22, 2008 # One Comment
I was hype. Ecstatic. I mean, totally boosted to see the new Will Smith, Rosario Dawson movie, Seven Pounds. I watched Will on every talk show discussing how he couldn’t say ANYTHING about the movie, because one small slip, and the movie was spoiled. I watched Rosario discuss how when she read the script there [...]
JeremyKotin @ December 15, 2008 # 3 Comments
1. SHOW Liza’s at the Palace
Age may have withered her, but her innate star quality and talent shines through even when her voice and body fail her. The first act is a mash-up of standards and Liza favorites, slurring her way through “If” and spotlessly singing “Cabaret” among others. But it is the second act [...]
JeremyKotin @ December 8, 2008 # No Comment Yet
1. ALBUM Funhouse P!NK
Clearly breakups bring about some of the best music and P!nk packs quite a punch in this album of love lost from the hit angry single “So What,” to the heart wrenching “I Don’t Believe You.” Seriously, just try to not have your heart break when you listen. But don’t get me [...]
JeremyKotin @ December 1, 2008 # 3 Comments
1. ALBUM Day & Age The Killers
This is another excellent entry in the evolution of The Killers’ canon. Of course nothing is as catchy or anthemic as “Mr. Brightside,” but this CD has deeper roots than the pure electronic rock that dominated the previous two albums. Just listen to the opening aboriginal chant of “This [...]
JeremyKotin @ November 24, 2008 # No Comment Yet
1. THEATER Farragut North
The NY Times said this play was predictable but enjoyable. I agree with the latter, the former is a bunch of crap. While it didn’t exactly have me on the edge of my seat, thanks to a fantastic set of performances, this play about a presidential campaign went from good to fantastic. [...]
JeremyKotin @ November 21, 2008 # No Comment Yet
Let me start off this rant/review by saying that I love Stephen Sondheim. I have followed him to the ends of the earth, or rather through many S/states, both literally and artistically. Each time I go to the theater for one of his shows it’s basically a pilgrimage to the savior of modern musical theater. [...]
JeremyKotin @ November 17, 2008 # 2 Comments
1. WEB The 404
Maybe it’s because I work from home by myself that I just enjoy having the sound of other people’s chatter, but if I had to choose the chatter, I would definitely go with the guys at The 404. This live video stream of a radio show covers pretty much any topic you [...]
JeremyKotin @ November 3, 2008 # No Comment Yet
1. EVENT Halloween in NYC
Halloween has always been my favorite holiday, mostly due to the gruesome nature of the proceedings in which I can freely enjoy my inner freak. But New York adds an extra layer of sumptuous crazy. I couldn’t help but smile riding the F Train to the LES with a couple Joe [...]
JeremyKotin @ October 31, 2008 # 5 Comments
Now being performed at the Metropolitan Opera through November 13th
Modern opera isn’t for everyone. That has been made abundantly clear to me time and time again when I seem to be one of the few left standing after three and a half hours of confused, atonal yelling in English. The older and predominant opera audience [...]
JeremyKotin @ October 20, 2008 # One Comment
1. ALBUM Gossip in the Grain Ray LaMontagne
Another stunner from LaMontagne, this time he returns to his folkier,‘60s horn-tinged sound that he explored back in 2004 on Trouble. It doesn’t reach the levels of lyricism of 2006’s Till the Sun Turns Black, but this is a worthy entry into what is shaping up to be [...]
Jason Reynolds @ September 23, 2008 # One Comment
For all of you who haven’t seen the off-broadway hit, FELA!, kill yourselves now. Or…just go see it. Now. It’s a musical about the late Nigerian activist, and father of Afrobeat, Fela Kuti. It’s rich with culture, passion, and awesome music (Antibalas plays as Kuti’s band.) Plus, Sparlha Swa is in it! And well, she’s [...]