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Gounod's Faust at the Madrid Feb. 27-28
By Staff Writer
A jaded scholar mired in mid-life crisis yearns desperately to be young again…making him the most unremarkable of men. Ah, but this gentleman is about to encounter someone from beyond this world, someone who promises to give him all that he desires for one "bargain-basement" price: his soul.
The classic tale of Dr. Faustus and his deal with the Devil sounds like an episode of the classic '50s TV show "The Twilight Zone". And that is precisely how Center Stage Opera Artistic Director Dylan F. Thomas will stage Gounod's classic opera Faust, Feb. 27 and 28, at the Madrid Theatre in Canoga Park. Featuring the Center Stage Opera Orchestra, conducted by Brian Onderdonk, the production remains faithful to the original score and libretto, but set in a Rod Serling-esque alternative reality. The age-old tale of good vs. evil has never been seen quite this way.
"The Faustian legend is one of the oldest stories in Western Literature, retold a thousand times, a hundred different ways," says director Thomas. "Musical Theater lovers will note Damn Yankees as one, and movie-goers will recognize Faust and the Devil in Bedazzled. Regardless of the genre, the lesson is always the same: 'BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR.' All in all, mine is a traditional Faust."
Two outstanding casts bring this tragic tale of love, lust, hope and betrayal to life on the Madrid stage. The Saturday evening (7:30pm curtain) cast features Liam McLachlan as Faust, Gabriel Vamvulescu as Mephestopheles, and Shira Renee Thomas as Marguerite. Sunday's matinee (3pm curtain) features Josh Shaw as Faust, Phil Meyer as Mephestopheles, and Adrien Roberts as Marguerite. As always, Center Stage Opera will present the opera in the original language (French), with English translation projected above the stage.
Now in its fifth season, Center Stage Opera offers the unique opportunity to see professional quality, fully-staged opera in an intimate setting, and at a reasonable cost. "Our goal is to make opera more accessible to the public at large, and especially to people who may never have seen an opera," says Artistic Director Thomas.
2010 promises to be a banner year for the young company. On May 1 and 2 the company will present Donizetti's gripping "Lucia di Lammermoor". And September 25-26 will bring the world premiere of "Marie's Orchard", a new work commissioned by the company, with music by composer Phillip Westin and libretto by Dylan F. Thomas.
Tickets for Center Stage Opera's production of Faust are $36, $31 and $25, with a $5 discount on any ticket category for seniors (65 and older) and students with student ID. To purchase tickets, call the Madrid Theatre box office at (818) 347-9938, or go online at www.culturela.org /madridtheatre. To learn more about Center Stage Opera, visit www.centerstageopera.org.
Lisa Nemzo Raises the Roof (and Funds) at Kulak's Woodshed
By Tom Kidd
It wasn't fun and games when singer/songwriter Lisa Nemzo joined a night full of troubadours at Kulak's Woodshed in North Hollywood. It was fun hearing local artists like Marc Platt and Deanna Pino covering Beach Boys classics and fans especially enjoyed Nemzo's take on "Do You Wanna' Dance" whether they are at this artist-friendly acoustic music scene and coffee house or watching on the Internet. But Nemzo was there for more than just a good time.
The night was a fund-raiser for Kulak's and fund-raisers are taking up quite a bit of Nemzo's creative drive right now. She's on a California tour, which takes her from the San Fernando Valley to the Central Valley with stops in the Bay Area for good measure. Nemzo is raising awareness about the plight of her songwriting partner Artie Colatrella, co-author of fan favorite, "Baby Don't Hurt Me."
Like millions of Americans, the poet and songwriter (Felicity, Party of Five, Dangerous Minds, Staying Alive, Sleep Stalker) is facing a life-threatening medical crisis. Now suffering from a fatal form of cancer, Nemzo was horrified when she learned that Colatrella's cancer could have been treated.
"I had heard about problems like this, " said Nemzo, "but until I saw it happen…I couldn't imagine how people get tossed overboard and so lost in our health care system." To help raise both awareness and funds, Nemzo helped spearhead the creation of a video to tell a tale that she suspects is not limited to Colatrella.
Colatrella had been badly treated by the nation's healthcare system. "Even a basic timely check up could have prevented this," Nemzo says. "The treatment that could have helped arrest Artie's cancer just didn't reach him in time. Artie's story is not unique. This is happening to thousands of people every day and it is unforgiveable."
In May 2007, Colatrella found a lump the size of a marble on the side of his rib cage. During a subsequent checkup he pointed this out to the doctors and was informed they would order an ultrasound. After waiting six weeks to obtain an appointment, the lump had grown to a six-pound tumor engulfing his kidney.
The clinic sent Colatrella by taxi to a local County Hospital where he waited 23 hours to be admitted. He underwent emergency surgery to remove his kidney and a large malignant tumor. The surgeons had to leave remaining malignant cells as they proved inoperable. He was diagnosed with renal cancer and released. Despite the knowledge of the remaining malignant cells, he was never given standard follow-up chemotherapy or radiation. This was a dangerous turn of events. Like breast and colon cancer, renal cancer can easily show up in another part of the body - as it has with Colatrella.
For six months, lost medical records and red tape prevented Colatrella from receiving care. Frustrated by this denial, Nemzo stepped up to the plate. Organizing friends and family, she held a benefit concert to raise money for Colatrella's essentials, including support, nutrition, medication and assistance. She called on a friend in Nashville, Dr. Mace Rothenberg, who was able to quality Colatrella for a program designed to help terminally ill patients extend their lives.
The genesis of the video "Artie's Story" began with Nemzo collaboration with Colatrella on their song, "Baby Don't Hurt Me." Whenever Nemzo performed the song, she would speak about her co-writing experience with Colatrella and about his current challenges.
"People started responding with donations," Nemzo said. "The song took on a life of its own. It was as if the music was addressing Artie's cancer and telling us to do something with it."
Lisa recruited a film crew, who donated their time and equipment to create a video of "Artie's Story" and a performance of "Baby Don't Hurt Me." Lisa established a fund for Colatrella and a link on her website. The video is posted at www.lisanemzo.com and www.youtube.com/user/lisanemzo. Nemzo's plea is for everyone to visit the site and donate what they can to provide health care and assistance for the remainder of Colatrella's life.
Kofi Baker's "Tribute to Cream" brings Psychedelic Rock to the Baked Potato in Studio City
By Debra Graff
Cream was the legendary British rock band in the 60's comprised of guitarist Eric Clapton, drummer, Ginger Baker, and bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce. They were noted for improvising both their set lists and musical arrangements, sometimes jamming as long as 20 minutes on one song. That's exactly what we got during "Kofi Baker's Tribute to Cream," at the Baked Potato, featuring gifted guitarist/lead vocalist, Fran Banish, brilliant bassist/backing vocalist, Ric Fierabracci, and outstanding drummer Kofi Baker(son of Ginger). They played in their own unique way and you could tell they were having a blast. Something magical happens when music from the 60's is performed with such passion at an intimate venue like The Potato, where the acoustics are amazing and there's not a bad seat in the house.
The band's energy and enthusiasm extended to the attentive audience, who went wild during 'White Room,' which the musicians stretched out further than Cream, modulating into 6/8 time and getting into a great space jam before bringing it back to 4/4. 'Crossroads,' was a huge crowd pleaser and throughout 'Can't Find My Way Home,' everyone was beaming and having a fantastic time.
Bringing together younger fans, not even born when Cream was around, and older fans wanting to relive their rock and roll memories, for a mind blowing experience, was truly transformative. Fellow 60's rock drummer, Gary Sheasgreen, remembers seeing Cream live at the Fillmore West in San Francisco. "This was like seeing Cream all over again. Kofi is just as good if not better than his dad; the guitarist and bassist are excellent. It's a must see show." Guitarist and devoted fan, Justin, says the whole band is very tight but loose at the same time, leaving lots of room for improvisation, while staying true to the tunes. "If you want to see great musicians doing their thing, this is it." Loyal aficionado, Taylor Vlahos, wishes her generation had music like Cream's and is grateful the show is at the Potato where it "feels like they're playing in my living room."
Kofi came up with the idea for a tribute band after a trip to see his Dad play the Madison Square Garden during Cream's 2005 Reunion. He wanted to have fun playing classic Cream as well as Blind Faith, Hendrix, Zeppelin, and Beatles. Kofi says, "Ric and Fran are by far the best players I've played with."
Ric has been playing with Kofi since '92, developing a kind of sixth sense and special rapport with him. "Kofi's one of the best drummers to compliment a bass or guitar solo, always very supportive, coming up with a great groove. Fran's a blues whiz, all pro, and nothing ever gets under his skin before a gig, which I admire."
Fran told me, "Kofi's a master fusion drummer ready to push the envelope musically at a moment's notice. Ric's an all around genius musician who not only can explore any musical territory, but also anchors a lot of what goes on. Working with these guys is exciting and fresh."
The Baked Potato
3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West
Studio City, CA 91604
818-980-1615
Thebakedpotato.com
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