“I didn’t realize these Frankie Valli people were all a bunch of gangsters,” my friend Allison said on Friday night, echoing my thoughts exactly.
Maybe we’d been living under a rock all our lives, or we were just born past the time of knowing that a real-life Joe Pesci (literally) introduced the fourth member of the Four Seasons to what was then a trio, but boy, did we feel stupid.
Looking around the audience, it was easy to see why we didn’t quite remember the story of the origin and ultimate disbandment of The Four Seasons the way everyone else did: we weren’t alive then, and the rest of the audience had been. I like to think, though, that coming in blind made us enjoy the experience that much more.
The winner of multiple Tony Awards (including Best Musical 2006), Jersey Boys has been seen worldwide by approximately 13 million people. It’s no wonder it’s a hit: far from a standard jukebox musical, Jersey Boys brings a real plot to the table – one in which older audience members feel personally invested, and in which younger audience members feel emotionally invested.
But it’s really the music that gets you.
Continuing our exploration into naivette, Allison and I commented to each other, “I had no idea all those songs were from The Four Seasons.”
“Sherry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “December 1963 (Oh What A Night),” and so many more – the hits just keep rolling, and you’re constantly surprised to find that yes, indeed, even THAT one was a Four Seasons tune. It’s hard not to clap your hands and sing along to the tunes you didn’t even know you knew (although, please don’t – that’s way freaking annoying), and you really leave ready to go home, blast some oldies, and Wikipedia Joe Pesci… because, I mean, who knew?
If you haven’t seen this incredible show yet, Atlanta, now is your chance to get your hot patooties to the Fox before the show leaves on June 10th. Learn more at JerseyBoysInfo.com/Tour, and tell ‘em I sent ya!
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast has hit the Fox in full force, and with it comes droves of adorable little girls dressed as Belle. As an adult attending the show, you may feel a little bit creepy, but your fears are soon allayed by the familiar songs, costumes, and fun the show brings.
It’s surprising how much BATB was like the movie. The friend I brought was quoting lines verbatim, remembered from childhood viewings of the film. The songs were identical. The Gaston character looked plucked straight from the movie, although the clock, candlestick, and teapot ended up more human-looking than in the animated version. I know, it’s shocking.
Beauty and the Beast was tons of fun and one of the rare shows you can easily bring the whole family to. It speaks to the typical Broadway musical in all the ways a Disney show should: big dance numbers, colorful costumes, grade-A talent, and hand-clapping fun. Go check it out with the kiddos before its too late – the show’s final Atlanta performance is this Sunday, 1/16 at 7pm.
When a work trip forced me to relinquish my tickets to “RAIN,” I wanted to make sure they fell into the right hands. My friend Kim Honore was up to the challenge: a whirlwind night of seeing the show (which is a tribute to the Beatles), followed by a lightning-fast blog entry. My only concern was that Kim was a little too excited to see the show – take a look at the video below of her that goes to show how much she loves the Beatles. Could I trust her to give an unbiased account of the evening?
Kim Looks Surprisingly Like a Little Boy Here
Kim has met the challenge with open arms and, I have to say, she’s giving me a run for my money on this blog. Readers, promise me you won’t start leaving comments asking me to hand over the reins to Kim. How about I just promise to have her guest blog again? With no further ado, Kim Honore’s account of last night!
When it comes to my love of The Beatles, I was a late bloomer. In fact, I am pretty sure I was legally able to drink the first time I really listened to their music, hanging on to every note and soaking in each word that was said (or rather sung). I can’t help but wonder what my childhood would have been like if I had their music as my soundtrack; if I had learned early on that, “All You Need is Love?” Instead, my memories are littered with the disturbing, yet somewhat hilarious, image of my parents singing, “Solid as a Rock” on repeat in our minivan.
But – I digress…I mentioned all the above to stress the fact that as a said late bloomer, I feel as if I’m on a constant journey to prove that I’m a real Beatles’ fan. Needless to say, when I was offered the chance to cover, “RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles,” at the Fox Theatre last night – I jumped on the opportunity as if my life depended on it. You would have sworn I was going see the actual Beatles play!
When we arrived at the theatre, I was surprised to see that the audience spanned several generations, not just Baby Boomers trying to reclaim the good ole days. While they were definitely present, so were kids that looked like they would be better suited at a Justin Bieber concert, college co-eds that had ditched the latest frat party, young professionals celebrating the start of the weekend and more – every demographic seemed to be present.
As soon as the cast of RAIN took to the stage, they engaged us all, young and old, on a journey that spanned The Beatles’ appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, to their strung out studio years (think Abbey Road). In fact, the members of RAIN have been together longer than the band they pay tribute to, and during that time they have meticulously studied each member’s nuances and intricacies. This level of commitment and dedication to mastering the look and feel of The Beatles shows in every single one of their performances.
With no pre-recorded tracks, one can’t help but marvel at the high level of musicianship each member possesses. They are so on point, that you suddenly forget you’re at a tribute concert in the year 2010, and rather feel like you have been transported back to the 60s. It’s as if the cast of RAIN has discovered the technology behind time machines, and took us all along for a ride through the most poignant time in music’s history.
RAIN is definitely more of a concert than a theatrical performance, which means that all you ladies out there who can’t ever get your man to go to the theatre with you actually have a standing chance here; in fact, they may even thank you. I mean, who wouldn’t want to feel like they’re witnessing history, as if they were actually lucky enough to be amongst the sea of people in Shea Stadium in 1965, screaming like a school girl? And, I must say, you actually feel like you’re on some kind of acid trip during RAIN’s Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band rendition (not that I know what an acid trip feels like), but with the lights, the smoke and the cartoon caricatures moving about the background, you’re definitely transported to a realm that seems unworldly.
Make sure you see RAIN with someone you actually like, though, because on more than one occasion you’re holding hands while singing favorites such as “Yesterday,” “Let it Be,” and the crowd favorite, “Hey Jude.” Actually, now that I think about it, why not take someone you hate? By the end of the show you’d be best friends, because who could possibly experience the splendor that is the Beatles and not come out of it feeling renewed, as if everything and anything is possible?
My only criticism lies in that fact that RAIN didn’t play either of my two favorite Beatle’s songs. I wasn’t too surprised by the lack of “Helter Skelter,” but I was aghast at the fact that they didn’t perform, “All You Need is Love.” At the conclusion of the concert I stood there as the crowd piled out trying to convince my friend that there was no way they weren’t singing it – No Way! I’m sure that everyone had one song that they were waiting anxiously to hear only to be let down, but how could RAIN possibly play every great song the Beatles ever wrote?
The bottom line is that RAIN is definitely a show you shouldn’t miss, especially if you’re a Beatles fan. There’s an indescribable feeling tied to the experience, and the fact that RAIN is able to bring to life the magic of a band that was together for a decade, yet accomplished what could span a century, is awe inspiring.
RAIN’s next venture back to the sixties will be today, September 18th, at The Fabulous Fox Theatre (2:00 and 8:00 p.m.) and Sunday, the 19th (1:30 and 7:00 p.m.). Check it out before it’s too late – it’s only here for the weekend!
I am SUPER excited to announce that a great local band, Elephants Gerald, will be the first opener at the Atlanta Onstage Launch Party on 3/29! Check out their music here:
The gift bags are all set and ready to go (and, um, they’ve got candy and Whynattes… which is awesome), so be sure to come early and grab one! There will also be a $4 Atlanta Onstage Cocktail to tickle your tastebuds (yep, I just used that phrase).
Looking forward to seeing everyone at ENGINE 11 THIS MONDAY, 3/29!
P.S. Parking’s a little weird there. There’s a pay-for-parking lot right next door, but there is plenty of free on-the-street parking if you keep an eye out. But I know you’re planning to have a good time, so take MARTA to North Ave and the venue’s right there!
Been dying to check this out, especially since it’s only a $7 cover. My 9-to-5′er keeps me from staying out super late on a Monday, but one of these days I’m just going to grin and bear it for some metal-oke at 10 High. I hear they have Metalsome, Inc. on Fridays and Saturdays, too, but it just sounds like it’d be more authentic on a Monday.
It’s METAL KARAOKE with a LIVE BAND. You get to be a real rock star (or watch others try)! From Metromix’s description, I get the impression it’s mostly hair metal-tastic, which is fine by me. Always wanted to try my hand at “Youth Gone Wild,” anyway.
Gotta drag my ass up off the couch some Monday soon and head out at 10pm to see what sounds like the coolest karaoke night ever.
I was holed up sick as a dog today, so I’m highly depressed I still have yet to check out DRINKSHOP Live! at the W Atlanta-Downtown. The super-classy bar has put on a weekly Thursday event that brings local musicians in to play acoustic sets while you get to watch your crazy-ass drinks being made. When I say crazy-ass drinks, I mean it only in the best way: SIX kinds of ice (including a giant block that they shave down for you), insane drink combos full of ingredients you may have never even heard of, and world-class mixology.
But I digress. I can’t wait to check out their next set to really have a chance to see what DRINKSHOP Live! is all about. Sorry, Josh Fletcher, but the stomach bug keeps me home tonight. I’ll be sipping absinthe with you soon!
