{"id":27410,"date":"2015-11-26T09:30:58","date_gmt":"2015-11-26T14:30:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=27410"},"modified":"2015-11-26T09:32:13","modified_gmt":"2015-11-26T14:32:13","slug":"on-stage-book-of-mormon-returns-to-philadelphia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=27410","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Book of Mormon returns to Philadelphia"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><em><strong>Also: Post-Thanksgiving club scene rocks<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span class=\"s1\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><strong>By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\"><em><span class=\"s1\">Staff Writer, The Times<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1231188\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/mormon-denee-benton-cody-jamison-strand-300x200.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1231188\" class=\"wp-image-1231188 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/mormon-denee-benton-cody-jamison-strand-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"mormon denee-benton-cody-jamison-strand\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1231188\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u201cThe Book of Mormon\u201d is back in Philadelphia and will run at The Kimmel Center through Dec. 27.<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">It\u2019s been almost five years since \u201cThe Book of Mormon\u201d made its debut at the\u00a0Eugene O\u2019Neill Theatre in New York.\u00a0During its first year, the show was consistently one of the top five best-selling shows on Broadway and set 22 new weekly sales records at the O\u2019Neill Theatre.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The lively musical, which was\u00a0seven years in the making, met with immediate\u00a0critical acclaim and won numerous theater awards including nine\u00a0Tony Awards (including Best Musical)\u00a0and a\u00a0Grammy Award\u00a0for\u00a0Best Musical Theater Album.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The immensely popular show made its Philadelphia debut last year and ran from July through September at the Forrest Theatre (1114 Walnut Street, Philadelphia 866-276-2947,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.kimmelcenter.org\/broadway\"><span class=\"s2\">www.kimmelcenter.org\/broadway<\/span><\/a>) as part of the Kimmel Center\u2019s \u201cBroadway Philadelphia\u201d series.<\/span><!--more--><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Now, \u201cThe Book of Mormon\u201d is back &#8212; once again with a multi-week run as part of the Kimmel Center\u2019s \u201cBroadway Philadelphia\u201d series. It opened on November 24 and will run through December 27.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Right from its opening night on Broadway on March 24, 2011, the show has drawn rave reviews with the New York Times calling it \u201cthe best musical of this century.\u201d The Associate Press said \u201cThe Book of Mormon\u201d manages to offend, provoke laughter, trigger eye-rolling, satirize conventions and warm hearts, all at the same time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The show currently is running on Broadway and in London\u2019s West End. It also has two tours out in America &#8212; one on the West Coast and the other on the East Coast.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The talent-laden cast of the show that just arrived in Philly features David Larsen as Elder Price, Candace Quarrels as Nabulungi, Cody Jamison Strand as Elder Cunningham and James Vincent Meredith as Mafala Hatimbi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cThis tour has been out for three years and I\u2019m approaching two years in the cast,\u201d said Larsen, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon. \u201cI closed a show on Broadway &#8212; \u2018Hands on a Hardbody\u2019 &#8212; and auditioned for \u2018The Book of Mormon\u2019 the next week.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cI got the role but had to wait for five months to join the tour. I saw the show during its first year on Broadway and really enjoyed it. I was always a big fan of \u2018South Park.\u2019 But, I never imagined I\u2019d ever be in the show.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The Book of Mormon features book, lyrics, and music by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, and Matt Stone. Stone and Parker were the creators of the animated comedy \u201cSouth Park.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cThis show is a very well-constructed musical,\u201d said Larsen. \u201cIt\u2019s written really well. It\u2019s a religious satire but people aren\u2019t offended by it. People are less offended when something is done well and this show is done really well. Nothing is off-limits. Like \u2018South Park,\u2019 it\u2019s equal opportunity offensive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cThe Book of Mormon\u201d\u00a0tells the story of two young, inexperienced Mormon\u00a0missionaries\u00a0who are\u00a0sent to Africa. It is set in a remote village in northern\u00a0Uganda. In the village, which is about two hours north of Uganda\u2019s capitol Kampala, a brutal warlord is threatening the local population. The primary antagonist is the superstitious General, who does not like the missionaries and views them as a threat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The show has a wonderful message of community and demonstrates how religion is formed through storytelling. The narrative is linear &#8212; and it\u2019s educational.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cSome of the show\u2019s high points are the number \u2018Turn It Off\u2019 and the opening number &#8212; \u2018Hello\u2019,\u201d said Larsen. \u201cThe opening number really sets the tone for the rest of the show. It gets the audience members laughing and they keep laughing for the remainder of the show.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201c\u2018Spooky Mormon Hell Dream\u2019 is another great number. It\u2019s so ridiculous. Audiences also really like the zany storytelling. But, what surprises people is that his show has heart.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s3\">Video link for \u201cThe Book of Mormon\u201d &#8212; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?feature=player_detailpage&amp;v=OKkLV1zE8M0\"><span class=\"s4\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?feature=player_detailpage&amp;v=OKkLV1zE8M0<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Ticket prices ranges from $67-$177.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1231190\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/george-winston-300x175.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1231190\" class=\"wp-image-1231190 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/george-winston-300x175.jpg\" alt=\"george winston\" width=\"300\" height=\"175\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1231190\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">George Winston<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The Grand Opera House (818 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-652-5577, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thegrandwilmington.org\/\"><span class=\"s5\">www.thegrandwilmington.org<\/span><\/a>) will be keeping things lively along Market Street over the next week-and-a-half.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The line-up for the Grand features George Winston (Nov 27), Clifford the Big Red Dog (Nov 28), Itzhak Perlman, Evgeny Kissin and Mischa Maisky (Dec 1) and Straight No Chaser (Dec 2).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The Grand, which also puts on shows at the Playhouse on Rodney Square (10<\/span><span class=\"s6\"><sup>th<\/sup><\/span><span class=\"s1\"> and Market streets, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-888-0200, www. <a href=\"http:\/\/duponttheatre.com\/\"><span class=\"s2\">duponttheatre.com<\/span><\/a>), will present the Glenn Miller Orchestra on November 28 and the hit musical \u201cAnnie\u201d from December 1-6.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">With its Christmas party celebration serving as one of the high points of the show, the hit musical \u201cAnnie\u201d is a great show for the holidays.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The original production of \u201cAnnie,\u201d which opened on Broadway in 1977, won seven Tony Awards and ran for six years, featured Andrea McArdle as Annie.The show has gone on numerous national tours and featured notable cast members such as television\/movie\/stage\/rock band veteran Mackenzie Phillps as Lily St. Regis.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The current production features Issie Swickle as Annie, Gilagmesh Tagget as Oliver Warbucks and Lynn Andrews as Miss Hannigan.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1231191\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/1412574900Annie-slider-3-300x142.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1231191\" class=\"wp-image-1231191 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/1412574900Annie-slider-3-300x142.jpg\" alt=\"1412574900Annie-slider-3\" width=\"300\" height=\"142\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1231191\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">&#8220;Annie.&#8221;<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cAnnie\u201d has had numerous incarnations over the years including several revivals of the original stage musical. There have also been a number of related stage shows such as prequels as well as a few movies.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin for the 19th time, this production is a brand new physical incarnation of the iconic Tony Award-winning original.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0\u201cThe show \u2018Annie\u2019 is something that people hold close to their hearts,\u201d said Andrews, during a recent phone interview from her home in San Diego. \u201cIt\u2019s not my personal goal to make it new again. I just try to play the part as true as I can.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cThere is no way to please everybody. You\u2019re coming to see \u2018Annie.\u2019 It\u2019s still the same show &#8212; same songs &#8212; the dog &#8212; Christmas. Audiences have loved it for a long time and they still love it. It is dated in some ways. Some references go over the heads of people under 30.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cIt taps directly into the nostalgia vein. It\u2019s New York. It\u2019s Christmas time. It\u2019s about hope. The whole show is seen through the eyes of a kid who has no reason to be bitter. It\u2019s a great family show. You can bring kids to it. At times, I see three generations of the same family attending the show together.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Andrews has the unenviable &#8212; or enviable &#8212; position of playing a villain &#8212; Miss Hannigan, the woman who runs the orphanage where Annie lives.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cI think it\u2019s far more fun to be the villain,\u201d said Andrews, a native of Denver, Colorado. \u201cThis is a silly villain. She\u2019s not doing anything too horrible. I get on great with the kids. We love to tease each other. And, if you\u2019re playing a villain, if you\u2019re in a bad mood, you don\u2019t have to pretend to be otherwise.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cOne challenge playing Miss Hannigan is walking a line between cruelty and comedy. There are also physical challenges. I like to toss my body around. Last year, I got whiplash playing in \u2018Annie.\u2019 It is a very physical role so I have to take care of myself. I have to stretch before every show.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Even though Miss Hannigan is a \u2018villain,\u201d Andrews finds her likeable.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cI can relate to her in a lot of ways,\u201d said Andrews, who, when not acting, is one-third of the girl group The Shirtwaist Sisters. \u201cEverything she does is pretty logical. If I had seven kids, maybe I would be a drunk.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s3\">Video link for \u201cAnnie\u201d &#8212; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?feature=player_embedded&amp;v=2gD_Gq8chFU\"><span class=\"s4\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?feature=player_embedded&amp;v=2gD_Gq8chFU<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The show will run from December 1-6 &#8212; Tuesday-Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets range in price from $40-$90.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">George Winston is many things \u2013 a highly-respected solo pianist who has developed a loyal following around the world, a musician who doesn\u2019t follow trends, an excellent composer, an artist who likes to interpret other musicians\u2019 songs and a musician who is keen on charity work. All of these facets will come into play when Winston performs in Wilmington this week.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Since 1986, Winston has been raising money for food banks and service organizations and will continue to do so by working with a local food bank in every tour market to hold a canned food drive at the show and also by donating 100% of proceeds from the sale of his merchandise to the organization.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cAs with all my shows, I\u2019m also collecting donations for the local food bank,\u201d said Winston, during a phone interview Tuesday as he drove through South Carolina on the way to a show in Richmond. \u201cSo, I\u2019d like to ask people to bring non-perishable food donations for the Emmanuel Food Bank.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Making albums has never been a high priority for Winston with only 13 albums in more than 40 years. But, there are patterns \u2013 albums featuring the music of Vince Guaraldi, albums made as benefit records for flood-ravaged New Orleans and albums representing each of the seasons.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">His most recent albums are \u201cGulf Coast Blues &amp; Impressions 2\u2013A Louisiana Wetlands Benefit\u201d (2012) and \u201cLove Will Come-The Music of Vince Guaraldi Vol 2.\u201d (2010).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">His next solo piano album, \u201cSpring Carousel \u2013 A Cancer Research Benefit,\u201d will be released in 2015. \u00a0These solo piano melodic songs were composed in 2013 while he was recovering from his bone marrow transplant at the City of Hope Village. He is dedicating 100% of his artist royalties to benefit cancer research.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cI was staying at the City of Hope from mid-September 2012 until early March 2013,\u201d said Winston. \u201cI was there because of myelodysplastia &#8212; a condition with low platelets. Now, I just get checked every four months.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cThere was a piano there that was available 24 hours a day. I went there every night for hours. That\u2019s why I\u2019m doing a benefit album for the City of Hope. It will come out in the spring of 2016.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cIt\u2019s a double-CD which is already recorded. I just have to put it all together. There are compositions about 20 carousels along with 10 ballads that I call \u2018bouquets.\u2019 The music on this album is influenced by Steve Reich\u2019s music &#8212; very much so with the circular motion\u2026swirling circular repetition.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Three of Winston\u2019s albums have dealt with the seasons \u2013 \u201cAutumn\u201d (1980), \u201cWinter into Spring\u201d (1982) and \u201cSummer\u201d (1991). And, his album \u201cDecember\u201d (1982) also is season-related.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cThis is a fall-winter summer show,\u201d said Winston, who grew up in Montanaand Mississippi and now lives in California. \u201cI do select material by the seasons but it\u2019s more based on what I played the last time I was in a particular town. The priority for me is to be able to switch. I\u2019ve done summer shows in November and winter shows through May.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cAs time goes on, I\u2019ve gotten more flexible. It is nice to have snow outside when I\u2019m doing my winter show but I make my own musical calendars. It took awhile to get that flexibility.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cMy music is like the weather. I just watch it and it tells me what to do. I just say &#8212; yes, I\u2019ll do what you tell me. I\u2019m just the servant.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s3\">Video link for George Winston &#8212; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?feature=player_embedded&amp;v=Ff3QQ0QEclU\"><span class=\"s4\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?feature=player_embedded&amp;v=Ff3QQ0QEclU<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The show at the Grand will get underway at 8 p.m. Tickets are $36.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">This is the weekend when college students return home for a long weekend and family members gather for a holiday feast. Frequently, Thursday night is family night while Friday and Saturday nights are the evenings for parties and concerts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The concert schedule for Friday and Saturday is loaded with good shows at almost every venue around the Delaware Valley.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">One of the most interesting &#8212; and most rocking &#8212; shows in the area will be the Smash Palace CD Release Party on November 27 at the Steel City Coffee House (203 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610-933-4043, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.steelcitycoffeehouse.com\/\"><span class=\"s5\">www.steelcitycoffeehouse.com<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1231192\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Smash-Palace-300x197.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1231192\" class=\"wp-image-1231192 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Smash-Palace-300x197.png\" alt=\"Smash Palace\" width=\"300\" height=\"197\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1231192\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Smash Palace<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Smash Palace &#8212;<\/span><span class=\"s1\">Stephen Butler (lead vocals and guitar), Fran Smith (bass guitar, vocals), Cliff Hillis (rhythm guitar, vocals), David Uosikkinen (drums) and Wally Smith (keyboards) &#8212; will be officially launching its new CD <\/span><span class=\"s7\">\u201cSome Kind of Magic,\u201d which is the band\u2019s 11<\/span><span class=\"s8\"><sup>th<\/sup><\/span><span class=\"s7\"> recording overall and seventh for Zip Records.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cWe recorded the album this spring,\u201d said Stephen Butler, during a recent phone interview. \u201cWe made it at Gradwell House studio in Haddon Heights (NJ) with William Wittman as the producer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cIt was the first time we used an outside producer since our first record, which was 30 years ago. He asked to be involved. With the current LP, it was just the five of us in the band. Brian and I still write together a lot.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s1\">Brian is Butler\u2019s brother Brian Butler, who was the original lead vocalist of Smash Palace, one of Philly\u2019s best power pop bands over the past few decades.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cBrian and I put Smash Place together,\u201d said Butler. \u201cOriginally, our band was called Quincy and we had an album out on Columbia Records. Then, we started Smash Palace and signed with Epic Records in 1984.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Smash Palace has had a number of different lineups over the years. Stephen Butler is the only constant but original rhythm guitarist Phil Rizzo remained on board until just a few years ago.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cThe band went into hibernation from 1987-1998,\u201d said Butler. \u201cMy brother and I were doing staff writing jobs at publishing companies. My brother and I were always really close &#8212; especially with music. Around 1999, I built a studio and we started writing together again. Out of that, we got a record deal with an indie label &#8212; Imagine Records.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">That resulted in the \u201cFast, Long and Loud\u201d album &#8212; the band\u2019s sophomore album just 14 y ears after the group\u2019 self-titled debut.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cWe still have a lot of our older fans who have been with us for 20-30 years,\u201d said Butler. \u201cWe\u2019re also getting a lot of new fans because the record is being played around the country.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cWe\u2019re playing all the new songs in our live shows and we still go back to songs from all our albums. It starts at the beginning and goes to the end but I\u2019ve never thought of us as a nostalgia band. All the songs still work together. \u201c<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s3\">Video link for Smash Palace &#8212; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?feature=player_embedded&amp;v=F7YXIFzVhgc\"><span class=\"s4\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?feature=player_embedded&amp;v=F7YXIFzVhgc<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The show at Steel City will start at 8 p.m. and will also feature Cliff Hillis and the Forward Thinkers. Tickets are $20 in advance and $23 day of show. On November 27, Steel City will present Jeffrey Gaines with Ben Kessler.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">When Thanksgiving week arrives each year, there are certain traditions on which you can almost always depend &#8212; especially on Thanksgiving Day itself.\u00a0 Some of these traditions are a day off from work, big dinners (usually with turkey and filling and with family), football games on television and the arrival of Black Friday (which has already wormed its way back to a start midway through Thursday).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">From a musical standpoint, there are also very strong traditional events at the Keswick Theatre (291 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 215-572-7650,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.keswicktheatre.com\/\"><span class=\"s5\">www.keswicktheatre.com<\/span><\/a>) &#8212; two events that are well into their second decade.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">On Thanksgiving Eve, Hot Tuna &#8212; Jack Casady and Jorma Kaukonen &#8212; leave their California homes behind and head to Glenside for an annual concert that has been going on longer than either veteran musician can remember.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1231194\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/the-machine-300x200.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1231194\" class=\"wp-image-1231194 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/the-machine-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"the machine\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1231194\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Machine<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">On the night after Thanksgiving, which is November 27 this year, The Machine returns to the Keswick Theatre for a concert that is billed as the \u201cAnnual Thanksgiving Weekend Show.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The Machine &#8212; Joe Pascarell (lead guitar, vocals), Scott Chasolen (keyboards, vocals), Ryan Ball (bass, vocals), Tahrah Cohen (drums) &#8212; is a Pink Floyd tribute band that has been performing the music of the British classic rock act for more than 20 years.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cWe\u2019ve been playing the Keswick on the Friday after Thanksgiving for at least 10 years in a row already,\u201d said Cohen, during a phone interview from the band\u2019s home base in Manhattan. \u201cIt\u2019s a given for the venue and a given for us. The date is always held.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201c\u2018It\u2019s a special event. It definitely is a big tradition. People make it a family event. We recognize a lot of people who have been coming every year. And, they keep bring new people &#8212; their friends and relatives.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Joe Pascarell, one of The Machine\u2019s founding members said in a phone interview last week, \u201cThe Thanksgiving show at the Keswick is always one of our favorite shows every year. That show always feels like a big family get-together.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Over the course of its decades-plus history, The Machine has developed a repertoire that covers Pink Floyd\u2019s entire career &#8212; from 1967\u2019s \u201cThe Piper at the Gates of Dawn\u201d to the \u201cnew\u201d Pink Floyd album \u201cThe Endless River,\u201d which was just released last year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cFor the most part, it\u2019s the same group of songs people want to hear,\u201d said Pascarell. \u201cThey don\u2019t want to hear something new and we honor that. We play songs like \u2018Dark Side of the Moon,\u2019 \u2018Comfortably Numb\u2019 and a number of songs from \u2018The Wall.\u2019 Some songs are always there &#8212; songs that you hear on the radio a lot.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cIt\u2019s always fun to play theme. There are times we can leave them out &#8212; but not often. Those are times when we do special concerts throughout the year. We do things like symphonies and, from time to time, we do acoustic shows.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Pascarell is a founding member of the band &#8212; and the newest member to join the line-up.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cI had a leave of absence,\u201d said Pascarell. \u201cI turned 50 and sort of re-evaluated my life &#8212; what I wanted to do. I had been in The Machine for 30 years. I wanted to find out more about me.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cThe first year was fun. Then, I realized how important The Machine was to me.\u00a0 A little while ago, the guy who replaced me left and the band asked me to re-join. The biggest difference is how I feel. The band means something different to me. I came back in September. I\u2019m the phase now of re-acquiring the repertoire.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s3\">Video link for The Machine &#8212; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?feature=player_detailpage&amp;v=emmlx766s3M\"><span class=\"s4\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?feature=player_detailpage&amp;v=emmlx766s3M<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The show at the Keswick will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $27.50 and $32.50.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">A few years ago, guitarist Cameron Neal and bass player Cody Fowler headed north from their homes in the Dallas Metro area and moved north to study music at college. It didn\u2019t take long until the pair had formed a band that was rocking out in Oklahoma City.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Neal and Fowler teamed up with Alex Coleman (guitar, keyboards), Alberto Roubert (drums, percussion) and Zach Zeller (guitar, keyboards) to form the current lineup of Horse Thief.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The band made its area debut in July 2014 with a show on the Upstairs Stage of Philly\u2019s World Caf\u00e9 Live. On November 27, the quintet returns to the city to share a bill with Elle King at Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, 215-232-2100, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.utphilly.com\/\"><span class=\"s2\">www.utphilly.com<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cWe\u2019ve been together almost three years,\u201d said Neal, during a recent phone interview. \u201cMe and the bass player started in Denton (Texas). We\u2019ve been playing together for eight years. We moved to Oklahoma City to attend ACM@UCO (The Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma). I was a guitar major. We met the other three guys in the band there. All of them are from Oklahoma.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Horse Thief released its debut album \u201cFear in Bliss\u201d last year on Bella Union Records.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cThe record that came out last year was our first full-length,\u201d said Neal. \u201cWe went to L.A. to record it with producer Thom Monahan.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cWe started working on our new album in May and June in L.A. There is definitely a change in our music. The first record was written when we had only been together for about four months. We did it very quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cThis time, we went in the studio with about 30 demos. It\u2019s cleaner &#8212; and we\u2019ve been growing. It\u2019s a little more intense lyrically and sonically. And, it\u2019s more organic. The band knows each other better. We know what to expect from each other.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Horse Thief\u2019s music has drawn a variety of descriptions from American rock to jam band to roots rock.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cOur music is a wide variety,\u201d said Cameron. \u201cIt\u2019s straight-ahead rock. I don\u2019t think we were ever worried about genres. We just want to write songs to make people feel good.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cThe songs from the first album are a little different live. We definitely wanted the live show to be different from the album.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cIt\u2019s a different experience. A lot of things change. Sonically, there are parts we build on. In the live shows now, we play three or four new songs and most of the songs from \u2018Fear in Bliss.\u2019 The songs definitely get bigger live. We\u2019ve always been a live band first.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Video link for Horse Thief &#8212;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s9\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?feature=player_detailpage&amp;v=29xkbSSqgOI\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?feature=player_detailpage&amp;v=29xkbSSqgOI<\/a><\/span><span class=\"s3\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The Horse Thief show will get underway at 8:30. Tickets are priced at $17. Other upcoming shows at Union Transfer are Vacationer (Nov 28), Dance Gavin Dance (Nov 30) and Vince Staples (Dec 2).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org\/\"><span class=\"s5\">http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/span><\/a>) will present Joe Bublewicz and Chris Coccia (Nov 27) and The Nik Everett Band and Angelee (Nov 28).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Chaplin\u2019s (66 North Main Street, Spring City, 610-792-4110,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/chaplinslive.com\/\"><span class=\"s5\">http:\/\/chaplinslive.com<\/span><\/a>) will have Mo7s and Psychskunk (Nov 27) and Redtail Court, Nose Goblins and Seption (Nov 28).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, 610-649-8389,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.ardmoremusic.com\/\"><span class=\"s5\">www.ardmoremusic.com<\/span><\/a>) will present George Clinton &amp; Parliament Funkadelic (Nov 27), Splintered Sunlight &#8212; Grateful Dead Tribute (Nov 28) and Mr. Greengenes (Dec 2).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The Valley Forge Casino (1160 First Avenue, King Of Prussia, 610-354-8118, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.vfcasino.com\/\"><span class=\"s2\">www.vfcasino.com<\/span><\/a>) will present 38 Special (Nov 27) and Burnt Sienna (Nov 28).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Burlap &amp; Bean Coffeehouse (204 South Newtown Street Road, Newtown Square, 484-427-4547,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.burlapandbean.com\/\"><span class=\"s5\">www.burlapandbean.com<\/span><\/a>) will host Andrea Nardello and Matt Duke (Nov 27), and The John Grecia Band and Drew Nielands (Nov 28).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Melodies Caf\u00e9 (2 East Ardmore Avenue, Ardmore, 610-645-5269, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.melodiescafe.com\/\"><span class=\"s5\">www.melodiescafe.com<\/span><\/a>) will host Craig &amp; Aislinn Bickhardt, Beaucoup Blue, Jesse Terry and Lizanne Knott &amp; Ciara (Nov 28).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">World Caf\u00e9 Live at the Queen (500 North Market Street, Wilmington, 302- 994-1400,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.queen.worldcafelive.com\/\"><span class=\"s2\">www.queen.worldcafelive.com<\/span><\/a>) will have Jubilee Riots (Nov 27), Spokey Speaky (Nov 27), Wilmo Rock Circus 2015 (Nov 28) and San Fermin (Dec 2).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The Scottish Rites Theatre (315 White Horse Pike, Collingswood, N.J., <a href=\"http:\/\/www.collingswood.com\/entertainment\/theater-and-ballroom\"><span class=\"s10\">http:\/\/www.collingswood.com\/entertainment\/theater-and-ballroom<\/span><\/a>) will present Will Downing on November 28.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.st94.com\/\"><span class=\"s2\">www.st94.com<\/span><\/a>) will have Martin Sexton (Nov 27), Almost Queen (Nov 28), A Rat Pack Christmas (Nov 29), Iron Butterfly (Nov 29), and Nik Turner\u2019s Hawkwind with Hederslebend (Nov 30), Forlorn Strangers (Dec 2) and Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. (Dec 3).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The World Caf\u00e9 Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1400, <a href=\"http:\/\/philly.worldcafelive.com\/\"><span class=\"s2\">philly.worldcafelive.com<\/span><\/a>) presents Breakwater (Nov 27), Deb Callahan (Nov 28), Beru Revue (Nov 28), Arturo Stable (Nov 29), Z Big Band (Nov 30), Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear (Dec 1)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal Street, Philadelphia, 215-309-0150, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thefillmorephilly.com\/\"><span class=\"s2\">www.thefillmorephilly.com<\/span><\/a>) will present Robin Schulz (Nov 27), Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, New Politics, The Griswolds and Lolo (Nov 28), Niykee Heaton (Nov 29 and 30 &#8212; Foundry) and Panama Wedding (Dec 2).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Tin Angel (20 South Second Street, Philadelphia, 215-928-0770, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tinangel.com\/\"><span class=\"s2\">http:\/\/www.tinangel.com<\/span><\/a>) will have a pair of shows by Susan Werner &#8212; November \u00a027 and 28.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The Theatre of the Living Arts (334 South Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1011, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.lnphilly.com\/\"><span class=\"s2\">http:\/\/www.lnphilly.com<\/span><\/a>) has a line-up featuring August Burns Red (Nov 27) and Flightschool with The Burgeoning (Nov 28).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N Front St, Philadelphia, 215-291-4919, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.kungfunecktie.com\/\"><span class=\"s2\">www.kungfunecktie.com<\/span><\/a>) will host Nik Turner\u2019s Hawkwind and Hedersleben (Nov 27); BOOGALOO! with RK$TDY (Nov 27); and GRIP and Caustic Casanova (Nov 30).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Fire (412 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, 267-671-9298, <a href=\"http:\/\/thefirephilly.com\/\"><span class=\"s2\">thefirephilly.com<\/span><\/a>) presents Flux Capacitor, The Royal Noise, Chronicles of Sound and The Jawn (Nov 28); and Resilient, Alright Junior, Young Fox and The Loud Company (Nov 29).<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Also: Post-Thanksgiving club scene rocks By Denny Dyroff,\u00a0Staff Writer, The Times It\u2019s been almost five years since \u201cThe Book of Mormon\u201d made its debut at the\u00a0Eugene O\u2019Neill Theatre in New York.\u00a0During its first year, the show was consistently one of the top five best-selling shows on Broadway and set 22 new weekly sales records at [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":27405,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[7769,5914,7770,5819],"class_list":["post-27410","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","tag-annie-george-winston","tag-book-of-mormon","tag-smash-palace","tag-the-machine"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27410","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=27410"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27410\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27411,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27410\/revisions\/27411"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/27405"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=27410"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=27410"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=27410"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}