{"id":51861,"date":"2023-02-09T09:27:00","date_gmt":"2023-02-09T14:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=51861"},"modified":"2023-02-09T09:27:01","modified_gmt":"2023-02-09T14:27:01","slug":"on-stage-chesco-native-has-key-role-in-anastasia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=51861","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Chesco native has key role in ‘Anastasia’"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"

Madeline Raube<\/p><\/div>\n

When the national tour of the hit musical \u201cAnastasia\u201d visits Wilmington this week for a four-day run at The\u00a0Playhouse\u00a0on Rodney Square (1007 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware,\u00a0www.thegrandwilmington.org\/venues\/the-playhouse\/<\/a>), an actress from Chester County will be playing one of the lead roles.<\/p>\n

The show, which is running now through February 12, features West Chester\u2019s Madeline Raube in the role of Countess Lily.<\/p>\n

When \u201cAnastasia\u201d opened on Broadway in 2017 and had its run at the Broadhurst Theater, it received two Tony Award nominations and nine Drama Desk Award nominations.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnastasia\u201d is a\u00a0musical\u00a0with music and lyrics by\u00a0Lynn Ahrens\u00a0and\u00a0Stephen Flaherty, and a book by\u00a0Terrence McNally. Based on the 1997\u00a0film of the same name, the musical adapts the legend of\u00a0Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia, who could have escaped the\u00a0execution of her family. <\/p>\n

Years later, an\u00a0amnesiac\u00a0orphan named Anya hopes to find some trace of her family by siding with two con men who wish to take advantage of her likeness to the Grand Duchess.<\/p>\n

In St. Petersburg,\u00a0Russia in 1918, the\u00a0Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna\u00a0comforts her youngest granddaughter, five-year-old\u00a0Grand Duchess Anastasia, who is saddened by the fact that her grandmother is moving to\u00a0Paris, France. Before leaving, the Dowager Empress gives Anastasia a music box as a parting gift.<\/p>\n

Nine years later, Anastasia is attending a ball with\u00a0her family\u00a0when the\u00a0Bolsheviks\u00a0invade the palace. As the Romanovs attempt to escape, Anastasia tries to retrieve her music box, only to be shot at and captured, along with the rest of her family. The Dowager Empress later receives word in Paris that the entire family has been executed.<\/p>\n

Ten years later, Gleb Vaganov, a general for the Bolsheviks who now control Russia, announces to the gloomy Russians that the now-poor Saint Petersburg has been renamed\u00a0Leningrad, and he promises a bright and peaceful future. The Russians protest this change but are uplifted by a rumor that Anastasia may have survived the Bolsheviks\u2019 attacks.<\/p>\n

Two wanted con men, the handsome young Dmitry and an ex-member of the Imperial Court named Vlad Popov, hear the rumors and brainstorm \u201cthe biggest con in history\u201d \u2014 they will groom a naive girl to become Anastasia to extract money from the Dowager Empress.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been on tour for a year-and-a-half,\u201d said Raube, during a phone interview last week from a tour stop in Red Bank, New Jersey.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen the pandemic stopped everything. There were more video auditions from January-March 2021. The final callback was in person in July in New York City.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had a very large turnover after the pandemic. We have a new Anastasia and a new villain. There are only five remaining original cast members. The changeover was in early June last year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Raube rode right through the changeover.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey asked me if I wanted to stay and I was happy to still be a part of the show,\u201d said Raube.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the same show. It has the same scenes and songs — just different cast members.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe role that I have is the one I was auditioning for right from the start. Years ago, when I was watching the movie, she was the role I liked. Her name in the movie was Sophie and in the play it\u2019s Lily. Getting it was a dream come true.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I love about Lily is that she is a mix of everything. She\u2019s funny. She\u2019s really confident onstage and she provides comic relief.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe had big back-to-back numbers. It\u2019s also an important role. She is the Dowager-in-Waiting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Raube, who got an undergraduate degree in classical voice and opera at Oberlin College in Ohio, gets to show off her vocal chops in several numbers.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have three big numbers,\u201d said Raube, who also got a master\u2019s degree in musical theater at New York University.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first is \u2018Land of Yesterday\u2019, which is a solo number. It\u2019s followed by \u2018The Countess and The Common Man,\u2019 which is a duet with Vlad. That number brings down the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy final number is \u2018Press Conference.\u2019 That\u2019s where they realize Anya is real. I also do four different ensemble roles in Act One.\u201d<\/p>\n

This tour provides two \u201cfirsts\u201d for Raube \u2013 first time experience with the musical version of \u201cAnastasia\u201d and first national tour.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw the movie \u2018Anastasia\u2019, but I never saw the musical onstage until this tour,\u201d said Raube. \u201cI knew the music from the original Broadway soundtrack.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is also my first national tour. I love being able to travel. And I love the theaters and the audiences.\u201d<\/p>\n

The tour of \u201cAnastasia\u201d has longevity.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe just had our 400th show,\u201d said Raube.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had to find something new to play with every performance. I get to feed off the audiences and their energy \u2013 especially in the improv parts in the middle.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe biggest challenge for me is the physical comedy. It has to be tight with the timing. Lily is a very Betty Boop character. She\u2019s the comedic role and it\u2019s a very physical role.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for \u201cAnastasia\u201d \u2013\u00a0Anastasia21_Montage_HD.mov (dropbox.com)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at The\u00a0Playhouse\u00a0on Rodney Square is running now through February 12.<\/p>\n

Ticket prices start at $48.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Playhouse\u00a0on Rodney Square is part of The Grand organization. Other Grand shows this weekend will be On a Winter\u2019s Night featuring Lucy Kaplansky, John Gorka, Patty Larkin and Cliff Eberhardt on February 9 at The Baby Grand and Jim Brickman on February 10 at Copeland Hall.<\/p>\n

The last time \u201cAnastasia\u201d was in the area, it was presented at the Academy of Music (Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia, www.kimmelculturalcampus.org<\/a>) as part of the Kimmel Cultural Campus\u2019 Broadway Series.<\/p>\n

The Broadway Series is in full swing right now with \u201cCome From Away\u201d wrapping up this Sunday at the Academy of Music and \u201c1776\u201d opening on February 14 at the Forrest Theater<\/p>\n

\u201cCome From Away,\u201d the hit musical which is running now through February 12 at the Academy of Music (Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia, www.kimmelculturalcampus.org<\/a>), is a play that is joyous, uplifting and a lot more.<\/p>\n

The musical \u201cCome from Away\u201d is the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the people of Gander, Newfoundland, the small Canadian town that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome from Away\u201d is a Canadian musical with book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein. It is set in the week following the September 11 attacks and tells the true story of what transpired when 38 planes were ordered to land unexpectedly in the small town of Gander in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, as part of Operation Yellow Ribbon. The characters in the musical are based on (and in most cases share the names of) real Gander residents as well as some of the thousands of stranded travelers they housed and fed.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome From Away\u201d is making a successful return to the Academy of Music. When the musical first went on tour. It touched down in Philly in October 2019.<\/p>\n

The tour was stopped on March 12, 2020, because of Covid and then came back in October 2021. The music is a real marriage of history and culture in Newfoundland. This story begins on September 11 and continues right until the planes left Gander.<\/p>\n

When you watch this show, you see how the people of Gander were unflappable. The current cast has been able to read transcripts from people in the original event, and even connect to people who were actually involved.<\/p>\n

Video link for \u201cCome from Away\u201d — https:\/\/youtu.be\/SXny5aW4HgA<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome from Away\u201d is running now through February 12 at the Academy of Music. Ticket prices start at $25.<\/p>\n

\"\"

1776<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201c1776: The Musical,\u201d which is co-produced with the Shubert Organization, is having its Philadelphia premiere with a two-week run at the Forrest Theatre (1114 Walnut Street, Philadelphia) from February 14 -26.<\/p>\n

Following its premiere engagements, the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University and on Broadway at Roundabout Theatre Company,\u00a0the tour of\u00a0\u201c1776: The Musical\u201d\u00a0will make limited engagement stops at major cities across North America, starting in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n

A glorious multiracial cast of female, transgender, and nonbinary actors portrays the fiery founders of this country, putting history in the hands of the humans who were left out the first time around. This Tony Award-winning Best Musical is tuneful, witty, and constantly surprising, especially in this \u201cbold and exuberant\u201d (Variety) new production from directors Jeffrey L. Page (Philadelphia Theatre Company; Broadway\u2019s\u00a0Violet)\u00a0and Diane Paulus\u00a0(Waitress).<\/p>\n

The year 1776 is a pivotal year in the history of the United States of America. So much so, that the story has been made into a book, a film (which came out in 1972) and a stage musical.<\/p>\n

Now the classic tale has been re-imagined with different actors taking on the role of our founding fathers, new musical arrangements, new looks for the stage in terms of lighting, but the same old words and text that made the show famous in the first place.<\/p>\n

The story spans a three-week period leading up to July 4th where members of congress debate on how to break away from the British Empire, with topics ranging from prosperity to slavery to religion. It features historical figures such as Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and the Continental Congress\u2019 custodian, Andrew McNair.<\/p>\n

Video link for \u201c1776: The Musical\u201d — https:\/\/youtu.be\/Kb1jOtaxz14<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201c1776: The Musical\u201d will run from February 14 -26 at the Forrest Theatre. Ticket prices start at $58.<\/p>\n

Black History Month has arrived and Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 North High Street, West Chester, www.uptownwestchester.org<\/a>) is kicking off Black History Month in style with a stage performance focusing on one of America\u2019s most important Civil Rights leaders.<\/p>\n

Now through February 19, the Uptown! Knauer is presenting \u201cThe Mountaintop,\u201d which looks at Martin Luther King\u2019s activities on the evening before his assassination.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Mountaintop\u201d\u00a0is a drama by American playwright\u00a0Katori Hall. It is a fictional depiction of\u00a0Martin Luther King Jr.\u2019s last night on earth.<\/p>\n

King was in\u00a0Memphis\u00a0to speak out on the behalf of the\u00a0Memphis sanitation workers\u00a0who went on strike regarding the death of two workers crushed by a malfunctioning truck. The workers dealt with continuous mistreatment and denial of their civil rights.<\/p>\n

A week before his assassination, King led a demonstration through downtown Memphis which resulted in the death of one reporter as well as a multitude of injuries and property damages. The poor work conditions and pay the sanitation workers suffered angered the black community and encouraged them to speak out on the behalf of other issues concerning civil rights.<\/p>\n

On April 3, the night before his assassination, King gave his speech,\u00a0\u201cI\u2019ve Been to the Mountaintop,\u201d, where he declared, \u201cWe\u2019ve got to give ourselves to this struggle until the end. Nothing would be more tragic than to stop at this point in Memphis. We’ve got to see it through.\u201d<\/p>\n

King was nothing but supportive, even saying that he did not want to leave Memphis until his work was done. King along with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference produced the idea of the\u00a0Poor People’s Campaign, a campaign that demanded economic and human rights for poor Americans of diverse backgrounds.<\/p>\n

Before he could finalize his ideas and plans however, he was assassinated on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel on April 4 at 6:01\u00a0pm. King was rushed to St. Joseph’s Hospital\u00a0for surgery but was pronounced dead an hour later.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Mountaintop\u201d\u00a0is a two-person drama about the last day of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The entire play is set in a room at the Lorraine Hotel room. King is alone \u2013 trying to write yet another powerful speech.<\/p>\n

When he orders a cup of coffee from room service, a mysterious woman arrives, bringing much more than a late-night beverage. What follows is a reflective, often funny, often touching conversation in which Dr. King examines his achievements, his failures, and his unfinished dreams.<\/p>\n

On February 16, there will be a free event at Uptown at 5:30 p.m. with\u00a0Rev. Dr. Wayne E. Croft, Sr., Pastor of St. Paul\u2019s Baptist Church in West Chester. Dr. Croft will present\u00a0\u201cThe Three Dimensions of a Complete Life,\u201d a conversation on Dr. Martin King\u2019s sermon. The presentation will be in Uptown\u2019s Univest Cabaret space on the second floor.<\/p>\n

Dr. Croft is a pastor, writer and scholar, having earned an Associate degree from Pinebrook Jr. College and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Trinity College earning a Bachelor of Arts. He received the Master of Divinity degree from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (now Palmer Theological Seminary), Master of Theology degree from Princeton Theological Seminary and graduated with distinction from Drew University in Madison, New Jersey earning a Doctor of Ministry degree.<\/p>\n

He also earned a Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy degree from Drew. He is the first person to earn both a Doctor of Ministry and Doctor of Philosophy from Drew University and received an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Villanova University in May 2018.<\/p>\n

First come, first seated. Space is limited.<\/p>\n

Video link for \u201cThe Mountaintop\u201d — https:\/\/youtu.be\/aYawH1crGTY<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Mountaintop\u201d is running now through February 19. The run time is 90 minutes with no intermission. Ticket prices start at $30.<\/p>\n

The Candlelight Theater (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware,\u00a0302- 475-2313,\u00a0www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org<\/a>) is in the middle of the run of its new mainstage production \u2013 \u201cSister Act.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSister Act\u201d\u00a0is a\u00a0musical\u00a0based on the hit\u00a01992 film of the same name\u00a0with music by\u00a0Alan Menken, lyrics by\u00a0Glenn Slater, book by\u00a0Bill and Cheri Steinkellner, and additional material by\u00a0Douglas Carter Beane. After having a regional premiere in 2006 in\u00a0Pasadena, California,\u00a0the original\u00a0West End\u00a0production opened on June 2, 2009, at the\u00a0London Palladium, starring\u00a0Patina Miller\u00a0and produced by\u00a0Stage Entertainment\u00a0and\u00a0Whoopi Goldberg.\u00a0Subsequent productions have been seen on\u00a0Broadway\u00a0and in many countries around the world.<\/p>\n

The show, which runs each week from Friday through Sunday, will run through February 26.<\/p>\n

Tickets, which include dinner, dessert, beverages and free parking, are $69.<\/p>\n

Philadelphia Theatre Company (www.philatheatreco.org<\/a>) continues its season with a Philadelphia premiere of \u201cEmpathitrax,\u201d an eerie and comical exploration of the consequences of one pharmacological breakthrough in the romantic life of one couple. The play is written by East Falls native Ana Nogueria, whose play \u201cWhich Way to the Stage\u201d recently opened to critical acclaim Off-Broadway and has also appeared as an actress on The CW’s \u201cThe Vampire Diaries.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEmpathitrax,\u201d which will run from February 10-March 5 at PTC\u2019s home at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (480 South Broad Street, Philadelphia), marks Nogueria\u2019s Philadelphia debut and is brought to life by a team of Philadelphia artists and creatives.<\/p>\n

The production is directed by Nell Bang-Jensen, the Artistic Director of Theatre Horizon, who previously directed PTC\u2019s well-received virtual production of \u201cThe Wolves.\u201d<\/p>\n

The show will run from February 10-March 5 at PTC\u2019s home at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (480 South Broad Street, Philadelphia).<\/p>\n

\u201cEmpathitrax\u201d is a fascinating, funny, and deeply human play that asks universal questions about romance and companionship,
\nThe futuristic play is a searing, darkly funny sci-fi story of a young couple who turn to a breakthrough in pharmacology to save their fractured relationship.<\/p>\n

The couple at the center of the story, known as Her and Him, are played by Claire Inie-Richards and Makoto Hirano. They are joined by Matteo Scammell as pharmaceutical sales rep Joe and Him\u2019s bro-ish friend Matty D.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmpathitrax\u201d will run from February 10-March 5. Ticket prices start at $25.<\/p>\n

Abbie Gardner has built up a strong fan base in the Delaware Valley. And, she has done it in a variety of ways \u2013 as a solo act, as one-third of Red Molly and as part of a duo project with Jesse Terry.<\/p>\n

Garner is returning to the area this weekend \u2013 as a solo act. On February 10, she will headline a show at Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295,\u00a0http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Gardner, the fiery dobro player with an infectious smile toured with Americana darlings Red Molly for eleven years. The band took an indefinite hiatus in 2015, so Gardner started doing gigs with different bands, backing up her friends and stepping out into the spotlight for her own gigs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first time I did a solo show \u2013 a show with just me on dobro and vocals was a few years ago at Kennett Flash,\u201d said Gardner, during a phone interview last week from her home in Jersey City, New Jersey. Now, I\u2019m doing a solo show again and it\u2019s back at the Kennett Flash.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first time I did it, I had been doing solo stuff but only as part of the show. Then, I was doing a lot of solo stuff. \u00a0It was different because my guitar player Jeff Ruggieri moved to Nashville. It used to be two of us but now I\u2019m onstage by myself \u2013 just me and my dobro.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat gave me the kick that I needed. I was a little nervous but that\u2019s part of the excitement. You have to go outside your comfort zone if you want to grow.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe rest of my shows coming up are a mix. This one in Pennsylvania is just myself. Later this month, I\u2019ll be in Florida doing shows with my friend, songwriter\/guitarist Marc Douglas Berardo.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gardner has released seven albums — \u201cAbbie Gardner\u201d (2000), \u201cMy Craziest Dreams\u201d (2004), \u201cHoney on My Grave\u201d (2006), \u201cHope\u201d (2011), \u201cWishes on a Neon Sign\u201d (2018), \u201cLive at Arcata Playhouse\u201d (2018) and \u201cDobro Singer\u201d (2022).<\/p>\n

Gardner\u2019s latest recording, \u201cDobroSinger,\u201d was released May 13, 2022.\u00a0It\u2019s intimate, real and raw – her dobro and voice recorded at the same time at home, without a band or any studio tricks to hide behind. You can hear every breath, every chuckle, as if you are in the room with her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI recorded the album at home in Jersey City,\u201d said Gardner. \u201cI recorded it in my closet with Logic, two microphones and a laptop. I wanted to get live takes of singing sand playing at the same time.<\/p>\n

\u201cOriginally, I put \u2018DobroSinger\u2019 out on Bandcamp by myself \u2013 only dobro and vocals. I wanted to establish my new self.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery time I sit to write a song, it\u2019s a different way. With \u2018Burn in the City,\u2019 I came up with the riff first. Then, I brought it to Will Kimbrough and we put the words on. \u201cOther times, the vocal melody came first \u2013 like on \u2018Three Quarter Time.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cThe biggest challenge is rearranging songs so they sound full. The exciting part is that when I play this way, I find myself wandering from one song into another. There\u2019s more room for improvisation.<\/p>\n

\u201cInstrumentally, I\u2019ll be sticking mostly to dobro. I used to do guitar, but dobro now is my main instrument. I love it. It frees me up for vocals and melodic lines.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy main dobro was made by Paul Beard. I play a Hipshot dobro which is like two instruments in one. You can pull a lever and change the tuning. I put everything through a compressor microphone. It\u2019s a throwback sound.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gardner\u2019s songwriting has brought her much acclaim including 2008 Lennon Award Winner (folk) for \u201cThe Mind of a Soldier\u201d and 2008 American Songwriter Magazine Grand Prize Lyric Winner for \u201cI\u2019d Rather Be.\u201d Her song \u201cHoney on My Grave\u201d was also published in Sing Out! Magazine in 2008.<\/p>\n

Video link for Abbie Gardner \u2013\u00a0https:\/\/youtu.be\/7ccuxKT5wMo<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at Kenneth Flash will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at Kennett Flash are The Hoppin\u2019 John Orchestra on February 11 and The Legendary Kennett Flash Open Mic with Nicholas Lurwick on February 12.<\/p>\n

Jamey\u2019s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985,\u00a0www.jameyshouseofmusic.com<\/a>) continues its tradition of presenting top quality blues music this weekend.<\/p>\n

Jamey\u2019s House of Music is a prime destination to hear folk, jazz and blues music every Thursday through Sunday.<\/p>\n

The \u201cThursday Night Jazz Jam\u201d and the \u201cSunday Blues Brunch & Jam\u201d are regular features on Jamey\u2019s calendar while Friday and Saturday night shows feature national and regional acts.<\/p>\n

Jamey\u2019s features a popular \u201cGuest Singer Series\u201d on Thursday featuring many of the best singers in the region performing a set from 7-8 p.m. with the backing of the Dave Reiter Trio and occasional guest musicians.<\/p>\n

The Dave Reiter Trio lays down the backing for some out of this world jazz to happen, and you never know who might show up to join in. Reiter is a long-time jazz pro and is equally at home on the seven-string guitar, Nord keyboard or the venue\u2019s top of the line Hammond organ setup. Bill Marconi is on drums; his name is known to jazz aficionados around the world. Holding down the bottom is first-call Philly bassist, George Livanos.<\/p>\n

The \u201cGuest Singers\u201d for February and March will be Ella Gahnt on February 9, Starlene Bey on February 23, Annika Horne on March 9 and Geri Oliver on March 23.<\/p>\n

Ella Gahnt is not only her (stage) name, but also a description of the music she plays and of her singing style.<\/p>\n

Gahnt is a vocalist in the jazz\/traditional pop style who has performed with some of the most talented musicians in the quad-state area of Philadelphia, New Jersey, Delaware and New York. She also has worked professionally as a studio vocalist\/performer for many years.<\/p>\n

\u201cElla Gahnt, which is my stage name, was given to me by my husband Leon Mitchell,\u201d said Gahnt, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon from her home in the East Oak Lane section of Philadelphia.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt comes from the persona I want when I perform \u2013 elegant. I wat to be like the performers back in the day who dressed to the nines \u2013 Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Nat King Cole. They put on a show. It\u2019s all about entertaining.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mitchell is a sax player and a key figure in Philly area jazz support groups such as The Jazz Bridge Project. He is also the Musical Director of the Philadelphia Legends of Jazz Orchestra<\/p>\n

\u201cI sang in church choirs when I was little then glee clubs in junior high and choirs in high school,\u201d said Gahnt, a graduate of West Philadelphia High School. \u201cI was also in one of the last versions of the Orlons in the late 60s.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Orlons were an R&B group from Philadelphia. The group had nine Top 20 hits. \u201cThe Wah-Watusi,\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t Hang Up,\u201d and \u201cSouth Street\u201d each sold over one million copies and were awarded\u00a0gold disc status.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the 1980s, I decided I wanted to be a jazz singer,\u201d said Gahnt. \u201cI started listening to old favorites \u2013 especially to learn the songs and find different versions of the songs I liked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was a big fan of Chick Corea and Return to Forever. I learned his song \u2018You\u2019re Everything.\u2019 A lot of people played it but no-one played it the way Chick Corea wrote it. I played it the way Chick Corea wrote it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy first jazz show was at the Freedom Theater. I was the featured vocalist for the Mike Hill Trio.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn my live shows, I do mostly traditional jazz \u2013 including some originals. One original is the set opener \u2018What You\u2019ll Hear from Me\u2019 and another is \u2018Let It Be Yesterday.\u2019 I also do a lot of jazz standards.<\/p>\n

\u201cI venture into the more challenging music. When I\u2019m working with guys on a regular basis, they can handle music that\u2019s more challenging.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gahnt has released several albums over the years including \u201cImmaculate Union,\u201d \u201cThird Stage of Elegance,\u201d and \u201cBy Request.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m working now on a new album,\u201d said Gahnt. \u201cIt\u2019s a new project for Aaron Graves and me. It\u2019s pretty much all recorded.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Ella Gahnt \u2014\u00a0https:\/\/youtu.be\/1jQyZncKxZg<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Tickets for February 9 are $10 with the show starting at 7 p.m.<\/p>\n

On February 10, Jamey\u2019s will host onyx&honey.<\/p>\n

onyx&honey. is the blending of both the hearts and minds, and souls and songs, of Rob Perna and Nikki DiGiorgio. They deliver a vibrant, eclectic mix of funk, rock and pop with soaring vocal melodies and harmonies.<\/p>\n

onyx&honey., which plays a mix of originals and covers, released their first self-titled album during quarantine on Christmas Day 2020. The album was composed and produced at their home studio in West Chester.<\/p>\n

In addition to being musicians, onyx&honey. work at forging community through art and music. They frequently produce their own brand of events, such as their annual outdoor music and arts festival in West Chester — \u201cThe Look Around Music and Arts Festival\u201d taking place annually in West Chester, PA.<\/p>\n

The show on Friday night will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.<\/p>\n

Jamey\u2019s show on February 11 will be Craig and Aislinn Bickhardt\u2019s \u201cA Valentine Celebration!\u201d featuring Michael G. Ronstadt and Tommy Geddes.<\/p>\n

When Craig Bickhardt steps onto a concert stage, he comes equipped with his trusty acoustic guitar. A side musician or two will frequently join him.<\/p>\n

From the boisterous club scene of Philadelphia to the country-rock milieu of Los Angeles to the picking parlors of Nashville, Bickhardt has immersed himself in the sights and sounds of American music. His music reflects a life lived as a rock band lead singer, a solo troubadour, a dedicated songwriter, a husband and father.<\/p>\n

Bickhardt is a singer\/songwriter of the old school with influences by 1960s folk revival artists as Tom Rush, Gordon Lightfoot and Eric Andersen. Also crucial to his art is his virtuosic guitar work, interweaving folk, blues, country and ragtime influences into a unique whole<\/p>\n

In the show at Jamey\u2019s, Bickhardt will be joined onight by his daughter Aislinn Bickhardtalong with good friends and frequent stage mates Michael G Ronstadt on cello and Tommy Geddes on percussion. Opening the show is Aaron Nathans and Michael G Ronstadt, who form a well know and much-loved musical duo as well.<\/p>\n

The show on Saturday night will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door.<\/p>\n

The Living Room & Cricket Cafe (35 Ardmore Ave, Ardmore,<\/a> https:\/\/livingroomardmore.com<\/a>) will present “Jazz Night with Chico Huff & Friends”\u00a0on February 9, Laura Cheadle on February 10 and Brian Seymour on February 14.<\/p>\n

118 North (118 North Wayne Avenue, Wayne, www.118northwayne.com<\/a>) will host Deal on February 9, Dear Zoe on February 10, and Jawn of the Dead on February 11.<\/p>\n

The Sound Bank (119 South Main Street, Phoenixville, www.soundbankphx.com<\/a>) will have the Fuzz Mob on February 10.<\/p>\n

The Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore,\u00a0www.ardmoremusic.com<\/a>) will present Yam Yam on February 10, Come Togehthr on February 11 and Adam Melchor on February 14<\/p>\n

The Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808,\u00a0www.st94.com<\/a>) will present Masters Of The Telecaster Ft. G.E. Smith, Jim Weider & Scott Sharrard on February 9, On a Winter\u2019s Night featuring Lucy Kaplansky, John Gorka, Patty Larkin and Cliff Eberhardt on February 10 and Rhonda Vincent & The Rage on February 11.<\/p>\n

The Keswick Theater (291 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 215-572-7650,\u00a0www.keswicktheatre.com<\/a>) hosts Steve Trevino on February 10 and Who\u2019s Bad on February 11.<\/p>\n

World Caf\u00e9 Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, www.worldcafelive.com<\/a>) will have Jazz Jam w\/ Emmanuel Ohemeng III & Perpetual Motion on February 9, Peek-a-Boo Revue on February 10, Danielle Ponder on February 11, Kimbra on February 14 and Steven Sanchez on February 15.<\/p>\n

Phantom Power (121 West Frederick Street, Millersville, www.phantompower.net<\/a>) will have Hexbelt on February 11.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times When the national tour of the hit musical \u201cAnastasia\u201d visits Wilmington this week for a four-day run at The\u00a0Playhouse\u00a0on Rodney Square (1007 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware,\u00a0www.thegrandwilmington.org\/venues\/the-playhouse\/), an actress from Chester County will be playing one of the lead roles. The show, which is running now through February […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":51859,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8457],"tags":[14986,12076,7426,14201],"class_list":["post-51861","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-14986","tag-anastasia","tag-featured","tag-madeline-raube"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51861","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=51861"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51861\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":51862,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51861\/revisions\/51862"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/51859"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=51861"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=51861"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=51861"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}