{"id":52099,"date":"2023-04-06T08:53:45","date_gmt":"2023-04-06T12:53:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=52099"},"modified":"2023-04-06T08:53:48","modified_gmt":"2023-04-06T12:53:48","slug":"on-stage-some-of-broadways-best-shows-come-to-philly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=52099","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Some of Broadway’s best shows come to Philly"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Entertainment Editor, The Times\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"

Into The Woods<\/p><\/div>\n

Easter events and outdoor activities on pleasantly mild days will provide plenty of options for family events this weekend.<\/p>\n

But there are also attractive indoor options \u2013 especially theater shows.<\/p>\n

The Kimmel Cultural Campus (250 South Broad Street, Philadelphia,\u202fwww.kimmelculturalcampus.org<\/a>) has presented a steady stream of top-flight stage productions this year. Two of the more popular musicals on the schedule are drawing to a close this weekend — \u201cSIX\u201d and \u201cInto the Woods.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both shows feature lively music. \u201cSIX,\u201d which has a dazzling cast, is like an arena style pop\/dance concert. The six stars generate enough electricity onstage to power the entire city for a day. <\/p>\n

\u201cInto the Woods\u201d is a comedy-driven musical with a cast of crafty and funny characters. It is a little challenging for audiences \u2013 until they realize that trying to follow the four fairy tales blended together is useless.<\/p>\n

\u201cInto the Woods,\u201d which is running now through April 9 at the Miller Theater on the Kimmel Cultural Campus (250 South Broad Street, Philadelphia,\u202fwww.kimmelculturalcampus.org<\/a>), is a musical with music and lyrics by\u00a0Stephen Sondheim\u00a0and book by\u00a0James Lapine.<\/p>\n

The Kimmel Cultural Campus and The Shubert Organization present the hugely acclaimed Broadway production of\u00a0Stephen Sondheim\u00a0and\u00a0James Lapine\u2019s\u00a0Tony Award\u00ae-winning musical as part of a strictly limited engagement.<\/p>\n

Direct from Broadway comes an all-star cast, including reprisals from\u00a0Montego Glover\u00a0as The Witch,\u00a0Stephanie J. Block\u00a0as The Baker\u2019s Wife,\u00a0Diane Phelan\u00a0as Cinderella, Sebastian Arcelus\u00a0as The Baker, and\u00a0Gavin Creel\u00a0as Cinderella\u2019s Prince\/Wolf.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost of the Broadway cast has come out on tour,\u201d said Phelan, during a phone interview from a tour stop in Boston. \u201cIt\u2019s a unique experience for audiences.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe tour started in February \u2013 a few weeks after we closed on Broadway. The finals show on Broadway was on January 8. We all came together and started rehearsals two weeks later. Then, we were off to Buffalo for tech on February 14.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost of us weren\u2019t finished bringing this show to people. This is something we\u2019re excited to share with audiences. It\u2019s been great so far and we\u2019re not done yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cInto the Woods,\u201d which became the first Broadway hit of the 2022-2023 season after its sold-out run at New York City Center Encores!, is directed by\u00a0Lear deBessonet,\u00a0with music supervision by\u00a0Rob Berman,\u00a0and choreography by\u00a0Lorin Latarro. This production is dedicated to the memory of Stephen Sondheim.<\/p>\n

Into the Woods\u00a0first premiered on Broadway in 1987, winning three Tony Awards including Best Score and Best Book. It has since been produced throughout the world and was adapted into a major motion picture in 2014.<\/p>\n

Following a sold-out New York City Center Encores! run in May 2022, the production transferred to Broadway as a limited engagement beginning July 2022, marking its first time on Broadway in 20 years. Following tremendous critical acclaim and audience demand, it was extended twice and concluded its Broadway run on January 8, 2023.<\/p>\n

The creative team for\u00a0Into the Woods\u00a0includes Tony Award winner\u00a0David Rockwell\u00a0(Scenic Design),\u00a0Andrea Hood\u00a0(Costume Design),\u00a0Tyler Micoleau\u00a0(Lighting Design), Tony Award winner\u00a0Scott Lehrer & Alex Neumann\u00a0(Co-Sound Designers),\u00a0James Ortiz\u00a0(Puppet Design),\u00a0Cookie Jordan\u00a0(Hair, Wigs & Makeup Design), and\u00a0John Bell\u00a0(Music Director). Casting is by Telsey & Co. with Production Supervision by\u00a0Cody Renard Richard\u00a0and Production Stage Manager is\u00a0Scott Rowen.<\/p>\n

The musical intertwines the plots of several\u00a0Brothers Grimm\u00a0and\u00a0Charles Perrault\u00a0fairy tales, exploring the consequences of the characters\u2019 wishes and quests. The main characters are taken from \u201cLittle Red Riding Hood,\u201d \u201cJack and the Beanstalk,\u201d \u201cRapunzel,\u201d\u00a0\u201cCinderella\u201d and several others.<\/p>\n

The musical \u201cInto the Woods\u201d debuted in San Diego at the\u00a0Old Globe Theatre\u00a0in 1986 and premiered on\u00a0Broadway\u00a0on November 5, 1987, where it won several\u00a0Tony Awards, including\u00a0Best Score,\u00a0Best Book, and\u00a0Best Actress in a Musical\u00a0in a year dominated by \u201cThe Phantom of the Opera\u201d (1988).<\/p>\n

The musical has since been produced many times, with a 1988 US national tour, a 1990 West End production, a 1997 tenth anniversary concert, a 2002 Broadway revival, a 2010 London revival, and in 2012 as part of New York City\u2019s outdoor Shakespeare in the Park series.<\/p>\n

James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim take everyone\u2019s favorite storybook characters and bring them together for a timeless, yet relevant, piece\u2026 and a rare modern classic. The Tony\u00a0Award-winning book and score are both enchanting and touching.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe show itself is so dense \u2013 it can be a lot of story to sift through,\u201d said Phelan, who grew up in Taipei and later New Haven, Connecticut.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake out what you know, evaluate, and then follow what happens next. It\u2019s daunting \u2013 but it\u2019s so well laid out. This production makes it clear \u2013 makes it easy to follow.\u201d<\/p>\n

The story follows a Baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King\u2019s Festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the Baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a Witch\u2019s curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse.<\/p>\n

Everyone\u2019s wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results. \u201cInto the Woods\u201d is a musically sophisticated show with the opportunity to feature actors who are adept at dark comedy.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I like about Cinderella is how she finds her voice at the end — and what she becomes,\u201d said Phelan. \u201cShe has the largest arc of any character.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s an incredible journey what these characters go through. What\u2019s great is that we get to learn what happens behind the scenes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Phelan is a somewhat atypical Cinderella.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a Filipino\/Irish American actress and we\u2019re not usually cast as Cinderella,\u201d said Phelan, who had also considered pursuing a career in immunology.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got to perform it on Broadway \u2013 and to work with three other incredible women of color. I closed it. I was the fourth person in the Broadway run.<\/p>\n

\u201cCinderella was the role I wanted most. It\u2019s been a dream to play Cinderella. It\u2019s great to play in this sandbox.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for \u201cInto the Woods\u201d \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/XLOn5zoVd24<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cInto the Woods\u201d is running now through April 9 at the Miller Theater. Ticket prices start at $49.<\/p>\n

\"\"

SIX<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cSIX\u201d is a musical that has reached legendary status in just a few years.<\/p>\n

Now through April 9, the Kimmel Cultural Campus is presenting \u201cSIX\u201d at the Academy of Music as part of its 2022-2023 Broadway series, (Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia,www.kimmelculturalcampus.org<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\u201cSIX\u201d is a British\u00a0musical\u00a0comedy\u00a0with music, book, and lyrics by\u00a0Toby Marlow\u00a0and\u00a0Lucy Moss.\u00a0It is a modern retelling of the lives of the six\u00a0wives of Henry VIII, presented in the form of a pop concert. In the show, each of the wives (Catherine of Aragon,\u00a0Anne Boleyn,\u00a0Jane Seymour,\u00a0Anna of Cleves,\u00a0Katherine Howard, and\u00a0Catherine Parr) takes a turn telling her story to see who suffered the most because of Henry VIII.<\/p>\n

The musical premiered at the\u00a0Edinburgh Festival Fringe\u00a0in 2017, where it was performed by students from\u00a0Cambridge University. \u201cSIX\u201d\u00a0premiered on the\u00a0West End\u00a0in January 2019, and has since embarked on a UK tour, been produced in Australia at the\u00a0Sydney Opera House\u00a0in January 2020, and premiered on\u00a0Broadway\u00a0in March 2020.<\/p>\n

After the break for the COVID pandemic, it officially opened at the\u00a0Lena Horne Theatre\u00a0in October 2021. Now, \u201cSIX\u201d is out on two North American national tours — the \u201cAragon\u201d and \u201cBoleyn\u201d tours, both of which began in 2022.<\/p>\n

\u201cSIX\u201d tells the story of the six wives of Henry VIII in a very different way. At the beginning of the show, the six women argue with one another as they try to claim that they had it worse. But as they listen to their stories, they open their hearts to each other and realize it\u2019s better to stick together.<\/p>\n

Marlow and Lucy Moss came up with the idea to create a musical based on Henry VIII\u2019s wives while studying at the University of Cambridge \u2013 and then bring the characters to life based on the personas of current pop divas.<\/p>\n

Catherine of Aragon, who was Henry VIII\u2019s first wife, was married to Henry VIII from 1509-1523. Their divorce led to the creation of the Church of England. Beyonc\u00e9 and Jennifer Lopez inspired the Catherine of Aragon character.<\/p>\n

Anne Boleyn, who was the King\u2019s second wife, was married to him from 1533-1536 when Boleyn was beheaded on accusation of incest and adultery. Avril Lavigne inspired the Anne Boleyn\u00a0character.<\/p>\n

Jane Seymour, the third wife, was only married for one year, but she did provide Henry VIII with his first son, Edward. Jane Seymour died in childbirth. Adele inspired the Jane Seymour character.<\/p>\n

Anna of Cleves was Henry VIII\u2019s fourth wife, and they were only married for seven months in the early part of 1540. Rihanna and Nicki Minaj inspired the Anna of Cleves\u00a0Six\u00a0character.<\/p>\n

Katherine Howard, Henry VIII\u2019s fifth wife, married days after and were wed from July 1540 to February 1542. She was beheaded because of her extramarital affairs. Ariana Grande and Britney Spears inspired the Katherine Howard character.<\/p>\n

Catherine Parr, the King\u2019s sixth and final wife, got married in 1543 and stayed together until 1547 when Henry VIII passed away. Alicia Keys inspired the Catherine Parr\u00a0character.<\/p>\n

The show in Philadelphia is the \u201cBoleyn Tour,\u201d which features Gerianne P\u00e9rez\u00a0as Catherine of Aragon; Zan Berube as Anne Boleyn; Amina Faye as Jane Seymour; Terica Marie as Anna of Cleves; Aline Mayagoitia as Katherine Howard; and Sydney Parra as Catherine Parr.<\/p>\n

Both P\u00e9rez\u00a0and Mayagoitia have Latin roots.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was born in Mexico City,\u201d said Mayagoitia, during a phone interview Wednesday morning from a tour stop in Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe moved to Austin, Texas when I was 10. Then, I studied musical theater at the University of Michigan. I was also interested in comedy.<\/p>\n

\u201cMexico City still feels like home. My mom is a theater director in Mexico City and I\u2019m still very connected. I\u2019m still a fan of\u00a0 UNAM (one f Mexico\u2019s top soccer clubs) along with the rest of my family.\u201d<\/p>\n

P\u00e9rez said, \u201cI was born in Tampa. I was an Army brat and we lived in Massachusetts, Washington State, Georgia and Kentucky. New York and Florida are the main places I call home.\u201d<\/p>\n

For P\u00e9rez, it’s also an opportunity to integrate her Puerto Rican heritage into the role \u2013 especially with the Jennifer Lopez aspects of the role adding to the Boricua vibe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI first heard the \u2018SIX\u2019 album in 2019,\u201d said P\u00e9rez. \u201cIt\u2019s an incredible concept album. The second I heard it, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. It\u2019s a musical like no other. I get to play the role in a very concert style.\u201d<\/p>\n

One by one, the queens take the stage in a solo song, each wife channeling a different modern pop act as she makes the case that her trauma was the worst trauma. Even when\u00a0Six\u2019s song pairings don\u2019t make much historical sense, they can still be fun.<\/p>\n

\u201cCatherine of Aragon was his first wife,\u201d said P\u00e9rez. \u201cThe pressure of her not giving the King a male child fractured their marriage. She was a spectacular woman \u2013 very fiery. She was a badass woman. Henry couldn\u2019t outsmart her.\u201d<\/p>\n

In this play, all the queens are color-coded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI play the King\u2019s second wife, Katherine Howard,\u201d said Mayagoitia. \u201cI\u2019m color-coded and I wear pink. The color is based on the vocals but mainly the vibe.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe show was written by history students at Cambridge. What my queen is known for is being promiscuous — but she was groomed for it when she was 14.\u201d<\/p>\n

The play deals with abuse, feminism, women\u2019s rights and the trials women faced back in the Tudor age. In that respect, it has a lot of similarities to the present time.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes, it\u2019s sad that a lot of things women dealt with then are still happening now \u2013 assault, harassment, problems in the workplace,\u201d said Mayagoitia.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s 2023 \u2013 why are we still putting pregnant women at risk? Looking at these problems is sad but it\u2019s also healing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSIX\u201d is a combination of a high voltage pop music show and an intriguing history lesson.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s incapable to do this show at less than 90 percent,\u201d said P\u00e9rez. \u201cWith some Broadway shows you can do 70 per cent and it still works — not this show. Everything is high energy. We break the fourth wall.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for \u201cSIX\u201d \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/Tucw-hVaU3o<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cSIX\u201d will run now through April 9 at the Academy of Music. Ticket prices start at $35.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows in the Kimmel Cultural Campus\u2019 Broadway Series are \u201cJesus Christ Superstar\u201d (May 2-7), \u201cBeetlejuice\u201d (May 30-June 11), \u201cMoulin Rouge! The Musical\u201d (July 5-30), and \u201cThe Lion King\u201d (August 16-September 10).<\/p>\n

\"\"The Candlelight\u00a0Theater (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware,\u00a0302- 475-2313,\u00a0www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org<\/a>) just opened its production of \u201cI Love You, You\u2019re Perfect, Now Change\u201d \u2013 a show that will run through April 23.<\/p>\n

The show is billed as \u201cA musical presented in the form of a series of vignettes, connected by a central theme of love and relationships. Everything you have secretly thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws, but were afraid to admit!\u00a0For mature audiences. Adult content.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI Love You, You\u2019re Perfect, Now Change\u201d\u00a0is a\u00a0musical\u00a0comedy with book and lyrics by\u00a0Joe DiPietro\u00a0and music by\u00a0Jimmy Roberts. It is the second-longest running\u00a0Off-Broadway\u00a0musical. The musical was nominated for the\u00a0Outer Critics Circle Award\u00a0as Outstanding Off-Broadway musical in 1997.<\/p>\n

The musical premiered Off-Broadway on August 1, 1996, and closed on July 27, 2008, after 5,003 performances.\u00a0It was first produced in the town where playwright Joe DiPietro was born, Teaneck, New Jersey. This production ran from February 24 to March 12, 1995, at the American Stage Company Theater.<\/p>\n

Despite the large number of characters, the show is typically done with a comparatively small cast: the original Off-Broadway production uses a cast of four.<\/p>\n

The production at the Candlelight features a standout cast of Jessica Ball, Jared Calhoun, Tori Healy and Max Redman.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw the show many years ago when it was playing in New York, so I was familiar with the original,\u201d said Ball, during a phone interview Wednesday evening from her home in Philadelphia\u2019s Overbrook Farms section. \u201cI took the bus to New York from Allentown.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ball, who grew up in Coral Springs, Florida, was in Allentown studying for a degree in theater and dance from Muhlenberg College.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had a high school friend in Coral Springs who found Muhlenberg,\u201d said Ball. \u201cThey have a really active summer program where the students work with equity actors.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI Love You, You\u2019re Perfect, Now Change\u201d is presented in the form of a series of vignettes connected by the central theme of love and relationships. The play’s tagline is \u201cEverything you have ever secretly thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws, but were afraid to admit.\u201d<\/p>\n

With few exceptions, the scenes stand independent of the others, but progress in a fashion designed to suggest an overall arc to relationships throughout the course of one’s life. A first date, for example, comes before scenes dealing with marriage, and scenes dealing with marriage come before those dealing with childbearing.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the current show, there are many updates from the original,\u201d said Ball, recognizing how much the world has changed from 1996 to 2023.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost of the bones stayed similar but a lot of references were changed \u2013 references to things that were popular in the 1990s and 2000s. For example, they added a song about cell phones.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was an update done in 2018 but it was only updated for regional theater. I looked at all the YouTube videos, but most were old Broadway videos. It was the only way for me to hear the music. We\u2019re doing the entire script as of the updates \u2013 20 scenes with 11 in the first act and nine in the second.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not in all the scenes \u2013 probably about half. But, if I\u2019m not onstage then I\u2019m probably in the back doing a quick costume change. You\u2019re on this train and you have to ride it. There\u2019s no getting off.\u201d<\/p>\n

Watching this production is similar to watching a show by a comedy troupe like Second City \u2013 watching a rapid series of scenes that are intense, loosely related and very funny.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe overarching theme is real emotions about love that we\u2019ve all experienced,\u201d said Ball, whose first post-college gig was the National Tour of \u201cOklahoma!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAudiences love the show because we\u2019ve all been in one or more of these scenes in real life.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been pleasantly surprised by the audiences. It seems like they have enjoyed even the scenes that are racier. They didn\u2019t have any previous expectations and really enjoyed what they saw.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI Love You, You\u2019re Perfect, Now Change\u201d is running now through April 29. Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings (doors 6 p.m.\/show, 8 p.m.) and Sunday afternoons (doors, 1 p.m.\/show, 3 p.m.). Tickets, which include dinner and show, are $69.<\/p>\n

Later this month, there will be another edition of the Candlelight Comedy Club.<\/p>\n

Jake Mattera will headline a show on April 20. Jay Simpson will be the feature and Seamus Millar will be the emcee. Tickets are $30 for the 7:30 p.m. show.<\/p>\n

The Candlelight Dinner Theater will also be presenting \u201cInto the Woods\u201d this season with a run that starts on September 16 and goes through October 29.<\/p>\n

Other shows on this year\u2019s schedule are \u201cThe Musical\u00a0Comedy\u00a0Murders of 1940\u201d from May 13-June 25, \u201cThe Sound of Music\u201d from July 15-August 27, and \u201cIt\u2019s a Wonderful Life\u201d from November 18-December 23.<\/p>\n

There also will be a special one-night-only show on April 29 featuring Broadway\u2019s Tyler Hanes in concert. The show, which is a benefit for Candlelight Education Programs, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $45 and include hors d\u2019oeuvres and open bar.<\/p>\n

Jamey\u2019s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985,\u00a0www.jameyshouseofmusic.com<\/a>) 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

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 schedule of \u201cGuest Singers\u201d for this month is April 6, Maci Miller; April 13, Phyllis Chapell; April 20, Julie Charnet; and April 27, Khadijah Renee.<\/p>\n

Because of her varied musical background, Miller, this week\u2019s featured singer, is equally comfortable singing an Ella Fitzgerald classic like \u201cLullaby of Birdland,\u201d a standard blues tune, \u201cMoje Zlato\u201d (a Croatian wedding song) or one of her many melodic original compositions.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was singing into a hairbrush ever since I was able to talk,\u201d said Miller, during a phone interview from her home in Bucks County.<\/p>\n

As a young girl, Miller discovered her grandparents\u2019 vast collection of vinyl, and after studying every great artist from Ella to Ellington, she honed her vocal skills and made her debut in local clubs and at special events.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere were a lot of musicians on my mother\u2019s side,\u201d said Miller. \u201cI had a lot of talented uncles who were writers, producers and sound guys. On my dad\u2019s side, there was the Croatian influence. There was always Croatian music being played.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was growing up, I was always singing in choirs and performing at local shows. When I was 20, I got into dinner theater in Harrisburg. Then I joined a funk band named Smooth \u2013 a pop\/funk band.\u201d<\/p>\n

Miller grew up in the Harrisburg area in a small town called Enhaut (which means \u201cskin\u201d in German) and then graduated from Central Dauphin East High School.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was in a lot of bands that did wedding gigs,\u201d said Miller. \u201cThen, I did a lot of modeling and acting when I moved to Philadelphia. I also worked in New York. After a while, I stopped all the other things and focused on music. It was later that I got into jazz.\u201d<\/p>\n

Miller has worked with several music greats including trumpeter Steve Jankowski (Nile Rodgers, Chicago), saxophonist Larry McKenna (Woody Herman, Buddy DeFranco), Dean Schneider (music director for Diahann Carroll), Demitrious Pappas (Smokey Robinson\u2019s music director), and the late George Mesterhazy (Shirley Horn).<\/p>\n

She has sung in legendary rooms such as the The Jazz Standard and Danny\u2019s Skylight Room in New York City, Ortliebs and Chris\u2019s Jazz Cafe in Philadelphia, Caesar\u2019s Palace in Las Vegas, and Bally\u2019s, Harrah\u2019s and the Claridge in Atlantic City. Her travels have also taken her to the iconic Bamboo Bar in Bangkok, Thailand for several extended runs.<\/p>\n

The arrival of a baby girl marked a career shift for Miller.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t sing for about eight years so I could focus on being a mom,\u201d said Miller. \u201cA few years ago, my friend David O\u2019Rourke said \u2013 you should sing again.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo years ago, I decided to dip my toe back in and an album came out of it \u2013 \u2018Round Midnight.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

On \u201cRound Midnight,\u201d Miller sings 15 favorite standards in an intimate duet format with guitarist David O\u2019Rourke.<\/p>\n

\u201cI recorded \u2018Round Midnight\u2019 and released it just before the pandemic,\u201d said Miller. \u201cI was four gigs into my comeback and the world shut down.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, I got equipment and did my own gigs. I had livestream shows in my backyard throughout the pandemic. I\u2019ve been fortunate to be able to do live shows at different places including here at the farmhouse. Now, I\u2019m working on a new album.\u201d<\/p>\n

The pandemic, for the most part, hopefully is done. Miller\u2019s album, on the other hand, is not.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been working a lot,\u201d said Miller. \u201cI\u2019ve been working on the album since 2021.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe started near the end of the pandemic \u2013 mask up and stuff\u2026.and I\u2019m singing in a nice clean little booth. I\u2019ve been working on the album on-and-off. It\u2019s coming along.\u201d<\/p>\n

Miller released her debut album, \u201cA Very Good Night,\u201d in 2001.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy first album was a big band album,\u201d said Miller. \u201cIt was all originals written in \u201940s style. My second album, which came out in 2004 was \u2018Take A Closer Look.\u2019 It was a pop\/jazz fusion album.\u201d<\/p>\n

Miller\u2019s third album was written for a very specific audience.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe third album was \u2018Butterfly Moon\u2019,\u201d said Miller. \u201cIt was a lullaby album for my baby girl. We adopted her from Thailand. I made the album so she could get used to my voice before we went to Thailand to get her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Miller\u2019s other creative endeavors as an actor, model, and spokesperson have afforded her numerous appearances on film (The Sixth Sense), print (Modern Bride, Women\u2019s World Magazine), and television (Law and Order). Her charitable contributions include a lullaby entitled \u201cButterfly Moon\u201d, originally composed for her daughter, which she contributed to a CD for The Mercy Center in Bangkok, which gives aid to orphans and children living with HIV.<\/p>\n

Now, Miller is closing in on the release of her fifth album.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m down to the final few songs,\u201d said Miller. \u201cIt has a lot of new originals. It\u2019s really cool. It was a labor of love.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been recording it with Aaron Graves at his studio in Philadelphia. He co-writes the songs, plays piano and is the producer.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have Mike Boone on bass and the legendary Larry McKenna on sax. For drums, we\u2019ve used Byron Landham, Leon Jordan and Joshua Orlando. There is no guitar which is funny because my last album was a guitar album.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe also had a few more surprise guests coming into the studio. It\u2019s been a lot of fun. I hope to have it out soon \u2013 independently released in May or June.\u201d<\/p>\n

Miller has also been busy onstage.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did Smalls in New York for the first time last week with the Mike Boone Quartet,\u201d said Miller. \u201cI also do trio and duo work with Aaron and Mike. I\u2019ve been a guest singer for the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble have also been singing with Webb Thomas\u2019 group \u2013 Webb T\u2019s Fleet The Super Band.\u201d<\/p>\n

This week, Miller will be singing with the Dave Reiter Trio.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love performing with the Dave Reiter Trio,\u201d said Miller. \u201cDave is a lovely guy \u2013 and Jamey\u2019s is a great room. I\u2019ve been doing a blues thing there on Sundays but this time I wanted to focus on jazz.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn jazz nights, the first set is with the band. The second part is a jam session. It\u2019s nice to encourage up-and-coming young people to come up on stage and play. It\u2019s a great way for young musicians to connect with seasoned veterans.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Maci Miller \u2014\u00a0https:\/\/youtu.be\/D3ktSJTVxDs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show on April 6 will start at 7 p.m. There is a $10 cover charge.<\/p>\n

On April 7, the headliner will be Matt Waters.<\/p>\n

Waters is a rock and soul artist from Cincinnati, who has been performing onstage since he was 14 years old.<\/p>\n

In 2019 (the pre-pandemic era), Waters played more than 270 shows across the country — from the oceanside bars of Laguna Beach, California to the coffee shops of Burlington, Vermont.<\/p>\n

Over the last three years, Waters has toured the country consistently with a mixed bag of configurations — from a one-man band with a loop pedal to a nine-piece funk band.<\/p>\n

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

On April 8, Jamey\u2019s will present Stevie & the Bluescasters.<\/p>\n

Stevie & the Bluescasters is a three-piece acoustic blues band from Philadelphia featuring vocals, acoustic guitars, mandolin, National Steel and wood body Resonator, harmonica, and percussion.<\/p>\n

For years, the band has performed at venues and festivals throughout the tri-state area and New York.<\/p>\n

The threesome plays music in a wide array of genres such as old gospel, Fado, old country, and a pinch of R&B along with a lot of blues including Piedmont, Delta, Creole, Texas, and Chicago.<\/p>\n

The show on Saturday will start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.<\/p>\n

One of the highlight attractions over the next week at World Caf\u00e9 Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, www.worldcafelive.com<\/a>) will be a concert by Wilder Woods. The show is scheduled for April 7.<\/p>\n

Wilder Woods is the solo project of Bear Rinehart, the front man of popular rock band NEEDTOBREATHE. Rinehart unveiled Wilder Woods in 2019, releasing a record focused on new beginnings: the advent of fatherhood, the launch of his solo career, and the updated branding of a longtime bandleader who had decided to expand his reach.<\/p>\n

Wilder Woods now is touring in support of his upcoming sophomore album,\u00a0\u201cFEVER \/ SKY,\u201d which was released on March 24 via Dualtone Records.<\/p>\n

Rinehart\u2019s two older sons — Wilder and Woods — inspired the name of the first album and project itself, while\u00a0\u201cFEVER \/ SKY\u201d\u00a0is dedicated to his youngest child, Waters.<\/p>\n

\u201cFEVER \/ SKY,\u201d the follow up to Wilder Woods\u2019 2019 acclaimed self-titled release, features 11 diverse tracks featuring powerful roots-rock\/R&B infused anthems alongside potent, reflective moments. The first single is the\u00a0album opener \u201cMaestro (Tears Don\u2019t Lie).\u201d<\/p>\n

With singles \u201cMaestro (Tears Don\u2019t Lie)\u201d \u201cPatience\u201d and \u201cBe Yourself,\u201d Wilder Woods has already reached more than 10 million listeners on Spotify alone, with featured placements on playlists New Music Friday, Run Wild, Fresh Folk and more. Additional listeners are tuning in via Apple, Music, Amazon and other DSPs. Radio has embraced Wilder Woods as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaestro (Tears Don\u2019t Lie)\u201d continues its climb at Triple A radio with support from more than 50 stations and a recent Mediabase chart debut.<\/p>\n

Rinehart wrote most of\u00a0\u201cFEVER \/ SKY\u201d\u00a0while touring lapsed during Covid-19. Sequestered at his home in Nashville, the longtime touring veteran conjured the ambiance of hair-raising live performances combined with personal, introspective lyrics.<\/p>\n

Recorded with old friends and new collaborators, it\u2019s a personal record about enjoying the modern moment \u2013 an album filled with soulful R&B textures, western wooziness, southern soul, and festival-worthy anthems.<\/p>\n

According to Rinehart, \u201cI\u2019ve been in a band for 20 years, and a band is a democracy where you make decisions together. Wilder Woods is a different outlet.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m giving myself the freedom to do what I want to do and say what I want to say. I\u2019ve stopped worrying so much about imaging. This isn\u2019t the kind of journey where I\u2019m worried about the places I\u2019m headed or the places I\u2019ve left. It\u2019s a journey where I\u2019m just happy to be in the car, driving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Wilder Woods — https:\/\/youtu.be\/N0Arl-5L94U<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show on April 7 will start at 8 p.m. Tickets prices start at $31.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at World Caf\u00e9 Live are Josh Rouse on April 6, Start Making Sense on April 8, Katie Henry on April 8, and Bowen*Young on April 11.<\/p>\n

Kind Hearted Strangers are now touring the states \u2013 supporting their sophomore LP, \u201cNow.here.\u201d The tour will touch down locally on April 8 at 118 North (118 North Wayne Avenue, Wayne,www.118northwayne.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The Denver based rock band will be performing in support of their second full length album which is being released on April 7 on all streaming platforms.<\/p>\n

Two singles — \u201cCircles\u201d and \u201cIn The Blue\u201d \u2013 are already available to stream off the upcoming album. A third single \u2013 \u201cDiesel\u201d \u2013 was just released.<\/p>\n

The project was an immersive collaboration with visual artist Dylan Lynch who worked with the band in a shared Richmond, Virginia warehouse space for five days. With no prepared material, the artists intentionally put pressure on themselves to create and deliver a Live Concert & Art Exhibition at the end of the week.<\/p>\n

The resulting album contains brand new material that was recorded live with the same raw energy and passion KHS has been delivering across the country during their busiest year of touring to date.<\/p>\n

Hailing from all corners of the country, Kind Hearted Strangers traces its origins to the foothills of Colorado, where an impromptu open mic performance by songwriter Marc Townes quickly evolved into something much bigger.<\/p>\n

With genre bending improvisations from lead guitarist Kevin Hinder and bassist\/vocalist Ace Engfer and drummer Eggy Gorman providing a solid rhythmic foundation, KHS has become a dynamic full band capable of bridging the gap between all out rock n\u2019 roll and their harmony-driven acoustic roots.<\/p>\n

Video link for Kind Hearted Strangers \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/yYCHGW2qXlo<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at 118 North on April 8 will start at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at 118 North are Ryan Montbleau Band on April 6 and Hot\u2019lanta on April 7.<\/p>\n

Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295,\u00a0http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/a>) will present The Blues Reincarnation Project on April 7 and Anthony \u201cTurk\u201d Cannon on April 8.<\/p>\n

Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 North High Street, West Chester, www.uptownwestchester.org<\/a>) will have Jimmy & The Parrots on April 5 and a screening of the film \u201cLittle Richard: I Am Everything\u201d on April 11.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times\u00a0 Easter events and outdoor activities on pleasantly mild days will provide plenty of options for family events this weekend. But there are also attractive indoor options \u2013 especially theater shows. The Kimmel Cultural Campus (250 South Broad Street, Philadelphia,\u202fwww.kimmelculturalcampus.org) has presented a steady stream of top-flight stage productions […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":52096,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[7426,15058,12704,15030],"class_list":["post-52099","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-featured","tag-i-love-you-youre-perfect-now-change","tag-into-the-woods","tag-six"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52099","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=52099"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52099\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":52100,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52099\/revisions\/52100"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/52096"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=52099"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=52099"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=52099"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}