{"id":52972,"date":"2023-09-27T09:23:05","date_gmt":"2023-09-27T13:23:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=52972"},"modified":"2023-09-27T09:23:06","modified_gmt":"2023-09-27T13:23:06","slug":"on-stage-extra-briscoe-brings-a-bit-of-texas-to-philly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=52972","title":{"rendered":"On Stage Extra: Briscoe brings a bit of Texas to Philly"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

\"\"

Briscoe<\/p><\/div>\n

Get ready, Philly \u2013 here come a pair of \u201cGood Ole Texas Boys\u201d \u2013 make that \u201cGood Young Texas Boys.\u201d<\/p>\n

Briscoe, which is headlining a show on September 27 at World Caf\u00e9 Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, www.worldcafelive.com<\/a>), is making it area debut.<\/p>\n

Briscoe is\u00a0Truett Heintzelman and Philip Lupton.<\/p>\n

Briscoe traces its roots back to a fateful day long ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe met at a summer camp in Texas hills country,\u201d said Heintzelman, during a three-way phone interview from San Diego last week. \u201cThat was 10 years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Lupton first met Heintzelman, it was as if he were looking in a mirror that wasn\u2019t there.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe looked like identical twins,\u201d said Lupton, who was in Telluride, Colorado during the interview. \u201cWe\u2019ve stayed friends ever since.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was a year older than Truett in school. We always hoped we\u2019d end up in the same place.\u201d<\/p>\n

That place turned out to be Austin, Texas \u2013 at the University of Texas.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m from San Antonio and I was only looking at universities in Texas,\u201d said Heintzelman, who got his degree in management and entrepreneurship.<\/p>\n

\u201cUT made sense in a lot of ways. Its business school is one of the best in the country.\u201d<\/p>\n

Truett, a native of San Angelo, Texas, also stayed in his home state when it was time to make his college decision. He majored in hydrogeology.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I got my diploma, I put it in a frame and left it in a closet. Then, it was off to be a musician.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both were drawn to similar music — from golden-era folk duos like Simon & Garfunkel to 21st century torchbearers like the Avett Brothers.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt UT, we were both learning guitar and learning how to play in front of people,\u201d said Lupton. \u201cOur voices are different, but they blend well together.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe did our first show in Spring 2019. It was in College Station \u2013 at the Pavilion. There were about 40 people there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both were songwriters, vocalists, and multi-instrumentalists, and they formed a highly capable duo, playing house shows and backyard parties as a two-piece act before selling out venue after venue after expanding their lineup into a proper band. They strummed acoustic guitars, plucked banjos, stacked their voices into harmony, and built each song around cinematic, cathartic hooks.<\/p>\n

In Austin, Briscoe quickly went from college gigs to selling out Antone\u2019s and the Continental Club Gallery.\u00a0As the duo continued to perform and grow their fanbase, a wider audience began to take notice.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe hooked up with ATO Records in 2019,\u201d said Heintzelman. \u201cWe had met our manager Brian Mattson and made a two-to-three-year plan. We pitched our music to a few labels. Some said later. ATO was in from the get-go. They\u2019ve been awesome to work with.\u201d<\/p>\n

Signed by ATO Records while still pursuing undergraduate degrees, the duo wrote the songs for their debut album, \u201cWest of It All\u201d\u00a0as graduation approached slowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWest of It All\u201d\u00a0features a raw, rugged blend of classic and contemporary influence. The musical partners built each song around cinematic, cathartic hooks, stacked harmonies, acoustic guitars, and plucky banjo, accumulating in a sound that draws from the golden era of folk, rock, and pop. With contributions from drummer Matt McCaughan (Bon Iver) and multi-instrumentalist Phil Cook (Megafaun, Hiss Golden Messenger),\u00a0\u201cWest of It All\u201d\u00a0offers a singular version of genre-fluid folk music.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe album came out last week (September 15),\u201d said Heintzelman. \u201cWe recorded the album in Durham, North Carolina at our producer Brad Cook\u2019s studio in Spring 2022. We also did some recording at Sonart Studio in Hillsboro.\u201d<\/p>\n

Grammy nominee Brad Cook is a producer who has made records for Bon Iver, Waxahatchee and Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe love Brad,\u201d said Heintzelman. \u201cHe\u2019s a great producer. He just happened to be managed by our manager.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were still in UT for that first recording. We do most of the writing independently and then bring the songs to each other. We\u2019ve been writing a ton.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe did some pre-production when we were still in school and then tracked everything in two days at Sonart.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, we\u2019re on an album release tour. This is the first time we\u2019re playing a lot of the songs in front of people. It\u2019s also our first headline tour \u2013 and the first time we\u2019re playing in Philadelphia.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Briscoe \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/yEUrcsny2XA<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at World Caf\u00e9 Live on September 27, which has Elison Jackson as the opening act, will start at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $15.<\/p>\n

Fans of live theater are in for a treat this fall.<\/p>\n

There will be several major touring Broadway shows presented by the Kimmel Cultural Campus \u2013 including \u201cMean Girls, which opens October 3 at the Miller Theatre, \u201cWicked\u201d at the Academy of Music and \u201cCompany\u201d at the Forrest Theater. The Playhouse on Rodney Square in Wilmington has \u201cPretty Girl,\u201d \u201cMenopause the Musical\u201d and \u201cMillion Dollar Quartet\u201d on its fall schedule.<\/p>\n

This week, theater fans can enjoy two productions locally \u2013 \u201cBonez\u201d at People\u2019s Light and \u201cInto the Woods\u201d at the Candlelight Dinner Theatre.<\/p>\n

This weekend, People\u2019s Light (39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, www.peopleslight.org<\/a>) is celebrating the opening weekend of its 2023-2024 season.<\/p>\n

\"\"From September 22-October 15,\u00a0People\u2019s Light\u00a0(39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, www.peopleslight.org<\/a>) opens the new season with the world premiere of \u201cBonez\u201d\u00a0by acclaimed actor, director, and playwright\u00a0Steve H. Broadnax III.<\/p>\n

An Associate Artistic Director at People\u2019s Light, Broadnax brings\u00a0the social horror genre to the stage in this chilling investigation of masculinity, intimacy, and childhood demons. \u201cBonez\u201d\u00a0is also directed by Broadnax and features stage and screen actors\u00a0Elijah Jones\u00a0(\u201cThe Crowded Room\u201d),\u00a0Eric Robinson Jr.\u00a0(\u201cThey Cloned Tyrone,\u201d \u201cNew Amsterdam\u201d),\u00a0John Clarence Stewart\u00a0(\u201cZoey\u2019s Extraodinary Playlist,\u201d \u201cP-Valley), and\u00a0Keith A. Wallace\u00a0(\u201cThe First Deep Breath\u201d).<\/p>\n

In \u201cBonez,\u201d \u201cThe Bruhs\u201d Derek, Remello and PJ gather for an evening game of dominoes at their friend Trey\u2019s new \u201cdeluxe apartment in the sky.\u201d<\/p>\n

Over beers and \u201cbones,\u201d the players laugh, place bets, and swap stories. As drinks flow, dominoes are drawn, the bets escalate, and the game intensifies. At the same time, a mysterious banging from next door grows louder and louder.<\/p>\n

Before long, childhood demons emerge, and the four men begin to question what they think they know about masculinity, intimacy, and what makes a man.<\/p>\n

Broadnax\u2019s latest play was inspired by a series of gatherings that acted as a safe haven where Black men could peel away societal masks and share about everything from sexuality, intimacy and sports, to harrowing tales of police brutality. It was a space where the laughter of shared childhood memories coexisted with somber debates on masculinity, challenging stereotyped definitions of manhood.<\/p>\n

According to Zak Berkman, Producing Artistic Director at People\u2019s Light, \u201cFrom the moment Steve shared his idea for \u2018Bonez,\u2019 I was all in. \u201cLurking underneath a raucous domino party is an interrogation of longstanding myths of masculinity and power that not only possess these individual men, but also grips one generation after another in our society.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat better way is there to open our 49th season and welcome the Halloween chill in the fall air than to conjure a new kind of theatre that delights and disturbs in equal measure?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBonez\u201d will run now through October 15 at People\u2019s Light.<\/p>\n

Recommended for ages 16+ due to strong language and mature themes.<\/p>\n

Tickets start at $42, including fees.<\/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 four fairy tales blended together is useless.<\/p>\n

\u201cInto the Woods,\u201d which is running now through October 29 at the Candlelight Dinner Theater (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware,\u00a0302- 475-2313, www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org<\/a>), is a comedy-driven musical with a cast of crafty and funny characters with music and lyrics by\u00a0Stephen Sondheim\u00a0and book by\u00a0James Lapine.<\/p>\n

The musical 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 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

The story of \u201cInto the Woods\u201d 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

\u201cInto the Woods\u201d is running now through October 29 at the Candlelight Theater with shows on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees.<\/p>\n

Tickets, which include a buffet meal, beverages, dessert, and free parking, are $71.50 for adults and $33 for children.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Get ready, Philly \u2013 here come a pair of \u201cGood Ole Texas Boys\u201d \u2013 make that \u201cGood Young Texas Boys.\u201d Briscoe, which is headlining a show on September 27 at World Caf\u00e9 Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, www.worldcafelive.com), is making it area debut. Briscoe is\u00a0Truett Heintzelman and Philip […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":52970,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8457],"tags":[15331,7426,12704,7825],"class_list":["post-52972","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-briscoe","tag-featured","tag-into-the-woods","tag-peoples-light"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52972","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=52972"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52972\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":52973,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52972\/revisions\/52973"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/52970"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=52972"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=52972"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=52972"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}