{"id":53224,"date":"2023-11-09T16:37:53","date_gmt":"2023-11-09T21:37:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=53224"},"modified":"2023-11-09T16:37:54","modified_gmt":"2023-11-09T21:37:54","slug":"on-stage-nellie-mckay-returns-to-area-for-show-at-arden-gild-hall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=53224","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Nellie McKay returns to area for show at Arden Gild Hall"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

\"\"

Nellie McKay<\/p><\/div>\n

Nellie McKay is a talented singer\/songwriter from the Poconos who has been making impressive albums for more than three decades.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, she heads south on the Pennsylvania Northeast Extension now and then to perform shows in this area \u2013 including a spell-binding show at Longwood Gardens, a show at Rrazz Room in New Hope, and an intimate performance at Arden Gild Hall in Delaware.<\/p>\n

This weekend, McKay is returning to the Arden Gild Hall (2126 The Highway, Arden, Delaware, ardenclub.org<\/a>) for a concert on November 10.<\/p>\n

McKay is touring her new album \u201cHey Guys, Watch This,\u201d which was just released on August 25 on Hungry Mouse Records.<\/p>\n

McKay treats fans to live renditions of classic songs that are commonly referred to as standards. Her set list might also feature a Beatles song or even the Frank Zappa classic tune, \u201cHungry Freaks Daddy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Unlike most of many of her previous albums, the new disc features McKay as a composer instead of song stylist.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my first album of all original songs in 13 years,\u201d said McKay, during a phone interview last week from her home in the Pocono area.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe oldest song is from 13 years ago \u2013 \u2018did I catch you dreaming.\u2019\u00a0 It was inspired by my dog who was sleeping.<\/p>\n

The most recent one is badumbump.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are 15 songs on the album. I had a lot of songs, and I chose these 15 because I was running out of time. It was \u2013 what do you need to hear? My co-producer Robin Pappas was good at sequencing.\u201d<\/p>\n

McKay recorded the new LP in several locations \u2013 mainly in the hills of the Mountaineer State.<\/p>\n

Recorded in Charleston, West Virginia with The Carpenter Ants and a roving retinue of musical compadres, \u201cHey Guys, Watch This\u201d traces the haunted sounds of Appalachia to a renaissance of revelry.<\/p>\n

The Carpenter Ants are Michael Lipton \/ guitar & vocals, Ted Harrison \/ bass & vocals, Jupie Little \/ drums & vocals, and Mark Bates \/ vocals. Also joining in were Ron Sowell \/ harmonica, Tim Carbone \/ fiddle and Alexi David \/ upright bass & vocals.<\/p>\n

\u201cI recorded the album over the past year,\u201d said McKay. \u201cI went to Charleston, West Virginia. It was lovely working with the fellows down there. It informed the sound with the spirit of Appalachia.<\/p>\n

\u201cI also did some recording at Southview Arts in St. Petersburg, Florida; John Kilgore Sound in New York City; Red Rock Recording in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania; and Soundmine Studios in East Stroudsburg.\u201d<\/p>\n

The album featured an all-star cast of engineers including Don Dixon, Jim Gilmour, Kent Heckman, MP Kuo, Dan Malsch and Brenton Nicholas.\u00a0 The album was mixed by Malsch at Soundmine Studios.<\/p>\n

McKay released an EP titled, \u201cBagatelles,\u201d in 2019. Her most recent prior album was \u201cSister Orchid\u201d in 2018.<\/p>\n

\u201cSister Orchid\u201d includes timeless gems such as \u201cWillow Weep for Me,\u201d which was first recorded in 1932 by the Paul Whiteman Orchestra and later was a hit for Billie Holiday in the mid-1950s; \u201cGeorgia on My Mind,\u201d a Hoagy Carmichael song from 1930 that was a hit for Ray Charles in 1960; and \u201cIn a Sentimental Mood,\u201d which was penned and performed by Duke Ellington in 1935.<\/p>\n

On McKay\u2019s website, \u201cSister Orchid,\u201d which was released May 2018 on Palmetto Records, had this description \u2013 \u201cConjuring the image of a lonely all-night truck stop along Highway 1 on the California coast, all but lost in the fog that comes creeping along the shoreline\u2026\u00a0this album speaks of the night, the outsider, the plaintive wail of those lost at sea.\u00a0\u2018Sister Orchid\u2019\u00a0was conceived in solitude,\u00a0executed in darkness. It\u00a0comes from a place of quiet, a world of low lights and cool drinks, up against a hard wall.\u00a0An oasis of hungry eyes and easy promises, warm as a biscuit, the kind of place your mother warned you against.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tackling such classic standards was a tough challenge but McKay proved she was equal to the task. The album featured McKay on vocals with just piano accompaniment.<\/p>\n

McKay first played shows in this area back in 2004 to accompany the release of her debut album \u201cGet Away from Me\u201d on Columbia Records<\/p>\n

When she was getting started, McKay\u2019s music bridged the gap between jazz and hip-hop \u2014 a combination not often heard in today\u2019s pop music.<\/p>\n

The versatile performer was born in London and raised in New York, the Pacific Northwest and Pennsylvania\u2019s Pocono Manor. When she was still in her teens, she was living in her own apartment in New York \u2014 at the edge of Harlem at 123rd and Amsterdam.<\/p>\n

McKay, who attended school at Pocono Mountain Junior and Senior High, learned to play a variety of instruments including piano, cello, timpani, vibes, triangle and saxophone. Her main concentration has always been on keyboards.<\/p>\n

\u201cI played with the East Stroudsburg University Jazz Ensemble when I was still in high school,\u201d said McKay. \u201cPatrick Dorian, a music professor at ESU, gave me my first formal jazz training. He taught me a lot about composition.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eventually, McKay began playing gigs at New York piano bars such as Don\u2019t Tell Mama\u2019s, Stonewall Bistro, Psychic Cafe, Regents, Rose\u2019s Turn, and Mozart Caf\u00e9 (where she was canned because she liked to play Christmas songs in August when people weren\u2019t sick of them). A record deal with Columbia followed and the rest is history.<\/p>\n

\u201cSister Orchid\u201d\u00a0was\u00a0McKay\u2019s seventh label release in just 31 years. Her previous albums include\u00a0\u201cGet Away from My Head,\u201d\u00a0\u201cPretty\u00a0Little\u00a0Villagers,\u201d \u201cObligatory Pie,\u201d \u201cNormal as Home: A Tribute\u00a0to\u00a0My\u00a0Day,\u201d \u201cSweet Mobile\u201d\u00a0and\u00a0\u201cBlueberry\u00a0Reader.\u201d<\/p>\n

McKay is like a modern-day \u201cRenaissance Woman.\u201d<\/p>\n

On Broadway, she\u00a0won a Theatre\u00a0World\u00a0Award for her portrayal of Polly Peachum in\u00a0\u201cThe\u00a0Threepenny\u00a0Opera.\u201d She also\u00a0co-created and starred in the award-winning Off-Broadway hit\u00a0\u201cOld Hats,\u201d\u00a0and has\u00a0written and produced musical biographies around a compelling gallery of ladies\u00a0\u2013 from\u00a0environmental pioneer\u00a0Rachel Carson to the life,\u00a0conviction, and execution at San Quentin\u00a0of\u00a0underdog\u00a0Barbara Graham.<\/p>\n

Recent projects include \u201cThe Big Molinsky \u2013 Considering Joan Rivers,\u201d and \u201cA GIRL NAMED BILL \u2013 The Life and Times of Billy Tipton,\u201d which was named one of the \u201cBest Concerts of the Year\u201d by\u00a0The New York Times.<\/p>\n

McKay\u2019s screen work includes roles\u00a0in\u00a0\u201cPS I Love You\u201d\u00a0and\u00a0\u201cDowntown Express.\u201d She contributed movie\u00a0music to\u00a0\u201cRumor Has It,\u201d \u201cMonster-in-Law,\u201d \u201cGasland,\u201d \u201cLast Holiday,\u201d\u00a0and\u00a0\u201cPrivate Life.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the television world, her music has been heard on\u00a0\u201cMad Men,\u201d \u201cBoardwalk Empire,\u201d \u201cWeeds,\u201d \u201cGrey\u2019s Anatomy,\u201d \u201cNCIS,\u201d \u201cNurse Jackie,\u201d and\u00a0\u201cSMILF.\u201d Additionally, McKay\u2019s writing has appeared in\u00a0The Onion,\u00a0Interview, and\u00a0The New York Times Book Review.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight now, it\u2019s a cabaret act,\u201d said McKay. \u201cThat\u2019s what we\u2019ll do \u2013 a classic cabaret show. I\u2019ll be playing all the songs from the album. Also, people call out request and I like to oblige them.\u201d<\/p>\n

McKay also has devoted much of her life to projects combating animal abuse.<\/p>\n

She is a recipient of PETA\u2019s\u00a0Humanitarian Award and The Humane Society\u2019s Doris Day Music Award\u00a0in recognition of her dedication to animal rights.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been a vegetarian since I was eight,\u201d said McKay. \u201cI\u2019ve been vegan since 2004. Non-violence begins on your plate.\u201d<\/p>\n

Musically, McKay always has a lot on her plate \u2013 including this weekend\u2019s show at Arden Gild Hall.<\/p>\n

The Gild Hall dates back to the 1850s when it was used as a barn for the Grubb farm. It was substantially renovated in 1910 as the Gild Hall. Concerts and theater, meetings, dances, dinners, and community gatherings take place in Upper and Lower Gild Hall, Moonlight Theatre, and the Shady Grove.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love the Arden Gild Hall,\u201d said McKay. \u201cYou can feel the history there \u2013 everyone who has played there. The community is quite magical and mystical. It\u2019s just a beautiful place. It\u2019s a real treat to play there.\u201d<\/p>\n

And it\u2019s a real treat to hear McKay play anywhere \u2013 to enjoy a live repertoire that might include Moby Grape\u2019s \u201cMurder in My Heart for the Judge,\u201d Hoagy Carmichael\u2019s \u201cUp a Lazy River,\u201d The Kinks\u2019 \u201cSunny Afternoon,\u201d Doris Day\u2019s \u201cSentimental Journey,\u201d or any one of a number of Beatles\u2019 songs.<\/p>\n

Video link for Nellie McKay \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/zGzxVKsSV6U<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at Arden on November 10 featuring Nellie McKay with Niall Connolly as the opening act, will start at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $33.99.<\/p>\n

On November 12, area music fans \u2013 and area sports fans \u2013 can attend a special event where they can have a great time and, at the same time, support a great cause.<\/p>\n

\"\"The \u201cMISSION: Possible\u201d benefit concert\u00a0in support of the Cancer Support Community Greater Philadelphia (CSCGP),\u00a0will be held\u00a0November 12\u00a0at\u00a0Craft Hall\u00a0(901 North Delaware Avenue, Philadelphia, www.MissionPossiblePhilly.com<\/a>) from\u00a0noon-8 p.m. All net proceeds will go directly to the non-profit.<\/p>\n

The much-anticipated family-friendly event will feature\u00a011 live performances\u00a0from some of the most renowned artists in the region including Bonehead, SideArm, Reaction, Brian Bortnick (of Octane), Bryen O\u2019Boyle (of Mr. Greengenes) & JTT, the School of Rock Newtown, Mikeal Anthony Greto, Kenny Curcio, Rob & Anastasia Groden, and the First-Place Winner of the 2023 Mummers Parade, The Quaker City String Band.<\/p>\n

The crowd-favorite \u201cAll-Star Acoustic Jam,\u201d featuring LauraLea Taraskus, Steve Turner, Cara Lynne, Michael Anthony Thompson, Richie Yusko, and Ray Pierson will also return.<\/p>\n

Special appearances will include\u00a0NHL Legend\u00a0Bernie Parent,\u00a0Paul Palmer\u00a0(Temple Athletics Hall of Fame, Heisman Trophy Runner-Up and 1st\u00a0Round NFL Draft) and\u00a0Fran Murphy\u00a0(Lasalle University\u2019s Men\u2019s Basketball Coach).<\/p>\n

Founded in 2018 by cancer survivor, Dr. Jason Duff and his wife, Trisha Duff, \u201cMISSION: Possible\u201d has raised $36,000 for CSCGP with three fundraising events.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first one was in 2018 and the second one was in 2019,\u201d said Duff, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon from his office at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were set to go in 2020 and then COVID hit. We switched to a two-day online event and raised $9,000. This Sunday is our first time to go live since 2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Duff is a Philly boy who is now a clinical psychologist for the U.S. Navy. He grew up in Northeast Philadelphia, graduated from Archbishop Ryan High School and got a degree in nursing in 1996 from Widener University. He then earned his master\u2019s degree at Drexel University and doctorate at Philadelphia College of Osteopathy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI discovered I had lymphoma in 2017,\u201d said Duff. \u201cI\u2019ve since had chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. I\u2019m good now.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had two young children and a beautiful wife. I didn\u2019t want to die. I didn\u2019t even call it cancer \u2013 lymphoma didn\u2019t sound as bad.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I got the diagnosis, I knew I had to be aggressive. I asked \u2013 what do I have to do? The answer was catching it early with proper screening and then acting on it.\u201d<\/p>\n

With \u201cMISSION: Possible,\u201d we\u2019re trying to educate people about the need for resources.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMISSION: Possible\u201d was always intended to serve as a vehicle to educate and entertain while operating as a catalyst for change. \u201cMISSION: Possible\u201d has the resources, ability and desire to impact myriad issues.<\/p>\n

This is a family-friendly event. Kids 12 and under are free. A $40 ticket includes all day live music, food and drink specials, including free tastings from Stateside Vodka, access to\u00a0exclusive raffle items, 50\/50, and family-friendly activities.<\/p>\n

Teddy Bear Mobile will be onboard helping you to create your custom \u201cMISSION: Possible\u201d stuffed animals.\u00a0Parking is free on-site at Craft Hall and at the Rivers Casino.<\/p>\n

On November 11, Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295, http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/a>) is hosting an act featuring a local two-way love affair \u2013 the band with the venue and the audience with the band.<\/p>\n

The Dukes of Destiny, who have been treating fans to live performances of top-flight blues and soul music for almost three decades, are back in action with a lineup built around John\u00a0Colgan-Davis\u00a0(harmonica, vocals) and AC Steel (guitar, vocals).<\/p>\n

Colgan-Davis just posted this message earlier in the week, \u201cThe\u00a0Dukes\u00a0return to one of our favorite places to play in one of our favorite towns. The Kennett Flash is a place with a great sound system, great seats with good views of the stage, space to dance and a great\u00a0wait staff. Kennett Square itself has\u00a0a number of\u00a0great places\u00a0to stroll and to shop and to eat, so you can take in the town, eat at\u00a0a great restaurant, and get dessert and a night of great blues and dancing at the Flash. Sounds like a marvelous night to me!\u201d<\/p>\n

About a year-and-a-half ago, the Dukes\u2019 lineup went through a major change when vocalist Aryl Wolters retired from the band.<\/p>\n

As a result,\u00a0Colgan-Davis\u00a0had a dual role with the Dukes.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow that Arlyn is gone, I\u2019m doing the majority of the singing,\u201d said\u00a0Colgan-Davis. \u201cI was singing before Arlyn so now it\u2019s back to the roots.<\/p>\n

In addition to performing at most of the clubs in the Tri-State area, the Dukes of Destiny have\u00a0performed at the Pocono Blues Festival, the Waterfront Jam at Philadelphia\u2019s Penn\u2019s Landing, the State Street Blues Stroll in Media, the Bucks County R\u2019n\u2019B Picnic, the New Jersey Folk Festival and the Longwood Gardens Summer Concert Series.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the past few years, we\u2019ve had great years,\u201d said\u00a0Colgan-Davis\u00a0back in 2019. \u201cWe played places we had never played before \u2013 like the Philadelphia Folk Festival. We also played places we really love like The Kennett Flash and the West Grove Friends Meeting.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe played the Phoenixville Blues Festival and the Paoli Blues Festival. We really love playing The Kennett Flash. And we love our Chester County crowd. They\u2019ve been coming to see us play for 14-15 years.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chester County music fans and the Dukes of Destiny definitely have a love affair going on.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe did the Turks Head Festival in West Chester a few years ago \u2013 and \u2018Rhythm and Roots\u2019 in Media,\u201d said\u00a0Colgan-Davis. \u201cWe love the Flash \u2013 the intimacy and the sound system. And we love what it stands for and what it means to Kennett Square.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe love the people of Chester County and I really like the landscape of the area. It\u2019s always a special place for us. Chester County gigs have the vibe of old coffee houses. We put out the energy and the audience give sit back to us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Audiences that like to get out of their seats and dance are a big part of the Dukes of Destiny live experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe get all kinds of dancers at our shows,\u201d said\u00a0Colgan-Davis. \u201cWe\u2019ve been playing a lot more festivals. We\u2019re back on the festival circuit. I love playing festivals for a couple reasons. You get a whole bunch of people playing together. That takes me back to the 60s and the be-ins back then.<\/p>\n

\u201cSun Ra had said the message that music is the healing force of the universe, and you feel that at festivals. And kids get to hear real music played by real people. With a band like us that plays off the crowd, a festival show is a real exciting thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Colgan-Davis\u2019s introduction to the blues came when he was in high school at Central High in Philadelphia and saw the Stones performing with Howling Wolf on the \u201cShindig\u201d TV show. Howlin\u2019 Wolf, whose real name was Chester Burnett, was an American blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player who was one of the premier Chicago bluesmen.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I saw Howlin\u2019 Wolf on that TV show, I jumped up and said \u2014 this is what I want to do,\u201d said\u00a0Colgan-Davis. \u201cI started playing blues when I was 16. My dad gave me a grab bag for my birthday and a harmonica was in it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started listening to blues records a lot \u2014 players like Muddy Waters and James Cotton. I was really into Chicago blues of the 1950s and 1960s when I started. Then, I got into guys like Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee. One of the first bands I played in was a Philly blues band called Sweet Stavin\u2019 Chain.\u201d<\/p>\n

A while later, the Dukes of Destiny became the main musical vehicle for\u00a0Colgan-Davis.\u00a0At first, they played house parties in Germantown, generating word of mouth interest. A gig at the now-defunct Taker\u2019s Cafe in Germantown launched their public career.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Dukes got together in the mid-1980s,\u201d said\u00a0Colgan-Davis. \u201cSteve Brown started the band, and it began with that gig at Taker\u2019s Caf\u00e9. Steve died of pancreatic cancer in 2000 and I\u2019ve been the leader ever since. Steve has always been in my mind. We did a tribute concert to him a few years ago and we still do some of his favorites in our set.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a whole range of music in what we can play \u2014 everything from Chicago blues to old-school soul. What\u2019s great about the Dukes is that we\u2019re a band. We use each other\u2019s strengths.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for the Dukes of Destiny \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/j5fM0sugB5w<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at Kennett Flash on November 11 will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 at the door.<\/p>\n

Jamey\u2019s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985, www.jameyshouseofmusic.com<\/a>) will be rocking this weekend with Michael London & Friends on November 10 and Gretchen Emery Band on November 11.<\/p>\n

The Gretchen Emery Band\u00a0grew out of a partnership that began years ago between singer Gretchen Emery and guitarist Kenny Windle. The world may never know what cosmic lineup caused this unlikely pair to meet, start a rock band and eventually tie the knot, but to get a sense of just how extraordinary this pairing is.<\/p>\n

Imagine this — a young , bouncy Gretchen with curly red hair, singing at the top of her lungs in church with her family in Dover, Delaware, following the rules, learning to play the flute, getting good grades \u2026and contrast it with Kenny being deposited on Earth by an alien craft in the early 1950\u2019s, developing keen survival skills in North Philly, breaking the rules, and eventually focusing all of his energies on playing guitar.<\/p>\n

Windle\u2019s unique use of rhythm and melody, inspired by the Motown he grew up on, creates the canvas upon which Emery tells a story in each original song. Despite their wildly different backgrounds, they are each equally moved by their observations of love, loss, injustice, and redemption in life, all of which play out in their music and lyrics. While their songwriting is flavored by soul and rock, with elements of the blues winding through each piece, their goal is to allow each song to evolve as it will, without trying to suit a particular genre.<\/p>\n

Though it may not have been a predictable match, the distinct musical skills which they each contribute seem to complement and support the other — resulting in artfully crafted music that hits the nail on the head. Together, they have found contentment in writing and playing, whether as a duo or a full electric band.<\/p>\n

In 2013, their previous band Dirty Boots earned a spot to compete at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee and was subsequently inducted into the Delaware Blues Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n

Video link for Gretchen Emery Band — https:\/\/youtu.be\/49E-Nv4JqNk<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show on November 11 will start at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.<\/p>\n

On Friday night, the stage will belong to Michael London & Friends.<\/p>\n

London is a Philadelphia Area musician with a soulful voice and a great touch on acoustic and electric guitars. His latest recordings feature interpretations of classic folk, jazz and soul songs in his own unique, exciting and expansive style.<\/p>\n

London is also a passionate interpreter of Rumi\u2019s poetry, the great 13th century Sufi poet. He offers us a musical window into the ecstatic poems, which reveal and make tangible our connection with the self, humanity, nature and beyond. His music inspired by this mystical poet speak directly to listeners and touches on the central themes and issues of living with passion and true joy.<\/p>\n

His musical journey began with singing folk songs and show tunes with his family. He was especially inspired singing songs by James Taylor, Cat Stevens, Richie Havens and Marvin Gaye and began to write songs and to develop his own musical voice. In college, he found a whole new world of incredible players and shifted his focus to instrumental work, learning to improvise and accompany dancers with atmospheric and lyrical guitar.<\/p>\n

He is also a professor at Muhlenberg College who has a Ph.D in Organizational Behavior. He also performs with Cabin 23, an Americana jam band and the Spiritual Window Shoppers, which is an eclectic folk ensemble.<\/p>\n

Appearing with Micheal will be Paul Butler on flute and sax, Larry Cohen on bass and Bill Marconi on drums.<\/p>\n

The show on November 10 will start at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.<\/p>\n

Every Sunday, Jamey\u2019s presents \u201cSUNDAY BLUES BRUNCH & JAM\u201d featuring the Philly Blues Kings.<\/p>\n

Another weekly event at the venue is the \u201cTHURSDAY NIGHT JAZZ JAM\u201d\u00a0featuring the Dave Reiter Trio.\u00a0 This week\u2019s guest vocalist is Geri Oliver. Geraldine (\u201cGeri\u201d)\u00a0Oliver\u00a0is a vocalist whose singing reaches deep down and touches your heart, taking you on a journey to a place inside your soul, called \u201creverie.\u201d<\/p>\n

With an uncanny ability to hold you captive, her instrument of voice weaves a lyrical and melodic story that colors the atmosphere with healing hues. Add the live, fluid, dynamism of jazz tones emanating from the band, and you become engulfed in a must hear and must feel, musical mosaic.<\/p>\n

Video link for Geraldine\u00a0Oliver\u00a0— https:\/\/youtu.be\/gRFQmpjfcm8<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Doors open at 6 p.m. on Thursday. Oliver will perform from 7-8 p.m. followed by an \u201cOpen Mic Jazz Jam\u201d from 8-10 p.m. There is a $10 cover charge.<\/p>\n

Many questions that were left unanswered in \u201cThe Wizard of Oz\u201d were answered at a later date — questions such as what the witches of Oz were doing before they encountered Dorothy and how they got to be the way they were.<\/p>\n

They were answered in \u201cWicked,\u201d the hit musical based on the best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire. \u201cWicked,\u201d the fourth-longest running Broadway production,\u201d is a winner of 15 major awards — including a Grammy Award and three Tony Awards. The show features the music and lyrics of Stephen Schwartz.<\/p>\n

The musical, which has already had several sold-out runs in Philadelphia dating back to the early 2000s, is back for another hot-selling visit. \u201cWicked\u201d is running now through November 26 at the Academy of Music (Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia, www.kimmelculturalcampus.org<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

\u201cWicked\u201d\u00a0is the winner of over 100 international awards, including Grammy\u00ae\u00a0and Tony Awards\u00ae. Since opening in 2003,\u00a0\u201cWicked\u201d\u00a0has been performed in over 100 cities in 16 countries around the world (U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan,\u00a0Germany, Holland, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, The Philippines, Mexico, Brazil, Switzerland, and China) and has thus far been translated into six languages: Japanese, German, Dutch, Spanish, Korean, and Portuguese.\u00a0\u201cWicked\u201d\u00a0has been seen by over\u00a060 million people\u00a0worldwide and has amassed over\u00a0$5 billion\u00a0in global sales.<\/p>\n

The production is directed by Tony Award\u00ae\u00a0winner Joe Mantello with musical staging by Tony Award\u00ae\u00a0winner Wayne Cilento.\u00a0Wicked\u00a0is produced by Marc Platt, Universal Stage Productions, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt, and David Stone.<\/p>\n

The ultra-popular show depicts what the witches of Oz were doing before they encountered Dorothy and how they got to be the way they were.<\/p>\n

\u201cWicked\u201d, which carries the subtitle \u201cthe untold story of the witches of Oz\u201d, tells the story of two girls who meet in the Land of Oz. The one born with emerald green skin is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular.<\/p>\n

The show tells the tale of how these two unlikely friends end up as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, the Good Witch. Their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships\u2026until the world decides to call one \u201cgood,\u201d and the other one \u201cwicked.\u201d<\/p>\n

Madame Morrible is the headmistress of Shiz University\u2019s Crage Hall, which Elphaba and Glinda attend. Elphaba and her friends suspect Morrible to be responsible for the murder of Doctor Dillamond.<\/p>\n

At one point, Madame Morrible proposes that Elphaba, Galinda, and Nessarose become future behind-the-scenes rulers in Oz, a proposal that they never willingly accept.<\/p>\n

Elphaba suspects that Madame Morrible has at least some magical powers and may have indeed controlled the fates of the three women. It remains unknown whether Elphaba murdered her or if she died of natural causes minutes before Elphaba\u2019s attempt.<\/p>\n

The cast features Celia Hottenstein as Glenda, Olivia Valli as Elphaba and Kathy Fitzgerald as Madame Morrible.<\/p>\n

With a thrilling score that includes the hits \u201cDefying Gravity,\u201d \u201cPopular\u201d and \u201cFor Good,\u201d\u00a0\u201cWicked\u201d\u00a0has been hailed by\u00a0The New York Times\u00a0as \u201cthe defining musical of the decade\u201d and by\u00a0Time Magazine\u00a0as \u201ca magical Broadway musical with brains, heart, and courage.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0NBC Nightly News\u00a0called the hit musical \u201cthe most successful Broadway show ever.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a thrilling score that includes the hits \u201cDefying Gravity,\u201d \u201cPopular\u201d and \u201cFor Good,\u201d\u00a0Wicked\u00a0has been hailed by\u00a0The New York Times\u00a0as \u201cthe defining musical of the decade\u201d and by\u00a0Time Magazine\u00a0as \u201ca magical Broadway musical with brains, heart, and courage.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0NBC Nightly News\u00a0called the hit musical \u201cthe most successful Broadway show ever.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s an amazing family show. It\u2019s a great Broadway production. The songs are incredible. The dancing is amazing. It\u2019s funny. It\u2019s relatable. Everyone knows the story of the Wizard of Oz.<\/p>\n

Video link for \u201cWicked\u201d \u2013\u00a0https:\/\/youtu.be\/WNIuOrz0Gt8<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWicked\u201d is running now through November 26 at the Academy of Music. Ticket prices start at $30.<\/p>\n

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By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Nellie McKay is a talented singer\/songwriter from the Poconos who has been making impressive albums for more than three decades. Fortunately, she heads south on the Pennsylvania Northeast Extension now and then to perform shows in this area \u2013 including a spell-binding show at Longwood Gardens, a show […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":53222,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8457],"tags":[7426,10916,11104],"class_list":["post-53224","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-featured","tag-mission-possible","tag-nellie-mckay"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53224","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=53224"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53224\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":53225,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53224\/revisions\/53225"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/53222"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=53224"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=53224"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=53224"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}