{"id":53506,"date":"2024-01-12T08:56:16","date_gmt":"2024-01-12T13:56:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=53506"},"modified":"2024-01-12T08:56:17","modified_gmt":"2024-01-12T13:56:17","slug":"on-stage-small-opens-at-peoples-light","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=53506","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: ‘SMALL’ opens at People’s Light"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

\"\"

Robert Montano in SMALL<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cSMALL,\u201d which opens this week at People\u2019s Light (39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, www.peopleslight.org<\/a>), is a one-man show that look at this man\u2019s life from playground to paddock, from playhouse to publishing\u2026to People\u2019s Light.<\/p>\n

\u201cSMALL\u201d is written and performed by stage, film, and television star Robert Montano (\u201cCats\u201d\u00a0on Broadway,\u00a0\u201cBarcelona\u201d\u00a0at People\u2019s Light).<\/p>\n

Bullied for his size, a boy from Long Island finds purpose and respect atop a racehorse in this wild autobiographical ride,<\/p>\n

As the young jockey starts to literally outgrow his childhood dream, he resorts to more and more extreme measures to remain \u201csmall\u201d before ultimately finding freedom in a new path. From Belmont Park to Broadway stages, Montano\u2019s vivid and highly entertaining coming-of-age story explores the complex realities of pursuing a dream at all costs.<\/p>\n

Montano\u00a0tells his coming-of-age story about Bobby, a teen from Long Island who enjoys musical theatre but becomes fascinated by the world of horse racing and aspires to be a jockey.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a one-man play \u2013 and a very physical play,\u201d said Montano, during a phone interview Tuesday afternoon from the theater in Malvern.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a jockey, there is movement with me riding — along with an amazing sound design that Brian Ronan and I brought together.<\/p>\n

“Ronan, the show\u2019s sound engineer, supplies the nearby racehorse whinnying. I\u2019m portraying 24 different characters \u2013 all with different voices.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe started working here on the 18th (December 18). I went home and came back on the 27th. We were supposed to start again on the 28th\u00a0but Gloria, my mother, was ill. I didn\u2019t return again until five days ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe passed away two days ago. I perform her character in the show. It\u2019s different. I decided to keep going with the show. I know she wouldn\u2019t want me to postpone it. Gloria would have said \u2013 don\u2019t you dare.\u201d<\/p>\n

The story starts with a young Montano.<\/p>\n

When only entering his teenage years, Montano, known to his family as Bobby, fell in love with \u201cWest Side Story\u201d\u00a0and, in particular, with the character of Bernardo. He was stopped in his youthful ambition by his size. Just over five feet, he had retreated into timidity as a response to being regularly picked on at school.<\/p>\n

Behind his father\u2019s back, his mother took him to Belmont Park.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe went to church together one Sunday and then went over to Belmont Park,\u201d said Montano, who was born in Bayside, Queens, and raised in Hempstead, LI. \u201cI fell in love with the place and the horses.\u201d<\/p>\n

Montano started regularly going to Belmont Raceway with his neighbors who work there.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had a newspaper delivery route with the L.I. Press,\u201d said Montaro. \u201cAt one of the houses, I talked to the people about the mulch they were using. They said it wasn\u2019t mulch \u2013 that I was probably smelling the horse manure from the car\u2019s tires.\u201d<\/p>\n

His newspaper customers were Bob and Sue Duncan, who were major figures at Belmont Park.<\/p>\n

\u201cI begged them to take me with them to the track,\u201d said Montano.<\/p>\n

At Belmont Park, Montano was confronted by jockeys, especially by Robert A. Pineda. Impressed at the powerful Pineda presence, Montano switched from wanting to grow to wanting to remain small so he could pursue a career as a jockey.<\/p>\n

Montano became determined to become a jockey. Eventually, Pineda became his mentor.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy mom sold jewelry to Robert Pineda,\u201d said Montano. \u201cHe took me under his wing and taught me how to ride.\u201d<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, his dreams of remaining a jockey blew up. Montano continued to grow physically \u2013 from 5-foot, 4-inches to 5-8 and 110 pounds.<\/p>\n

The day before riding Sow & Reap in a major race, Montano weighed in at 116 pounds. He had to shed 12 pounds overnight. What he had to do to accomplish is a main part of the plot.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did all kinds of things to keep my weight down \u2013 black beauties, coke, flipping food on daily basis,\u201d said Montano.<\/p>\n

By the time he was 18, Montano had outgrown his silks.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I couldn\u2019t make it as a jockey, it was \u2018small\u2019 because I\u2019m not,\u201d said Montano. \u201cWhen I couldn\u2019t ride anymore, I didn\u2019t have anything to do with my life.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had to transfer disciples from jockey to dance. I knew I had to work \u2013 and I had to work hard.\u201d<\/p>\n

Montano had dancing skills he developed when he was young, so he decided to delve further into dance. He applied to Adelphi University’s dance department at age 20 without any prior training. He was accepted and offered a full scholarship.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I applied to Adelphi, I had never taken a dance class in my life,\u201d said Montano. \u201cI had to choreograph a four-minute piece. They liked it and gave me a scholarship.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne week before graduating, I got a role in \u2018Cats.\u2019 On Broadway, had the role of Pouncival and was the understudy for Mr. Mistofelees. I did that for four-and-one-half years.\u201d<\/p>\n

His career was successful from the start, and he worked with great directors and choreographers such as Hal Prince, Rob Marshall, and Jerome Robbins. He has also worked with Chita Rivera in \u201cKiss Of The Spiderwoman, sang and danced with Peter Allen in \u201cLegs Diamond,\u201d and starred as Ozzie in \u201cOn The Town\u201d (directed by the legendary George C. Wolfe).<\/p>\n

Montano\u2019s creativity now has spanned genres. The multitasker ventured into plays, film, and television.
\nIn television, he guest starred in Showtime\u2019s \u201cCity On A Hill,\u201d \u201cBull,\u201d \u201cProdigal Son,\u201d \u201cBlue Bloods,\u201d \u201cNCIS: New Orleans,\u201d \u201cElementary,\u201d \u201cSearch Party,\u201d \u201cLaw & Order: SVU,\u201d \u201cSex In The City,\u201d \u201cCSI: Miami, Law & Order,\u201d and HBO\u2019s film \u201cUndefeated\u201d (directed by John Leguizamo<\/a>).<\/p>\n

His film credits include \u201cShame\u201d with Michael Fassbender<\/a>, playing opposite Mark Wahlberg<\/a>\u00a0and Joaquin Phoenix<\/a>\u00a0in \u201cThe Yards\u201d and partnering with Catherine Zeta-Jones<\/a>\u00a0in \u201cChicago.\u201d Other notable works include \u201cHustling,\u201d \u201cThe Strike,\u201d \u201cCenter Stage,\u201d \u201cIt Runs in The Family,\u201d and \u201cPassionada.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSMALL,\u201d which is directed by Jessi D. Hill, is celebrating its area debut with the run at People\u2019s Light\u2019s Steinbright Stage \u2013 and the first date of its 2024 national tour.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis will be my third show at People\u2019s Light,\u201d said Montano. \u201cThe first was \u2018Fallow\u2019 in 2012 followed by \u2018Barcelona\u2019 in 2012. I really enjoy working here at People\u2019s Light.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for \u201cSMALL\u201d \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/DlzN88yAn8o<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cSMALL\u2019 will run now through February 4. Tickets are $47.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Ain\u2019t Too Proud \u2013 The Life and Times of the Temptations<\/p><\/div>\n

The Kimmel Cultural Campus and The Shubert Organization\u00a0are hosting the first national tour of\u00a0\u201cAin\u2019t Too Proud \u2013 The Life and Times of the Temptations\u201d\u00a0for the first time in Philadelphia. The Broadway smash hit musical will play at the Academy of Music (Broad and Locust streets,\u00a0Philadelphia, www.kimmelculturalcampus.org<\/a>) now through January 21 as part of the 2023-24 Broadway series.<\/p>\n

Featuring Grammy\u00ae-winning songs and Tony\u00ae-winning moves,\u00a0\u201cAin\u2019t Too Proud\u201d\u00a0is the electrifying new musical that follows The Temptations\u2019 extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n

The musical received 12 Tony nominations and won the Tony Award for Best Choreography at the 73rd\u00a0Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on June 10, 2019.<\/p>\n

With their signature dance moves and unmistakable harmonies, they rose to the top of the charts, creating an amazing 42 Top Ten Hits \u2013 with 14 reaching #1 \u2013 and being voted the greatest R&B group of all time by\u00a0Billboard Magazine\u00a0in 2017.<\/p>\n

The rest is history \u2014 how they met, the groundbreaking heights they hit, and how personal and political conflicts threatened to tear the group apart as the United States fell into civil unrest. This thrilling story of brotherhood, family, loyalty, and betrayal is set to the beat of the group\u2019s treasured hits, including \u201cMy Girl,\u201d \u201cJust My Imagination,\u201d \u201cGet Ready,\u201d \u201cPapa Was a Rolling Stone,\u201d and so many more.<\/p>\n

The Temptations released a series of successful singles and albums with\u00a0Motown Records\u00a0during the 1960s to early 1970s. The group’s work with producer\u00a0Norman Whitfield, beginning with the Top 10 hit\u00a0single\u00a0“Cloud Nine” in October 1968, pioneered\u00a0psychedelic soul, and was significant in the evolution of\u00a0R&B\u00a0and\u00a0soul music. The band members are known for their choreography, distinct harmonies, and dress style. Having sold tens of millions of albums, the Temptations are among the most successful groups in popular music. <\/a><\/p>\n

Featuring five male vocalists and dancers (save for brief periods with fewer or more members), the group formed in 1960 in\u00a0Detroit\u00a0under the name\u00a0the Elgins. The founding members came from two rival Detroit vocal groups:\u00a0Otis Williams, Elbridge “Al” Bryant, and\u00a0Melvin Franklin\u00a0of Otis Williams & the Distants, and\u00a0Eddie Kendricks\u00a0and\u00a0Paul Williams\u00a0of the Primes. In 1964, Bryant was replaced by\u00a0David Ruffin, who was the lead vocalist on a number of the group’s biggest hits, including “My Girl” (1964), “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg<\/a>” (1966), and “I Wish It Would Rain” (1967).<\/p>\n

Ruffin was replaced in 1968 by\u00a0Dennis Edwards, with whom the group continued to record hit records such as “Cloud Nine” (1968), “I Can’t Get Next to You<\/a>” (1969), and “Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World Is Today)” (1970). The group’s lineup has changed frequently since the departures of Kendricks and Paul Williams from the act in 1971. Later members of the group have included singers such as Richard Street,\u00a0Damon Harris, Ron Tyson, and\u00a0Ali-Ollie Woodson, with whom the group scored a late-period hit in 1984 with “Treat Her Like a Lady” and in 1987 with the theme song for the children’s movement program\u00a0\u201cKids in Motion.\u201d<\/p>\n

The group\u2019s popularity is ever-increasing, and they are one of the most iconic, bestselling brands in the entertainment world today. In 1989, The Temptations were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n

While the group has evolved over the years, Dr. Otis Williams has continued to lead the group and carry the torch forward for the next generation of Temptations\u2019 fans. Williams, the sole surviving, original member of The Temptations, turned 80 on October 30, 2021.<\/p>\n

Stepping into the role of Otis Williams in the musical will be original first national tour cast member, Michael Andreaus, and joining the tour from the Original Broadway Company is E. Clayton Cornelious as Paul Williams. They join the current Classic Temptations Jalen Harris as Eddie Kendricks, Harrell Holmes Jr. as Melvin Franklin, and Elijah Ahmad Lewis as David Ruffin.<\/p>\n

This was a mic drop moment in Williams\u2019 iconic career.\u00a0It was The Temptations\u2019 first #1 million copy chart hit. \u201cMy Girl\u201d would become the group\u2019s magnum opus, and it was inducted into The Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998, and in 2018 it was entered into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress.<\/p>\n

Dr. Otis Williams and The Temptations are still lighting up concert stages around the world. The Temptations embarked on a national concert tour in 2022 that crisscrossed the U.S. They also headlined concerts in fall 2022 in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.<\/p>\n

Williams and the current Temptations lineup will perform locally twice in spring 2024 \u2013 May 4 at the American Music Theater in Lancaster and May 9 at the Grand Opera House in Wilmington.<\/p>\n

Video link for \u201cAin\u2019t Too Proud \u2013 The Life and Times of the Temptations\u201d \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/cdrUhqleHxI<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t Too Proud \u2013 The Life and Times of the Temptations\u201d will run now through January 21 at the Academy of Music.<\/p>\n

Ticket prices start at $27.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Gabe Stillman<\/p><\/div>\n

Gabe Stillman is transitioning from 2023 to 2024 in style \u2013 with shows at two of his favorite venues.<\/p>\n

On December 30, the blues guitar ace from central Pennsylvania played a hometown show in Williamsport — the Annual New Year\u2019s Blues Bash at the Pajama Factory<\/p>\n

This weekend, Stillman will be performing at his second-favorite Keystone State venue. On January 12, Jamey\u2019s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985,www.jameyshouseofmusic.com<\/a>) will host a headline show by Stillman.<\/p>\n

Stillman, an accomplished blues guitarist from Williamsport, seems to have found a home-away-from home in Delaware County.\u00a0This will be his fifth concert at Jamey\u2019s in the last year-and-a-half.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve stayed busy all through the last year-and-a-half,\u201d said Stillman, during a phone call from his home in the birthplace of Little League Baseball.<\/p>\n

Stillman\u00a0was busiest during a two-week period in April 2021.<\/p>\n

\u201cI went to Austin in April and recorded my first album,\u201d said Stillman. \u201cIt was produced by Anton Funderbergh at Wire Recording.\u201d<\/p>\n

Funderbergh is top-flight guitarist\u00a0and\u00a0the bandleader\u00a0of\u00a0Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets\u00a0since 1978. Their style incorporates both\u00a0Chicago blues\u00a0and\u00a0Texas blues. He is also one of the most respected producers in Texas\u2019 capitol city.<\/p>\n

\u201cI met Anton at the International Blues Challenge a couple years ago,\u201d said Stillman. \u201cI\u2019ve been a fan of his since I was a teenager. He\u2019s in my top 10 list of blues players. And I loved his production work with other people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stillman\u2019s album, \u201cJust Say the Word,\u201d was released in August by the Vizztone Label Group.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a 15-song album \u2013 13 originals and two covers,\u201d said Stillman. \u201cThe covers were Bill Withers\u2019 \u2018Friend of Mine\u2019 and Bobby Blue Bland\u2019s \u2018I\u2019ll Take Care of You.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen the album came out in August, it debuted at Number 10 on the Billboard Magazine Blues chart. It was also named one of the top blues albums of 2021 by Roots Music Report.<\/p>\n

\u201cI brought my rhythm section Bassist Colin Beatty and drummer Ray Hangen \u2013 down to Austin. In the studio, we used Taylor Streiff, a piano player from St. Louis, Austin\u2019s Texas Horns and had Sue Foley and Anton playing guitar on one track.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was a big step forward for Stillman, who\u00a0has been studying guitar for almost a decade-and-a-half.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started taking guitar lessons when I was 11,\u201d said Stillman. \u201cI\u2019m 25 now so I\u2019ve been playing for 14 years.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I started out, I wanted to play heavy rock and heavy metal. Listening to guitarists in those genres, I realized that their playing was very fast and technically complicated. A teacher told me to learn rock by getting into the blues.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, I started listening to a lot of blues guitarists like B.B. King, Freddie King, Albert King, Buddy Guy and Elmore James. I was also listening to guitarists such as Duane Allman and Derek Trucks. I realized \u2013 hey, I can do this. I got hooked on blues and R&B \u2013 and jazz. When I was 13 or 14, I started to perform live.\u201d<\/p>\n

A key stage in Stillman\u2019s development came at the Uptown Music Collective in Williamsport.<\/p>\n

For 20 years, the Uptown Music Collective has been providing exceptional modern music education grounded in traditional educational principles. Its programs engage students through an emphasis on modern genres including rock, pop, soul, blues, country, R&B, and funk.<\/p>\n

\u201cI studied at the Uptown Music Collective when I was younger,\u201d said Stillman. \u201cI also taught there after I got out of college.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stillman\u00a0spent his college years in Boston where he got a degree in \u201cProfessional Music\u201d with an emphasis on guitar performance and songwriting.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started my band in 2015 after graduating from Berklee,\u201d said Stillman, whose honors include making it to \u201cFinal Eight\u201d of the 35th Annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis Tennessee.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy band has been primarily a trio but at the Blues Challenge, I made it to the finals with the addition of a harmonica player in the group.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy bass player Colin Beatty, who is also from Williamsport, has been with me the whole time. We\u2019ve had different drummers come in and out. Right now, our drummer is Ray Hangen from Buffalo, New York.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the trio, we play mostly blues and American rock. There also is a little mix of R&B in there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Gabe Stillman\u00a0\u2014 https:\/\/youtu.be\/QGIJgb51Kw8<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show on January 12 will start at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n

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

On January 13, the stage at Jamey\u2019s will belong to Blues People.<\/p>\n

Blues People released two singles in 2022 — \u201cThe Skin I\u2019m In\u201d and \u201cTroubled Times.\u201d Now, the band is busy in the studio finishing up its much-anticipated debut album, \u201cThe Skin I\u2019m In.\u201d<\/p>\n

These seasoned veterans have certainly paid their dues. As individual sidemen, they have supported a who\u2019s-who of touring \u201cA-listers\u201d, including Sue Foley, Josh Smith, Ruf\u2019s Blues Caravan and Michael Hill\u2019s Blues Mob.
\nBlues People musically explores the effects of the blues on modern American culture on many universal levels… and is a modern chronicle of four \u201creal-life blues brothers\u201d living in this time in America… while surviving the NY\/NJ-Metro urban landscape.<\/p>\n

The show on January 12 will start at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n

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

Jamey\u2019s features a popular \u201cJazz at Jamey\u2019s\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

Every Sunday, Jamey\u2019s presents \u201cSUNDAY BLUES BRUNCH & JAM\u201d featuring the Philly Blues Kings.<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times \u201cSMALL,\u201d which opens this week at People\u2019s Light (39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, www.peopleslight.org), is a one-man show that look at this man\u2019s life from playground to paddock, from playhouse to publishing\u2026to People\u2019s Light. \u201cSMALL\u201d is written and performed by stage, film, and television star Robert Montano (\u201cCats\u201d\u00a0on Broadway,\u00a0\u201cBarcelona\u201d\u00a0at […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":53503,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8457],"tags":[15437,7426,13653,15444,15445],"class_list":["post-53506","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-aint-too-proud-the-life-and-times-of-the-temptations","tag-featured","tag-gabe-stillman","tag-robert-montano","tag-small"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53506","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=53506"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53506\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":53507,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53506\/revisions\/53507"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/53503"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=53506"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=53506"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=53506"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}