by Sandy | Apr 15, 2007 | Concerts, Culture, Dance, Film
The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “South Pacific†was running on PBS during their pledge weeks. It wasn’t the Mary Martin film of 1950’s, but a musical done “in concertâ€, all in character and full voice w/o sets, at Carnegie Hall. He starred as Emile the estate owner. The cast was great, but as always, Brian Stokes Mitchell stood out.
As he sings “This Nearly Was Mineâ€, he uses his voice to paint a picture of a man lamenting about a “paradise†he has always wanted and dreamt about, and just missed reaching. Beautiful and heartbreaking. (He got a standing “O†for that one.) Mr. Mitchell elevates all that he graces with his presence. From his non singing comedy turn as Trevor the weatherman on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”, to performing with the Boston Pops. Always intense, always present, he is always excellent. Known best for Broadway musical theater – I was fortunate to see him twice as the dapper & tragic “Coalhouse Walker †in “Ragtimeâ€, (1998). His other credits include Jelly’s Last Jam (1992), Kiss of the Spider Woman (1993), a revival of Cole Porter’s “Kiss Me, Kate” (1999), for which he won a Tony, and August Wilson’s “King Hedley II” (2001) His newest venture is an album – “Brian Stokes Mitchellâ€. He does Jazz, show tunes and pop standards with his own special style. He is a baritone with great feeling. I like him.
by Cybel Martin | Mar 29, 2007 | Concerts, Culture, Events
The best part about going to college was being introduced to a whole new crowd of people. Just as smart & fun as friends back home but with an entirely different background. When I was in college, I lived in a great big house with 6 other house-mates. One day, a bunch of us came home and heard this absolutely divine music emanating from our house-mate Annie’s room. It was the clearest, purest sound. Annie was the resident classical music afficiando, so we thought it was a CD of Yo Yo Ma or someone similar. When we barged in (privacy wasn’t a luxury back then) we were all amazed to see Annie practicing on her cello. I have never forgotten that moment. We all thought we were smart. But there was a genius in our midst.
I am so thrilled to say that this May is her album release party.
May 4th. 730pm – 930pm.
San Francisco Musicians Union
116 9th Street
by Sandy | Nov 25, 2006 | Concerts, Culture
Barbara Cook and Stephen Sondheim – amazing septuagenarians.
Ms Cook continues to sing, interpret and represent Broadway and its’ composers. Some famous, some not, but, “Broadway†nevertheless with all the marquee lights blazing.
When she sings Sondheim, who continues to create, she weaves the listener into the fabric of his bittersweet little song stories with such feeling that you can see them – Not a Day Goes By, Losing My Mind, Loving You – the songs are not new, but, she makes them so, each time.
Barbara Cook and Stephen Sondheim = brilliant septuagenarians
As he sings “This Nearly Was Mineâ€, he uses his voice to paint a picture of a man lamenting about a “paradise†he has always wanted and dreamt about, and just missed reaching. Beautiful and heartbreaking. (He got a standing “O†for that one.) Mr. Mitchell elevates all that he graces with his presence. From his non singing comedy turn as Trevor the weatherman on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”, to performing with the Boston Pops. Always intense, always present, he is always excellent. Known best for Broadway musical theater – I was fortunate to see him twice as the dapper & tragic “Coalhouse Walker †in “Ragtimeâ€, (1998). His other credits include Jelly’s Last Jam (1992), Kiss of the Spider Woman (1993), a revival of Cole Porter’s “Kiss Me, Kate” (1999), for which he won a Tony, and August Wilson’s “King Hedley II” (2001) His newest venture is an album – “Brian Stokes Mitchellâ€. He does Jazz, show tunes and pop standards with his own special style. He is a baritone with great feeling. I like him.