Tag: Disney Hall

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Recent Entertainment

We haven’t been out much so it was a pleasant change to have a musical and a concert to attend. We went to Funny Girl at the Ahmanson last Tuesday. It was opening night, I think, and the crowd was enthusiastic. I was a little hesitant about the whole thing. I remember reading that the show got so-so reviews when it came out in the 60s. Streisand saved it, I think, and it made her a star. And I’ve seen the movie a hundred times so I had Streisand’s interpretation firmly fixed in my mind. I felt sorry for any actress trying to make the part her own. Well, I was surprised. The book must have been re-written because it made more sense than the movie did. Nicky Arnstein became a fleshed-out character with motivation instead of just a handsome man in a ruffled shirt. Katerina McCrimmon played Fanny Brice and made the part her own. I could hear echoes of Streisand when she sang the famous songs (People, for instance) but she gave it her own spin. And I think she’s probably a better actress than Streisand. She played it broadly–well, Fanny was a broad, after all–but she was human and funny. She really brought the audience in. Melissa Manchester played Mrs. Brice. I hadn’t seen her since we attended a concert at the Greek Theater years ago. I didn’t know she could act. Well, she can. And she can sing too. The audience loved her. Actually, the whole cast was great. The tap dancers brought the house down. People still like tap dancers. The staging was interesting and the lighting was great. Lots of fun. And there were no politics! I didn’t get pissed off about anything! Wow. Glad to see it. I got so tired of being scolded and shamed and ridiculed I quit the Taper Theater. Who needs to pay for that crap? I’m reading that theaters are closing all over. Maybe if they provided entertainment instead of agi-prop…Okay, rant’s over. But go see it. It’s a good show.

Last Thursday we went to Disney Hall. Simone Young conducted Arvo Part’s Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten, an Elgar cello concerto, and Vaughan Williams’ Symphony No. 8. I didn’t know any of the pieces, so it was an evening of discovery for me. Gautier Capucon was the cellist for the Elgar piece. I thought he started out a little pitchy. Maybe he was nervous. Or maybe it was me; I always think cellos…celli…whatever, are a little pitchy. Anyway, he finished big. The audience went nuts so he did an encore which I thought was better than the Elgar. It was a pleasant evening. Nobody talked during the music, nobody flashed their phone in my face; I had nothing to be mad about. And that’s a good night in Los Angeles. Oh, I forgot to say anything about Young. She seemed competent enough. Can’t really compare the pieces because they were new to me. I found her gauze tunic and pants a little informal but really, what’s she supposed to wear? Maybe a designer should come up with something specific to women that doesn’t look like it came out of a bazaar. Just a thought.

Both pleasant evenings. Good night to be in Los Angeles.

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Tchaikovsky and Ellington at Disney Hall

Just a quick blurb to recommend a wonderful concert at Disney Hall. Dudamel and company performed most of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite in the first half of the program. It’s holiday appropriate and the orchestra performed beautifully, as usual. In the second half of the program Duke Ellington’s jazz version of some of the dances was interspersed with the original music. A greasy tenor sax and snare drum set were included. Very tasty. The classical folks can do jazz with the best. The audience was grinning and head bobbing along. Unfortunately, the woman at the end of our row did a Mr. Ed imitation. She stamped her hooves on the wooden floor. The Hall is remarkable live, and her hoof beats reverberated. Annoying. But the music was so good I could ignore her.

The Hall was decorated for Christmas. Very festive. Altogether a great night. I think there are two more performances left. If you want to get your Christmas on, enjoy the Russian/American versions of The Nutcracker at Disney Hall.

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December Fun

After going 20 months without any entertainment, we went to three venues last week. Tuesday, we saw the opening night of A Christmas Carol at the Ahmanson Theater. It was an adaptation of Dicken’s original story. I figured we’d get the full ‘woke’ treatment–although how they could ‘woke’ it up any more than it was originally, is beyond me–but they surprised me. In the novella everybody is after Scrooge’s money. I always thought the people begging for money would have done better to get jobs and give their own money away. It’s pointed out that Scrooge supports the workhouses (the charitable institution of the day). It’s really not his fault that they’re horrible places. But apparently only his money will save people. I don’t blame him for hiding out and hanging on to his cash. That’s all people wanted from him. In this play they move away from separating Scrooge from his money. They explain how his life was impacted by a greedy, abusive father. All of his anti-social behavior is caused by that early bad treatment. This play is about healing Scrooge not bankrupting him. Refreshing take. The performances were satisfactory for the most part. I loved the Christmas carols the performers sang throughout and I LOVED the bell choir. Even Tiny Tim got his own bell to ring and the last note of the evening. I liked the fragmented stage setting that allowed the action to proceed without pause. I thought the lighting design should have gotten an award (maybe it did). Victorian lanterns were suspended all through the theater. Also loved the special effects. ‘Snow’ (shaved dry ice?) was blown across the audience. It really felt like a snow fall and set the mood. After the show we were treated to hot chocolate, Victorian carol singers, and more snow in the plaza. Lots of fun. Only one problem about the production. TV actors were used, and they played for a camera, not a large house like the Ahmanson. This was Ritchie’s last production and it reminded me of his first production twenty years ago. He used TV actors then, too, and I had the same problem. TV and stage are different disciplines, and the actors need to adjust. (‘Sing out, Louise!’) In that production, the LA Times went nuts over the above-ground swimming pool on the set. ‘It’s never been done before!’ Guess they’ve never been to the Valley or New Jersey. Every double-wide has an above-ground pool. I think Lefties need to get out more. Here’s hoping the next director is more interested in art than propaganda. And if he/she wants to do agit-prop, get some good stuff.

Wednesday, we went to Hollywood to see The Band’s Visit at the Dolby. I didn’t know anything about the play. I thought it was probably a rock musical. Nothing of the sort. It’s about an Egyptian police band trying to get to a city in Israel to perform at an Arabic Art Center. The Egyptians don’t speak Hebrew and the Israelis don’t speak Arabic. So, they converse in English which neither group is very good at. The Egyptians end up in a small town and are stuck there for a night until the next bus comes. The residents complain that nothing happens in their small town, but they take in the Egyptians for the night. There’s only once instance of anti-Arabic sentiment but that’s only one aspect of the play. People complain there’s nothing to do? They confess extra-marital affairs, broken hearts, marital troubles….lots of drama. The Egyptians confide about unfortunate things in their lives. Everybody stumbles along in English, but they understand each other and become friends. There’s hope for peace in the Mideast. Loved all the performers but it’s the musicians who really stand out. Amazing talent. It’s a sweet musical that runs without intermission, so pee before you go.

Friday, we got tickets for Disney Hall. We were treated to a free cocktail in the 3rd story garden. I enjoyed some sparkling wine under the trees as we observed the lights of the city. Then we went inside to hear the end of the lecture before the concert began. The first half of the program was devoted to ‘new’ music. I settled back for some ‘clank-tinkle’ moments but the first piece, Primal Message by Nokuthula Endo, was melodic. I enjoyed it. The second piece, Woven Loom, Silver Spindle by Julia Adolphe, gave me my ‘tinkle’ moment but I liked it. Interesting. Both women composers were there to take their bows with Xian Zhang, the woman conductor. It was an evening for women. Good of us. But my main reason for being at the concert was Beethoven’s 7th. I was curious how an Asian woman would interpret Western music. Very well. Xian focused on small moments between the flute and oboe that I’d never noticed before. And the 4th movement was fast but controlled. Normally, it sounds like the musicians will have heart attacks galloping through it. This wasn’t rushed. As I said, it was fast, but the legato made it, well, not nuts. Really enjoyed the interpretation. That tiny Asian woman was in complete control of the orchestra. Good concert.

And now we don’t have any shows until January. Good. I need to get through Christmas. That’s as much entertainment as I need for a while.