When HAIR Came to Memphis

Via the ever-intriguing Dangerous Minds, here's a great documentary about a controversial production of Hair in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1970.

Roger Waters Presents The Wall - LIVE!

My buddies and I went to see Roger Waters perform Pink Floyd's epic concept album "The Wall" in Nashville on Tuesday, June 19. I never thought I'd get to see this incredible show live, and it was truly spectacular. Waters was in fine voice, and seemed in a great mood as he bantered (minimally, due to the nature of the show) with the audience. They've updated the anti-war references to include our latest adventures in the Middle East, and some of the footage and photos used were truly moving.  Excellent work, sir.

For some reason Blogger has decided to stop letting me put things under a jump, but oh well. Check out my Flickr page for a full gallery of the photos I took during the concert.  And here is a video of Roger singing "Mother" as a duet with film footage of himself ("at the risk of appearing narcissistic," he noted wryly) doing the number at the famous 1980 Earl's Court show.

RIP Susan Tyrrell

We're sad to see Susan Tyrrell has died at the age of 67. She was a unique character - read more about her over at Dangerous Minds, and enjoy some more tasty tidbits over at La Dolce Musto.

Back in 2009 I covered her appearance in the seminal mondo musical Forbidden Zone (singing songs by Danny Elfman).  Her number "Witch's Egg" is just too good not to repost.

Why, yes, that IS Hervé Villechaize.

OCTOBER 9!

That's when the Director's Cut Blu-Ray of Little Shop of Horrors will be released!

I am so excited!  See this post below for more details.  Check out my Blu-Ray Wish List here.

Mega-Revivals!

Here's a great article from New York Magazine about the two new revivals of Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita, and a meditation on the rise and fall of the megamusical.

Il Cervello Poverello (My Poor Brain)

February 29, 1792, was the birthday of the genius composer Gioachino Rossini, whose operas count as some of the most popular of all.  Even today, people who'd claim no knowledge of or interest in opera know the William Tell and Barber of Seville overtures, and have heard somebody somewhere sing "Fiagro, Figaro, Figaro, Fiiiiiiii-ga-ro!"  As befits a Leap Day baby, Rossini was best known for his sparkling comedies.  He eventually retired from the theater and dedicated himself to food - a man after my own heart.

Here's the frantic finale to Act One of Il Barbieri di Siviglia.  "Il Cervello Poverello" (My Poor Brain) where the characters all babble endlessly about how they wish the others would shut up and give them some peace.  Thanks for the music, Maestro, and happy 55th birthday!

Happy Birthday, Frederic!

Back when I first started Mondo Musicals, one of my first posts was to celebrate the birthday of Frederic, the protagonist of Gilbert & Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance (1879).  A Leap Year baby, Frederic was heartbroken to learn that he was apprenticed to the Pirate King until his 21st birthday - not his 21st year - so duty dictated that he follow the letter of his contract and live the pirating life until 1940 ("It seems so long," Mabel sighs).

And indeed, the February 29, 1940 New York Times printed a brief notice headed "Frederic Goes Free" commemorating that he was at last out of his indentures and free to live a blameless life forevermore.  No word on whether Mabel did, indeed, wait for him.

So, happy birthday Frederic. You might be 156 by some calendars, but as we both have now reached our 39th birthdays, permit me to say we're looking fresh as ever!