Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

(Chanel Haynes-Schwartz, one of the Divas)

Last night was the Champagne Opening of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert at ZACH Theatre. Whenever I have the opportunity I like to see performances and see how they progress and the changes from Dress Rehearsal to preview to opening and closing night. By closing night the actors are so comfortable in their roles and with each other that the last show is such a high energy filled with lots of emotion. The same is true for opening night even though they are working over those nerves, as if they are performing for the first time.

I wasn't familiar with the musical adaptation based upon the film of the same name. I brought back memories of seeing the film at the Seattle International Film Festival back in 1994. I remember meeting the film makers during a Q&A. Many people were curious as to how they got Terrence Stamp to play the role of Bernadette. I also learned about getting the rights to music for films. There is a scene in the film where the three main characters go to the top of Ayers Rock, but there is no music because they could not get the rights tot he song they wanted to use.
(You would think people would want the free advertisement, but that isn't always the case.)

In the musical version that issue has been resolved. There is music when they get to the top of the Rock.

ZACH's production is directed by Abe Reybold and stars Joshua Denning as Tick, Jack Donahue as Bernadette and Anthony Vincent Toudjarov as Adam/Felicia.

The musical is high energy, full of color with moments that will touch home with most people. Everyone knows some moment when they feel like an outcast.
Everyone in the production is so talented, but there are always standouts for me. I'm always looking through my camera to pick up on the energy of the actors or dancers and that's where my focus goes when I'm taking pictures.

Chanel Haynes-Shwartz, Jack Donahue, Kim Stacy and Hunter Regian are those stand out for me. Hunter Regain was last seen as a dancer in Mary Poppins, but in Priscilla he gets to shine as the young Bernadette in a musical number from Les Girls.

Kim Stacy was scene in James and The Giant Peach as Aunt Sponge. In Priscilla she steals every scene she is in.

Jack Donahue is excellent as Bernadette. Not to make comparisons, but it happens. He plays the role similar to that of Terrence Stamp in the film version.

Then there is Chanel Haynes-Schwartz, who I first met when she did Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies also directed by Abe Reybold. Not only is she a lovely person, she has an incredible voice. Chanel was a part of the gospel group Trinitee 5;7
When the Divas came out, the first thing that came to mind was the Muses from Hercules. Which always bring me back to the idea that artists do think alike and sometimes what we like we incorporate it into what we do. Artists are inspired by many things.

The choreography is by the talented Dominique Kelley who has choreographed several television shows and many entertainers. Dominique choreographed Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies at ZACH.

Allen Robinson, The musical director gives us the music that makes  everyone wants to get up and shake their groove thing.

The show will run Wednesday - Sunday until October 30, 2016. Check the web sight for more information. Zachtheatre.org.

I really enjoyed the production at ZACH and hope that I can see it a few more times.

Tommy the finale 8-24-2014

(Scenic design by Cliff Simon for ZACH's production of Tommy)

Tommy, the final performance.

Sunday August 24, 2014 The Who’s Tommy was performed for the last time, ending ZACH’s 2013-2014 season on a very high note. I had thought about seeing the show, but I wasn’t sure if things would fall into place, but it all worked out. I figured since this was the last show the singers would belt out those songs with more verve then before.

Leonela Hernandez and Paul Sanchez. Leonela is part of  ZACH's pre professionals was on hand to get patrons to buy raffle tickets. She recently appeared in the production of Much Ado About Nothing as Leonata and Paul Sanchez played Wicked Uncle Ernie in Tommy.)

Normally I sit in the top section, but I was right smack in the center. If I had been allowed to photograph this show. This would have been the perfect seat. It also allowed me to see the show from a different perspective. I was able to actually see the images in the pop up book as Diego Rodriguez, who plays the young Tommy turns the pages.

(Diego Rodriguez who played young Tommy, for me he just brought something to the role different from the other actor who played young Tommy when I saw the show the first time. Diego and his family were such a delight.)

This was my fourth time seeing the production. And it was even more entertaining than the other times. Tommy is a visual experience. Being a visual artist myself I really appreciated all that was going on.

(Edward Burkley, Matthew Redden and Joshua Denning take a moment  from mingling, to pose. Joshua stepped in to the role of the Lover when Scott Swanson was injured. Joshua did a great job.)

I’ve gotten to know some of the cast members, some better than others because they’ve performed in other shows and those that stopped and exchanged a few words. I do however understand being focused on what you have to do in a performance so you just want to be in that zone.

 (Christa Oliver, part of the Ensemble, poses with Rick who has seen Tommy numerous times.)

I also know that performers feed off of the audience and if the energy is right the actor can feel it and they give that little extra something when they can. There appeared to be those subtle pauses to allow the audience to applaud after each song.

 (A few members of the Ensemble Christopher Montalvo, Felicia Fitzpatrick, Lauren Beausoleil, and Connor Donnelly.)

Paul Sanchez, Edward Burkley and Susanne Abbott rocked the crowd with their numbers. They left you wanting more.

Matthew Redden and Meredith McCall have a great chemistry together as Tommy’s parents. They both have great voices and had appeared together in White Christmas.

Timothy Ellis Riley is great as Cousin Kevin, who tortures little Tommy.

 (Timothy Ellis Riley chats with a patron about the last performance.)

Michael Valentine played Tommy and was really great. Each time I saw it, he just kept getting better and better.

( Michael is pictured with his grandmother and his father.)

Having never seen any production or even the film, I had nothing to base it on so I really enjoyed it.

(Patrons go old school and test their pinball skillz. The machines were free. They were supplied by Pinballz)

(Gabriel  Jaochico, did double duty, he played the white rabbit and he was also DJ Wicket pritor to each show.)

 ( Justin Waller a member of the Ensemble and Shanna Annetta who had appeared in The Gospel at Colonus.)

(Robert Corkill reacts to a someone from the side while PR guy, Jim Reynolds stays up to date with the latest tweets.)

(Kelly, Felicia and Lauren take a moment from mingling to strike a pose.)

(Christopher from the Ensemble.)

Flying Balalaika Brothers

I was reading through one of my old journals and I was noticing a pattern. There’s been a pattern for quite sometime as to the decisions. Seems its been the same for many years. There’s one thing I didn’t notice until last Saturday. June 21, was the Summer Solstice and I went over to ZACH to photograph and listen to Flying Balalaika Brothers. I had actually forgotten what day it was. There were many musicians playing around Austin, but I didn’t get a chance to catch any of the other acts.

 (Sergey playing the small balalaika.)

After I had gotten home I realized, I’m always meeting musicians on the Summer Solstice. A few years ago I had gone to Audubon Park in New Orleans and a group of people showed up and invited me to be a part of their celebration. Luckily I had my camera and I proceeded to take some candid shots.

 (Dustin Russel taking it all in.)

Flying Balalaika Brothers which is named after one of the instruments is an eclectic band of sorts. They bill themselves as gypsies with the sounds of their motherland Russia, some jazz influence, little red grass (their version of blues) and some hip hop beats. Music just has a way of bringing people together and making us feel good. There’s even some humor in their songs.

 (Aaryn Russel, it shows that he enjoys what he does.)

Flying Balalaika Brothers consist of Zhenya Rock on the guitar and accordion, Sergey Vashehenke on the small balalaika, Dustin Russel on the drums and Aaryn Russel on Konta bass and the large balalaika.

(Aaryn Russel on the large Balalaika)

Check out their face book page or send them an email to find out where they’ll be playing next info@russiafbb.com.

 (Dustin Russel on drums)

I really enjoyed photographing them. It’s still a challenge as I don’t want to block the view of the patrons. I try to find the best spot and work with what I have using the natural light.

 (Zhenya Rock playing guitar in Zach's Z Lounge.)

Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind and do come back again to see where the journey leads.

Check out my other blogs for more insight.
http://dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com
http://filmlover4pg.blogspot.com
http://artbyDlonzo.blogspot.com