Sue Merrell's Blog: Laughing for a Living, page 31

Laughing? Not so much.

Okay, I'll admit that every show I review isn't a bundle of laughs. Like last night's production of
Les Miserables at DeVos Performance Hall. I might have chuckled a few times over an impudent little boy or the outrageous Thenardier, picking pockets while he sang "Master of the House," or his wife chopping sausage with gusto. But on the whole, Les Miserables isn't funny. It's better than funny. I cried when Jean Valjean sang "Bring Him Home." As he began his prayer, my eyes welled up in anticipation of that beautiful ballad, a tribute to all those gutsy young men and women everywhere willing to die for what they believe. And when Valjean asks "Who Am I?" everyone in the audience is challenged to question their own identity. Are you proud of who you are, what you've done, the choices that you've made? When theater can do that,it doesn't have to make you laugh. It has touched you, transformed you.
       The 25th Anniversary tour hasn't really changed that much, although it does make use of video technology and space-carving shafts of light. They must be doing something right. Opening night was practically sold out, and the remaining shows are almost full as well. All that leads to a lot of arrogance on the tour's part. They wouldn't allow photographers at last night's show, haven't allowed any photos on the entire tour, which means the available pictures online are pretty scant. Preserving a brand? Perhaps. But as other Broadway tours have realized, you can't get enough pictures on the net. Let everyone post them on their blogs and facebook. Show it off. What are you afraid of?

Civic does it again!

If you think you're too old for "The Wizard of Oz," think again. Civic Theatre's production is so vibrant and lively, the littlest kids don't get bored and the most jaded adults get enthused. This is the third time I've covered "The Wizard of Oz" at Civic. I didn't think anyone could do better than the show I covered there 10 years ago, but last night I found myself thinking... I don't remember that from before! Did they always have that many poppies? Did they always go from drab brown costumes to bright colorful costumes, much like the movie goes from black and white to color? Did they skywrite words on the ceiling before? And put lyrics on the television monitors so you can sing along. I don't know, but they're doing it now. And selling out. So if you want to go, better get your tickets.

Like it or not, here comes Santa

   I suppose it's officially Christmas season now. Yesterday I bought my only major Christmas gift. I took my son and his wife to lunch and then we went to Home Depot and purchased a Toro snowblower. Angy drives a bakery truck and heads out in the middle of the night so I wanted to give her a little help with clearing the long driveway at their house.
    Then last night I reviewed "White Christmas" at DeVos Performance Hall. I remember watching the old Bing Crosby movie at Christmas time. And who wouldn't love all that addictive tap dancing? But it reminded me how much more sophisticated my entertainment taste has become over the years. Songs and dancing are fun, but I expect a fully satisfying theater experience now, with characters as rich as the costumes and dialogue and sparkling as the glitter splashed sets.
    My Christmas celebration has changed so much in recent years.No more mountains of Christmas cookies. No more shopping, and wrapping and shipping. Gift cards and charitable donations are better anyway. The annual Christmas letter has been replaced with a blog and for the second year in a row I will forgo Christmas with the family at Mom's house in favor of a quiet, no-present get-away with Steve in Florida. I can honestly say I don't long for a white Christmas anymore. Snow comes with too many strings attached.

White Christmas

Well, it doesn't look like snow right now,  but I'll be humming White Christmas tonight I'm sure when I cover the tour coming to DeVos Performance Hall.

And we're off!

Today's the first event of my Traverse City Trifecta Book Tour. I'll be signing books from 2-4 p.m. at Horizon Books which has been doing well selling my books this month. Then Monday morning, Ron Jolly will interview me on WTCM radio. The big finale is Live at the Library Tuesday evening where I'll get a chance to read from the books, which was such a hit at Schuler's last summer. It's Laughing for a Living, up close and personal!

Thanks, Lou!

Today's tough assignment was to interview Ed Asner who will bring his one-man show, FDR, to Van Singel Fine Arts Center Oct. 20. What a delight he was to talk with. I told him his Emmy-winning character, Lou Grant, epitomizes every city editor I've ever worked for. They didn't all look like him, especially the women, but they all seem to have that same dog-with-a-bone determination. "I feel like I've been working for you all my life," I told him. We talked about the challenges newspapers face today and he asked about my career. I told him I took the buy out two years ago. "You can always write books," he said. I told him I'd been doing just that on a small scale. He compared my books to his one-man show. "You're on the stage alone but at least you are out there." Thanks, Lou.

What a hoot!

Kent District Library has invited some local authors to set up tables at their 75th anniversary celebration from 7-10 p.m. Oct. 18. It will be the first time somebody has paid $75 for a ticket to see ME. But I guess there are plenty of other attractions.  Check it out.

Gaga for Greek God

OMG. Yesterday I interviewed Martin Harvey who was in Detroit with the tour of "Come Fly Away," which is coming to Grand Rapids in October. It's a shame the audience will never hear his lovely British accent, since the dancers in "Come Fly Away" don't speak, but from what I've read, this sexy dancer can say it all with his moves. He starred in the London production of "Dirty Dancing."
       "I started out as an actor and became a ballet dancer against my type," he told me. " I always felt like an imposter. But years of ballet training made me aware of every muscle in my body. It's a wonderful tool in my bag."       Dare I point out his bag is bulging already with rugged good looks? You can see why he is cast as a Greek God in an upcoming television movie pilot, "Siren." Oh, yeah, and he recently married Grand Rapids native Maria Kowroski, a ballerina with the New York City Ballet. Congratulations, Maria and Martin.

One never knows, do one?

Ken Tepper and the Circle Theatre cast have done a great job with "Ain't Misbehavin'," the Fats Waller musical revue that's really the first of all the "juke box" musicals.  It never ceases to amaze me that I can see a show several times and always see something different. This one was a lot smoother, sexier than I remember. It almost sneaks up on you. With a racially diverse cast it's not as much of a political statement. It's just the music and this cast does a great job with singing and dancing. Read the review

Labor of Laughter

When you laugh for a living, Labor Day is the perfect time to look back at some great interviews and look ahead to some wonderful shows. Last week I chatted with Joseph Leo Bwaire who will be portraying Frankie Valli when the long-awaited Jersey Boys opens in Lansing later this month. He's not exactly a household name but I was really impressed with his enthusiasm during the interview.  Sounds like he's going places. Then this week I'll be reviewing two great shows. Circle Theatre ends its summer season with "Ain't Misbehavin'" on Thursday and Civic Theatre kicks off its 86th season with "12 Angry Men" on Friday. See what I mean about the rough life I lead? Read about  "Ain't Misbehavin'"  and "12 Angry Men"