Kristy Moody's Blog, page 26
May 7, 2021
[Grand Comeback] A&A Ballet’s Celebrates 5th Anniversary with “The Art Deco Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Rhapsody in Blue” Event
On May 22nd, A&A Ballet plans to welcome their loyal fanbase back with a triple bill at the Athenaeum Theatre. “The Art Deco Nutcracker”/”Swan Lake”/”Rhapsody in Blue” will be their very first extensive performance since the pandemic shut down the world in 2020.
Alexei Kremnev and Anna Reznik’s beloved company is celebrating 5 years with the return of their popular show “The Art Deco Nutcracker” and world premieres of “Swan Lake”, “Rhapsody in Blue”.
What is each individual show about? The official press release on Athenaeum Theatre describes is this way:
The Art Deco Nutcracker has been presented in prestigious theatres across the world including: the Bolshoi Theatre (Moscow), Lincoln Center (New York) and the Opernhaus Zurich (Switzerland). Nutcracker is set in 1920s America and features Tchaikovsky’s beloved score. The show is a fresh, yet traditional take on the beloved holiday favorite with costume and set design inspired by the unique sophistication of the Art Deco era.
Swan Lake is a tribute to the purity of classical romantic ballet. Fast paced, full of dramatic effects and true passion this world premiere will certainly melt your heart. It is created by Anna and Alexei.
Rhapsody in Blue is unusually fusing elements of ballet, contemporary, theater with humor. This award-winning work is a pure delight and a crowd pleaser. It is co-created by Alexei and Braeden Barnes.
Again, this astounding triple bill plays at the Athenaeum Theatre on May 22nd, 2021 at 2pm and 7pm.
A Special Thanks to A&A Ballet for the info and photos.
April 30, 2021
Review: The Joffrey Ballet’s “Under the Trees’ Voices”
Stefan Goncalvez, Photo by Matt de la PeñaTonight, the world premiere of “Under The Trees’ Voices” was streamed live on The Joffrey Ballet’s YouTube Channel. The 28-minute work, which featured 15 Joffrey Artists, exuded the charm of ‘Winning Works” and “Modern Masters”.
“Under The Trees’ Voices” effortlessly showcased the agony many felt over the past year when we thought of the happiness of community. From friendship circles to romantic relationships, many things were put on hold due to health concerns. The dancers made us all jealous with the ease of human touch and interaction through each scene. However, they didn’t forget to mask up during the performance and contrast the connection of the past with the social distancing encouraged in 2020 into the present.
Their costumes were sexy, while it made them one with nature. Green leaves adorned the nude toned outfits. The stage as a whole had a simplistic design that made the audience fondly think of the great outdoors.
The show was choreographed by Nicolas Blanc and featured music by the late Italian composer Ezio Bosso (Symphony No. 2).
Dylan Gutierrez and Jeraldine Mendoza, Photo by Matt de la PeñaFans of the arts and lovers of all types of performing arts will enjoy this performance.
You can now stream the recorded version of “Under The Trees’ Voices” for free through Joffrey Ballet’s YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/TheJoffreyBallet).
Dylan Gutierrez and Jeraldine Mendoza, Photo by Matt de la PeñaBTSCelebs sends a special thanks to The Silverman Group and The Joffrey Ballet.
April 23, 2021
[Exclusive Interview] 6 Questions With Supergroup OMEGA X
Photo Courtesy of Spire Entertainment Don’t miss OMEGA X!
Spire Entertainment’s brand new permanent boy band is well on their way to surpassing SuperM as the next “Kpop Avengers”. After signing with Japan’s mega fan media platform Skiyaki Inc, being interviewed by Forbes, and featured in a host of South Korean and niche media like SPO TV News, Joy News 24 and Koreaboo, OMEGA X is ready to take on the world. Members Hangyeom, Jaehan, Hwichan, Sebin, Taedong, Xen, Jehyun, Kevin, Junghoon, Hyuk and Yechan graciously took some time out of their busy schedule to do an exclusive interview with BTSCelebs.
First things first, what is the 411 on their highly anticipated debut album?
Spire’s head of global business, Kevin Cho, had this to say about their new tunes: “The title track in the four-track mini album, scheduled for release in May, best represents OMEGA X’s color. We can’t say much about the title track yet, but it’ll surely wow the fans with powerful choreography moves uncharacteristic of a new group.”
Their official logo even has a beautiful meaning. Derived from the Greek alphabet, the word OMEGA is all about a fresh start and having ambition until the end. According to an official press release, the members plan to maintain a positive connection with their fans forever. They want to deliver “limitless joy, dream, opportunity, gift, love and hope,” as the X in their name represents. The black and white colors symbolize “embracing diverse values” and “light of hope… representing the birth of a new megascale K-pop group with a global fanbase.”
Photo Courtesy of Spire Entertainment Now, let’s start the interview!
BTSCelebs: Who is Omega X?
Kevin Cho: Omega X is a K-pop boy group with 11 members. Most of the members have made an appearance on K-pop audition shows and have debuted as a K-pop star.
Jehyun: This group, Omega X, is a new start and a new challenge for us. We feel obligated to make better music and put on better performances for the fans who’ve been waiting for us a long time. And as we work together, that pressure is turning into expectations. I hope that fans will get to know our group dynamics through the upcoming reality TV show as well as our debut performances.
Tell us about your individual journeys to Spire Entertainment.
Kevin Cho: All of the Omega X members have their own special stories, and through those stories, fans can experience and resonate with each member’s personality
Jehyun: When I was in third grade, Rain had dropped Rainism. I saw his solo performance for the first time on TV and I was blown away. I felt so strongly that I wanted to perform on stage like him, so after talking to my parents, I started taking dance and vocal lessons and started to work towards my dream of becoming a singer. I also like Taemin, whom I personally want to emulate the most. His solo performances are so sexy and inspirational that I try to learn how he does it and to make it into mine in my own style.
Yechan: I wasn’t really interested in music until I was scouted on the streets when I was 15. I learned to dance and sing then. It was awkward at first, but I fell in love with expressing myself that way. It was exhilarating. Since then, I started singing a lot of R&Bs and dancing. I picked up rap for the first time after joining Omega X. Since I’m into hip hop right now, the musician I admire the most is Omega X’s Sebin. (laughs) I listen to a lot of G-Dragon, Justin Bieber and LANY. I started composing after listening to LANY.
Who are your role models in American mainstream music?
Yechan: The band I like the most is LANY. I started composing after listening to them.
Jehyun: I listen to Chris Brown and PrettyMuch.
Sebin: I listen to Lauv every time I take a shower.
Kevin: I like Ariana Grande’s voice, so charming.
Hwichan: I listen to Pink Sweat$, an R&B artist.
Describe your individual personalities in one word.
Photo Courtesy of Spire Entertainment Hangyeom: Weather
Yechan: Cameleon
Jehyun: Rainbow
Junghoon: Mischief Maker
Hwichan: Ajeossi
Kevin: Friends
Sebin: Positivity
Jaehan: Meerkat
Taedong: Puppy
Hyuk: Family
Xen: Jalapeno marshmallows
What is your favorite snack food?
Hangyeom: Bread. I love bread.
Yechan: A sweet latte. I don’t snack but I love a latte after dance practice. It gives me strength!.
Jehyun: Peach iced tea, because I don’t drink coffee.
Junghoon: Ice americano, because I get sleepy without my coffee.
Hwichan: Lay’s potato chips. It’s clean and reasonably priced. It’s a gift from god.
Kevin: Chocolate. I like the depth of flavor.
Sebin: Red ginseng. I feel healthy!
Jaehan: Ice. I like the feeling of chewing ice.
Taedong: Strawberry latte. Strawberries are refreshing and the milk enhances their sweet flavor, which makes me feel good.
Hyuk: Mon cher cacao cakes. I’m afraid of gaining weight, but I finish the entire box in one sitting.
Xen: Clementines, oranges, cheonhaehyangs, and hallabongs. Clementines are delicious.
What do you hope fans take away from your debut album?
Kevin Cho: The four-track mini album is scheduled for release in May. Along with an intense beat, these songs showcase the unique k-pop choreography, the catchy tunes that are easy to sing along during live performances and the members’ love and gratitude for their fans. This album expresses the excitement of a new beginning and the members’ wishes to be with the fans on that journey.
BTSCelebs is cheering for OMEGA X!
Today, OMEGA X kicks off their reality show Loading – One More Chan X. They have been dropping teasers throughout the entire month of April. Now, you can learn even more about these rising talents by enjoying the fun-filled show. The guys promise to give us a behind the scenes look at the road to their debut. View the 10 episode series on their YouTube Channel and V Live every week.
OMEGA X’s four-track mini album releases in May.
A Special Thanks to Spire Entertainment and OMEGA X for the interview and images.
April 19, 2021
Book Review: Carla Laureano’s “Provenance”
In August, the complex and beautiful story of “Provenance” officially releases! In Carla Laureano’s newest release, we follow the story of a single California girl named Kendall Green.
Her seemingly perfect life is full of lies as the interior designer hides the scars from her tragic childhood. When Kendall gets notified of Colorado property she inherited from a grandmother she never knew (Connie Green), multiple windows of opportunity begin to open.
“Provenance” also places a spotlight on Gabriel Brandt. He is a young mayor who has just taken office in a town called Jasper Lake, Colorado. This particular town is the place where Kendall’s inheritance is located and where the pair fatefully meet. However, their story isn’t the usual Laureano romance. It is rooted in history, family relationships and faith. Both characters are very broken, and they discover their individual paths to healing as the story progresses. She learns about her birth family, one caring foster family and her own soul. Gabe works on his own relationships as well.
This novel touches on trauma, while leaving room for so much inspiration. I highly recommend it to readers of all ages. It truly leaves readers with hope.
Carla Laureano’s “Provenance” releases on August 3rd, 2021.
A Special Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers for the advance reader copy of the book and cover image
April 11, 2021
April 3, 2021
[Guest Blogger] How to Write Realistic Family Drama
At the heart of so much fiction is family. After all, family shapes us from a very young age and continues to do so the older we get. Families also make regular appearances in our fiction, and writing realistic family drama is not without its challenges.
I learned so much of how to create realistic characters in acting class. Studying a character so I could bring them to life on the stage isn’t that different than learning to bring a character to life on the page. You want to know what makes a person tick—why they make the choices they do. These are aspects of a character’s personality that you find in their backstory, and the more you know about that, the more realistic a character will be.
Family dynamics are all about backstory, so the best way a writer can make sure their characters are realistic within those dynamics is to uncover the family relationships going back as far as they possibly can, and then it’s important to dig in to each individual relationship.
Writing family conflict is really no different than writing any other kind of conflict, and that means there are some key factors to take into consideration when you set out to develop your story.
Give each character excellent motivation.
After all, nobody fights for something they don’t believe in. Ask any two people on the opposite side of an argument to defend their position, and they’ll likely have strong convictions to back up their choices. This is critical in writing realistic family drama. If the motivation behind a character’s action is weak or non-existent, the reader won’t buy it, no matter how angst-ridden the scene is on the page.
Those motivations can stem from something that happened in the past to cause them to react a certain way, or something that’s happening in that moment, or both.
Observe how people interact.
As you create the characters, you can decide how they interact with each other, and a great way to do that is by observing real life families, including your own.
Observation is a critical element to writing. Watching the way people interact is important to nail down the nuanced relationships you find within a family. For instance, one person may act a certain way with their sister and then act a completely different way with their mother. The relationship contributes to the action. Birth order might change how a character is viewed. Closer siblings may be more inclined to defend each other. And no two families are the same. One family may be loud and say everything they think while another may choose to bottle their feelings in an effort to keep the peace.
Once you determine the dynamics of the family, the drama becomes more realistic.
Don’t make it too over the top.
Drama for drama’s sake isn’t effective. And it’s crucial to remember that throwing in every dramatic scenario isn’t realistic or even interesting for a reader. Have you ever read a book or watched a movie where literally nothing good happened? At some point, it’s tiresome. You have to give your characters a win every now and then, and if you add conflict just to have conflict, readers are going to feel the inauthenticity in that.
Remember that all relationships ebb and flow. It’s rare that someone is always good or always bad. Showing those ups and downs is going to go a long way in making your characters and their relationships feel more genuine.
What are your favorite family dramas?
CLICK HERE to read BTSCelebs‘ review of her latest book “Is It Any Wonder”.
Visit Courtney Walsh’s official website (courtneywalshwrites.com) to learn more her and her books.
A Special Thanks to Courtney Walsh and Tyndale House for the insightful article.
March 26, 2021
10 Things Only Theater Geeks Will Love
Photo Credit: Todd RosenbergOver the past several years, BTSCelebs has attended the best stage performances in the Midwest, and it’s the perfect time to revisit those iconic moments all over again.
Let’s reminisce about those precious plays/dances now.
10. King and I
Growing up, the 90s version of “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella” was in my top 5 favorite movies. As many know, actor Paolo Montalbán is Brandy’s Prince Charming in the film. So, when I heard he was starring in Lyric Opera’s “King and I”, I was excited to see and review it.
In 2013, the Dr. Seuss classic “The Cat In The Hat” came to the Midwest through Broadway in Chicago. This succeeded as a real life guide for the beloved children’s’ books.
In 2017, BTSCelebs reviewed a second version of “The Nutcracker” that resembled an opera or Broadway setting. The stage and dance were spectacular!
photo by Cheryl Mann“Anna Karenina” has always been on my must watch list, but I never got around to seeing the Keira Knightley version. Plus, I’m not really a fan of R rated productions. However, this ballet gave me the opportunity to see it without dialogue. It turned out to be a jarring performance.
Photo Credit: Cheryl Mann6. Jane Erye
The 1840s Charlotte Bronte book was pleasantly recreated into a ballet when The Joffrey Ballet presented “Jane Eyre” to the Chicago audience. I was captivated by the film and TV versions, and this one kept the magic alive.
Photo Credit: Cheryl Mann5. Oklahoma
Rodgers and Hammerstein introduced “Oklahoma” to the world in the last century, but Lyric Opera made it a thrilling experience for the 21st Century audience.
Photo: Dan Rest/Lyric Opera of Chicago — at Lyric Opera of Chicago.4. I Love Lucy
“I Love Lucy” was resurrected on the stage in this 2013 adaptation. I adored this mirror version of the ’50s classic. This had to be a history making moment for BTSCelebs, because it was the very first time a live play was reviewed.
Left to Right: Joanna Daniels (Ethel Mertz), Sirena Irwin (Lucy Ricardo) and Curtis Pettyjohn (Fred Mertz). Photo courtesy: Justin Barbin.I enjoy the 1960s film “The Sound of Music”, but this Lyric Opera one was a little different. However, the changes didn’t take away from the original…. it only enhanced this adaption.
The first time I ever saw “The Barber of Seville” had to be the 2019 performance. It deserved to be highly praised for the stellar music, acting and sets. One of the best!
Photo Credit: Todd Rosenberg1. Cinderella
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” should be considered one of the most celebrated plays of 2014! It delighted their Midwest audience during the Christmas run, and it will remain a cherished memory that many can’t wait to relive again in the future.
Which theatre review article is your favorite?
March 15, 2021
March 8, 2021
BTSCelebs to Review Carla Laureano’s “Provenance”
“Provenance” is an all new novel by a two-time RITA Award–winning author. This Spring, BTSCelebs plans to give you the complete review of Kendall Green and Gabriel Brandt’s intriguing story.
In Carla Laureano‘s newest tale, Gabriel is trying to save a small town (Jasper Lake) from a developer (Kendall) set on rebuilding it as a summer resort. Gabriel and Kendall have deep memories in the town, however, their memories are as different as night and day. Once I read this book, I’ll be able to expound on their relationship and the key outline of Laureano’s work of fiction.
Stay tuned for my review next season!
Carla Laureano‘s “Provenance” releases on August 3rd, 2021.
*A Special Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers for the advance reader copy of the book and cover image*
March 1, 2021
[Interview] 9 Questions With “Dolphin Island” Actress Annette Lovrien Duncan
Photo Credit: Entertainment Squad
BTSCelebs: Who is Annette Lovrien Duncan professionally?
Annette Duncan: I am Associate Professor of English at Carthage College, having taught there for 33 years. I am also currently the Title IX Coordinator for the college, and the Chair of the Academic Senate (the faculty governance body). My husband is Senior Pastor at Church in the City, Milwaukee, and we’ve served in full-time ministry together since 1988. But the role that is bringing me a great deal of joy right now is that of being a film actress—it’s a genuine dream come true.
What inspired you to pursue acting?
I’ve done stage acting most of my life, but the film acting is recent. My son-in-law (Thomas Adisi) moved back from Hollywood where he and my daughter were pursuing acting full-time. He started CoLAB Film School in Milwaukee. Being a supportive mom, and having had a dream since childhood to act in film, I signed up for his first classes. His guidance and knowledge of how to step into the industry was the boost I needed to pursue this passion in earnest.
You portray character Sheryl Williams in “Dolphin Island”. What is one quality Sheryl has that you want to mirror in real life?
Sheryl has a deep-seated faith in God and a love for her family that supersedes earthly concerns. We have seven children, four kids-in-law, and seven grandbabies (so far), and it has been my experience that nothing but faith in God will keep me grounded in the midst of that.
What was your favorite scene in “Dolphin Island”?
Though it’s not the most dramatic scene, I am powerfully connected to the exchange between Sheryl and Anna when she passes on the cross—and the legacy of love and faith. It is a poignant representation of enduring inter-generational values and relationship.
Which stars mirror (and are the complete opposite) of their “Dolphin Island” character?
Peter Woodward is truly a renaissance man, someone who can dazzle with both his intellect and his ability to wrangle a rusty boat—very much like the character of Jonah in the film. And Tyler Jade Nixon is a bright, warm, loving teenager, quite similar to the character of Annabel. Bob Bledsoe, on the other hand, is not a money-hungry and deceptive character, but rather a notably kind and generous human. But can he ever play the villain!
Since the pandemic started, how are you spending quality time?
My life has not actually changed that much. Most of our family lives nearby, and some even moved in during the early days of quarantine. We still hang out, we do some (safe) traveling, and we’ve added a baby and a wedding during 2020. I also have chosen to teach my classes in-person at the college because I believe our young people need face-to-face interaction as much as possible. I also sing in a professional choir in Milwaukee (Master Singers) and, when the ice breaks, I swim and jog as much as possible.
What are your top 3 family/indie films of all time?
I’ve always enjoyed Aladdin —who doesn’t love some Robin Williams??
I want to give a shout out to Smoke Signals , based on the Sherman Alexie novel
And two films which always deeply moved me in a similar vein are The Mission and Chariots of Fire . (That’s four, but who’s counting?)
Which actor and actress would you like to star alongside in the future?
Denzel Washington! He’s a king. And I’ve forever been in awe of Meryl Streep, though I think Reese Witherspoon has more depth than she is often allowed to show and I’d be honored to work with either of them.
What other projects should we expect from you this year?
The film industry is really starting to come back to life, so auditions are beginning to roll in again—yay! I’ve mostly been doing some commercial work and I did a fun documentary about the life of Russell Brunson that will be coming out soon, but I’m excited to get back into feature films. I’m currently in the final call-back stages for several, but no roles to formally identify as yet. Stay tuned!
“Dolphin Island” is now available on most video-on-demand platforms.
A Special Thanks to Annette Duncan and Collide Media Group for the exclusive interview and image.
