BalletMet presents "Romeo and Juliet"

BalletMet closes with familiar tale

by Dwayne Steward
Entertainment Coordinator
The Advoacte
May 1, 2008

BalletMet plans to celebrate its 30-year presence in central Ohio by offering a tribute to the past.

The nationally well-respected dance company will present former BalletMet director David Nixon’s version of “Romeo and Juliet” this weekend.

The production, the company’s last of the season, originally debuted in 1998 and will feature Jimmy Orrante, Dmitri Suslov and Carrie West, who all performed the show during its 2002 revival.

“It’s a great way to welcome in the spring … a beautiful love story that shows the power of true love,” said company spokeswoman Jennifer Sciantarelli. “It’s a great blend of music and choreography.”

Going all out for this one, preparation for the production started back in February and included consultation with fight choreographer Phil Wilson and BalletMime creator Gregg Goldston to help hone performers’ non-verbal acting skills, as the entire story is told void of a single word. Nixon, whose six-year reign ended in 2001, also returned for a short while to instruct the dancers.

“It was a real treat,” Sciantarelli said of Nixon’s return. (He’s now head of England’s Northern Ballet Theatre.) “Some of the dancers were here when he was director. It was a nice reunion for all of us.”

The classic tale, reopening at 7:30 p.m. tonight, will be coupled with a 30th Anniversary Gala (at $125 a ticket) honoring 30 people who’ve been instrumental in the company’s longevity. Using the pearl tradition, which is often the gift given during one’s 30th wedding anniversary, they’re being called “The 30 Pearls of BalleMet.”

BalletMet commercial describing the company's programs and influence.

“The list represents people who’ve really made a significant impact on getting BalletMet to where it is today,” Sciantarelli said. She continued to say the show was a fitting end to the 30th year because, like BalletMet, Romeo and Juliet’s iconic tale has stood the test of time.

The show runs through Sunday at The Ohio Theatre, 34 E. State St., Columbus. Tickets are $18.50 to $64.50; call (614) 469-0939 or visit www.ticketmaster.com. For more on BalletMet, visit www.balletmet.org.

African American Heritage Festival

OSU invites central Ohio to cultural festival

By Dwayne Steward
Entertainment Coordinator
The Advocate
April 24, 2008

This year Jasmine Finch wants things to be different.
The 21-year-old co-chair of Ohio State University’s 30th Annual African American Heritage Festival has spearheaded organizing a dozen events for the festivities, hoping this year the central Ohio community will become more involved.

“We’re trying to push for more community to come out and participate,” said Finch, a strategic communications major, who explained how the festival has gone from a Columbus event to simply another campus gathering. “Now we want a big pot of both [students and community members].”

The eight-day festival, which started as a block party in the late 1970s, will feature community service, talent show, gospel concert, poetry slam, a high school scholarship program and a town hall meeting to discuss issues plaguing the local African American community.

“Our goal is to promote awareness and celebrate the African American cultural, but to do it in collaboration with the campus and greater Columbus community,” Finch said.

The week also will highlight a speaking engagement featuring Aaron McGruder, famed political commentator and creator of cartoon strip and television show “The Boondocks.” He’ll be appearing at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Newport Music Hall, 1722 N. High St., Columbus.

The festival begins with its well-known Kick-Off Celebration: “Family Reunion” at 6 p.m. Saturday at the South Oval and Browning Amphitheater (on the corner of Neil and 12th avenues). Events will take place throughout OSU’s campus. For more information, call (614) 688-8449 or visit http://heritagefestival.osu.edu/.

Short North Gallery Hop

Exploring an artistic oasis

by Dwayne Steward
Entertainment Coordinator
Trend
Spring/Summer 2008

Multi-colored highlighted arches and niche galleries line the roads. Saxophone street performers and sidewalk painters cater to the crowd. Across the street a drag queen walks alongside a stilt walker.

One might think this a scene from downtown Paris or Montreal, but to revel in the throes of artistic expression one need look no farther than downtown Columbus’ bustling Short North.

On the first Saturday of every month, the Short North Gallery Hop offers a creative oasis, spring being the height of the year for the central Ohio staple.

“We’re getting to the level of art districts like those we see in Chelsea (New York City) or Ybor City (Tampa, Fla.),” says John Angelo, executive director of the Short North Business Association and coordinator of the gallery hop.

The Short North in itself has become a unique spectacle. Its essence, however, bursts at the seams during gallery hop weekends.

“It’s very interesting that this anomaly exists in the Midwest,” says Angelo, who came to Columbus from Cincinnati three years ago to take over the association. “It’s a celebration of the artistic spirit with 100 plus shops and restaurants, each its own unique station… the brain child of its owner.”

This rich diverseness is what Angelo says makes the gallery hops so intriguing. While traveling through the crowd, one can see ballerinas dancing in the streets, have a masterpiece sculpted before their eyes and enjoy a first-rate concert all in the same evening.

“It becomes personal,” he says. “It’s an intimate experience immersed in a global feel.”

The hop is almost a quarter of a century old. Just 30 years ago, the area — on High Street in between downtown Columbus and the Ohio State University’s main campus — was a decrepit, urban wasteland, populated by drug dealers and prostitutes.

“People would hit their gas and run through as fast as they could,” Angelo says. “A revolution took root in the early ’80s, and there was a vibe that was growing. You started seeing murals on the buildings and several other influences that revolved around art.”

Now the area attracts 10,000 spectators on average during its gallery hops, with more than 20,000 making it through during the spring and summer weekends.

“When you come to the Short North you find yourself,” Angelo says. “You’re forced to choose amongst the many different exhibits and restaurants, because what you’re looking at, in most cases, is one of a kind.”

Hocking Hills State Park

A short trip to natural fun

by Dwayne Steward
Entertainment Coordinator
Trend
Spring/Summer 2008

When people get that itch for adventure, most head out to Yellowstone State Park or The Grand Canyon. But this year, that nature bonding trip could be just a short drive to southern Ohio.

Hocking Hills State Park rapidly is becoming the place to explore your outdoorsy side. It’s ranked 25th amongst parks nationally for its tourist traffic of 2 to 4 million annually.

The lush scenery, massive caves and rare wildlife are just a few of the attractions, says Pat Quackenbush, one of the park’s seasoned naturalists.

“In springtime this place is unbelievable, with waterfalls and caves it’s pretty spectacular,” he says. “Part of the park is where the ice age stopped, which left gorgeous recess caves and wildlife you won’t see anywhere else in the state.”

The park’s 2008 spring season has been filled with events. Here are a few of the park’s signature happenings. You also can check out www.hockinghills.com for a full list of the park’s programs.

Ailey II

Ailey presents its dance perspective

by Dwayne Steward
Entertainment Coordinator
The Advocate
April 17, 2008

Nearly 10 years ago, Dominique Rosales’ life was changed after simply picking up a mud-ridden, wrinkled flier off the street advertising for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater company.

Four years later, Rosales found herself on a plane from her hometown of Berlin to New York for the first time to become a part of an American legacy. Now the 24-year-old will appear Sunday with the illustrious Ailey II dancers in front of a sold-out crowd at the Capitol Theatre for a provocative showcase of the modern Horton-style dance technique.

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre compnay performing
an excerpt from "Revelations" on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars."

The Alvin Ailey dance company, billed as the “cultural ambassadors to the world,” is in the midst of its 50th anniversary, which runs through May. The company, founded by the legendary dancer and choreographer Alvin Ailey, specializes in bringing the African-American experience to the world through dance and has performed for over 21 million internationally.

Rosales used her life savings to make it to America after being accepted in the dance school four years ago. She was convinced her life and career were dependent on her making it here.

“I saw them once when I was 15, and I knew it was what I wanted to do,” she said. “I saw an excerpt from ‘Revelations,’ it’s one of Alvin Ailey’s masterpieces … wherever it’s performed in the world everyone understands it, even if they don’t understand the culture behind it.”

Rosales was soon handpicked by Sylvia Walters, Ailey II’s artistic director. Among the school’s thousands of students, only 12 (six men and six women) are chosen for what Rosales describes as a “very young and innovative company,” a sort of “junior company of the first,” referring to the 30-member international Ailey touring sensation.

Ailey II takes the stage for a sold-out performance at 7 p.m. Sunday. Call (614) 469-0939 or visit www.ticketmaster.com for more information.

OWU dance/theatre showcase

Local dancer to perform in OWU production

by Dwayne Steward
Entertainment Coordinator
The Advocate
April 12, 2008

NEWARK -- Newark native and Ohio Wesleyan University freshman Rachel Brumfield, 18, has gone from aspiring high school drama buff to dedicated theater and dance student, juggling a hectic class and social schedule, in just 10 months.

Now, after wetting her feet in a few of the school's productions, she'll appear in the university's dance and theater showcase, a pairing of their annual spring dance show "Orchesis" and an Ohio premiere of the musical "The Photographer," which opened Friday.

"It's been great, I've had a lot of fun," said Brumfield, who has had to manage class and a rigorous three month rehearsal schedule. "I've gotten to know a lot of people and the choreographer of our dance is a senior, so it's been great to be able to learn from her."

This year's "Orchesis," completely choreographed and performed by students, will present a six-piece set to music by Johann Sebastian Bach. Taking the stage immediately afterward, "The Photographer" will offer a musical look into the life of famous photographer Eadweard Muybridge, whose work contributed to the creation of motion pictures.

"The students choreographing for this year's production have created fascinating, abstract dances that mirror the complex and often playful structures found in Bach's music," said Tim Veach, "Orchesis'" artistic director and a part-time university dance professor, in a press release. "That (Orchesis 2008) is partnered with another visually intriguing work, 'The Photographer,' is an added bonus for our audience."

Brumfield, a Newark High School grad, arrived on Ohio Wesleyan's campus in the fall, immediately joining the theatre and dance department. The former high school drama club president gained early experience by participating in a host of productions, including dancing in two pieces during annual dance showcase, TerpsiCorps.

The Hopper Collection

Humorous 'Hopper' not afraid to look at dark side

by Dwayne Steward
Entertainment Coordinator
The Advocate
April 10, 2008

The Evolution Theatre Company premiered its first project, “Stone Cold Dead Serious,” in January to rave reviews and a few packed houses. This weekend the group hopes to do it again with Matt Smart’s “The Hopper Collection,” a story that takes a comic and tragic look at the life-imitating-art philosophy.

Offering a modern twist on Edward Albee’s classic “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”, the play chronicles an evening with wealthy middle-aged couple Marjorie (Ellen Knolls) and Daniel (Dan Welsh) as they entertain younger couple Edward (Billy Earnhart) and Sarah (Megan Lynch), brought together over Marjorie’s original Edward Hopper painting “Summer Evening.”

“The painting means something different to each one of them,” said Drew Eberly, 29, the play’s director by night and Ohio Dominican admission’s counselor by day. “The couples also deal with a certain amount of deception, which brings to question the concept of illusion versus reality.”

Though revolving around one setting over an evening, “Hopper’s” dark comedy offers intense humor and engaging flawed characters, Eberly said.

“Marjorie is a little wacky,” said Knolls, 42, a local model and mother of three. “She’s really unhappy … she started taking pills and tried to kill her husband.”

The characters’ witty banter and dark secrets are just a few of the plays highlights, Welsh said.

“Everyone can relate to it, at its core it’s a story about a middle-aged couple. Everybody can laugh at it,” said Welsh, 43, an Otterbein University grad and self-employed computer database consultant. “There are definite moments when you might catch yourself laughing when you think you shouldn’t be.”

The Evolution Theatre Company presents “The Hopper Collection” as a prelude to its 2008-09 season, which will include four new shows in September, January, April and June.

“Goal in the short term is to bring new exacting work to Columbus,” said Paul Lockwood, 49, company founder and original director. “Next season is going to bring shows that are Ohio, Midwest and one may even be a world premiere.”

Lockwood came to Columbus four years ago after running theater companies in New York and Philadelphia. When he noticed a semi-professional acting void, he decided to fill it.

“A lot of people don’t realize what a jewel this place is,” Lockwood said. “We want to become a fixture in the cultural scene here.”

“The Hopper Collection” opens at 8 p.m. Thursday through April 19 at MadLab Theatre, 105 N. Grant Ave., Columbus. Tickets are $8 and $10. Call (614) 221-5418 or visit www.evolutiontheatre.org or www.madlab.net for more information.

Click HERE to read my review of "The Hopper Collection."

Doubt: A Parable

'Doubt' lets audience draw its own conclusions

by Dwayne Steward
Entertainment Coordinator
The Advocate
April 10, 2008

“Doubt: A Parable,” a small play with big controversy, opened this past weekend in Columbus and runs until April 27. Presented by the Contemporary American Theatre Company, the play won four of the eight Tony Awards it was nominated for in 2005 for its successful run on Broadway.

Written by John Patrick Shanley, who won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the play in 2005, the plot chronicles four distinct characters in the midst of an alleged moral scandal at a Catholic school during the early 1960s.

Father Flynn (Tod Zimmerman) faces the wrath of Sister Aloysius (Mandy Fox), who is rife with suspicion. The end ultimately questions the importance of doubt, leaving the audience to make its own conclusions.

“The playwright says the actual play is the first act, and the second act is the discussion on the ride home,” said Fox, a Yale School of Drama graduate and Ohio State University theater instructor who revived her Broadway role of Lala in CATCO’s production of “The Last Night of Ballyhoo” in 1999. “I would describe it as a fast-moving 90 minutes. It’s not often that you go to a theater and the time just flies by.”

Zimmerman’s portrayal of Flynn is his fifth role at CATCO. He also appears in “The Underpants” and “Complete History of America (Abridged).” Taking roles when he can, the 37-year-old, of Columbus via Phoenix, is confident “Doubt” will have an impact.

“There’s not a lot said in the text, which made it really fun to create Father Flynn’s backstory,” Zimmerman said. “CATCO is a company known for doing really solid work and this show should be no exception.”

Fox and Zimmerman also will be joined by CATCO veterans Christina Ritter (Sister James) and Marie Kamara Monk (Mrs. Muller).

Hailed as a modern masterpiece by The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, “Doubt: A Parable” is now playing in the Studio One Theatre at the Vern Riffe Center, 77 S. High St., Columbus. Tickets are $11 to $40. Call (614) 469-0939 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Click HERE to read my "Doubt" review.

Carrie Underwood

Underwood takes crowd on 'Carnival Ride'

Photos by Dwayne Steward
Newspaper Network of Central Ohio
April 4, 2008

Carrie Underwood rocked out country style at Value City Arena on her "Carnival Ride Tour" with opening act Josh Turner.

For my review go to Columbs After 5.

Avenue Q

Writers got to 'Avenue Q' via 'Sesame Street'

by Dwayne Steward
Entertainment Coordinator
The Advocate
April 3, 2008

Beware of full puppet nudity. The lovable, raunchy stylings of Broadway sensation “Avenue Q” are coming to The Palace Theatre.

The musical, Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, took Broadway by storm when it opened in 2003. Deemed an underdog going into the 2004 Tony Awards, it won Best Musical, Best Book and Best Score.

A blatant homage to the legendary puppet TV show, for which Marx and the show's puppet designer Rick Lyon used ot work, the cast consists of puppets and humans as they interact in a decrepit apartment on Avenue Q. Singing through their woes with upbeat sing-song tunes “It Sucks to Be Me,” “If You Were Gay,” “Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist” and “The Internet is For Porn.”

“I often compare it to ‘South Park,’” said Andrew Graham, Avenue Q’s music director and Ohio native. “If there were real people saying these lines, they wouldn’t be able to get away with it.”

Graham also acted as the assistant musical director when the show did an exclusive run in Las Vegas after its success in 2005. It had significant trouble competing amongst the plethora of Vegas nightlife offerings and closed after only nine months.

Originally an audience pleaser when it first appeared on Broadway, the troupe saw resurgence in support when it hit the road in the summer of 2007.

“I remember we were worried that it would be hard traveling to major venues, especially with the controversial material,” said Graham, who hails from McArthur, graduating from Capitol University with a degree in piano performance in 1997. “But it really hasn’t, the show has transferred very well.”

Now after spawning a sit-down in London, a coffee table book and a horde of merchandise, the show is rapidly becoming an American classic.

“There’s really nothing like it,” Graham said. “It’s just a very smart and witty show; each song is this kind of fun, bouncy tune that teaches a lesson about life to adults. It’s kind of difficult to describe … if you watched ‘Sesame Street’ at all when you were a kid you won’t get lost.”

Avenue Q opens 8 p.m. Tuesday at The Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad Street, Columbus, and runs until April 13. Tickets sart at $22.50, call (614) 469-0939 or visit www.ticketmaster.com for more information.

Kate Voegele

Ohio native goes from student to rising star

by Dwayne Steward
Entertainment Coordinator
The Advocate
April 3, 2008

Imagine one day dozing in an art history lecture during your sophomore year of college and the next you’re an actor in a major prime-time drama with a pop album shooting up the charts. For Cleveland native Kate Voegele, this hopeful daydream has become a striking reality.

“It was definitely a complete 180,” said Voegele, who released “Don’t Look Away” with MySpace Records earlier this year. She’ll be making an appearance at The Basement in Columbus on Sunday.

Voegele dropped out of Miami University in Oxford, where she was an Art Education major, in 2006, signed with MySpace, took her notebook filled with songs she’d written and went on tour. The risk paid off when her album flew from No. 62 to No. 27 on Billboard’s Top 200 earlier last month.

Though new to most Americans’ iPods, Voegele has been singing since she was 10 — when she joined her church choir — and writing since she was 15.

“That age is when you start to really become aware of the stuff you’re going through,” Voegele said. “There are a lot of small things that really wear on your emotions; I needed an outlet so I starting writing.”

She claims her musical tastes are “all over the map,” citing the likes of Carly Simon, James Taylor and Patti Griffin among her musical influences.

The breakout pop-rock singer also landed a spot on season five of The CW’s “One Tree Hill” as Mia, a young artist discovered by Peyton, one of the main characters who happens to own a record label.

“I didn’t really know I could act,” said Voegele, who went to the audition on the suggestion of her agent, never expecting to get the role. “But I enjoy anything that’s a creative challenge.”

Stalled by the writer’s strike, Voegele said she’ll be heading to Los Angeles to shoot more episodes in the next few weeks.

Still on a humbled high from the last year, Voegele quickly rattled off her next conquests.

“Right now this record is totally where I’m at,” she said. Her plans also include riding out this season of “One Tree Hill,” heading out on tour with Hanson throughout the spring and picking up the opening spot on Natasha Bedingfield’s summer tour.

“I get to do what I love,” she said. “It feels like I’m on vacation all the time.”

Voegele will appear at The Basement, 391 Neil Ave., Columbus, 7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10, call (614) 461-5483 or visit www.promowestlive.com. For more on Kate Voegele visit www.katevoegele.com.