Movin' Out
By LeeAnn Sharpe
First you take the music of Billy Joel, which is so woven into the American landscape it’s imbedded deep into your memory, as a fan or not. Then you take the talent of Twyla Tharp who conceived, directed, and choreographed “Movin' Out”, for which she won the 2003 Tony Award. Next a voice that takes Joel’s lyrics and music into a storyline with emotion. Finally, add the energy of a troupe of young dancers who seem to float and fly across the stage, using their bodies to tell the story. It’s a magical combination that had the audience captivated and cheering super human feats of endurance on Opening Night of “Movin' Out” at Sun City’s Maricopa County Event Center.
“Movin' Out” isn’t a musical in the sense that there are not actors speaking roles, but dancers, dancing to the music telling the story. There are characters and a story line which tells the story of five friends coming of age over three decades from the 60’s to the 80’s. And there's live music with an incredible band singing about 30 Billy Joel songs. “Movin' Out” is more a ballet, an extraordinary dance, rock, theatre infusion, thoroughly entertaining.
The dancing is non-stop and amazingly energetic for nearly two hours. The incredible energy, especially Eddie (Drew Heflin) and Tony (John Corsa), are like the energizer bunnies doing unbelievable feats of gymnastics, jumps, spins and lifts. These are superhuman dancers! “Movin' Out” has definitely been well cast with incredible talent.
Given an amazing catalog of music from Joel, the band took it to new heights with an inspired sax and the fabulous voice of Kyle Martin.
The only fault I can find is in the lighting throwing maximum wattage into the eyes of the audience, blinding this recent cataract removed reviewer into painful squinting to see several times, especially in the opening scene. My companion also commented he wished the lighting hadn’t been so extreme. The theatre also seemed to echo and on more than one occasion I turned around to see who was singing in the back of the theatre a step behind.
The storyline follows five characters from their 1960’s high school graduation, love found and lost, becoming soldiers, off the Vietnam where James dies in battle, the sadness of a soldiers funeral and the girlfriend left to mourn, the pain of vets readjusting to life at home, the nightmare of war haunting them, a drunken brawl, and finally their reunion years later. Read the plot synopsis in the Playbill, as there’s almost no spoken dialogue to help you follow the story and characters.
The long legs of Tony (John Corsa) in Scene 2: Tony Move Out, caught my attention and his legs and leaps kept me captivated throughout. Especially in Scene 10, when he danced to “Shameless” with Brenda (Amanda Kay). The sweetly sentimental pair of James (Eric Bourne) and Judy (Karolina Blonski) were delightful as the danced Scene 3: James and Judy are Forever to “Just the Way Your Are.” It wasn’t until Act II that Eddie (Drew Heflin) came to the forefront with his amazing gymnastic feats at an unbelievable pace that had the audience applauding during several numbers. How does he keep it up night after night? Actually there are 4 dancers in the program who take turns on different nights as Eddie (played by one of four dancers: Brett Emmons, Drew Heflin, Nicholas McGough, or Andrew Pirozzi).
The real star is the Piano Man Lead Vocalist Kyle Martin who gave voice to every scene almost non-stop. What stamina to sing at such a level emoting feeling and enthusiasm to propel the dancers and storyline forward for almost two hours. His voice is comfortable and embracing, with full definition of every word as it must to make the story understood. He has a beautiful voice that brings everything required to make this show a great success.
The rest of the band is excellent with kudos to the sax men Tim McNamara and John Isley.
“Movin' Out” is entertaining and musically satisfying leaving the audience uplifted and wishing they could bottle some of that energy!
Movin' Out ran for 1331 performances on Broadway.
Movin' Out ran two days at the Maricopa County Events Center, one night at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Phoenix and has shows scheduled for Oct 30th & 31st at the Mesa Arts Center.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
History Discussions Preserved for All Time
History Discussions Preserved for All Time
Podcasts & Symposiums
By LeeAnn Sharpe
October 14, 2007
Have you ever missed a great event and wished you could have been there? A noted author or historian speaks and you have a conflict in schedule and missed the talk. Or a gathering across the country that it’s not economically effective to attend, but how you would love to have heard the lecture.
Technology seems to be a double edged sword for most of us who feel an affinity to history. Where the life of a turn of the 19th century citizen seems more in line with my state of mind, technology does make research of history and the sharing of information so much easier. Once travel was required to hear and see exhibits, now many are online and more accessible than ever. Podcasts are a wonderful way to slip into events far away to get insight and perhaps plan your travel in the future to sites that truly fit your desires.
A MySpace friend who lives in Indiana turned me on to http://www.eiteljorg.org the Eiteljorg Museum of Native Americans and Western Art. Exploring their site I found numerous podcasts of interest.
Seminars on Video
Saturday I spent the day at the Sharlot Hall Museum’s 4th Annual Western History Symposium. They had 2 sessions going simultaneously hourly all day long. Luckily they videotaped the sessions and they will be available in the museum archives.
The subjects I enjoyed included “The Pleasant Valley War” by Lee Hanchett and Fred Veil. I was curious because I have personally encountered re-enactors who are willing to come to blows over the debate about this subject that took place over a hundred years ago. Hanchett and Veil provided a more civil opportunity to examine each side of the history. Basically about 19 people ended up murdered and the one person left standing after the many conflicts though tried and convicted was let go on a technicality and not retried. The audience agreed it was the OJ of another era.
“Shady Women and “Respectability” in Arizona Territory” by Dr. Ann Hibner Koblitz was an interesting presentation looking at prostitution and notions of respectability in Territorial Arizona. It was a topic that could be explored so much more than a one hour discussion. I will be interested to read Dr. Koblitz’s upcoming book “Sex and Herbs and Birth Control.” The audience was amazed at some of the interesting methods of birth control and general acceptance the ladies of the evening often enjoyed in territorial society. Even recent history demonstrated a town came into its own when the shady ladies arrived.
I especially enjoyed Ed Hulse’s “Filming the West of Zane Grey”. While everyone is familiar with Zane Grey stories, I never realized which and how many had been used in the movies. Starting with silent films through modern day Grey commanded record-breaking bucks for his day. And his stories, often told in remote Arizona locations, projected his romantic vision of the west to millions of viewer world wide. Ed’s presentation was exciting and definitely will have me looking at his collection of books he’s written about film subjects.
Unfortunately we had to leave a little before the end of “The Amateur Theatre in Prescott, 1868 -1895” delightfully presented by Dr. Tom Collins and his female associate Jody Drake, Director of the Museum’s Blue Rose Theatre. They preformed a delightful reading of the show bills and reviews.
Sessions I was unable to attend but will be in the archives include “Arizona in the Civil War” by Al Bates. I was very sorry to have missed this session as I am very interested in his topic. The terrible war that was fought between the States in the 1860s took place largely east of the Mississippi River. To Civil War buffs, the part of the war that was carried out in the West was just a short-lived side-show. But to the people of Arizona it was real and often deadly. Military forts were abandoned when U.S. Army units stationed there went to the Eastern theatre causing the Apache Indians to unleash an unprecedented campaign of attacks on settlers which, in turn, resulted in the abandonment of farms and ranches and even once-thriving communities such as Tubac. Al is currently working on a biography of Jack Swilling.
“Big River and Sacred Mountains in the 1850’s: Exploring Grand Canyon Country Before Powell” by speaker Dr. Andrew Wallace discussed the 1851 expedition of Captain Lorenzo Sitgreaves as he set out to explore and map the southern portion of the Four Corners region of the Southwest.
“The Lewis and Clark Expedition” talk given by Todd Weber brings to life the characters and events of American history pertaining to the history of Lewis and Clark, the American mountain men, the Oregon Trail, and John Wesley Powell and other river explorers of the Grand Canyon. For the Lewis and Clark bicentennial of 2004-2006 Todd was on the Columbia River on board the Queen of the West as historian for the American West Steamboat Company sharing his appreciation for the stamina, ingenuity, and character that existed in those who helped shape the history of the region. His period clothing and colorful collection add to his presentations, making them visual and memorable.
When Fred Veil, a long time resident of Prescott was asked if he minded the increase in population he commented, “It brings its share of problems, but it also means more interesting activities.” Prescott has reached the age now where so many learned and successful people are retiring in the area, all of society is reaping the benefits. Volunteers and programs have blossomed as prolifically as the museum’s rose garden flowers.
Sharlot Hall Museum has acquired space across the street in the modern Granite Creek Center for a bright and spacious research library. The addition will be welcomed by researchers pale from years of being sequestered in the dark.
If you have not had the opportunity to visit the Sharlot Hall Museum, be sure to add it to your next trip to Prescott. Just a couple of blocks off the town square, it’s a delightful place to just
Podcasts & Symposiums
By LeeAnn Sharpe
October 14, 2007
Have you ever missed a great event and wished you could have been there? A noted author or historian speaks and you have a conflict in schedule and missed the talk. Or a gathering across the country that it’s not economically effective to attend, but how you would love to have heard the lecture.
Technology seems to be a double edged sword for most of us who feel an affinity to history. Where the life of a turn of the 19th century citizen seems more in line with my state of mind, technology does make research of history and the sharing of information so much easier. Once travel was required to hear and see exhibits, now many are online and more accessible than ever. Podcasts are a wonderful way to slip into events far away to get insight and perhaps plan your travel in the future to sites that truly fit your desires.
A MySpace friend who lives in Indiana turned me on to http://www.eiteljorg.org the Eiteljorg Museum of Native Americans and Western Art. Exploring their site I found numerous podcasts of interest.
Seminars on Video
Saturday I spent the day at the Sharlot Hall Museum’s 4th Annual Western History Symposium. They had 2 sessions going simultaneously hourly all day long. Luckily they videotaped the sessions and they will be available in the museum archives.
The subjects I enjoyed included “The Pleasant Valley War” by Lee Hanchett and Fred Veil. I was curious because I have personally encountered re-enactors who are willing to come to blows over the debate about this subject that took place over a hundred years ago. Hanchett and Veil provided a more civil opportunity to examine each side of the history. Basically about 19 people ended up murdered and the one person left standing after the many conflicts though tried and convicted was let go on a technicality and not retried. The audience agreed it was the OJ of another era.
“Shady Women and “Respectability” in Arizona Territory” by Dr. Ann Hibner Koblitz was an interesting presentation looking at prostitution and notions of respectability in Territorial Arizona. It was a topic that could be explored so much more than a one hour discussion. I will be interested to read Dr. Koblitz’s upcoming book “Sex and Herbs and Birth Control.” The audience was amazed at some of the interesting methods of birth control and general acceptance the ladies of the evening often enjoyed in territorial society. Even recent history demonstrated a town came into its own when the shady ladies arrived.
I especially enjoyed Ed Hulse’s “Filming the West of Zane Grey”. While everyone is familiar with Zane Grey stories, I never realized which and how many had been used in the movies. Starting with silent films through modern day Grey commanded record-breaking bucks for his day. And his stories, often told in remote Arizona locations, projected his romantic vision of the west to millions of viewer world wide. Ed’s presentation was exciting and definitely will have me looking at his collection of books he’s written about film subjects.
Unfortunately we had to leave a little before the end of “The Amateur Theatre in Prescott, 1868 -1895” delightfully presented by Dr. Tom Collins and his female associate Jody Drake, Director of the Museum’s Blue Rose Theatre. They preformed a delightful reading of the show bills and reviews.
Sessions I was unable to attend but will be in the archives include “Arizona in the Civil War” by Al Bates. I was very sorry to have missed this session as I am very interested in his topic. The terrible war that was fought between the States in the 1860s took place largely east of the Mississippi River. To Civil War buffs, the part of the war that was carried out in the West was just a short-lived side-show. But to the people of Arizona it was real and often deadly. Military forts were abandoned when U.S. Army units stationed there went to the Eastern theatre causing the Apache Indians to unleash an unprecedented campaign of attacks on settlers which, in turn, resulted in the abandonment of farms and ranches and even once-thriving communities such as Tubac. Al is currently working on a biography of Jack Swilling.
“Big River and Sacred Mountains in the 1850’s: Exploring Grand Canyon Country Before Powell” by speaker Dr. Andrew Wallace discussed the 1851 expedition of Captain Lorenzo Sitgreaves as he set out to explore and map the southern portion of the Four Corners region of the Southwest.
“The Lewis and Clark Expedition” talk given by Todd Weber brings to life the characters and events of American history pertaining to the history of Lewis and Clark, the American mountain men, the Oregon Trail, and John Wesley Powell and other river explorers of the Grand Canyon. For the Lewis and Clark bicentennial of 2004-2006 Todd was on the Columbia River on board the Queen of the West as historian for the American West Steamboat Company sharing his appreciation for the stamina, ingenuity, and character that existed in those who helped shape the history of the region. His period clothing and colorful collection add to his presentations, making them visual and memorable.
When Fred Veil, a long time resident of Prescott was asked if he minded the increase in population he commented, “It brings its share of problems, but it also means more interesting activities.” Prescott has reached the age now where so many learned and successful people are retiring in the area, all of society is reaping the benefits. Volunteers and programs have blossomed as prolifically as the museum’s rose garden flowers.
Sharlot Hall Museum has acquired space across the street in the modern Granite Creek Center for a bright and spacious research library. The addition will be welcomed by researchers pale from years of being sequestered in the dark.
If you have not had the opportunity to visit the Sharlot Hall Museum, be sure to add it to your next trip to Prescott. Just a couple of blocks off the town square, it’s a delightful place to just
Friday, October 12, 2007
Ed Sharpe 2007 Rocky Mountain Emmy(R) Award
Photo: Ed Sharpe of CouryGraph Productions/ Glendale Daily Planet / KKAT-IPTV with 2007 Rocky Mountain Emmy(R) Award for the production of "The Laura Graff Hit and Run Accident - Search For The Driver" .(Photo by Julie Sharpe)
Ed Sharpe 2007 Rocky Mountain Emmy(R) Award
by LeeAnn Sharpe
Last month I turned on the television just in time to catch the second half of the Emmys and cheered when Robert Duvall won for Broken Trail.
It’s a long way from Hollywood and The National Television Academy Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter awards that cover Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and parts of California and Wyoming. Still the Emmy® Statuettes represent the highest honor bestowed in the television industry, making them the most coveted awards in broadcasting. So when Glendale broadcaster Ed Sharpe told me he had been nominated I said, “No way!” But he was, and he won!
Ed Sharpe of CouryGraph Productions / Glendale Daily Planet / KKAT-IPTV in Glendale, AZ was awarded a 2007 Rocky Mountain Emmy(R) Award for his production of "The Laura Graff Hit and Run Accident - Search For The Driver". He won in a new internet IPTV category that was recently added to the awards. In fact, he held all four of the nominations in the category.
The new category displays how important the internet has become, not just in local news, but in the ability of the public to view local TV from anywhere in the world. The web TV lists over 300 stations around the world who broadcast on the internet. And that doesn’t even include the thousands of independent broadcasters like Sharpe.
Sharpe has always been a leader in innovative ideas and on the cutting edge of technologies. In his history he has seen the next wave and jumped aboard to ride until the trend becomes mainstream. As a computer entrepreneur Sharpe was one of the first to educate the pubic about scanning, lasers and inkjet printing. He recently has been an advocate of government funded public access WIFI. His KKAT-IPTV produces hundreds of hours of local news and public service footage posted to his site www.glendaledailyplanet.com.
Sharpe says, "Many people have taken time to teach me videography, editing, writing, ethics in journalism and I appreciate the people who were great sounding boards to discuss ideas."
Glendale Police Chief Steven Conrad stated: "I would like to congratulate Ed on his latest Emmy! Ed is committed to providing our community with information about the efforts of public safety. This video is a great example of a great police-media relationship."
Officer Matt Barnett, Glendale Police Department PIO, who narrated the Hit and Run segment congratulated Ed Sharpe "I have worked with him many times in the past and Mr. Sharpe is a pleasure to work with and is asset to the local journalistic community."
Sharpe took his wife Bette, and daughter Julie to the presentation on the evening of October 6th at the recently completed plush Renaissance Hotel and Resort Conference Center located near the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale Arizona.
The video can be viewed online at http://www.glendaledailyplanet.com/media/Barnett%20police%20motorcycle-3.wmv
Sunday, October 07, 2007
‘‘The Kingdom’’ film review
‘‘The Kingdom’’ film review
by LeeAnn Sharpe
They are calling it “Syriana” for Dummies or Syriana” meets “Black Hawk Down". Whatever you want to equate ‘‘The Kingdom’’ to is only surface comparison. The last half hour or so of this film was so intense that I found myself on the edge of my seat. And so was everyone else! I was riveted. That’s pretty good film making when the entire audience is transfixed.
Largely filmed in Phoenix, this thriller about an FBI team solving a terrorist bombing in Saudi Arabia, stars Jamie Foxx, Jason Bateman, Chris Cooper and Jennifer Garner, and is directed by Peter Berg, who also did the movie “Collateral” and the television Emmy nominated series ‘‘Friday Night Lights’’. Plenty of locals had minor roles, so it was fun looking for recognizable faces. Jeremy Priven plays a State Department contact, Damon Schmidt, who acts remarkable like Ari from “Entourage”. Ashraf Barhom who plays Saudi police Col. Al-Ghazi should get higher billing as one of the real shining stars of this film.
They call it realism of camera views, but if you get queasy with an unsteady handheld camera, take some Dramamine. This fast-paced constantly moving camera action, which seems to be so popular these days, makes me feel old and light headed. AS if I’ve had too much to drink or just not able to keep up with the youthful world of high speed cars and action. Maybe that is part of the mesmerizing effect. I hated it, but I loved it too. I do wish we had more opportunity to focus rather than getting a fleeting glance. But life is that way most of the time too.
It’s strange to think a section of the 202 Freeway in Phoenix looks like Saudi Arabia. Every time I saw those scenes it made me think, “I know where that was shot!” I lost track of the story for a second. They say Jennifer Garner collapsed on the set in Phoenix twice due to the extremely high temperature, over 115 degrees Fahrenheit. So why pick that time of year to shoot? Realism of temperature? I bet Jennifer Garner wished it was less real too.
The story goes a US base housing families of oil company personnel in Saudi Arabia that has been bombed resulting in the deaths of hundreds of US civilians and rescue personnel. The incident is based on actual bombings in 1996 and 2003. Saudi Arabia insists the investigation can be handled internally, but a group of FBI field agents led by Ronald Fleury (Foxx), try to ferret out the terrorists. The best line is “How do you stop an enemy who isn't afraid to die?” Fleury’s team includes forensics expert Janet Mayes (Garner) and bomb specialists Grant Sykes (Chris Cooper) and Adam Leavitt (Jason Bateman).
Over the opening credits the history of relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia through the last century explained all of the major events between the two nations. It explains why so many Americans are in Saudi Arabia in the first place.
The film is dedicated to the memory of Papac, an assistant propmaster on the Universal Pictures' film, who was driving on a closed portion of the 202 Freeway when his all-terrain vehicle collided with an SUV carrying director Peter Berg. Papac suffered severe head injuries and died hours after being airlifted to a local hospital.
“The Kingdom” is an intense and engaging film. This is one that shouldn't be missed. Whether it makes you stop and think about issues in the Middle East or not, it’s an action packed thrilling crowd-pleaser that might stimulate some conversation about Muslim terrorists and cultural differences. At least about the car crashes on the 202. ###
by LeeAnn Sharpe
They are calling it “Syriana” for Dummies or Syriana” meets “Black Hawk Down". Whatever you want to equate ‘‘The Kingdom’’ to is only surface comparison. The last half hour or so of this film was so intense that I found myself on the edge of my seat. And so was everyone else! I was riveted. That’s pretty good film making when the entire audience is transfixed.
Largely filmed in Phoenix, this thriller about an FBI team solving a terrorist bombing in Saudi Arabia, stars Jamie Foxx, Jason Bateman, Chris Cooper and Jennifer Garner, and is directed by Peter Berg, who also did the movie “Collateral” and the television Emmy nominated series ‘‘Friday Night Lights’’. Plenty of locals had minor roles, so it was fun looking for recognizable faces. Jeremy Priven plays a State Department contact, Damon Schmidt, who acts remarkable like Ari from “Entourage”. Ashraf Barhom who plays Saudi police Col. Al-Ghazi should get higher billing as one of the real shining stars of this film.
They call it realism of camera views, but if you get queasy with an unsteady handheld camera, take some Dramamine. This fast-paced constantly moving camera action, which seems to be so popular these days, makes me feel old and light headed. AS if I’ve had too much to drink or just not able to keep up with the youthful world of high speed cars and action. Maybe that is part of the mesmerizing effect. I hated it, but I loved it too. I do wish we had more opportunity to focus rather than getting a fleeting glance. But life is that way most of the time too.
It’s strange to think a section of the 202 Freeway in Phoenix looks like Saudi Arabia. Every time I saw those scenes it made me think, “I know where that was shot!” I lost track of the story for a second. They say Jennifer Garner collapsed on the set in Phoenix twice due to the extremely high temperature, over 115 degrees Fahrenheit. So why pick that time of year to shoot? Realism of temperature? I bet Jennifer Garner wished it was less real too.
The story goes a US base housing families of oil company personnel in Saudi Arabia that has been bombed resulting in the deaths of hundreds of US civilians and rescue personnel. The incident is based on actual bombings in 1996 and 2003. Saudi Arabia insists the investigation can be handled internally, but a group of FBI field agents led by Ronald Fleury (Foxx), try to ferret out the terrorists. The best line is “How do you stop an enemy who isn't afraid to die?” Fleury’s team includes forensics expert Janet Mayes (Garner) and bomb specialists Grant Sykes (Chris Cooper) and Adam Leavitt (Jason Bateman).
Over the opening credits the history of relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia through the last century explained all of the major events between the two nations. It explains why so many Americans are in Saudi Arabia in the first place.
The film is dedicated to the memory of Papac, an assistant propmaster on the Universal Pictures' film, who was driving on a closed portion of the 202 Freeway when his all-terrain vehicle collided with an SUV carrying director Peter Berg. Papac suffered severe head injuries and died hours after being airlifted to a local hospital.
“The Kingdom” is an intense and engaging film. This is one that shouldn't be missed. Whether it makes you stop and think about issues in the Middle East or not, it’s an action packed thrilling crowd-pleaser that might stimulate some conversation about Muslim terrorists and cultural differences. At least about the car crashes on the 202. ###
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