Stonewall Sensation Week 8

It is now getting down to the wire as we say hello to our 5 remaining finalists.

Alex Amarosa

Sarah Cummings

Creighton Fraker

Jeff Jones

Sara Straw


This weeks Top 2 and Bottom 2


Top 2

with 50 votes Creighton Fraker

with 47 votes Sarah Cummings

Bottom 2

Sara Straw

Jeff Jones

This was a non elimination round so everyone was safe, but had some been eliminated it would have been Jeff Jones.

Alex Amarosa was safe in the middle as this weeks "Lucky Pierre" everyone likes to be in the middle.

Judges

MFI Ariel Sinclair

Poppi K

Adam Feldman

Guest Judge Beca Johnson Southward


Staffing the Circus

Brandon Cutrell Hosting

Kat, I know girl! I keep misspelling your name, Sherelle on the 88's

CT in the DJ booth

Lawerence and Mike getting us all drunk


All righty kids, so this week was Duets in the first ACT each pair had to sing a song of the judges choosing.


1st up Sara Straw and Creighton Fraker; Take me or Leave Me, From Rent, picked by Poppi K

This number was good they preceded it with a few lines prior to the song starting and the two played well off each other.

Sara sounded good but could tell that she needed a little bit more time with the song and on some of the higher parts. Breath control and projection still needs a little work but all in all well done Ms. Lady.
Creighton has great musicality, and played the audience well, singing the part of Maureen was perfect for his unique voice. Creighton has never had a problem with going all out and putting on a show for the audience, but in this case he may have been a little into the part and I felt he could have toned down the performance a little, and played it less campy. But still the two were fine together as a team.


2nd Duet Alex Amarosa and Sarah Cummings; Separate Lives, Phil Collins, picked by Adam Feldman. Now I have never heard of this song and candidly the two singers had said just as much to me. Both Alex and Sarah show that they are professionals and even though they both clearly struggled get through the song, they didn't wimp out and half ass it. At points the range was a bit high for Alex, but he went for it anyway. Sarah had a few flat notes as well but I think it was due to the fact that she wasn't totally behind the song. I will say Alex and Sarah sing well together but, I would have liked them to sing a different song. "Take me to the World" from Evening Primrose or "Elaborate Lives" from Aida would have suited them very nicely. But Thank you Adam Feldman for Challenging these kids.


3rd up Jeff Jones and Brook Ishibashi (last season's winner); A Whole New World, from Disney's Aladdin. All I have to say was Jeff and Brooke did such a great job. There is a reason why Brooke won last season and I love to hear her sing. Jeff has a nice baritone voice and had bit of a struggle to hit some of the higher notes in the song, a little more practice and he'll be fine.


Ok so I really didn't think the Duets went all that well this week. There were some good things about the performances but there were alot of things that went wrong. I don't know if each pair had a lot of time to rehearse together, but I think a little more rehearsal would have produced a better number on the whole.

Prior to intermission Brooke Ishibashi brought down the house with a great number that I forgot to write down, but thanks Brooke!!!!!

As the second act started up, we were entertained by the Inspirational styling of Ariel Sinclair with her show stopping tribute to and I quote our Host Brandon Cutrell "5 time Grammy award Winner and the best contemporary Christian singer to ever live!!!! Ms. Sandi Patty" Ariel gave us "Make his praise glorious" click on the link so see it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nd_0IDVpnI

So with the crowd full of the Holy Spirit or Jack Daniels, sometimes it's hard to tell the difference, we begin the solo portion of the show.

The Theme for the contestants was an Inspirational song of their choosing.

Sara Straw: Wild Angels, Martina McBride. I could tell that this song meant something to Ms. Straw. I felt that this week Sara decided to "Bring It" and she did very well with her song choice.
Alex Amarosa: Being Alive, Company. Alex gave us a very good rendition of this song and I could tell that this also meant something to him, and the depth of this song was expressed in his voice, he faltered towards the end of the song on a note or two but he still attacked the song with confidence. Alex got slightly slammed by the judges on his song choice, they felt he played it a little to safe. I would have suggested to him if he wanted to sing a song from company I would have chosen "Someone is Waiting" or "Marry Me a Little". But I think, "If you can find me, I'm here" from Evening Primrose, would be perfect for his voice.

Jeff Jones: Aquarius/Let the Sunshine in; Hair. Jeff Jones gave us a wonderful up lifting number that will always gets the crowd going. He sang it very well and was spot on with the notes and the musicality of the piece. The only real suggestion I would have made was put a little more soul in the beginning of "Let the Sunshine In" the beginning of the song is slow and mournful like a funeral dirge and needs to be treated as such, then you break out with chorus.

Sarah Cummings: I do it anyway, Martina McBride. This girl has such a great voice and the song was perfect for her and I really enjoyed it. There was a slight touch of a "Miley" sound to her take on the song, which is not a bad thing. But try not to mimic, be yourself and find YOUR own voice and sound and use that when you sing.

Creighton Fraker: What if God was one of us? Joan Osborne. Ok this kid is a trip I can't express this enough. I have heard him sing all throughout this contest, and he keeps going and going, he has a following, and the judges seem to like him. Creighton's performance this week was well sung I guess and since it was a song sung by a girl it is perfect for his voice. The question I am wondering is if he can't help the fact that he sings in a high register? But it also seems like he is straining when he does sing that high, I know he is a man and I just wish he would allow his balls to drop and sing either in his chest voice or somewhere father down ,the boy has chops, but even Kurt Hummel from Glee sings in a low register every now and then. So Crieghton don't be scared to sing low, and like a man. You have the ability, talent, and showmanship to do great things just step out of your comfort zone.

This week had a some very interesting bits and pieces to it, and I can now see that the contestants are starting to take this more seriously, but I caution them to try and think about not just what they are going to sing but how. Really read into the lyrics of the song listen to the music and feel it in your soul and heart.
Next Week:
Songs by up and coming songwriters and Bartenders Choice.
See you at the Stonewall kids.

Elling

Rhett's Review

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I LOVE seeing a New Broadway show on a Saturday Night!...... the excitement and energy are electric! If you've never been to a Broadway show in NYC on a Saturday Night, you've never experienced the true wonder and joy of live theater in the Big Apple. As Carlos and I grabbed a booth to enjoy our pre-theater cocktails at the newly renovated "Barrage" on 47 and 9th Ave, our adrenaline was pumping and we had giddy little schoolgirl smiles from ear to ear! ( It helps that Barrage has TWO Happy Hours daily from 5-8pm and 10p-Midnight: pre and post theater happy hour!!!......Loves It!) After a cocktail.... or 3 (who can count you are so excited!LOL) , we made our way to the Barrymore (aka our "Default" theater when we don't actually know where a show is playing......lol....but this show was actually at the Barrymore!)
Jennifer Coolidge and Denis O'Hare return to Broadway fresh off their individual Hollywood successes (she's best known for "Best in Show" and her Character Paulette in "Legally Blonde"---"I'm taking the Dog Asshole!"...lol! He's most recently known as Russell, the Vampire King of Mississippi on "True Blood".) We also go to pop the cherry of Broadway newcomer Brendan Fraser (School Ties, Gods and Monsters, and Inkheart.... ugh!) Set in Oslo, Norway, this show is supposedly set " Present Day", but to this everyday American, it might as well be set in the 1920's, no cell phones to be seen, no television, bland clothing, and strange robotic verbiage. Apparently Norwegian humor differs from American humor ( mostly because American humor is...uh.. how do I put it?....FUNNY) the basic plot is of two diagnosed "Crazies" who meet in a loony bin. A la "The Odd Couple" we have the dirty, messy, sex and food driven Kjell Bjanre (pronounced Chell Beeyarnuh-ugh!0 played by Fraser, and the uptight, agoraphobic, momma's boy Elling played by O'Hare. Upon release from the nut house, the government places them in a subsidized apartment to reconnect with the real world, and break their unhealthy psychotic habits. They are visited and tested regularly by a state social worker, Frank 9played sufficiently, if not impressively by Jeremy Shamos).
The Roommates bicker and fight, but also push each other to conquer their fears. When Kjell goads Elling to leave the house, Elling decides to run away to spite him, and finds solace at a nearby Poetry den. Elling ends up making a friend in Alfons, played with John Gielgud-esque poise by Richard Easton). the only real fun is brought in the form of 3 outlandish, big breasted Scandinavian Strumpets, all portrayed by the superbly unique Jennifer Coolidge. Most notable is her main character, Reiden, a single pregnant blue collar broad, who lives in the apartment above Kjell and Elling, and is constantly smoking and chugging wine (at 8 1/2 months pregnant).
While O'Hare has moments of brilliant self-reflection, and some fun physical comedy shtick, Fraser is literally is a lump on the stage. Fraser, like his character, is an "orangutan", but not nearly as endearing. Easton steals a few choice moments, but is not given nearly enough of the character to really challenge him. The standout here ( and the only real reason to this otherwise mediocre play) is, of course Jennifer Coolidge. As a disgruntled Nordic waitress, or an eclectic spastic Poetess with a black beehive hairdo. She captivates and cajoles the audience. In her role as "soon-to-be Mother" Reiden, she has us laughing along with her so heartily that we forget to care that her unborn baby will probably be born premature and with fetal alcohol syndrome!.... lol. Sometimes we see a play and it's clearly great, or terrible, but more often than not it falls into a grey area, where we measure the good aspects vs. the bad, with Elling, the scale falls far to the side of the later. In my opinion seeing a few great actors in a mediocre play is still better than seeing mediocre actors in ANYTHING.

Walk, don't run, and get some reduced price tickets to "Elling" (if you have some time to kill)

On a scale of Top, Bottom, or Versatile. I give Elling a Versatile Bottom: the kind of trick you may not call again, but you don't regret hooking up just once.

;)
See ya on the Boards
Rhett

Carlos' Review

In honor of seeing a Norwegian based play I have written ,well google translated my review into Norwegian and English.

Hope you enjoy
Det er type av morsom som og som jeg har dradd se, har vært jeg den som ha blitt kjørt sen. Jeg tekst Rhett og forteller ham som jeg er en blokk borte og jeg får responsen som han er der og «jeg er i hjørnet. .......watching du kysser hennes ohhhhhoohhh. ......” Jeg elsker Robyn. hva et Hva en Dork ! ! !
Alright Pre-Teater drikker ble holdt på Barrage 47 og 9 Ave, den store tingen om denne bar, har de to glade timer : Pre Teater 5p-8p og Posterer Teater 10p-12a. I løpet av de Glade Timene er alt 1/2 prissatt, ikke dårlig å betrakting som overskrift til en aften av teater, en må temmelig mye ta en andre pantelån ut på deres hjem. Med våre drikker i hånd og ha noen mye måtte innhente tid med min yndlingsJøde, Rhett og jeg fastsatte inn i vår banquette, jeg kunne ikke hjelpe under på den behagelige og rommelige bar Strøm har blitt, det tydelig gjennomgikk en hovedrenovering og lar en industri, steril coziness føle til det. Slik med et par en runder av drikkene under vårt belte og litt forskning på Rhetts dekorert områdetelefon, kunne utpønske vi utstillingen som vi ser. All som vi visste var at Brendan Fraser, gjennomførte Denis O'Hare, Richard Easton, og den Gale Jennifer Coolidge, så litt mer enn summet vi trudged av inn i striden som er Tidskvadrat og laget vår måte til Barrymore.
Elling
fredag, på den 5e november, 2010 er
8:00pm Ethel Barrymore Teater
Elling et skuespill som blir basert på en serie av bøkene ved Norsk Forfatter Ingvar Ambjørnsen. Denne spesielle produksjon ble tilpasset inn i Engelsk ved Simon Bøyd og dirigerte ved Doug Hughes. Elling, som blir lekt av Denis O'Hare er historien av en mann som har levd hans helt liv med hans mor og blir tatt å leve i en institusjon etter hans mor passerer borte. Han blir roommates og venner med en simpleminded mann som er DEN 40 årige gammele kjønnet obsessed Jomfruen, blir Kjell Bjarne, lekt av Broadway nykommer Brendan Fraser. Etter blir utløst fra institusjonen dette mismatched paret trekket til Oslo, hvor skuespillet blir satt, og ved hjelp av deres sosial arbeider, Frank ?sli som blir lekt av den vittige Jeremy Shamos, det to forsøket og integrerer tilbake inn i gjennomsnittssamfunn. Langs måten møter de en eksentrisk dikter, som blir lekt av Richard Easton, og gravid nabo, som blir gjennomført av Jennifer Coolidge.
Etter at jeg finne ut dette var et Norsk skuespill som jeg ble hisset opp og engstelig om det jeg er en stor Scndiaphile. Jeg er alltid nervøs skjønt når utenlandsk skuespill, er overrakt til Amerikansk publikum, du vet aldri hvordan reaksjonen vil være til en forskjellig stil av humoren mest Amerikanere er bruk til Britisk humor og til et omfang Canadisk humor men noe som helst på hovedkontinentet det kan bli litt flyktig. Mens utstillingen begynte jeg ble mint av hvordan tørr Scandinavian humor kan være, jeg brukte en kort tid i Stockholm, Sverige og jeg visste hvordan deres mening av humoren er, er Nordmennene meget liknende i deres levering av deres vidd. Skrifttypen ble godt skrevet og dialogen og historien som blir klippet med på et godt skritt. Denis O'Hare mens Elling lekte en ekstremt beskyttet mammas gutten med slik oppriktighet. Brendan Fraser for hans først avbrudd av porten på den store hvite måten, dradd av det kjønn obsessed Kjell Bjarne med en noe nøling, jeg tror for en filmskuespiller som er bruk til flerfoldig tar ved prøveen å få en gjørt scene, det må være vanskelig, et trinnskuespill eller musikalsk, får du en skudd pr. natt å få prestasjonen til høyre. Jeg har en følelse som mens dette løpet fortsetter Herr Fraser vil bli mer og mer behagelig med rollen og hans tilstedeværelse auf der b. Jennifer Coolidge, som du all kan vite fra Beste i Utstilling, som Venter på Guffman, og Lovlig Blond, lekte et par forskjellige kvinnelige karakterer i utstillingen, leverte hennes ledninger og med den samme vanskeligheten som nesten har blitt hennes handelmerke som fungerer stil. utstillingen var i det er tredje dag av previews og kastet syntes litt nervøst om der og bekymret med hensyntil hva publiket ville tro.
Generelt tror jeg kastet sant tror på utstillingen og mens ukene avanserer, jeg tror at de vil finne deres skogholt og utstillingen vil ha et hyggelig glatt løp. Jeg likte det, og det har ført opp noen interessante spørsmål som er vi virkelig om, hva definerer oss, og i samfunnlevebrøddag til dag vi all er tilbøyelig til å føle litt forskjøvet og muligens galt, som er hva er normal om oss som Mennesker.
lik på en målestokk av Toppet, Bunn, eller Allsidig.
Jeg gir denne Prestasjonen av Elling, enAllsidig.

English:

It's kind of funny that the past few shows Rhett and I have gone to see, I have been the one who has been running late. I text Rhett and tell him I am a block away and I get the response that he is there and "I'm in the corner........watching you kiss her ohhhhhoohhh......." I love Robyn.

(Rhett you are a Dork, but not as much as me for writing a review in Norwegian!!!)

Alright Pre-Theater drinks were held at Barrage West 47th and 9th Ave, the great thing about this bar, they have two happy hours: Pre Theater 5p-8p and Post Theater 10p-12a. During the Happy Hours everything is 1/2 priced, not bad considering that heading to a evening of theater, one pretty much has to take a second mortgage out on their home. With our drinks in hand and having some much needed catch up time with my favorite Jew, Rhett and I settled into our banquette, I couldn't help marvel at the comfortable and spacious bar Barrage has become, it apparently underwent a major renovation and has an industrial, sterile coziness feel to it. So with a few a rounds of drinks under our belt and a little research on Rhett's fancy space phone, we were able to figure out the show we are seeing. All we knew was that Brendan Fraser, Denis O'Hare, Richard Easton, and the Crazy Jennifer Coolidge were performing, so a little more than buzzed we trudged off into the fray that is Times Square and made our way to the Barrymore.

Elling
Friday, November 5, 2010
8:00pm
Ethel Barrymore Theater

Elling is a play based on a series of books by Norwegian Author Ingvar Ambjørnsen. This particular production was adapted into English by Simon Bent and directed by Doug Hughes. Elling, played by Denis O'Hare is the story of a man who has lived his whole life with his mother and is taken to live in an institution after his mother passes away. He becomes roommates and friends with a simpleminded man who is THE 40-year old sex obsessed Virgin, Kjell Bjarne, played by Broadway newcomer Brendan Fraser. After being released from the institution this mismatched pair move to Oslo, where the play is set, and with the help of their social worker, Frank Åsli played by the witty Jeremy Shamos, the two try and integrate back into mainstream society. Along the way they meet an eccentric poet, played by Richard Easton, and pregnant neighbor, performed by Jennifer Coolidge.

Once I found out this was a Norwegian play I was excited and apprehensive about it I am a big Scndiaphile. I am always nervous though when foreign plays, are presented to American audiences, you never know how the reaction will be to a different style of humor most Americans are use to British humor and to an extent Canadian humor but anything on the main continent it can become a little sketchy. As the show began I was reminded of how dry Scandinavian humor can be, I spent a brief time in Stockholm, Sweden and I knew how their sense of humor is, the Norwegians are very similar in their delivery of their wit. The script was well written and the dialogue and the story clipped along at a good pace. Denis O'Hare as Elling played an extremely sheltered mamma's boy with such sincerity. Brendan Fraser for his first time out of the gate on the great white way, pulled off the sex obsessed Kjell Bjarne with a some hesitation, I think for a movie actor who is use to multiple takes in trying to get a scene done, it must be difficult, a stage play or musical, you get one shot a night to get the performance right. I have a feeling that as this run continues Mr. Fraser will become more and more comfortable with the role and his presence on stage. Jennifer Coolidge, who you may all know from Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman, and Legally Blonde, played a few different female characters in the show, delivered her lines and with the same awkwardness that has almost become her trade mark acting style. the show was in it's third day of previews and the cast seemed a little nervous about there and worried as to what the audience would think. In general I believe the cast truly believes in the show and as the weeks progress, I think they will find their grove and the show will have a nice smooth run.

I liked it, and it did bring up some interesting questions about who are we really, what defines us, and in society where living day to day we all tend to feel a little displaced and possibly crazy , this is what is so normal and real about us as Human beings.

So on a scale of Top, Bottom, or Versatile.

I give this Performance of Elling, a Versatile Bottom, with a wow did I just pick you up on the Subway and bring you home?

Elling

Playing at the Ethel Barrymore Theater

243 West 47th Street

New York, NY

Preview Start November 2, 2010

Opening Night November 20, 2010

Closing Night March 20, 2011

Dark on Mondays

Stonewall Sensation Week 7

I just wanted to say thank you to my little spies who reported back to me on last nights Stonewall Sensation. I will be back next week, and ready to go.


Reported By Agent 008
Last nights placements were as follows:

In the number 1 position after last week Alex Amirosa with 42 votes

In the bottom two:

Sarah Cummings
Bradley Zellars

Bradley was eliminated with only 16 votes

This weeks themes were
1) A rock song performed with Kat Sherrell on the piano
2) A Jackson song performed with a track

Sara Straw sang:
1) Paint it Black by the rolling stones: Judges said the song was good for her range but definitely needs to work on her confidence you can really see she has the talent, the looks but is lacking the self esteem( Sara AGREES)
2) For her Michael Jackson song she sang "Billie Jean" Judges liked the performance and stated that it was definitely better than her first song of the night. It fit her voice well.

Creighton Fraker:
1) Call me by Blondie ( JUDGES loved it) they were memorized, entertained and he was just amazing.
2) Who's loving you (jackson song)...judges loved his interpretation of the song and all around the boards and in the audience everyone couldn't get over how much he showcased his talents last night "Will the real Creighton Please stand up" and last night he did taller than anyone.

Sarah Cummings:
1) Aerosmith "Cryin" Judges raved about her voice but Adam stated he is going to start getting a little nit-picky because she is so good but well of course everyone loved her and her american apparel outfits.
2) I get so lonely by Janet Jackson---judges loved the song but some thought it was just a little to boring for a Jackson song since there was so many other good choices out there.

Alex Amarosa:
1. Some song by Heart
2. Ben by Michael Jackson

Jeff Jones:
1. Faithfully by Journey
2. I want you back by the Jackson 5


Next weeks topics are:
1) An inspirational song of your choice with Kat on piano
2) Duets!!! With Kat on the piano.
Match ups are:
Sara Straw and Creighton Fraker singing "Take Me or Leave Me" from Rent
Alex Amirosa and Sarah Cumings singing "Separate Lives" Phil Colins
Jeff Jones with special returning winner of season 5 singer Brooke Ishibashi singing "A Whole New World"

Notable Happings

So just to let you all know I will not be covering the Stonewall Sensation tonight 11/3/2010 due to prior comittments, but I have my little spies who will report back to me with the details, and i will post them foryou all to read, all 7 of my fans.

A few happenings this month:

Molly Pope will be appearing at Joe's Pub on tuesday, november 23rd 7:30pm

go to http://www.mollypope.com/ for more details

Also

Emily Shoolin

"Perfect Isn't Easy" A Cabaret
Tuesday, November 9, 2010 9:30pm
at the Laurie Beechman Theater
inside the West Bank Cafe
407 West 42nd street and 9th Ave
$10 cover
plus a $15 food and drink min.
Reservations are suggested
212-695-6909

http://www.emilyshoolin.com/

Blood [by the Mummers]

Blood a New Musical [by the mummers]

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

8:00pm


National Comedy Theater

347 west 36th street Between 8th and 9th Ave


I had an very interesting night at the theater, well first off I was flying solo my usual cohort Rhett was stuck in Key West at the airport trying to get back to NYC, but kept getting bumped or was doing bumps it's all a bit vague. So going stag I stopped into some random hotel bar three doors down from the theater had my usual drink, and waited. At 10 min to 8, I made my way to the theater and waited to see what the evening had in store for me. What I got to see was a new musical called Blood, it was being performed by the performance/comedy troupe called by the mummers.

According to their web site "By the Mummers is an ensemble of traditional artists interacting live and online....Our shows follow an interactive play within a play format, creating character driven original pieces inspired by History and Literature."

As I entered the theater I was greeted by up beat dance music and lots of people milling about some audience members, and most of the cast. The cast and house staff were running around setting the stage, putting up decorations, chatting with audience, and horsing around with each other. I had a feeling that I was walking into a Middle School or High School, and I say this without meaning they were unprofessional or anything. It was more a very relaxed environment and it reminded me of my group of Drama friends in High school and my current theater friends now. Aundre the technical director, I guess for a lack of a better term, greets the audience and begins to explain the group and the play, all the while there are light and sound cues still being worked on, a few actors interrupt him and ask about script and notes changes for the night. It is by this time realize the show has actually started, and we will see during the rest of the first act, this breaking of the fourth wall.
The Plot: I am going to take a direct quote from the leaflet for the show rather than try and give you all the details.
"Year after year, Birnham High School is a hot bed of supernatural bloodshed. At the start of each school calendar, the student body loads up on the big events before their teenage lives are snuffed out like candles. the morning of the welcome Back Prom finds the ambitious and sparkling upstart Mack rising amongst the hallway ranks of pretty girls, nerds, jocks, & studs. His girl, Maura is readily at his side, trying to escape the normalcy that is her life with best friend Jacques- who is anything but normal.... when Blood begins to spill, a prophecy revealing 'The Chosen One' shall determine that fates of the Brirnam Woodsmen and, most of all, Duff, the struggling dismissed cheerleader." The show had a lot of elements that draw from the Twilight Series, Degrassi High, Noises Off and a lot of Macbeth (oh sorry guys the Scottish Play) factor into the telling of this story.
Ok so with that out of the way, I have to say what a great night out it was, the show was lame, awesome and random. The music and the lyrics for the show had me in awe, I know it's not easy to write a musical and so I give the music team props for taking on 15 original songs. A few songs that stick with you, Puppy Love and Raising the Stakes, in the first act. Act two has Unleashed reprised, All the Way, Out, Out Brief Candle, and the Finale Children of the Night. The song that gets stuck in your head would have to be the opening number of the second act, (There will be no Virgins After) Tonight. I found myself laughing out loud and shaking my head and constantly think WTF is this? There were some great performances and singers, Jake Ottosen as Jacques is someone to watch out for in the future, as well Nora Munde Gustuson as Maura, the person who really blew me away with her voice was Aileen Targett as one of the three 'Chorus' members. The comic styling of Matt Harvey as Rennie are not to be over looked as well. With a cast that has great chemistry and great sense of humorbeacuse of this cast and thier determination made up for the weakness of the book.
There were a few things that I would have tightened up, in the first act there were elements of Noises Off where the technical director would interject his comments have the actors re deliver their lines, and would argue with girl and guy running the light and sound board. When these little asides were done, but the consistency wasn't there, the show would continue for great while before another interjection was added and it seemed unnecessary. If you are going to go the Noises Off route be consistent. The only other critique I would give is have the actors slow down a little in their delivery of their lines, I feel some great jokes were missed because they were rushing, and also some of the enunciation was lacking, I strained to hear what Rennie was saying as well as Duffy.

This was a fun show I really enjoyed myself and wish my side kick was with me. Rhett would have loved the sheer absurdity of the whole spectacle, I am sure some people would have hated and said it was bad, the great thing about this troupe I think deep down they all know it's not a Tony winning show, but it's new and fresh and silly, and the whole Ensemble truly belived in the show and were proud to show off what they had created, and to those who would look down their nose at this production I would say "let's see you write an original musical." I am looking forward to seeing what this crazy little group will do next, Hey guys you have a New Stalker.... I mean Fan.

So of the choices for my review of TOP, BOTTOM, or VERSITILE

I give this show a VERSITILE, do some manscaping on the script and tighten up a few songs and I can see this show being a Halloween staple year after year...........

http://www.bythemummers.com/bythemummers/Welcome_1.html

Stonewall Sensation Week 6

(Side Note was not able to do a proper spell check the computer I was on would check for French Spelling Mistakes not English... Go Figure so deal with my poor spelling :) )


Here it is week 6 of the singing competition, and the one thing that strikes me is the tenacity of these singers. Each week they arrive to a semi full bar, sheet music in hand and wait with baited breath to put their souls on display, ready to be judged.


This week our Top 3 are:

Tied with 33 votes each Sarah Cummings and Jeff Jones



With 32 Votes Sara Straw came in second.




Our Bottom 2 this week:


Bradley Zellars and Lovlee Carroll



We bid a sad farewell to Lovlee Carroll who as here final number gave us a greatfelt and well sung version of "It won't be long now" from the Musical In The Heights.





Also saying good by to us is Darius Harper.




So here are the remaining contestants:


Alex Amarosa

Sarah Cummings

Creighton Fraker

Jeff Jones

Sara Straw

Bradley Zellars






Our "Distinguished" Judges for the evening included:




Miss Fire Island 1800 Ariel Sinclair


Drag Queen to the Stars Jason Cosmo


Nightlife Icon Kenny Holcomb


and some dude named John Forsyln?





As usual our host for the evening is Gad About Town and Cabaret Host Icon Brandon Cutrell


I have yet to really mention the amazing support staff that help make our evening at Stonewall Sensation a great time.

First up giving the singers thier voice and lighting CT at the DJ booth, this guy is amazing. As Brandon let us all know CT is dealing with sound and lighting equippment that has been purschased at a corner Bodega in Crown Heights, and kept together with nail glue and glitter, so a great big thank you to CT for making it all work.

Getting us drunk behind the bar, we have the ever sweet and johnny on the spot with your drink, Lawerence, and his side kick, our token Straight boy Mikey.



Then we come to our songstress Kat Sherell on the piano. This amazing pianaist and muse to us all, brings out the best in all the singers. This talented and wonderfully genuine person also has an extremly funny and at times touching blog in which she is attempting to learn a new song everyday. So check out A Year of Standards at http://ayearofstandards.blogspot.com/







Each remainging contestant from now on has to perform two songs each week. This week our little monkey's had to perform one song of their own choice, and one Conurty Western Song on a Karoke Track.





ACT I


Highs and Lows




Sara Cummings- Halo, Beyonce

Sara has a strong voice and technically sang the song well but sounded like Christina Agulaire, meets Rhianna, give the song your own voice is what i would sy=uggest to her.




Jeff Jones- Going to Carolina, James Taylor.

One of my favorite songs, but this version I felt like he was holding back and and not giving us that sense of relaxed excitment.




Sarah Straw- I Can't Make You Love Me, Bonnie Raitt

This is such a great song that really can't reach in a grab your heart out and stomp on it. And what I felt was lacking from Sara's performance was her lack of quite desperation that this song requires. It was still heart felt but I just needed a little bit more.



Alex Amarosa- Johnny One Note, Babes in arms

It was great to see a sinnger not have to rely on a Mic to make himself heard and Alex made himself heard. a strong powerful voice singing a great fun song like this. He engaged the audience and made the song his.



Bradley Zellars- My Man, Funny Girl

It was ambitous of this young man with the delicate voice to try and take on this iconic song, and unfortunaetly he fell flat in a number of places. I think that Bradley needs a few more singing lessons that would help cultivate the sound that he wanted to aim for. I will say he stuck with it to the end and finished what he started.



Creighton Fraker- An Orginal song by Creighton Fraker

Ok here's the deal, I do not like this young man's voice. I find it annoying and nasaly.... there I said it! But I want to stress that this young man is talented and can write a great song and arranged it beautifully. And I wish all the best as he continues along his choosen career path and can't wait to see who will sing his songs.



ActII

Highs and Lows



Sara Cummings- Sang A carrie Underwood Song

She can belt a song when needed but the beginning of this song felt lost and rushed.



Jeff Jones- Amarillo Sky, Jason Aldean

Jeff fell into place with this song and I really could his comfort zone with this performance. He cas excellent Volume control and was able to make me feel the songs emotions.



Alex Amarosa- Forever Amen, Randy Travis

This was a great song choice for Alex and by engaging the audience he made the song his, told a story and gave us a great performance.



Bradley Zellars-Martina McBride, This Ones for the Girl

This was not his best performance.



Creighton Fraker-a song from the Old crow Medicine Show

Going back back what I said earlier, I am not a fan of his voice, but this song and performance was really entertaining and fun.



Judges Pick of the week

Ariel- Alex

Kenny- Crieghton

Cosmo- Crieghton

John- Sara Cummings



Next week rock Songs

1 Song with Kat that she chooses

1 Song hard rock i.e. Blondie, Rolling Stones, Ac/Dc, Kiss, Journey etc.



Stonewall Sensation Upstairs Wednesday Night 10:00pm

Stonewall Sensation Week 5

Well after a short break I am bring you the last two Stonewall Sensation reviews.

Week 4
I missed unfortunately

Week 5
Alex Amaraosa
Lovlee Caroll
Sarah Cummings
Creighton Fraker
Darius Harper
Jeff Jones
Travis Morin
Sara Straw
Bradley Zellars

We had a drop out this week and sadly Travis Morin will no longer be in the compitition.


Judges
Poppi Kramer
Adam Feldman
Jose Candalria
Ariel Sinclair
DJ= CT
Mike and Lawrence at the Bar and the Lovely Kat Sherell on the 88's

Lovlee Caroll still brings it every week even though she still needs to project more when she is singing softly.
Jeff Jones still has a classic Broadway leading man sound to his voice but still would like to see more personality.
Sarah Straw sand Superstar by the Carpenters what was interesting was that she made the song her own and showed some vulnerability.

This week we had some fun extra entertainment Ariel Sinclair gave us a Halloween inspired Patsy Cline number and the Cast of Blood a new Musical entertained the hell out us with their number there will be no Virgins after tonight.

Next Week the remaining contestants will have to sing two songs one they choose and the other a karaoke Country Track.

See you all at he Stonewall 10pm Upstairs No Cover