Sara Bareilles Gets Her Little Black Dress On In Raleigh

On July 22, Sara Bareilles brought her magnificent talent and tour to the Red Hat Amphitheater in downtown Raleigh, NC.  Bareilles is a force to be reckoned with.  She brings a raw and natural talent to the stage that is rarely found in artists today.  She commanded the audience with every breath, every word.  The stage is her home. The air was electric as she sang familiar hits, intertwined with newer songs.

Her presence was magnetic, even as she briefly came out on stage before the show started to introduce the opening acts, Emily King and Lucius, and as she stood side stage to watch the bands perform.  This was our first time seeing the singer-songwriter, but it certainly won't be the last!

The opening acts, Emily King and Lucius were both excellent and brought a quality to the stage that was delightfully unexpected from the stand point of an audience who in large part wasn't planning to take notice of the openers.  Emily King is a singer-songwriter from New York City who brought such a soulful presence that the audience couldn't help but turn their attention to the stage.  It only makes sense that an artist with so much pure talent (Bareilles) would bring talented opening acts on the road with her and that is exactly what she did.  After King performed a set of soulful ballads, Lucius came out on stage and rocked.  They simply rocked. Their debut album is out now, and it is worth purchasing. The lead singers, Jess Wolfe and Holly Lessig are enormously talented and every song they played pumped a new life into the audience in preparation for Bareilles taking the stage.

Bareilles began her set with "Little Black Dress" and took the audience on a journey of love, loss, laughter and life before ending with an encore of "Satellite Call".  Words can barely describe the tremendous and transcendent experience of the concert.  She was better live than on CD, DVD or video .  She had background projections for most songs, of those I especially enjoyed the projections for "I Choose You".  Two of the most spectacular songs from the evening were her cover of Sia's "Chandelier" and a new song from the musical adaptation of Waitress that she is writing entitled "She Used to be Mine".

Sara Bareilles always brings a night full of fun, tears, cursing, and most of all joy! Everyone should see her live! Don't miss her when the Little Black Dress Tour stops in your city!

Theater People - Robin de Jesus

Patrick brings us another spectacular episode of Theater People.  This week's guest is Robin de Jesus, a movie and theater actor whom you may have seen in the 2003 movie Camp (which also starred Anna Kendrick) or remember from his amazing portrayal of Sonny in In the Heights.  

He started his Broadway career as an understudy/replacement in Rent, and went on to star as Sonny in the 2008 Broadway production of In the Heights and as Jacob in La Cage aux Folles receiving Tony nominations for both roles.  He can be seen in the New York Music Theater Festival's production of Mother Jones and the Children's Crusade.

I don't want to spoil why Mother Jones and the Children's Crusade is so special because no one can tell the story as well as he can, and it is an amazing story! The show is about Mary Harris "Mother" Jones, a turn of the century crusader working to end child labor.

His experience with Camp, the audition process, and what the movie meant for him is a great story and worth the listen! It is a great movie and worth the watch! I also love the way that Patrick brings in his own theatre camp experiences and takes the audience's connection with the story one step further.

Robin de Jesus and Joanna Chilcoat in Camp

After quitting his job at Bubba Gump's, and on a recommendation from his friend, he got a reading for In the Heights after the producers and creative team had seen Camp.  He was supposed to go to college a month later, but when his loans didn't go through and a few months later the same producers from In the Heights were doing Rent and cast him in the show. And while he was in Rent, they workshopped In the Heights.

Directors, especially those who had seen Camp, would only consider him for gay roles.  As an actor he wanted to play a larger multitude of roles and be seen as more than one dimensional/avoid typcasting, something that is hard for young actors to achieve.  As a result, he turned down a lot of roles, and has made a name for himself that is known for more versatile roles.  The take away from his experiences is that you can  be in control of your own career; which parts you choose and your work ethic are the only things you can control, so control them well because so many things are not in your power.

He shares an in-depth look at his experience with In the Heights which began in 2005.  It begins with the experience of building a show and the changes the script goes through to Karen Olivo almost punching a guy out to defend Robin at a restaurant. It is a must listen (and you won't want to miss the laughing attack that it sends Patrick into).

Robin goes on to discuss the Tony nomination that sent him to therapy, and  The Secret and vision boards that helped get the show to Broadway.  He finally had everything he wanted, but it was overwhelming and there was a lot of pressure  that he put on himself.  He needed to figure out why he was unhappy and work on it in therapy to find his happiness which he was able to do.

He also gives a detailed account of his experience with La Cage aux Folles.  He had quit In the Heights without having another job.  It is a wonderful story about being cast, being at a place in his life where he could turn down a Broadway show, working with Kelsey Grammar, being nominated for a Tony award.

The show ends with him talking about how Caroline, or Change impacted his life. He saw the show in previews and it hit home and you must listen to him discuss how Tonya Pinkins' role in the show changed his life and led him to understand what kind of theater he wanted to do!

If you're not already subscribed to the Theater People podcast, what are you waiting for? Subscribe today!
Theater People: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Robin de Jesus: Twitter

Theater People: Tonya Pinkins

Theater People presents their newest episode and, as always, is a great one!



Tonya Pinkins, most known for her work in Caroline, Or Change, is a Tony winner that has become a Broadway legend!  As Patrick notes, Tonya has also been in Merrily We Roll Along, Jelly's Last Jam, and is currently in Holler If Ya Hear Me.

Holler If Ya Hear Me is based on the lyrics and poetry written by Tupac Shakur.  As Tonya says, the show isn't a "jukebox musical" but is a collection of Tupac's protest lyrics set to popular tunes from the 80s and 90s.  And so, Todd Kreidler brought these pieces together to illustrate the events that many African Americans face.  Patrick and Tonya both say that the show is not about Tupac, but instead the world that African American men find themselves in.  Tonya notes that the show is opening doors for viewers to discuss a part of African American culture that people have been overlooking.



After the touching discussion about Holler, Patrick then takes Tonya down Memory Lane to discuss her Broadway debut in Stephen Sondheim and Harold Prince's Merrily We Roll Along.  She notes that the show previewed for two months, followed by two weeks on Broadway - at which point the show closed.  She also points out that many people have tried to solve the "Merrily problem."  Last year, the show was filmed at the Harold Pinter Theatre, where the show garnered critical acclaim.  However, Tonya believes that the show is easier to follow structurally in today's society than it was in 1981, which may explain the show's initial failure. 



The next stop on Memory Lane was Jelly's Last Jam, where Tonya played Jelly's love interest, Anita. She talks about her time in the show, including the times that she was fired from the show and brought back.  She also campaigned for the Tony by sending out press packages to get people to pay attention to her.  It was only after the Drama Desk nominations that Tonya got noticed for her role in the show.



After Jelly, Patrick and Tonya take a look at Caroline, Or Change.  She does a great impression of George C. Wolfe telling her about the show and his interest in her being castes as Caroline.  Caroline, Or Change tells the story of an African American woman working as a maid for a Jewish family in Louisiana during the Civil Rights Movement.  Tonya tells that she did not need to study the piece, but could feel the work within her.  Patrick tells Tonya that the show will forever be associated with her.  Despite all this, it lost Best Musical awards at Drama Desk and the Tonys, but won the Olivier for Best Musical.

Finally, she dishes on her upcoming projects and dream roles.

What an amazing interview! Tonya is an inspiring person and a beautiful speaker.  If you haven't already listened to this week's episode, you are missing out!

Tonya Pinkins: Twitter | Holler If Ya Hear Me 
Theater People: Website | iTunes | Twitter

2014 Emmy Nominations

Mindy Kaling and Carson Daly announced the nominations for the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards live via webcast and chat from.  Game of Thrones and FX miniseries Fargo scored the most nominations with 19 and 18 respectively.  Netflix came out strong this year scoring lead and supporting actor nominations for Ricky Gervais in Derek, Taylor Schilling and Kate Mulgrew for Orange is the New Black, and Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright for House of Cards. With its nominations this year, Modern Family could win for a fifth year in a row, tying Fraiser for most Emmy wins, while Tatiana Maslany was snubbed once again for her role in Orphan Black. The drama categories are particularly competitive categories this year with True Detecitve choosing to submit as a drama rather than as a miniseries.

Full List of Nominees can be found here.

Outstanding Comedy Series 
The Big Bang Theory
Louie
Modern Family
Orange is the New Black
Silicon Valley
Veep

Outstanding Miniseries
American Horror Story: Coven
Bonnie & Clyde
Fargo
Luther
Treme
The White Queen

Outstanding TV Movie
Killing Kennedy
Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight
The Normal Heart
Sherlock: His Last Vow
The Trip to Bountiful

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Jeff Daniels, The Newsroom
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Woody Harrelson, True Detective
Matthew McConaughey, True Detective
Kevin Spacey, House of Cards

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama
Claire Danes, Homeland
Michelle Dockery, Downton Abbey
Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
Kerry Washington, Scandal
Robin Wright, House of Cards
Lizzie Caplan, Masters of Sex

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie
Benedict Cumberbatch, Sherlock: His Last Vow
Chiwetel Ejiofor, Dancing on the Edge
Idris Elba, Luther
Martin Freeman, Fargo
Mark Ruffalo, The Normal Heart
Billy Bob Thornton, Fargo

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie
Helena Bonham Carter, Burton and Taylor
Minnie Driver, Return to Zero
Jessica Lange, American Horror Story: Coven
Sarah Paulson, American Horror Story: Coven
Cicely Tyson, The Trip to Bountiful
Kristen Wiig, The Spoils of Babylon

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy 
Louis CK, Louie
Don Cheadle, House of Lies
Ricky Gervais, Derek
Matt LeBlanc, Episodes
William H Macy, Shameless
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy 
Lena Dunham, Girls
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
Melissa McCarthy, Mike and Molly
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation
Taylor Schilling, Orange is the New Black

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy

Mayim Bialik, The Big Bang Theory

Julie Bowen, Modern Family
Allison Janney, Mom
Kate Mulgrew, Orange Is the New Black
Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy 

Andre Braugher, Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Anna Chlumsky, Veep
Adam Driver, Girls
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family
Ty Burrell, Modern Family
Fred Armisen, Portlandia
Tony Hale, Veep

Outstanding Reality Competition
The Amazing Race
Dancing With the Stars
So You Think You Can Dance
Project Runway
Top Chef
The Voice

Outstanding Variety Series
The Colbert Report
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
Jimmy Kimmel Live
Real Time With Bill Maher
Saturday Night Live
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama
Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad
Jim Carter, Downton Abbey
Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Josh Charles, The Good Wife
Mandy Patinkin, Homeland
Jon Voight, Ray Donovan

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama
Anna Gunn, Breaking Bad
Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
Joanne Froggatt, Downton Abbey
Lena Headey, Game of Thrones
Christine Baranski, The Good Wife
Christina Hendricks, Mad Men

THR's Emmys breakdown by the numbers here.

The 66th Primetime Emmy Awards are set for August 25th and will air live on NBC.

John Barrowman - "You Raise Me Up" Review

Okay.  Who doesn't love John Barrowman? After all, he is the most awesome guy in the world. Not only is he known for his role as Captain Jack Harkness in Doctor Who and Torchwood, but he is also known for his incredible talent as a singer.

His newest album, You Raise Me Up, was released through a partnership with PledgeMusic.  This partnership allowed fans to be involved in the creation of the album.  John's intent for the album? To present some of his favorite songs and songs that his fans want to hear.  Was he successful? Absolutely!

                                           

A Thousand Years - This Christina Perri cover is brilliant.  As it is a contemporary track that younger audiences will know by heart, John is giving a new flare to Christina Perri's hit.  If I didn't already love the song, John's performance would make me fall in love.

Listen to the Music - This track from the Doobie Brothers is awesome! This track seems to be John's personal message to his fans "to dance the blues away" and "listen to the music."  And yet again, his passion and energy for the piece shine through.

You Raise Me Up - Released on Josh Groban's album, Closer, in 2003, this track is one of the greatest songs of our time.  Having been covered by over one hundred artists, this piece is easliy recognized and awe-inspiring.  Just like almost every other cover, John begins the piece like a soft lullaby and the piece crescendos into a wall of sound that fills every listener with warmth and happiness.  

Skyscraper - Demi Lovato's hit features beautiful and inspiring lyrics and a catchy melody.  John, as a performer who brings so much emotion to his performances, is able to bring the song to a higher level.  

Mandy - This Barry Manilow cover is well-done.  While "Mandy" may be a track most known to older generations, John's popularity among younger audiences may bring about a surge of interest in the piece.

That's the Way It Is - This track made its debut in 1999 on Celine Dion's album All the Way...A Decade of Song.  As this is one of my favorite songs ever, I was excited to hear John's interpretation. It is simple, yet powerful.  While I was secretly hoping to hear him replicate some of Celine's runs, his simple interpretation is well done.

Bridge Over Troubled Water - This classic track from Simon and Garfunkel (who ever thought that phrase would exist?) is exquisite.  The only duet on the track features guest performer Ashleigh Gray (from the London production of Wicked).  The powerful number brought me to tears, which was unexpected.  And let me be clear, they were happy tears.

Goodbye My Friend - This Linda Rondstadt number from 1989 would have been a great final track.  Almost as a blessing from John to his listeners with promises of further music and projects! 

This Is The Moment - Suprisingly, this is the only track that points to John's past in musical theatre.  From the musical Jekyll & Hyde, this number follows the path of the other numbers on this album.  It is filled with hope and power.  As John sings the piece, I can't help but think that this is the best song on the album.  To me, this is John Barrowman at his best.

Hollywood - This poppy tune was originally recorded by Michael Buble and is another salute to John's younger fans.  John knows which songs make his fans happy, and this one will definitely get the job done!

Loch Lomond - This Scottish classic was released in 1841 and is a great piece.  While I believe that "Goodbye My Friend" would have been a great closing number, the lyrics make this number a great way to end the album: "Fir me an' my true love will ne'er meet again / on the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomon.'" Almost as though John is saying goodbye to the creation process of the album.  

And if anyone is still questioning how awesome he is, here is John singing a song that most everyone knows or has at least heard of:

For more information about John, check out his official website.  And be sure to follow John on twitter!

And if anyone is interested, check out his CDs, books, and concerts on iTunes and Amazon.

Also, here is the link for John's newest album, You Raise Me Up, on iTunes and Amazon.

Many thanks to the person who posted the used video to youtube.