Monday, January 31, 2011

Delaware's God of Love Takes on Oscar!

Congratulations to Delaware native Luke Matheny, whose short film God of Love has been nominated for an Academy Award for Short Film (Live Action)!  Luke, who grew up in Wilmington, is the writer, director and star of the comedy about a lovestruck lounge-singer with impeccable aim.  You may have seen it in October 2010's Fringe Wilmington Festival, during the Film Brothers Festival of Shorts, where it won the Grand Prize.

Click Here to check out God of Love on DVD!

The Mysterious World of Cats at the NCT

The Full Cast. Photo: NCT
As a teenager in the '80s, my high school drama class took regular trips to New York City to see Broadway shows. This was at the height of Cats fever -- and yet, I never did see it on Broadway, probably because we always bought discount same-day tickets shorty before the show, far too late to land Cats tickets. I wasn't bothered, since there was no shortage of cool shows to see. Still, I was always curious about the much-loved show. When I saw it was showing at the New Candlelight Theater in Ardentown, I had to cover it.

The Broadway run of Cats ended in 2000, having survived through the early '90s pop culture backlash against visual feasts. By the time Disney took Broadway by storm with The Lion King in '97, Cats, I suppose, didn't seem so modern anymore. What's funny, though, is that with mega-spectacles like Lion King, Cats, once the most commercial show in the world, looks almost avant-garde -- especially in the NCT's relatively small room.

Andrew Lloyd Webber composed Cats based on T.S. Elliot's poems in Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, a poetic guide to the sociology of the domestic cat. The show takes place over one night, when the cats leave their owners to have an annual gathering. Cats are humanized and humans are felinized with singing and dance, and it's all lots of fun to watch.
Cory Wade Hindorff as Rum Tum Tugger

NCT's production, directed by Dann Dunn, looked as spectacular as I'd imagined growing up. Jeff Reim's  set design of an outdoor alley with a distinctive backlit moon overhead was beautifully done. The costumes, designed by Timothy Lamont Cannon, who also plays the patriarchial Old Deuteronomy, and the makeup were just right. A visual feast.

Of course, it could be pretty as can be, but without real talent on stage, the production would fall flat. The cast has it. This is professional theater, Delaware, you don't have to wait for touring musicals to hit the DuPont. Highlights include Lindsay Mauck as Jennyanydots, Kaylan Wetzel as Bombalurina, David Synder as both Bustopher Jones and Gus, Erica Scanlon Harr as Grizabella the Glamour Cat, Ryan Blackson as Mr. Mestoffelees and the scene-stealing rebel Rum Tum Tugger, awesomely played by Cory Wade Hindorff. The show has a large ensemble, and it's all good.

As always, the NCT serves a dinner buffet (included in the ticket price) and has a cash bar featuring wine, beer and themed cocktails. Cats runs through March 20th, 2011, and will be followed by their spring production, The Full Monty.

The New Candlelight Theater

Behind the Scenes: Interview with Cats Director/Choreographer Dann Dunn

Art Fusion: Contemporary Music & Art Come Together in Wilmo

Next Friday night, while you're out and about on Wilmington's Art Loop, make a point to stop at Shipley Artist Lofts at 701 Shipley Street.  A multi-genre expression of art awaits you there, in a stellar example of artistic collaboration and clever cross-promotion.

The Delaware-based five-piece Baroque/contemporary ensemble Mélomanie and composer Mark Hagerty are each releasing new CDs next week (entitled Florescence and Soliloquy, respectively), and they have partnered with visual artist Kevin Bielicki for a party of the contemporary Arts, adding even more flair to the February 4 Art on the Town.  Mélomanie presents their annual concert series in downtown Wilmington at Grace Church (their next performance follows on February 19).  Mélomanie's CD features 5 local composers including Ingrid Arauco, Christopher Braddock, Mark Hagerty, Chuck Holdeman and Mark Rimple as well as local musicians Fran Berge, Lynne Cooksey, Donna Fournier, Eve Friedman, Douglas McNames, Kimberly Reighley and Tracy Richardson.

While Mélomanie and Mark Hagerty party it up on the lower level of Shipley's Chris White Gallery---with complimentary food & drink, CDs for sale, composers and musicians on hand to meet & greet, and the CD music played throughout the night---Bielicki will present a mixed media exhibit on both floors.  And attendees are encouraged to mix and mingle: music fans can discover Bielicki's sculpture and acrylic works, and visuals arts buffs can enjoy fantastic modern music by local musicians and composers.

Don't miss it!
See www.melomanie.org.
See www.hagertymusic.org.
See www.KevinBielicki.com.