Category Archives: Entertainment
Edelman: KC Kid Holds Her Own With Broadway Stars
How many times do you get a call to work with Catherine Zeta-Jones on Broadway? For Kansas City kid actress Katherine McNamara, once was just enough. She shines in the new revival Continue reading
Edelman: Shtick with Mel Brooks for Laughs
From 2,000 year old man and “Your Show of Shows” to “Spaceballs” and that monster hit Broadway musical about two conniving Producers, Mel Brooks has more than proven that he knows how to make us laugh.
The first-class production of his latest oeuvre “Young Frankestein” (now through Sunday at the Music Hall) caps that career– though I hope he’s not finished yet– with a yuck-fest that’ll make you forget about all about winter weather and the state of the economy. It’s two and a half hours of mindless fun that should be on top of everybody’s stimulus list.
Unicorn’s Excellent Grey Gardens Grows on You
“Bold New Plays,” the Unicorn Theatre advertises. The company’s fine production of the fascinating new musical “Grey Gardens” (now through February 28) makes that slogan a promise. Producing musical theater about a deranged debutante and her hopelessly wacky mother is one of the bolder things you’ll see on a Kansas City stage this season.
That they carry off the task so effectively– and entertainingly– is a credit to the work of two of our town’s most gifted actresses, Cathy Barnett and Kathleen Warfel. Working with a fine cast under the well-paced direction of stager Nedra Dixon and musical director Anthony Edwards, this “Grey Gardens” team–against the odds and without most musicals’ six figure budget–makes it work.
Jazz Time: Celebrate the Gypsy King
Saturday is Gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt’s 100th birthday. Remember the Woody Allen film “Sweet and Lowdown”? The character Sean Penn played was obsessed with this genius of the six strings. Forget about that Guitar Hero on your Wii at home; Django is the genuine article.
Two shows celebrate Reinhardt’s life on Saturday night. Check out one or both. The Djangofest starts at the Folly Theatre, where Mark O’Connor’s Hot Swing holds forth starting at 8 (a Q&A precedes the concert at 7PM). Continue reading
Jazz Time: Make Your Own Jazz Crawl Thursday Night
Perusing the calendar of KC jazz goings-on this week, I noticed a heady confluence of some of our town’s best come this Thursday, January 14…
Since the temperature’s supposed to be on the rise by then, 14 Jan may be the best night to break out of your cabin fever and crawl around to some great jazz spots. Herewith is my Rx for what ails ya, circa this Thursday:
6-7PM: Start out with an early supper to the tunes of that sure-handed keeper of the KC jump jazz flame Bram Wijnands at Chazz, Continue reading
Edelman: Jazz Time; This Week, Resolve to Get There
Tis the week for parties and nights on the town. You’ve got a metro chock full of great music– jazz, the All-American art form. Whether it’s mulled wine, some booze in your coffee or the regular refreshment on ice, tilt your head back and down a few in some of these great rooms, where the music is happening:
The Majestic Steakhouse— Downtown’s quaint on old publick house is back with KC Jump Jazz afficiando Bram Wijnands on the 88s Monday through Wednesday and 7 to 11 on Saturday. News Years Eve, Bram follows pianist Michael Pagan into almost 2010.
Jardine’s— Beena’s Place is always the most comfortable jazz and music room around. Tonight you can say welcome back to bassist and Paseo Academy grad Solomon Dorsey, who shares the bandstand with percussionist Pablo Senhueza. Tuesday night it’s the Beach Nuts from 7 to 11; Wednesday Lonnie McFadden shows up for an R&B show from 7:30-11:30. New Years Eve at Jardine’s belongs to the distaff side with the Wild Women of Kansas City in the early show from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and Ida McBeth at 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. Ida’s back on Saturday night, too Continue reading
Edelman: KC Rep’s ‘A Christmas Story’ BB gunning for the Big Time
Watch your back, Tiny Tim. Little Ralphie Parker may not be as Continue reading
Jazz Time: Julia Othmer lights up the Plaza, while you and I get stuffed
Forget those strings of lights hanging around 47th Street. If it’s Continue reading
Jazz Time: Diana Krall drummer hits Jardine’s
It’s Diana Krall’s birthday; is she hot for 45 or what?
Celebrate the day– and the music–at Jardine’s Wednesday and Thursday with the Divine Miss K’s world-class drummer, Jeff Hamilton. Touring to support his new CD “Sympbiosis,” Jeff decamps at Beena’s place for two shows a night (7 and 9pm). I can promise you–if they sing happy birthday, it’s gonna pop.
Unicorn’s FARRAGUT NORTH rides the dark roads of politics
Politics is not a pretty business. The process is compared to making sausages more often than… well, making sausages.
Beau Willimon’s new play FARRAGUT NORTH (now through December13 at the Unicorn) takes another dark view of the proceedings. It’s an interesting story, well-acted across the board. The fact that it doesn’t catch fire and boil over with dramatic tension may have more to do with the predictable nature of this sorry segment of society than the playwright’s best intentions.
Edelman: Stoppard play makes you stop and think (Can I say that here?)
Comparing what we’re looking for misses the point. It’s wanting to know that makes us matter.
With that telling remark in Act 2 of ARCADIA, now through Sunday Continue reading
Jazz Time: Who said the CD was dead?
We’ve all heard about the demise of recorded music– that CDs are gonna look as ancient as the 78s in grandpa’s living room cabinet (the ones next to the stamp collection and pipe rack). But don’t tell Kaycee’s jazz scene. They’re still pressing the plastic– hey, it’s a great reason to have a CD release party like these:
Wednesday: Continue reading
Kat: Raveonettes, Flock of Seagulls & Jet Farm Beaumont Back Yard
Better luck next year…
If you missed Wednesday’s Buzz Halloweenie Roast in the Beaumont Back Yard, too effing bad. It was only Kansas City’s best Halloween party. The five-band bill included White Rabbits, Black Joe Lewis, The Raveonettes, A Flock of Seagulls and Jet. Skipped the first two due to wardrobe malfunction – so let’s start with the Raveonettes.
******* Continue reading
Jazz Time– Tricks and treats at area clubs this weekend
Talk about All Hallows Eve– we’ve got some hallowed ground, jazz style, right here in Kansas City.
The spirits of Lester Young, the Bird, Count Basie, Coleman Hawkins, Mary Lou Williams, Big Joe Turner and a million other greats are alive and well at 18th and Vine and all around town. Leave the candy and the costumes for the kids– make sure you hear some devilishly fine music this weekend.
Thursday: There’s a new jazz venue in town– the R Bar at 1617 Genessee up and over on the West Side. David Basse croons some tunes tonight from 8 to 11. The Blue Room at 18th and Vine pops to a Latin beat with Makusa from 7 to 11. Two great pianos (that’s four great hands) converge on Main Street, where Joe Cartwright and his estimable trio reign at Jardine’s and Tim Whitmer holds court at Cafe Trio. If that ain’t keyboards enough, Bram Wijnands works Chaz at the Raphael from 6 to 10.
Edelman: Palomino – KC Rep mounts up, takes us for a ride
David Cale’s picaresque protagonist in PALOMINO (now through Sunday, November 15 at the Copaken Stage downtown) is a handsome Irish fellow who moves effortlessly from the horse drawn carriage he wields around Central Park to the bedrooms and beaches of the women he beds. Kieren, like his eponymous horsey, Continue reading
Kat: ‘Spring Awakening’ It
Shock and awed oldsters, screaming adolescent girls, an exodus at intermission…
All were in evidence at Tuesday’s opening performance of Sping Awakening at the Music Hall. Continue reading
Edelman: Smells like Teen Spirit–Spring Awakening rocks Music Hall
Oh, I’m gonna be wounded. Oh, I’ m gonna be your wound.
Tough love indeed, no matter the century. Continue reading
Kind of Blue?– Let KC’s jazz scene lift you out of Chiefs OT doldrums
It’s the 50th anniversary of the most popular jazz album in history, Miles Davis’s KIND OF BLUE. After that Arrowhead OT drubbing, you’re probably feeling the same way. So check out the local jazz scene to warm these blustery nights. At least these guys and gals (or their arrangers) Continue reading
