Full A-Team Review: Wizard of Oz

* * * * (4 stars)

Thanks, Frank, for the Lessons!

Why? Really. Why does L. Frank Baum’s archetypal tale of hardship and loss, good vs. evil and fantasy vs. reality continue to fascinate and influence audiences decade after decade – whether it’s book, film or stage show? Because it explores those universal themes of homesickness, longing for a better world, protecting the helpless and discovering our inner strengths amid the trials, the tribulations and the storms.

From the overture to the last reprise of “Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead,” the music and magical lines will stay with you. (Although the volume was a bit too loud, occasionally.) And whether dancing, singing or emoting, this road show troupe is more cohesive than super glue, with super creds preceding them. And I love the playbill advice from Kristin Stewart who competently portrays Aunt Em and Good Witch Glinda:

“My goodness, dream, whether you leave home or not.”

And I have to tip my hat to the great dancers and their choreographer, Leigh Constantine . . . to Tim McQuillen-Wright and Jimm (cq) Halliday for the stunning set and costumes and Wm. Berloni, the animal trainer, unless Toto was totally hypnotized.

Sure Father’s Day weekend is coming up, and it’s YOUR turn to be treated. But here’s your golden opportunity to hit a homerun with your family. Take THEM to see the “Wizard of Oz.” You’ll be not just a hero, but a thoughtful parent who will, like many adults, find many aspects of this show personally enjoyable.

And then, there are the lessons imparted to the younger, more impressionable viewers without your having to lecture, rant . . . or even say a word. Besides, Dad (or Mom), there’s the 3rd floor Café’, the 6th Floor Outdoor Terrace, the Landmarks Public Art Program in and around the “New” Bass Concert Hall, and some of the best people-watching I’ve encountered in my long time of lobby hopping. But none are as interesting as the Lullaby Girls, Lollipop Boys, the Munchkins, Trees, Crows and Dorothy’s beloved traveling companions.

Preston Kirk
Spicewood (Austin) Texas, USA

April Austin Arts Meetup- With Video!

Last Monday a group of thirty or so Austin Artists met at the beautiful House Wine to mix and mingle and meet new folks! Every time we have these meetups we see more and more new faces. Not only do these meetups serve as a way for A-Team members to meet each other face to face and talk about their experiences, but as a venue for those new to Austin to meet people to connect with, for artists of different disciplines to find someone to collaborate with, and for us all to give ourselves a big pat on the back for the art that we promote and create in Austin. Here are just a few images! Hope you will join us in May! Details soon!

Go here to see a video!

Full A-Team Review: Simply . . . Lippia?

From far (Sun City and beyond) and near (Bowie H.S. students,), the mature and the immature came Saturday night (May 1) to hear Steve Lippia channel the musical vibes of Frank Sinatra, a.k.a. “The Voice,” the “Lean Lark” and the “Croon Prince of Swing.”  And the Connecticut native-cum-Las Vegas resident did just that . . . naturally.

My tin ear cannot attest to the “levels of ingenuity and intensity” that Rolling Stone once ascribed to “Old Blue Eyes,” but what an enjoyable trip down memory lane – even with one’s eyes open. Lippia’s homage to the “Groovy Galahad” was a well-paced 105 minutes and 21 songs. Yeah, songs filled with life’s vignettes, great storytelling, romance and lyrics you can understand, appreciate and remember.

I’m also pleased that this well-traveled warbler and Sinatra “interpreter “ – not imitator — gave ample recognition to the musical composers and arrangers who contributed to the “Svengali of Swing’s” enduring hits. Johnny Mercer, Nelson Riddle, et al.

Full A-Team Review: Hansel and Gretel

“Boring?” No way. Cultural Spectacles Seldom Are.
Admission #1: I’ve seen an opera about once every 10 years of my adult life, or about four of them. Admission #2: I’m not a fan of weird musical phrasing sung in high registers. And truth be told, I love a spectacle, which is what ALO’s “Hansel & Gretel” surely is at the Long Ctr. And it is, after all, a worldwide favorite.

A pre-teen’s commented as he exited Friday night’s performance: “Boooo-ring.” Sorry. Can’t agree. The score by composer Engelbert Humperdink — no not the crooner – is enjoyable all by itself, if one could isolate it from the audience, cast and stage. And under the baton of the deeply-accomplished Mo. Richard Buckley, the musicians rendered all the emotion worthy of the Grimm brother’s enchanting fairytale.