Out & About Nashville
“Aladdin and His Winter Wish” at TPAC in Nashville, TN
By William Shutes
December 20, 2019

If you’ve felt a near-seismic eye rolling ripple through Middle Tennessee, oft accompanied by a low, roaring groan, in the evenings since last weekend, rest assured that the twin phenomena are neither harmful nor long-lasting.  Usually, the mention of rolling eyes and groans in a theatre review would mean that the show on the boards is a real stinker.  Or, as this show would put it, “Sugly” – a portmanteau of Smelly and Ugly.  While there are certainly prettier shows out there, if you’re in the market for bad dad jokes accompanied by a “Ba-dum-CHING!” on the trap set, hie thineself to TPAC’s Polk Theatre with all haste, for Aladdin and His Winter Wish will have you laughing at the utterly absurd, peculiarly English humor that is Panto.

Chances are you don’t have the faintest idea what Panto is.  In short, it’s a fairy tale that has been moderately bastardized.  In fact, it’s a virtual theatrical turducken of star actors, bad jokes, pop songs, a smidgeon of cross dressing, visual gags, and a thin veneer of Christmas spirit all lobbed into a fairy tale picture frame.  What you’re left with this year is a rip-snorting good time with more inside jokes than you can count.

Now, a warning… (in my best Meryl Streep in Death Becomes Her impression, “NOW, a warning?”):  Do not enter the Polk Theatre expecting Disney’s Aladdin.  If you are, you’re going to be disappointed and, folks, it’d be cheaper to pop in the Blu Ray and sing a couple Christmas songs throughout the evening.  Besides, Father Disney does not take kindly to folks stepping on its creative toes.  There will be only a sideways mention that Disney exists and it’s one of the night’s best jokes.

Leading the show as Aladdin is television and stage star Damon J. Gillespie, a veteran of Disney’s Broadway mounting of their Aladdin musical.  As his Princess is Nickelodeon starlet Kira Kosarin, known for her work on The Thundermans.  They’re a sweet couple with evident chemistry.  Not that it’s deeply necessary.  This is a fairytale and the ending is rather a foregone conclusion.

As the Sultan, Home Improvement and Family Feud legend Richard Karn struts his stuff admirably, though he should have a big song and dance number.  There’s more than enough to go around.  As resident baddie, Josh Adamson’s Abanazar is hammier and cheesier than a good croque monsieur.  If you go, please boo him loudly, as befits the panto villain.  He’ll just chew on the scenery and tell a few more really terrible jokes and you’ll thank him for it.

The comic relief comes in the forms of Aladdin’s brother Wishee Washee (a smashing Jonathan Meza), Bruce Vilanch as the Widow Twankey (mother to both Aladdin and Wishee), and Mykal Kilgore’s superb Genie.  Meza’s Wishee keeps the show moving as narrator and sometimes village idiot and his physical comedy game is tip-top.  Vilanch’s Widow Twankey is the traditional Panto Dame, a male star whose female character is exaggerated in about every way possible.  But it’s not the widow’s T&A game that wows as much as the Tease-it-to-Jesus bouffant wig that would make Marge Simpson and the B-52’s a little envious.

But then there’s the Genie and… Geezus Christmas… Mykal Kilgore is a staggering talent.  The man has more pipes than a water plant, kids.  A veteran of Broadway’s The Book of Mormon and Hair as well as NBC’s recent live mounting of Jesus Christ Superstar, Kilgore is the real real.  Seriously, I’ve seen Disney’s Aladdin onstage.  Dear Disney Theatrical and Thomas Schumacher:  CALL HIM.  This man should be your Genie, too.  The voice… my god… I refuse to spoil any of the numbers he throws into the rafters, but they’re all incredible.

The set is simple (and in desperate need of a good steaming to get out the wrinkles), but it’s deeply effective.  Magic Carpet?  You betcha.  The costumes don’t really break any new ground for the majority of the company, but Bruce Vilanch’s Widow Twankey gets some wonderfully weird togs to strut around in.

If you’re expecting Shakespeare, please just don’t.  If you yearn for the melodies of Rodgers and Hammerstein… check your batteries, Alma.  But if you want a groaning good time that will leave you with a goofy smile on your face, Aladdin and His Winter Wish will probably be the perfect holiday kick-off for you.

Aladdin and His Winter Wish continues through Sunday, December 22 at TPAC’s Polk Theatre.  Tickets are available at TPAC’s website and box office.

The post Bruce Vilanch in Aladdin and His Winter Wish first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

A Sign of the Times, a new musical featuring the songs of Petula Clark and multiple hit-makers of the 1960s, will join the Delaware Theater Company’s 40th Anniversary Season, from November 28 – December 23.

Featuring a book by legendary comedy writer and six-time Emmy Award-winner Bruce Vilanch, based on an original story by Richard Robin, the show is directed by Gabriel Barre (Amazing Grace) with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter (School of Rock). The production will star Broadway notables Chilina Kennedy (Beautiful), Drew Seeley (Jersey Boys), Crystal Lucas-Perry (Lincoln Center’s Bull In A China Shop), and Ryan Silverman (The Phantom of the Opera). Complete casting will be announced at a later date. Opening night is set for December 4.

Featuring the songs of a generation, A Sign of the Times tells the story of Cindy (Kennedy), a young woman pursuing her passion and finding her voice in New York City in 1965. Set against the backdrop of women’s liberation, the civil rights movement, and the Vietnam War – events as relevant today as they were then, A Sign of the Times will transport audiences to the big city in the 60s with heart and soul, featuring such classic songs as “Downtown,” “You Don’t Own Me,” “Don’t Sleep in the Subway,” “The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s In His Kiss),” and “The Boy From New York City.”

Additional creative team members include Paul Tate DePoo lII (Scenic Design), Jennifer Caprio (Costume Design), Ken Billington (Lighting Design), Benjamin Pearcy (Projection Design), Shannon Slaton (Sound Design), J. Jared Janas (Hair Design), Rick Fox (Music Direction),Joseph Church (Music Supervision & Orchestrations), Alchemy Production Group (General Management) and Tara Rubin Casting (Casting). A Sign of the Times played a nearly sold out world premiere engagement at Goodspeed Musicals in 2016.

Tickets are now on-sale. For performance schedule and pricing, visit: www.DelawareTheatre.org.

About Delaware Theater Company

Currently in their 40th season, Delaware Theatre Company (DTC) is Delaware’s premier non-profit professional theatre. Recognized as a cornerstone in the Brandywine Valley’s rich cultural landscape, DTC has produced nearly 200 plays for over one million residents and visitors in its community. For more than two decades, DTC has been a pioneer in the revitalization of Wilmington’s Christina Riverfront and cultural district as the only LORT theatre in the state. Since Bud Martin’s arrival in 2012, DTC has seen a 54% increase in subscribers and a 234% increase in single ticket buyers, making Delaware Theatre Company an up and coming player in the regional theatre community.

The post Bruce Vilanch’s A SIGN OF THE TIMES to Premiere at Delaware Theater Co first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

Summary:

This is a collection of Jewish cultural stories and moral lessons centered on the multi-level meaning of Hanukkah, celebrated through a combination of music from The Nutcracker with revised lyrics, and traditional Hanukkah melodies. Presented by an ensemble cast of capable singers and dancers (two of whom co-wrote the show), this amusing, educational G-rated production is best appreciated by Jewish families with young children.

The MeshugaNutcracker! is a full-length musical comedy that features the wonderfully silly sensibilities of the folklore of Chelm (the fictional town of fools) underscored by an invigorating, Klezmer-ized orchestration of Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite”, now with original lyrics that celebrate Chanukah. Judah Maccabee’s triumphant saga and accounts of perseverance during the Holocaust as well as the celebration of the first Chanukah in the new state of Israel emerge with a genuine sense of wonder as the Chelmniks tell eight stories that pay tribute to the holiday. Add in dancing dreidels, singing sufganiot, and surprise guest stars and you have the perfect recipe for a holiday gathering. Some might call it crazy…we call it The MeshugaNutcracker!

Released December 19, 2017

Trailer:

Official Website:

Click Here

Audio CD:

Streaming:

The post Bruce Vilanch In Another Musical “The MeshugaNutcracker!” (2017) first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

Philanthropy and stellar entertainment take center stage as the Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation presents a special one-night-only benefit cabaret to raise funds to support local AIDS services. Don’t miss this evening of outrageous stand-up and musical comedy.

The Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation (REAF) presents a special One Night Only benefit show THE BIG GAY COMEDY SHOW- featuring Bruce Vilanch (Comedian & B’way. star),Marga Gomez, Shann Carr, Ali Mafi, Kitty Tapata, Shawn Ryan, Katya Smirnoff-Sky, B.O.OB.S! Sunday, April 13, 2014 – 7:30 pm.

At the Marines’ Memorial Theater – 609 Sutter St. (at Mason St.) San Francisco 94102. Tickets for this “One Night Only Cabaret” are: $75/VIP Orchestra – Performance & dessert party with cast. $50 Side Orchestra & Dress Circle $35/balcony. (VIP orchestra tix include wine & dessert party with the cast in theater lobby after show.) Tickets are available by phone by calling 415-273-1620 or online atwww.biggaycomedyshow.eventbrite.com.

The Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation has worked with over 35 touring casts to date to produce “One Night Only Cabaret” events. To date, REAF has distributed well over $3 million to AIDS service agencies.

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• “An Evening with Bruce Vilanch” Saturday, Aug. 31, Los Gatos
• Idina Menzel of ‘Glee,’ comedy writer Bruce Vilanch to perform on gay Atlantis cruise from Fort Lauderdale

The post Bruce Vilanch and More Set for THE BIG GAY COMEDY SHOW to Benefit REAF, 4/13 first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

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