Video: Reduxion Theatre Company offering a special Valentine’s Day package for tonight’s performance of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing”
In honor of Valentine’s Day, Reduxion Theatre Company’s is offering a romantic “Couple’s Package” for its performance tonight of William Shakespeare’s beloved comedy “Much Ado About Nothing” at its Broadway Theater, 1613 N Broadway Ave.
The package includes preshow champagne and couple’s cupcakes at intermission.
Check out these NewsOK videos of the company talking about and performing selections from the play.
“We want to offer couples a fun and romantic alternative or addition to their Valentine’s plans on this romantic weekend,” said Managing Director Erin Woods in a news release. “An entertaining evening of live theatre provides a memorable, romantic experience.”
Reduxion opened its new staging of “Much Ado About Nothing” Thursday night, and performances continue at 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. through Feb. 25. A special Sunday matinee will be staged at 2 p.m. Feb. 19.
Billed as Oklahoma City’s fastest-growing theater company, Reduxion received much attention and positive reviews in 2011 with the opening of their intimate new venue, the Broadway Theater. Critically acclaimed productions of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Hamlet” and the American classic “Hair, the American Tribal Love-Rock Musical,” drew more than 2,000 fans to the Broadway Theater, near Automobile Alley and downtown.
“We love romantic stories and audiences love seeing them,” said Tyler Woods, Reduxion Artistic Director and “Much Ado About Nothing” director, in the release. “We push boundaries and challenge people on an emotional level, and we hope to make a name for ourselves as producers of plays that people enjoy sharing with a loved one.”
This season, Reduxion gets back to its roots by revisiting some of their first productions as a company. The company continues its successful, “Original Sins” season with the romantic comedy “Much Ado About Nothing” by Shakespeare, which was the first show independently produced by Woods in 2000. Woods directs this hilarious, touching and fast-paced romance with the same love and care he gave the first time around, on the show that started it all!
“Although we are considered a young company, this journey has taken many years,” said Woods. “From that first independent production in 2000, to this season, our fourth residential season in Oklahoma City, and the second year in our own performance venue – we must honor our growth and the support of the Oklahoma City community in fostering our development for over a decade.”
His version of “Much Ado About Nothing” is set in the swinging 1960s in Sicily.
For more information, go to www.reduxiontheatre.com.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Feb. 11, 2012: Hear Kite Flying Robot at The Opolis
Kite Flying Robot
Today’s featured event:
NORMAN – Hear Oklahoma electro-pop bands Kite Flying Robot, Prix Teen and Mike&Mike at 9 tonight at The Opolis, 113 N Crawford.
For more information, go to www.starlightmints.com/opolis.html.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Concert review: Chris Young charms at Oklahoma City’s Diamond Ballroom
Chris Young plays March 12 at Oklahoma City Arena. (Archive photo by Nathan Poppe, For The Oklahoman)
From passionate balladeer to down-home party animal, Chris Young let fans hear his varied “Voices” Friday night at the Diamond Ballroom, where he played a solo show during a break from touring with country A-lister and Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert.
Stalwartly weathering bitter cold outside and oppressive heat inside, hundreds of fans in cowboy hats, boots and embellished jeans whooped wildly as the up-and-coming country star took the stage nearly 40 minutes after opening act The Lost Trailers exited with their new comeback anthem “Underdog” and a reprise of their raucous “Holler Back.”
Young made the wait worthwhile, launching his set with the playful party song “Save Water, Drink Beer,” which had people toasting with their cups and bottles and shouting out the chorus even before he got the crowd organized into a friendly sing-along contest.
“I can already tell this is gonna be one of those deals that I have to roll my sleeves up,” the rising star said, cuffing the sleeves of his dark gray plaid shirt and flashing his killer smile.
But Young charmed his audience — particularly the female fans — with relative ease whether offering up a countrified version of Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” or making romance with “Gettin’ You Home (The Black Dress Song),” his first No. 1 hit.
With five chart-toppers to his name, the singer-songwriter’s hourlong set featured plenty of chances for the crowd to sing along. Young spiked his honey-rich baritone with ardor for “The Man I Want to Be,” “Tomorrow” and “You,” and the smash ballads got several couples slow-dancing around the ballroom. The Murfreesboro, Tenn., native banked the fires of passion to a good-humored warmth for “Voices,” his tribute to familial advice.
But the 2006 “Nashville Star” winner – who will compete for single and male vocalist of the year at the April 1 Academy of Country Music Awards – really showcased his impish sense of humor and polished showmanship with the album cuts and covers in his set. For instance, the handsome singer suavely vowed to alter the lyrics of “Lost” to suit women of every eye color.
“I love my blue-eyed ladies, but I love my green-eyed ladies and my brown-eyed ladies, too,” he said, prompting squeals and sighs from his female fans.
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band shout-out in the country love song set up a rock-solid rendition of “Fishin’ in the Dark.”
“Ladies, I don’t care if you came here with your man or if you came here looking for one, this song’s for you,” he quipped as he launched into “I Can Take It from There.”
He then paused midway through the twangy seduction to emphasize his admiration for Conway Twitty and lead the crowd in singing a snippet of “I’d Love to Lay You Down.”
“Not only did he possibly have the best perm/mullet combination in country music … he had a (expletive) of hits, so I know you know Conway Twitty,” Young said.
Fulfilling a request he received backstage, he also paid homage to military servicemen and women and their families with the moving story-song “The Dashboard,” although the fervent performance was unfortunately marred by feedback.
Occasionally pausing to wipe his sweaty face with a towel and comment on the overheated venue, Young got his croon on and showed off his lung power with the road song “Neon,” the title track of his 2011 album. He and his talented band got boots stomping with fun-loving fan favorites “Twenty-One Candles,” “Small Town Big Time” and “Who’s Gonna Take Me Home.”
For an encore, Young and his cohorts sent the crowd home with an energy jolt, courtesy an expended and amped up cover of the ZZ Top classic “Sharp Dressed Man.”
Even dressed in jeans and sweat-stained plaid, the rising star still pulled it off.
— BAM
Zac Brown Band to play April 26 at Oklahoma City’s Chesapeake Arena; tickets on sale Feb. 17
Grammy winners the Zac Brown Band have announced they will perform in concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 26 at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 17 at Chesapeake Energy Arena’s box office and all Ticketmaster outlets, including area Homeland stores. They will be available by phone at (800) 745-3000 or online at Ticketmaster.com.
Tickets are priced at $64.50, $59.50, $45 and $25.
Demand to see Zac Brown Band live is at an all-time high as the multiplatinum-selling Georgia-based outfit throws down every night with expert musicianship, hearty Southern rock, and an unparalleled fan experience that’s sold out arenas and amphitheaters from coast to coast on their 2011 tour.
Zac Brown Band will host the Academy of Country Music Awards’ televised Fan Jam in April at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas and recently logged their historic ninth consecutive No. 1 radio single with “Keep Me In Mind.” The song topped Billboard’s Country Songs chart for four straight weeks, earning the band the longest reign atop that chart for any artist in more than two years.
The six-piece group has been lauded by fans and critics alike, winning seven Grammy, ACM, Country Music Association and CMT awards, along with earning more than 50 additional nominations over the last three years.
Zac Brown Band’s 2012 tour will be presented by Jack Daniels and Landshark Lager.
For more information, go to www.chesapeakearena.com.
-BAM
Best Bets for Feb. 10-12, 2012: Chris Young, Alabama, “The Firebird,” Children’s Miracle Network benefit show
Chris Young
Here are my Best Bets for entertainment happening around the state this weekend, as listed in Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. For more options, go to www.wimgo.com.
1. Listen to up-and-coming country star Chris Young, with special guests the Lost Trailers, at 7 p.m. Friday at the Diamond Ballroom, 8001 S Eastern. Information: 677-9169 or www.diamondballroom.net. (Look for my review of the show in the wee hours of Saturday here on BAM’s Blog.)
2. Watch Oklahoma City Ballet’s production of Stravinsky’s stunning “The Firebird” at 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Civic Center, 201 N Walker. Information: 848-8637 or www.okcballet.com.
3. NORMAN — Hear Pretty Black Chains, Burning Hotels, Crown Imperial and BradChad Porter perform at a Benefit for Children’s Miracle Network at 9 p.m. Friday at the Opolis, 113 N Crawford. Information: www.starlightmints.com/opolis.html.
4. WINSTAR — Catch reunited Country Music Hall of Famers Alabama at 8 p.m. Saturday at WinStar World Casino, Interstate 35, Exit 1. Information: (800) 622-6317 or www.winstarworldcasino.com.
-BAM
Thompson Square, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, other Oklahomans to compete for Grammy glory Sunday night
Thompson Square (AP file)
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Oklahomans to compete for Grammy glory Sunday night
BAM: Country duo Thompson Square, which includes Miami, OK, native Keifer Thompson, are relishing their first chance to win one of the music industry’s most prestigious prizes.
Keifer and Shawna Thompson just couldn’t wrap their heads around the big news: The couple, who make country music under the moniker Thompson Square, had just become Grammy nominees.
“I’ll tell you what, “When we found that out, we just about lost our minds. That’s the big enchilada there. It doesn’t get any bigger than Grammys,” said Miami, OK, native Keifer Thompson during a recent phone interview.
In a week, he and his wife will play an eagerly awaited hometown show at Buffalo Run Casino in Miami. Before they head back to Oklahoma, though, the couple will be part of “Music’s Biggest Night”: the 54th Annual Grammy Awards, which will air live from Los Angeles from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
“We’re definitely gonna go,” said Keifer Thompson. “Are you crazy?”
Thompson Square received its first Grammy nod for best country duo/group performance for its breakthrough hit “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not,” which earned songwriters Jim Collins and David Lee Murphy a best country song nomination, too.
Oklahoma nominees
The couple is hardly the only nominee with Oklahoma ties.
Ada native Blake Shelton is nominated for best country album for “Red River Blue” and best country solo performance for the album’s chart-topping first single “Honey Bee.” The Tishomingo resident’s No. 1 hit “God Gave Me You,” written by contemporary Christian singer Dave Barnes, also earned a nod for best country song, an award presented to songwriters.
In addition, Shelton and The Band Perry will give a special performance with country legend Glen Campbell during the show, and Shelton’s wife and fellow country star Miranda Lambert will be a presenter, along with Chockie native Reba McEntire.
In the best country solo performance category, Shelton will compete against Checotah native Carrie Underwood, who is nominated for her emotional ballad “Mama’s Song.” The Recording Academy this year consolidated many Grammy categories, so solo country artists are longer separated into male and female competitions.
Underwood also is featured on legendary crooner Tony Bennett’s “Duets II,” nominated for best traditional pop vocal album. Underwood, a five-time Grammy winner, and Bennett, who has 14 golden gramophones plus a Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award, are set to perform together on the awards show.
Vince Gill earned his 41st Grammy nomination in the best country song category with “Threaten Me with Heaven,” which the Norman-born, Oklahoma City-bred star penned with his wife Amy Grant, Dillon O’Brian and the late Will Owsley. Gill already has earned the most Grammys of any male country artist with 20.
Four-time Grammy winners Kings of Leon, who have ties to Oklahoma City and Talihina, are nominated for best rock album for their fifth studio effort, “Come Around Sundown.” Plus, Stephen C. Mitchell’s rock documentary “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon,” which opened 2011’s deadCenter Film Festival, will contend for best long-form music video.
Tulsa native Charlie Wilson, former frontman of the Gap Band, is nominated for best R&B performance for his hit “You Are,” from his 2010 solo album “Just Charlie.” In addition, Wilson, his wife Mahin Wilson and their fellow songwriters Dennis Bettis, Carl M. Days Jr. and Wirlie Morris share a nomination for best R&B song for “You Are.”
For the second straight year, Christian worship group Gungor, which is fronted by former Tulsan Michael Gungor, is celebrating a nomination for its new album. The group’s 2011 album “Ghosts Upon the Earth” earned a nod in the new best contemporary Christian music album category. Gungor’s 2010 release “Beautiful Things” was nominated last year in the now-eliminated best rock or rap gospel album division.
Best known as the frontman for pop band OneRepublic, Tulsa native Ryan Tedder is nominated for non-classical producer of the year for his work on several records, including Beyonce’s “I Was Here,” Jennifer Hudson’s “I Remember Me” and Adele’s “Rumour Has It.” Since he produced “Rumour Has It,” Tedder shares in the Adele’s nomination for album of the year for her smash “21,” too. (In addition, Tedder co-wrote “Rumour Has It” and another “21″ track, “Turning the Tables,” with Adele.)
Muskogee native Ester Dean also has a share of an album of the year nomination as one of several producers on Rihanna’s “Loud.”
The 40th anniversary Super Deluxe Edition of Derek and the Dominos’ beloved 1970 album “Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs” earned a nomination in the best surround sound album category. The late Carl Radle, a Tulsa native, was the band’s bassist.
And, Oklahoma City kindie rock duo Sugar Free Allstars is among the various artists featured on “All About Bullies … Big and Small,” nominated for best children’s album. The Allstars collaborated with fellow kindie rocker Secret Agent 23 Skidoo on the compilation track “Cooperate.”
Thrilling nomination
Thompson Square was enjoying a rare night off when the Grammy nominations were announced Nov. 30.
“I decided to stay in and was in my pajamas, watching, I’m sure, some reality show. … Keifer and I both had forgotten that they were announcing the nominees that night, and about 10 o’clock our manager called and was like, ‘Is your husband there?’ and I know … when he wants to talk to both of us, it’s either really good news or really bad news,” she said.
“He told me about it, and all I could do was just say ‘What?’ over and over again. I was like, ‘What? You’ve gotta be kidding me.’ I thought he was joking. We finally got a hold of Keifer — he was out with some of his buddies in downtown Nashville — and his response was exactly the same. He just kept saying ‘What? What?’ like he couldn’t understand. It wasn’t processing.”
“It’s just crazy to think you’re in that kind of game,” Keifer added. “It feels good, though. We’ll take it.”
Grammy Awards Live Blog
Follow along with Brandy McDonnell’s live blog of the 54th Annual Grammy Awards from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday here at BAM’s Blog at blog.newsok.com/bamsblog.
Thompson Square
When: 9 p.m. Feb. 17.
Where: Buffalo Run Casino, 1000 Buffalo Run Blvd., Miami, OK.
Information: (918) 542-7140 or www.buffaloruncasino.com.
-BAM
Target, Walmart hosting “Twilight: Breaking Dawn” release parties tonight
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. To read my interview with “Twilight: Breaking Dawn” director Bill Condon, click here.
Target, Walmart hosting “Twilight: Breaking Dawn” release parties
Forget vampires vs. werewolves: Friday night’s anticipated DVD release of “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1” is setting up an epic battle between big-box giants Target and Walmart.
“Breaking Dawn — Part 1” drops on DVD and Blu-ray at the stroke of midnight Saturday, with release parties planned Friday night (tonight) at Walmart and Target locations across the country, including many Oklahoma stores.
Nearly 500 Target stores nationwide, including the Midwest City, Norman and Quail Springs locations, will extend their hours to 1 a.m. Saturday morning for the release events. Beginning at 11 p.m. Friday, fans will be shown an exclusive, world-premiere scene from the fifth and final film, “Breaking Dawn — Part 2.”
At midnight, fans can purchase the Target exclusive, limited edition DVD of “Breaking Dawn — Part 1” that includes an authentic prop flower from the wedding scene encased in an acrylic keepsake, according to a news release.
For more information, go to Target.com/Twilight.
More than 2,700 Walmart stores across the country, including several across Oklahoma, will have giveaways, trivia games and “Twilight”-theme bakery treats at release parties beginning at 11 p.m. Friday. The stores will feature a cameo by Cullen vampire Rosalie (Nikki Reed) on their in-store TV feed during the lead-up to the release, according to Home Media Magazine.
Walmart also will be selling an exclusively packaged version of the movie, the “Bella’s Wedding Special Edition,” featuring collectible wedding dress packaging, a fabric poster of Bella and Edward’s big day and music videos from Bruno Mars and Christina Perri.
For more information, go to www.walmart.com/moviecenter.
— BAM
Blu-ray review: “The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall”
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
“The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall”
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s smash spectacle gets an appropriately lavish 25th anniversary celebration with “The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall.”
Widely considered the most successful entertainment project in history, the silver anniversary production was staged in grand fashion in October and beamed to movie theaters worldwide. Even fans who have seen “The Phantom” performed live and in person will be impressed at the royal treatment the musical receives in the special staging, augmented by rich high-definition Blu-ray picture and crisp Dolby Digital sound.
Featuring a cast and orchestra of more than 200, the commemorative performance was inspired by the original 1986 staging by Hal Prince and Gillian Lynne on London’s West End. Lynne returned to oversee the musical staging and choreography, which was cannily adapted for the famed London concert hall.
The international cast features the perfectly picked Sierra Boggess as lovely young soprano Christine Daaé, who becomes the obsession of a mysterious masked magician and musical genius known as “The Phantom of the Opera.” Ramin Karimloo gives a commanding star turn as the terrifying but sympathetic Phantom, while the supporting cast — particularly Hadley Fraser as Christine’s fiancé Raoul, Wendy Ferguson as the Paris Opera’s proud prima donna Carlotta and Liz Roberston as stern choreographer Madame Giry — contribute uniformly stellar performances.
The Blu-ray features a grand finale with special appearances by Lloyd Webber and the original London company, including Michael Crawford, who first played the role of the Phantom on the West End and Broadway. In addition, the finale includes performances by Sarah Brightman, who originated the role of Christine, and former Phantoms Peter Joback, John Owen-Jones, Anthony Warlow and Colm Wilkinson as well as Karimloo.
Bonus features include a behind-the-scenes featurette and a trailer for Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom” follow-up, “Love Never Dies.” A fully staged pre-recorded Australian performance of the sequel will be screened in several Oklahoma movie theaters at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 and March 7. For more information, go to Ö www.fathomevents.com.
— BAM
CD review: Pat Green “Songs We Wish We’d Written II”
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Country
Pat Green “Songs We Wish We’d Written II” (Sugar Hill Records)
Back in 2001, Texas troubadours Pat Green and Cory Morrow paid tribute to “Songs We Wish We’d Written” with a well-received covers album featuring their take on the music of Waylon Jennings, Billy Joe Shaver, Steve Winwood and others.
More than a decade later, Green is again paying homage to an array of talented songwriters with “Songs We Wish We’d Written II.” The sequel, which just had its release date moved from Feb. 28 to May 8, also will mark the San Antonio native’s debut on Sugar Hill Records.
Like its predecessor, “Songs We Wish We’d Written II” benefits from Green’s desire to showcase his eclectic musical tastes. As expected, he and his band turn in respectful and respectable covers of fellow Texas country songsmiths: Green opens the album with Joe Ely’s “All Just to Get to You,” gets toes tapping with Jon Randall’s “Austin” and makes earnest romance with Liz Rose and Walt Wilkins’ “If I Weren’t for You.” He and Morrow reteam on a faithful version of Lyle Lovett’s “If I Had a Boat.”
Even more intriguing are Green’s countrified versions of hit pop and rock songs. His smooth Texas twang coupled with layers of piano and strings totally transform Tom Petty’s “Even the Losers” while still showing off the song’s strong bones. Singer/songwriter/guitarist Monte Montgomery helps Green put a country-blues spin on Warren Haynes “Soulshine” that complements the blues-rock renditions by the Allman Brothers and Gov’t Mule.
Green and Collective Soul frontman Ed Roland turn the Georgia band’s smash “The World I Know” into a duet that features just a few subtle country flourishes, while he and fellow Texas country star Jack Ingram convert Todd Snider’s raucous rocker “I Am Too” into a rowdy boot-stomper.
For all the well-known songs featured on the covers CD, the highlight is the relatively obscure but finely crafted “Streets of Galilee” by up-and-comer Aaron Lee Tasjan, who more than holds his own swapping verses with Green.
— BAM
Brantley Gilbert, Hunter Hayes and Scotty McCreery nominated for ACM New Artist of the Year
Brantley Gilbert
Hunter Hayes
Scotty McCreery
The Academy of Country Music and Great American Country has announced that Brantley Gilbert, Hunter Hayes and Scotty McCreery have been named nominees for this year’s ACM New Artist of the Year Award, which will be given out during the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
The awards show will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 1 on the CBS Television Network. For the second straight year, Oklahoma natives Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton will co-host the show.
Voting for New Artist of the Year will begin at www.VoteACM.com at 11 a.m. March 19 and continue until 7 p.m. Sunday, April 1, 2012, ending just before the live show starts.
The New Artist of the Year final nominees were selected by a combined vote of the fans and professional members of the Academy of Country Music. Professional member votes will be combined with fan votes to obtain the winner of the category.
Leading up to the show, fans can watch interviews and exclusive performances with the three nominees on GAC’s “ACM New Artist of the Year” special, premiering at 8 p.m. Monday, March 19 and re-airing multiple times until voting closes on April 1. Additional air times and dates can be found at GACtv.com/ACM.
The winner of the New Artist of the Year category will be awarded on the 47th Annual Academy of
Read more about the nominees after the break:
