He has a radio program on WXOU out of Oakland University
Wild At Heart
I got a cool email today which got me all excited. It announced the arrival of "The Toxic Avenger: The Musical" which is based on the 1984 cult classic of the same name and still the peak of Troma entertainment. This was definately the best thing Lloyd Kaufman has ever put out and I was already to get my tickets but then I found out it was in Toronto. The play is directed by John Rando who is best known for his Tony Award-winning direction of the musical "Urinetown". It will be playing at the Danforth Music Hall and you can order tickets at 1-866-950-7469 and if you give them the code "TOXICJM", tickets are half-priced. The basic plot goes something like this: Melvin Ferd the Third likes Sarah, the blind librarian. He learns that the "Good Earth Company" is polluting the town in collusion with its mayor and during his attempt to clean up gets foiled by the mayor's minions who dump him into a vat of radioacive waste. he turns into the 'Toxic Avenger' who with supernatural strength starts to attack the polluters and rips them apart, literally. Meanwhile, Sarah who is unable to see his ghoulish appearance takes a liking to 'Toxie' who after a failed attempt by the mayor to kill him ends up marrying her and becoming mayor himself. If that sounds like fun, Toronto is only a mere 4 hours away. Road trip!!
I plan on reviewing the newest Ringwald Theatre production in the near future, The Real Housewives of the North Pole, but I also wanted to mention a few other things going on down their in Ferndale. They will have a single performance of the landmark play "The Boys In The Band" on Sunday, December 6 at 2PM which will be immediately followed by a talkback with the actors and director. There is no admission price although donations will be accepted at the door. The play started in 1968 and was later turned into a film (best known for being one of the first major American motion pictures to revolve around gay characters and having a cameo by Swedish actress Maud Adams who is known for her roles as two different Bond girls in "The Man with the Golden Gun" and as the title character in "Octopussy"). Mart Crowley's play was the first of its kind to show gay men as something more than off-stage suicides and whispered about distant relations. These men were in your face, full-bodied homosexuals with a capital H. Also, future thespians can learn about a casting call for the 4th and 5th this week by going to www.whowantscaketheatre.com. The show is called "[title of show]" which is a love letter to musical theater, so if you are a 25-35 year old female, check out this opportunity. It is a paying position.
This week we have a different kind of war movie called "The Messenger" where a casualty notification officer, Will Montgomery (Ben Foster), for the United States Army enters an ethical dilemma when he gets involved with Olivia (Samantha Morton), the widow of a soldier. Will recently back from the war is partnered with Anthony 'Tony' Stone (Woody Harrelson) where they go through the duty of delivering the bad news to the relations of the newly departed soldiers. Will has recently found his girlfriend, played by the underused Jena Malone, is getting married to someone else and he doesn't want this duty and is not fully interested in following all the protocals which his partner is trying to instill in him. While the romance angle gives focus to the character, I almost wish they spent more time looking at the way the families react to the news that to his relationships which almost seem sterile. His partner is basically a duty freak by day and a drunk friend at night which wears thin for me after awhile though it is a good performance by Woody. Overall, the film delivers some nice moments that never really pay off to me. I would love to see a better focus on certain aspects of the job and how it affects the men who are tasked with the duty. That almost seems lost at times which is a shame. Overall, a good debut by Oren Moverman (cowrote the Dylan biopic I'm Not There") that has so much more potential. Also, as much as I love Steve Buscemi, I wish that his role of a father recieving the bad news had been played by an unknown actor. His appearance in this film broke me from the mood and that shouldn't happen. My grade is a B- for this nice attempt that doesn't always seem to know what it wants to accomplish with it's plots.
The Messenger Trailer
Scooter MySpace Video
Movie fans can also get excited about a DVD release party for “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” at the Southgate BLOCKBUSTER store at 15200 Eureka (at Dix) on Monday, Dec 7th. Fans can dress as their favorite 'Harry Potter' character for a free movie rental card and they can get the chance to win a number of Potter themed items as the night goes on. There is also a "wizard" performing magic and illusions from 9-11PM and the first 40 guests get a free lighted "Harry Potter" wand (though we can't guarantee you will be able to cast real spells with it). The event is free and the party will also benefit Toys For Tots so if you can, bring a new, unwrapped toy to the event (donors get a free Blockbuster movie rental). So hurry and tell all your muggle friends to sto on by.
This is one of the weakest weeks of the year for concerts but that doesn't mean it is a total wash. Here are my recommendations for the week. I have nothing for Tuesday (Dec 1st) except Justine Blazer @ Weber's Inn (Ann Arbor).
Wednesday (Dec 2nd) has the Swell Season w/rachael Yamagata @ Michigan Theatre or alternative folk artist AA Bondy (local girl Tifani VanDenBerg will open) @ Vernor's Lounge.
Almost skipped Thursday (Dec 3rd) except for the Reefermen @ Memphis Smoke (Royal Oak).
We go to Friday (Dec 4th) for Lez Zeppelin @ the Magic Bag, Giftus @ the Crofoot or see local favorites Thunderbirds Are Now! and Zoos of Berlin open for the Recital @ Majestic Cafe.
Saturday (Dec 5th) is the big day with Jamey Johnson @ Royal Oak Music Theatre, Holly Golightly & The Brokeoffs @ Majestic Cafe, Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels @ Alvin's, My Dear Disco @ Motor City Brewing Werks, Jesse Palter @ 24 Grille (Detroit), Darling Imperial w/Sh!The Octopus @ Berkley Front & NOMO @ the Blind Pig. Also go to the Majestic for the Holiday Baar Bazaar for a free concert shopping experience with Birdgang and other special guests playing while you shop! There is also a favorite event of mine called Noel Night (this is the 37th) which will take place from 5PM-9:30PM in Midtown Detroit's Cultural Center Area. There is free admission to numerous downtown museums, plenty of Christmas spirit and music by lots of local choirs and artists including Xiao Dong Wei, Thornetta Davis, Jan Krist, Rackham Symphony Choir, Nadir Distorted Soul, The Polish Muslims, Steppin' In It, etc. Go to http://detroitmidtown.com/05/noelnight for more info on the events this year.
On Sunday (Dec 6th), we have Jeff Daniels @ the John R Armstrong Performing Arts (Clinton Township), Vicki Winans @ Charles Wright Museum & Straight No Chaser @ Royal Oak Music Theatre.
Monday (Dec 7th) starts the work week off with Matisyahu @ St Andrews Hall (tune into WXOU's Reggae show starring SAC on Tuesday for a chance to win tickets for the show).
I feel that I wanted to say more but I am pressed for time so enjoy the week and I'll get back with you later. Take care!!