Beatles Mania

From Chuck Eaton:

"Run, don't walk to see “The Beatles: A Story of Love”, which opened at Chiawana High School tonight, and will play at 7 p.m., Feb. 24-26, with a matinee at 2 p.m. Feb. 26.

Debi Eng's gift of love to her students is, in my experience, unprecedented and exhilarating. It is further proof, if any is needed, that we are in the midst of a Renaissance of the Arts in the Tri-Cities, and it is alive and well in the not-yet-out-of-school generation.

-Chuck"

Who'd have thought

that some of the best entertainment in the Tri-Cities can be found at the high schools? Last week Hanford High closed "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," with sold-out houses every night - it was an amazing show. And this weekend Chiawana High School opens "Beatles: A Story of Love" and Richland High School opens "Anything Goes." These are not your average high school shows, but are productions that rival any other local shows in quality and talent. Don't miss them!

Best Mastersingers Concert Yet!

This weekend the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers are doing a concert with Barry Bergstrom on saxophone and John Green (all the way from Portland) on organ. It's going to be our best performance yet - the music is beautiful, people will LIKE it, and the singing and playing are great. We have some great folk song settings, including one by Tri-Cities composer (and my voice teacher) Reginald Unterseher. The central piece of the concert is James Whitbourn's "Son of God Mass," which is contemporary, but not in an atonal or weird sort of way. It's lovely, and Barry's saxophone is awesome! We're in Pendleton, Oregon, on Friday night, at St. Joe's in Kennewick on Saturday (7pm) and Hanford High School in Richland on Sunday (3pm).

Almost, Maine

It's not too late to see the current Richland Players production, "Almost, Maine." Charmingly directed by Joyce Bean, the show is a series of vignettes about love. It's funny, touching and sad, and I have no doubt that just about everyone in the Tri-Cities would like this show. The talented cast includes many newcomers to the Players stage, and you will find at least one relationship that seems to have come right out of your own life. The show will be this Friday and Saturday night at 8pm at the Richland Players Theatre.

Big Band Christmas

The Must See concert this weekend is "A Big Band Christmas," presented by the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers and the Columbia Basin Jazz Orchestra, with director Randy Hubbs and soloists Carisa Simpson and Jeremy Irland. We had our first rehearsal on Nils Lindberg's "A Christmas Cantata" with the orchestra tonight and it is going to be an AMAZING concert. Also on the program is a selection of jazz tunes. See it Friday night at Hanford High and Saturday night at Chiawana, both at 7pm. Get there early for tickets - this is going to be a good one!

Go see A Christmas Carol!

I just saw a delightful production of "A Christmas Carol," put on by Tri-Cities Prep. Two of my students are performing, and Mid-Columbia Mastersinger and phenomenal pianist Tara Swanson is accompanying and they were all just great!

The set is charming, the costumes are lovely (kudos to Val Watson!), and the singing is very good - I especially enjoyed the group numbers. The pacing is great, and scene changes are filled with Christmas music (thanks, Tara!). A group of young dramatic dancers from Suzanne's Studio were used to great effect throughout. TCP has a really talented group of kids, and you will be glad you saw it! Huge congratulations to producer/director Nina Powers and the young drama program at TCP!

The show is on again tomorrow at 7pm and Sunday at 3pm, at Columbia Basin College - tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students.

Gondoliers Unofficial Cast List

This is not the official list yet, but just what I have learned from people announcing themselves on facebook:

Duke of Plaza Toro - Mark Barton
Duchess of Plaza Toro - Laurel Adams
Casilda - Julie Heegel
Luiz - Eric Eberle
Marco - Jairo Maldonado
Giuseppe - Sam Purvine
Antonio - Rolly Hofstedt
Gianetta - Molly Holleran
Tessa - Chrissy Maldonado
Fiametta - Mitzi Lundberg
Giulia - Ashley Wheatcroft