Broadway World News
Launching a new "tradition" Harvey Fierstein replaces Topol in the North American tour of the TONY award winning musical FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. Chaim Topol, regrettably informed the show's producers he would have to leave the production due to a shoulder injury requiring emergency long term treatment.
Mr. Fierstein starred as the iconic milkman Tevye in the recent critically acclaimed Broadway production. Audiences now have the rare opportunity to see the TONY award winner embrace one of his favorite roles in this Jerome Robbins inspired production. Mr. Fierstein has won four TONY awards including Best Book of a Play and Best Actor in a Play for Torch Song Trilogy. His most recent win was the 2003 TONY for Best Actor in a Musical for the Broadway production of Hairspray. In addition to his TONY Award winning role in the Torch Song Trilogy, Mr. Fierstein recreated the role in the film adaptation thus winning him an Independent Spirit Award nomination as Best Male Lead. Other film work includes, Mrs. Doubtfire, Woody Allen's Bullets Over Broadway and Independence Day.
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF has captured the hearts of people all over the world with its universal appeal and timeless message. The North American Tour continues the tradition of the 1964 Jerome Robbins TONY Award winning production. Mr. Robbins won twin TONY awards for his direction and choreography of Broadway's FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. In this National Tour, both are faithfully recreated by Director Sammy Dallas Bayes, choreographer of the Broadway Revival.
When FIDDLER ON THE ROOF opened in the United States in 1964, it was a time of change and crumbling traditions in our own country. Perhaps the explanation for its world-wide success in the ‘60's and ‘70's was because the play illustrated the universality of such problems as the "generation gap," youthful dissent, revolutionary doctrine, and the oppression of minorities. Students of the time identified with the rebellious student, Perchik, and strongly related to the breaking of hallowed traditions. Tevye and others of his time struggled with these problems in 1905, and emerged triumphant, offering the hope and promise of reconciliation to a turbulent society. Today, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is as relevant as ever.
Now, in the midst of a new millennia, in a world fraught with anxiety and fear, the one constant humanity can rely on is the strength of family and of its traditions that will ultimately sustain it through its own trials and tribulations. Forty five years and a generation later, new audiences can identify and take heart as they experience the tradition in great musical theatre that is FIDDLER ON THE ROOF.
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF will be at Seattle's Paramount Theatre for eight performances. The schedule for the Seattle engagement is:
Tuesday, May 25 7:30 pm
Wednesday, May 26 7:30pm
Thursday, May 27 7:30pm
Friday, May 28 8:00pm
Saturday, May 29 2:00pm and 8:00pm
Sunday, May 30 1:00pm and 6:30pm
Tickets for FIDDLER ON THE ROOF are available now as part of the Spring 2010 Broadway at The Paramount season package. Single tickets will be available in April on-line at tickets.com, stgpresents.org or BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com. Tickets will also available by calling 877-STG-4TIX (4849) or in person at The Paramount Theatre Box Office (Monday through Friday, 10am to 6pm).
Showing posts with label paramount theater. Show all posts
Showing posts with label paramount theater. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Moya Angela, Adrienne Warren Lead Cast of DREAMGIRLS In Seattle
Broadway World
Producer John Breglio and Broadway Across America-Seattle announced casting today for the national tour of DREAMGIRLS, coming to Seattle from April 6 -11. DREAMGIRLS will introduce Moya Angela as Effie White and feature, as The Dreams, Syesha Mercado as Deena Jones, Adrienne Warren as Lorrell Robinson, and Margaret Hoffman as Michelle Morris with Chaz Lamar Shepherd as Curtis Taylor, Jr., Chester Gregory is James "Thunder" Early, Trevon Davis as C.C. White, Milton Craig Nealy as Marty Madison in a cast of 26 that also features Tallia Brinson, Felicia Boswell, Ronald Duncan, Patrice Covington, Talitha Farrow, Brittney Griffin, James Harkness, Robert Hartwell, Eric Jackson, Chauncey Jenkins, Jared Joseph, Nikki Kimbrough, Brittany Lewis, Douglas Lyons, Kimberly Marable, Jarran Muse, Amaker Smith and Marc Spaulding.
Tickets for DREAMGIRLS range from $27 to $75 and are available on-line at tickets.com, stgpresents.org or BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com. Tickets are also available by calling 877-STG-4TIX (4849) or in person at The Paramount Theatre Box Office (Monday through Friday, 10am to 6pm). Group orders of 15 or more may be placed by calling 1-888-214-6856.
Full of onstage joy and backstage drama, DREAMGIRLS tells the story of an up-and-coming, 1960s singing girl group, and the triumphs and tribulations that come with fame and fortune. Hopeful talents Deena Jones, Lorrell Robinson and Effie White are performing as The Dreamettes when ambitious agent Curtis Taylor, Jr. discovers them. He lands them a job as backup singers for the soul and rock ‘n' roll sensation James "Thunder" Early and begins to guide their quickly rising career. However, when the beautiful Deena emerges as the star of the group rather than the full-voiced Effie, the girls are brought to personal and professional crossroads.
DREAMGIRLS is directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom with co-choreography by Shane Sparks, scenic design by Robin Wagner, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Ken Billington, sound deign by Acme Sound Partners, and media design by Howard Werner for Lightswitch. DREAMGIRLS features music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen with additional material by Willie Reale. DREAMGIRLS is produced by John Breglio for Vienna Waits Productions.
The original Broadway production of DREAMGIRLS opened December 20, 1981, at the Imperial Theatre and won six Tony Awards and three Drama Desk Awards in 1982. It closed on Broadway August 11, 1985, after 1,521 performances. The original Broadway production was directed by Michael Bennett and choreographed by Bennett and Michael Peters. DREAMGIRLS was adapted into a motion picture by DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures, and opened in December 2006. The film won two Academy Awards, five Golden Globes, and two Screen Actor's Guild Awards in 2007 in addition to a Grammy Award for Best Song written for a Motion Picture ("Love You I Do"). The most popular song from the film, "Listen," has been incorporated into the new stage version of DREAMGIRLS as a stirring Act II duet for Deena and Effie. This all-new production of DREAMGIRLS premiered at Harlem's legendary Apollo Theater in New York City on November 22, 2009, before embarking on an international tour.
The performance schedule for the Seattle engagement of DREAMGIRLS at The Paramount Theatre (911 Pine St., Seattle) is:
Tuesday¸ April 6 7:30 pm
Wednesday, April 7 7:30pm
Thursday, April 8 7:30pm
Friday, April 9 8:00pm
Saturday, April 10 2:00pm and 8:00pm
Sunday, April 11 1:00pm and 6:30pm
Tickets for DREAMGIRLS range from $27 to $75 and are available on-line at tickets.com, stgpresents.org or BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com. Tickets are also available by calling 877-STG-4TIX (4849) or in person at The Paramount Theatre Box Office (Monday through Friday, 10am to 6pm).
Producer John Breglio and Broadway Across America-Seattle announced casting today for the national tour of DREAMGIRLS, coming to Seattle from April 6 -11. DREAMGIRLS will introduce Moya Angela as Effie White and feature, as The Dreams, Syesha Mercado as Deena Jones, Adrienne Warren as Lorrell Robinson, and Margaret Hoffman as Michelle Morris with Chaz Lamar Shepherd as Curtis Taylor, Jr., Chester Gregory is James "Thunder" Early, Trevon Davis as C.C. White, Milton Craig Nealy as Marty Madison in a cast of 26 that also features Tallia Brinson, Felicia Boswell, Ronald Duncan, Patrice Covington, Talitha Farrow, Brittney Griffin, James Harkness, Robert Hartwell, Eric Jackson, Chauncey Jenkins, Jared Joseph, Nikki Kimbrough, Brittany Lewis, Douglas Lyons, Kimberly Marable, Jarran Muse, Amaker Smith and Marc Spaulding.
Tickets for DREAMGIRLS range from $27 to $75 and are available on-line at tickets.com, stgpresents.org or BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com. Tickets are also available by calling 877-STG-4TIX (4849) or in person at The Paramount Theatre Box Office (Monday through Friday, 10am to 6pm). Group orders of 15 or more may be placed by calling 1-888-214-6856.
Full of onstage joy and backstage drama, DREAMGIRLS tells the story of an up-and-coming, 1960s singing girl group, and the triumphs and tribulations that come with fame and fortune. Hopeful talents Deena Jones, Lorrell Robinson and Effie White are performing as The Dreamettes when ambitious agent Curtis Taylor, Jr. discovers them. He lands them a job as backup singers for the soul and rock ‘n' roll sensation James "Thunder" Early and begins to guide their quickly rising career. However, when the beautiful Deena emerges as the star of the group rather than the full-voiced Effie, the girls are brought to personal and professional crossroads.
DREAMGIRLS is directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom with co-choreography by Shane Sparks, scenic design by Robin Wagner, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Ken Billington, sound deign by Acme Sound Partners, and media design by Howard Werner for Lightswitch. DREAMGIRLS features music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen with additional material by Willie Reale. DREAMGIRLS is produced by John Breglio for Vienna Waits Productions.
The original Broadway production of DREAMGIRLS opened December 20, 1981, at the Imperial Theatre and won six Tony Awards and three Drama Desk Awards in 1982. It closed on Broadway August 11, 1985, after 1,521 performances. The original Broadway production was directed by Michael Bennett and choreographed by Bennett and Michael Peters. DREAMGIRLS was adapted into a motion picture by DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures, and opened in December 2006. The film won two Academy Awards, five Golden Globes, and two Screen Actor's Guild Awards in 2007 in addition to a Grammy Award for Best Song written for a Motion Picture ("Love You I Do"). The most popular song from the film, "Listen," has been incorporated into the new stage version of DREAMGIRLS as a stirring Act II duet for Deena and Effie. This all-new production of DREAMGIRLS premiered at Harlem's legendary Apollo Theater in New York City on November 22, 2009, before embarking on an international tour.
The performance schedule for the Seattle engagement of DREAMGIRLS at The Paramount Theatre (911 Pine St., Seattle) is:
Tuesday¸ April 6 7:30 pm
Wednesday, April 7 7:30pm
Thursday, April 8 7:30pm
Friday, April 9 8:00pm
Saturday, April 10 2:00pm and 8:00pm
Sunday, April 11 1:00pm and 6:30pm
Tickets for DREAMGIRLS range from $27 to $75 and are available on-line at tickets.com, stgpresents.org or BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com. Tickets are also available by calling 877-STG-4TIX (4849) or in person at The Paramount Theatre Box Office (Monday through Friday, 10am to 6pm).
Monday, March 15, 2010
STG Presents Jim Gaffigan at Paramount Theatre, 10/9
Broadway World
BWW News Desk
Seattle Theatre Group (STG) present Jim Gaffigan on Saturday, October 9, 2010 at 7:00pm at the Paramount Theatre.
Jim Gaffigan has proven himself a major talent beloved to a wide range of audiences after achieving milestones in stand-up, acting and writing. As approachable as he is edgy, Jim is responsible for some of the funniest and most memorable moments in recent television (primetime, cable and the late-night circuit) and film.
As a stand-up comedian, Gaffigan's clever, quiet style has earned him an unprecedented number of appearances on both CBS' LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN and NBC's LATE NIGHT WITH Conan O'Brien. His recent one hour Comedy Central Special, CD and DVD, all entitled "Beyond the Pale" have catapulted Gaffigan to one of the most popular touring and recorded comedians in the country today. The DVD for "Beyond the Pale" went Gold within the first six months.
After Gaffigan's first appearance on DAVID LETTERMAN, the host personally chose him to develop a sitcom for World Wide Pants. Eighteen months later, WELCOME TO NEW YORK debuted on CBS to critical acclaim. He then co-starred with Ellen Degeneres on her CBS sitcom THE ELLEN SHOW. For two years he had recurring roles both on FOX's THAT 70'S SHOW and NBC's ED. Jim has also had roles on SEX AND THE CITY, THIRD WATCH and each of the LAW & ORDER shows, among others. Jim can be seen this November in MY BOYS, TBS' first original scripted comedy series.
On film, Jim has endeared himself to audiences by taking on vivid supporting characters in a number of genres. In the cult hit SUPER TROOPERS, Gaffigan got huge laughs and famously helped add "meow" to the lexicon of Vermont state troopers. Jim's quiet dramatic turn in THE GREAT NEW WONDERFUL, a meditation on the aftermath of 9/11, took audiences and critics by surprise as he embodied an office worker broken by tragedy who ultimately explodes in rage.
Gaffigan's other recent film credits include the forthcoming independent films THE LIVING WAKE and STEPHANIE DALEY. He has also been featured in TRUST THE MAN, 13 GOING ON 30, THREE KINGS, FINAL, IGBY GOES DOWN, ENTROPY and THIRTY YEARS TO LIFE. In 2004, he co-starred in TNT's BAD APPLE, with Chris Noth.
Gaffigan recently signed on to co-write and lend his voice to 20 new episodes of PALE FORCE, a series of animated shorts that will air regularly on CONAN and on the internet via webisodes starting in October. The series focuses on two pale crime-fighting superheroes that, like Gaffigan and O'Brien, are equipped with fair skin.
Many recognize Gaffigan from his numerous award-winning commercial campaigns, which include Sierra Mist, ESPN, Saturn and Rolling Rock. His commercial presence earned him Business Week's 1999 "Salesman of the Year" honor.
Gaffigan currently lives in New York with his family.
Tickets: $46.75 & $36.75, not including applicable fees. Tickets are on sale Friday, March 12th at noon at Tickets.com, in person at the Paramount box office (Mon-Fri 10am-6pm), 24-hour kiosks located outside The Paramount & Moore Theatres, charge by phone at 877-784-4849, or online at www.STGPresents.org.
About STG
Seattle Theatre Group is the 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization that operates the historic Paramount and Moore Theatres in Seattle, Washington. Our mission is to make diverse performing arts and education an integral part of our region's cultural identity while keeping these two landmark venues alive and vibrant. STG presents a range of performances from Broadway, off-Broadway, dance and jazz to comedy, concerts of all genres, speakers and family shows - at both historic theatres in Seattle and venues throughout the Puget Sound and Portland, Oregon.
BWW News Desk
Seattle Theatre Group (STG) present Jim Gaffigan on Saturday, October 9, 2010 at 7:00pm at the Paramount Theatre.
Jim Gaffigan has proven himself a major talent beloved to a wide range of audiences after achieving milestones in stand-up, acting and writing. As approachable as he is edgy, Jim is responsible for some of the funniest and most memorable moments in recent television (primetime, cable and the late-night circuit) and film.
As a stand-up comedian, Gaffigan's clever, quiet style has earned him an unprecedented number of appearances on both CBS' LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN and NBC's LATE NIGHT WITH Conan O'Brien. His recent one hour Comedy Central Special, CD and DVD, all entitled "Beyond the Pale" have catapulted Gaffigan to one of the most popular touring and recorded comedians in the country today. The DVD for "Beyond the Pale" went Gold within the first six months.
After Gaffigan's first appearance on DAVID LETTERMAN, the host personally chose him to develop a sitcom for World Wide Pants. Eighteen months later, WELCOME TO NEW YORK debuted on CBS to critical acclaim. He then co-starred with Ellen Degeneres on her CBS sitcom THE ELLEN SHOW. For two years he had recurring roles both on FOX's THAT 70'S SHOW and NBC's ED. Jim has also had roles on SEX AND THE CITY, THIRD WATCH and each of the LAW & ORDER shows, among others. Jim can be seen this November in MY BOYS, TBS' first original scripted comedy series.
On film, Jim has endeared himself to audiences by taking on vivid supporting characters in a number of genres. In the cult hit SUPER TROOPERS, Gaffigan got huge laughs and famously helped add "meow" to the lexicon of Vermont state troopers. Jim's quiet dramatic turn in THE GREAT NEW WONDERFUL, a meditation on the aftermath of 9/11, took audiences and critics by surprise as he embodied an office worker broken by tragedy who ultimately explodes in rage.
Gaffigan's other recent film credits include the forthcoming independent films THE LIVING WAKE and STEPHANIE DALEY. He has also been featured in TRUST THE MAN, 13 GOING ON 30, THREE KINGS, FINAL, IGBY GOES DOWN, ENTROPY and THIRTY YEARS TO LIFE. In 2004, he co-starred in TNT's BAD APPLE, with Chris Noth.
Gaffigan recently signed on to co-write and lend his voice to 20 new episodes of PALE FORCE, a series of animated shorts that will air regularly on CONAN and on the internet via webisodes starting in October. The series focuses on two pale crime-fighting superheroes that, like Gaffigan and O'Brien, are equipped with fair skin.
Many recognize Gaffigan from his numerous award-winning commercial campaigns, which include Sierra Mist, ESPN, Saturn and Rolling Rock. His commercial presence earned him Business Week's 1999 "Salesman of the Year" honor.
Gaffigan currently lives in New York with his family.
Tickets: $46.75 & $36.75, not including applicable fees. Tickets are on sale Friday, March 12th at noon at Tickets.com, in person at the Paramount box office (Mon-Fri 10am-6pm), 24-hour kiosks located outside The Paramount & Moore Theatres, charge by phone at 877-784-4849, or online at www.STGPresents.org.
About STG
Seattle Theatre Group is the 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization that operates the historic Paramount and Moore Theatres in Seattle, Washington. Our mission is to make diverse performing arts and education an integral part of our region's cultural identity while keeping these two landmark venues alive and vibrant. STG presents a range of performances from Broadway, off-Broadway, dance and jazz to comedy, concerts of all genres, speakers and family shows - at both historic theatres in Seattle and venues throughout the Puget Sound and Portland, Oregon.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Seattle Theatre Group Presents "A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor" 3/27 & 4/3
Broadway World
Lauren Wolman
Seattle Theatre Group (STG) presents two live broadcasts of "A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor" (APHC) on Saturday, March 27 and Saturday, April 3 at 2:45pm at The Paramount Theatre.
APHC makes Seattle the place to be for two weeks in a row. Experience it live - the comedy sketches, music and Garrison Keillor's signature monologue, "The News from Lake Wobegon" along with different special guests each week (guests to be announced).
In its 36th season, APHC reaches over 4.3 million listeners on nearly 600 public radio stations nationwide. The program can also be heard on XM Radio, the Armed Forces Network Europe, the Far East Network, and in dozens of European cities. Creator Garrison Keillor is the recipient of Grammy, ACE and George Foster Peabody awards, and has been inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. A Prairie Home Companion is produced by Prairie Home Productions and presented by American Public Media. The show is sponsored nationally by General Mills, Inc. and by the Ford Company.
"A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor" tickets are $28.00 - $82.00 and are on sale now. Purchase tickets online at www.stgpresents.org, by phone at (877) 784-4849, in person at The Paramount Theatre box office, Monday through Friday 10:00am-6:00pm and The Paramount and Moore Theatre venue kiosks, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, powered by Tickets.com. The Paramount Theatre is located at 911 Pine Street in downtown Seattle.
STG is the 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization that operates the historic Paramount and Moore Theatres in Seattle, Washington. Our mission is to make diverse performing arts and education an integral part of our region's cultural identity while keeping these two landmark venues alive and vibrant.
STG presents a range of performances from Broadway, off-Broadway, dance and jazz to comedy, concerts of all genres, speakers and family shows - at both historic theatres in Seattle and venues throughout the Puget Sound and Portland, Oregon.
Lauren Wolman
Seattle Theatre Group (STG) presents two live broadcasts of "A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor" (APHC) on Saturday, March 27 and Saturday, April 3 at 2:45pm at The Paramount Theatre.
APHC makes Seattle the place to be for two weeks in a row. Experience it live - the comedy sketches, music and Garrison Keillor's signature monologue, "The News from Lake Wobegon" along with different special guests each week (guests to be announced).
In its 36th season, APHC reaches over 4.3 million listeners on nearly 600 public radio stations nationwide. The program can also be heard on XM Radio, the Armed Forces Network Europe, the Far East Network, and in dozens of European cities. Creator Garrison Keillor is the recipient of Grammy, ACE and George Foster Peabody awards, and has been inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. A Prairie Home Companion is produced by Prairie Home Productions and presented by American Public Media. The show is sponsored nationally by General Mills, Inc. and by the Ford Company.
"A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor" tickets are $28.00 - $82.00 and are on sale now. Purchase tickets online at www.stgpresents.org, by phone at (877) 784-4849, in person at The Paramount Theatre box office, Monday through Friday 10:00am-6:00pm and The Paramount and Moore Theatre venue kiosks, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, powered by Tickets.com. The Paramount Theatre is located at 911 Pine Street in downtown Seattle.
STG is the 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization that operates the historic Paramount and Moore Theatres in Seattle, Washington. Our mission is to make diverse performing arts and education an integral part of our region's cultural identity while keeping these two landmark venues alive and vibrant.
STG presents a range of performances from Broadway, off-Broadway, dance and jazz to comedy, concerts of all genres, speakers and family shows - at both historic theatres in Seattle and venues throughout the Puget Sound and Portland, Oregon.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Kathy Griffin to appear at The Paramount
Kathy Griffin returns to Seattle for two shows in January, 2010.
By Marian Liu
Seattle Times staff reporter
The famous D-lister is back.
Kathy Griffin returns to the Paramount Theatre for two shows, Jan. 28 and 29. Tickets are $45.50 to $75.50 at LiveNation.com, Tickets.com, 24-hour kiosks at the Paramount and Moore Theatres or charge by phone (877-STG-4TIX).
The last time the popular comedian came around to Seattle, her tickets went fast.
Griffin is known for her Emmy-Award winning series for Bravo, "Kathy Griffin: My Life On The D-List." She also won "Celebrity Mole" on ABC, hosted the NBC reality series "Average Joe" and the MTV series "Kathy's So-Called Reality." Kathy is also well known for playing Brooke Shields' colleague on the NBC sitcom, "Suddenly Susan."
By Marian Liu
Seattle Times staff reporter
The famous D-lister is back.
Kathy Griffin returns to the Paramount Theatre for two shows, Jan. 28 and 29. Tickets are $45.50 to $75.50 at LiveNation.com, Tickets.com, 24-hour kiosks at the Paramount and Moore Theatres or charge by phone (877-STG-4TIX).
The last time the popular comedian came around to Seattle, her tickets went fast.
Griffin is known for her Emmy-Award winning series for Bravo, "Kathy Griffin: My Life On The D-List." She also won "Celebrity Mole" on ABC, hosted the NBC reality series "Average Joe" and the MTV series "Kathy's So-Called Reality." Kathy is also well known for playing Brooke Shields' colleague on the NBC sitcom, "Suddenly Susan."
Thursday, August 20, 2009
STG Presents Brandi Carlile With Katie Herzig 10/24 At Paramount Theatre
BroadwayWorld
Seattle Theatre Group (STG) presents Brandi Carlile with special guest Katie Herzig on Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 8:00pm at the Paramount Theatre.
A gifted singer/songwriter whose rich voice and literate storytelling belie her youth (she was only 23 when she released her major-label debut), Brandi Carlile was born in the small town of Ravensdale, WA, an isolated community 50 miles away from Seattle. With few neighbors or friends nearby, Carlile grew up learning to make her own entertainment, camping and hiking in the nearby woods and teaching herself to sing. Carlile grew up listening to the classic country music her parents doted on (Patsy Cline remains Carlile's favorite singer), and she made her stage debut at the age of eight after she was taken to a local country radio show by her mother.
At 17, Carlile picked up the guitar, having developed a taste for rock & roll through Elton John's classic albums of the 1970s (she cites Tumbleweed Connection as a particular favorite), and she began hitting the Seattle bar scene, playing anywhere she could get a gig (including a stint singing backup for an Elvis Presley tribute act). While playing clubs, she encountered a band called the Fighting Machinists, featuring twin brothers Tim Hanseroth on guitar and Phil Hanseroth. Impressed by their instrumental skills and spot-on harmonies, Carlile became an instant fan of the Fighting Machinists, and when the group broke up, she persuaded the Hanseroth twins to form a group with her.
While they started out as an aggressive rock & roll band, Carlile's emotionally powerful songwriting and acoustic guitar work soon became the dominant component of the group's sound, and they began touring regularly, headlining small venues and opening shows for Dave Matthews, Shawn Colvin, and India.Arie. In 2000, Carlile recorded the first of several self-released recordings that sold briskly at shows, and in 2005 Carlile was signed to Columbia Records, releasing a self-titled album later that same year. The album earned enthusiastic reviews, and Carlile was named one of 2005's "Artists to Watch" by Rolling Stone. In 2006, Carlile and her band began work on her second Columbia album, with T-Bone Burnett producing. Titled The Story, it was released in spring 2007.
Tickets: $30.50, not including applicable fees. Tickets are on sale now at Tickets.com, in person at the Paramount or Moore Theatres box offices, 24-hour kiosks located outside The Paramount & Moore Theatres, charge by phone at 877-STG-4TIX, or online at STGPresents.org.
Seattle Theatre Group is the 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization that operates the historic Paramount and Moore Theatres in Seattle, Washington. Our mission is to make diverse performing arts and education an integral part of our region's cultural identity while keeping these two landmark venues alive and vibrant. STG presents a range of performances from Broadway, off-Broadway, dance and jazz to comedy, concerts of all genres, speakers and family shows - at both historic theatres in Seattle and venues throughout the Puget Sound and Portland, Oregon.
Seattle Theatre Group (STG) presents Brandi Carlile with special guest Katie Herzig on Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 8:00pm at the Paramount Theatre.
A gifted singer/songwriter whose rich voice and literate storytelling belie her youth (she was only 23 when she released her major-label debut), Brandi Carlile was born in the small town of Ravensdale, WA, an isolated community 50 miles away from Seattle. With few neighbors or friends nearby, Carlile grew up learning to make her own entertainment, camping and hiking in the nearby woods and teaching herself to sing. Carlile grew up listening to the classic country music her parents doted on (Patsy Cline remains Carlile's favorite singer), and she made her stage debut at the age of eight after she was taken to a local country radio show by her mother.
At 17, Carlile picked up the guitar, having developed a taste for rock & roll through Elton John's classic albums of the 1970s (she cites Tumbleweed Connection as a particular favorite), and she began hitting the Seattle bar scene, playing anywhere she could get a gig (including a stint singing backup for an Elvis Presley tribute act). While playing clubs, she encountered a band called the Fighting Machinists, featuring twin brothers Tim Hanseroth on guitar and Phil Hanseroth. Impressed by their instrumental skills and spot-on harmonies, Carlile became an instant fan of the Fighting Machinists, and when the group broke up, she persuaded the Hanseroth twins to form a group with her.
While they started out as an aggressive rock & roll band, Carlile's emotionally powerful songwriting and acoustic guitar work soon became the dominant component of the group's sound, and they began touring regularly, headlining small venues and opening shows for Dave Matthews, Shawn Colvin, and India.Arie. In 2000, Carlile recorded the first of several self-released recordings that sold briskly at shows, and in 2005 Carlile was signed to Columbia Records, releasing a self-titled album later that same year. The album earned enthusiastic reviews, and Carlile was named one of 2005's "Artists to Watch" by Rolling Stone. In 2006, Carlile and her band began work on her second Columbia album, with T-Bone Burnett producing. Titled The Story, it was released in spring 2007.
Tickets: $30.50, not including applicable fees. Tickets are on sale now at Tickets.com, in person at the Paramount or Moore Theatres box offices, 24-hour kiosks located outside The Paramount & Moore Theatres, charge by phone at 877-STG-4TIX, or online at STGPresents.org.
Seattle Theatre Group is the 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization that operates the historic Paramount and Moore Theatres in Seattle, Washington. Our mission is to make diverse performing arts and education an integral part of our region's cultural identity while keeping these two landmark venues alive and vibrant. STG presents a range of performances from Broadway, off-Broadway, dance and jazz to comedy, concerts of all genres, speakers and family shows - at both historic theatres in Seattle and venues throughout the Puget Sound and Portland, Oregon.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
STG Presents The PIXIES 11/12, 11/13 At The Paramount Theatre
Seattle Theatre Group (STG) presents Pixies on November 12 & 13, 2009 at 7:30pm at the Paramount Theatre.
Broadway World
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the release of their classic 1989 album Doolittle, the band - Black Francis, Kim Deal, Joey Santiago and David Lovering - will kick off the very special US "Doolittle Tour" in November. The U.S. tour will hit a total of nine cities, including two dates in Seattle.
On this tour, the Pixies will perform all of the songs from Doolittle and its related B-sides, "Weird at My School," "Dancing the Manta Ray," and "Bailey's Walk" among them. Doolittle, the band's third album and the first to chart on Billboard's album charts, includes classics such as "Debaser," "Wave of Mutilation," "Here Comes Your Man," "Hey," and "Gouge Away."
"We wanted to do something special for Doolittle's 20th anniversary," said Black Francis, "and we thought his was a good opportunity to play all of the songs from that album, something we don't normally do at a regular gig."
With the first date in the UK still three months away, the band is brainstorming on Doolittle-related surprises that will also comprise the nights' entertainment.
The US dates will follow the seven-city/12-date "Doolittle" trek of the UK and Europe. Kicking off on September 30 in Dublin, most dates have already sold out, including a four-night stand at London's Brixton Academy, where some 20,000 tickets vanished in about an hour. In addition, on August 29, the band will perform a straight-ahead Pixies set of their classic songs spanning their entire career at the Virgin Festival at Burl's Creek Park outside of Toronto.
The Boston-formed Pixies have been acclaimed as the most influential pioneering band of the late 80s alt/rock movement. Their five studio releases and six years together effectively blazed the path for groups like Nirvana, Radiohead and Pearl Jam to rise to superstardom. They disbanded in 1993 and launched their reunion tour in April, 2004 when virtually every, single date sold out within minutes and fans traveled hundred of miles to attend a show. In post-Pixies years, Black Francis has enjoyed a successful solo career as Frank Black, Kim Deal went on to form the Platinum-selling band the Breeders, Joey Santiago started the band The Martinis and has carved a career as a music composer for film and TV, and David Lovering performs as a magician and continues to drum. The US "Doolittle Tour" will be the band's first American trek since 2005.
Tickets: $58.00, not including applicable fees. Tickets are on sale now at Tickets.com, in person at the Paramount box office, 24-hour kiosks located outside The Paramount & Moore Theatres, charge by phone at 877-STG-4TIX, or online at STGPresents.org.
About STG
Seattle Theatre Group is the 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization that operates the historic Paramount and Moore Theatres in Seattle, Washington. Our mission is to make diverse performing arts and education an integral part of our region's cultural identity while keeping these two landmark venues alive and vibrant. STG presents a range of performances from Broadway, off-Broadway, dance and jazz to comedy, concerts of all genres, speakers and family shows - at both historic theatres in Seattle and venues throughout the Puget Sound and Portland, Oregon.
Broadway World
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the release of their classic 1989 album Doolittle, the band - Black Francis, Kim Deal, Joey Santiago and David Lovering - will kick off the very special US "Doolittle Tour" in November. The U.S. tour will hit a total of nine cities, including two dates in Seattle.
On this tour, the Pixies will perform all of the songs from Doolittle and its related B-sides, "Weird at My School," "Dancing the Manta Ray," and "Bailey's Walk" among them. Doolittle, the band's third album and the first to chart on Billboard's album charts, includes classics such as "Debaser," "Wave of Mutilation," "Here Comes Your Man," "Hey," and "Gouge Away."
"We wanted to do something special for Doolittle's 20th anniversary," said Black Francis, "and we thought his was a good opportunity to play all of the songs from that album, something we don't normally do at a regular gig."
With the first date in the UK still three months away, the band is brainstorming on Doolittle-related surprises that will also comprise the nights' entertainment.
The US dates will follow the seven-city/12-date "Doolittle" trek of the UK and Europe. Kicking off on September 30 in Dublin, most dates have already sold out, including a four-night stand at London's Brixton Academy, where some 20,000 tickets vanished in about an hour. In addition, on August 29, the band will perform a straight-ahead Pixies set of their classic songs spanning their entire career at the Virgin Festival at Burl's Creek Park outside of Toronto.
The Boston-formed Pixies have been acclaimed as the most influential pioneering band of the late 80s alt/rock movement. Their five studio releases and six years together effectively blazed the path for groups like Nirvana, Radiohead and Pearl Jam to rise to superstardom. They disbanded in 1993 and launched their reunion tour in April, 2004 when virtually every, single date sold out within minutes and fans traveled hundred of miles to attend a show. In post-Pixies years, Black Francis has enjoyed a successful solo career as Frank Black, Kim Deal went on to form the Platinum-selling band the Breeders, Joey Santiago started the band The Martinis and has carved a career as a music composer for film and TV, and David Lovering performs as a magician and continues to drum. The US "Doolittle Tour" will be the band's first American trek since 2005.
Tickets: $58.00, not including applicable fees. Tickets are on sale now at Tickets.com, in person at the Paramount box office, 24-hour kiosks located outside The Paramount & Moore Theatres, charge by phone at 877-STG-4TIX, or online at STGPresents.org.
About STG
Seattle Theatre Group is the 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization that operates the historic Paramount and Moore Theatres in Seattle, Washington. Our mission is to make diverse performing arts and education an integral part of our region's cultural identity while keeping these two landmark venues alive and vibrant. STG presents a range of performances from Broadway, off-Broadway, dance and jazz to comedy, concerts of all genres, speakers and family shows - at both historic theatres in Seattle and venues throughout the Puget Sound and Portland, Oregon.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
STG Presents Grizzly Bear 10/16 At The Moore Theatre
Broadway World
Seattle Theatre Group (STG) & Sealed With A Kiss present Grizzly Bear on Friday, October 16, 2009 at 8:00pm at the Moore Theatre.
Grizzly Bear released Yellow House in 2006. It was a slow, steady and stunning ride-boundless in scope and elegance. Given the album's otherworldly charm and staying power, it's hard to believe three years have gone by.
That might seem like a long time. But given Grizzly Bear's hectic touring schedule, including stints with Radiohead, TV On The Radio and Feist-as well as several performances during a five-night tribute to Paul Simon at the Brooklyn Academy Of Music, a co-headlining show with the L.A. Philharmonic, and the release of Friend, a 10-song EP of re-recorded and re-worked songs, collaborations and covers-all of this seems very reasonable. They've been busy.
But about a year ago, singer/songwriter Ed Droste, drummer Christopher Bear, bassist Chris Taylor and singer/songwriter/guitarist Daniel Rossen -whose other band, Department of Eagles, released the sublime In Ear Park last fall-began passing demos around and working together creatively in different pairs and permutations. A few months later, blessed with producer/engineer Chris Taylor's willingness to transport his recording equipment, they began the recording process for Veckatimest, which would unfold over the next six months in three very singular locations. And in many ways, it is the recording process that reveals this record-each space catalyzing different interactions, inspirations, and ultimately, songs.
In July, the band spent three weeks at the Glen Tonche house in upstate New York. The beauty, mystery and surrealistic feel to the estate made anything seem do-able, possible and even magical. Though still finding their feet, much of the album's groundwork was laid there. After breaking briefly for the Radiohead tour in August, the band convened at a house on Cape Cod (graciously provided by Droste's grandmother) where they re-addressed and solidified the compositions they'd started at Glen Tonche. Lastly, Grizzly Bear came home, to a church in NYC, to fine-tune and complete the album-named Veckatimest, after a tiny, uninhabited island on Cape Cod that the band visited and was inspired by, particularly liking its Native American name. Following initial mixes by Chris Taylor, the band brought Gareth Jones (Interpol, Liars) over from England for a final mixing session with Taylor. The album was then mastered by Greg Calbi. Artist WilLiam O'Brien created Veckatimest's colorful, hand drawn artwork-a perfect compliment to the album's enigmatic title.
There is an unbelievable clarity of sound and vision to Veckatimest: vocals (a duty now shared by all band members) are sharper and more complex, arrangements are tighter, production is more venturous and lyrics more affecting. Having opened the creative dialogue at such an early stage, Grizzly Bear was able to realize these 12 songs together as a band, making it their most collaboratively compositional album to date. Taylor's artistry as a producer and engineer has only gotten stronger, both Rossen and Droste's conviction as singers and lyricists has swelled, and Bear's authority behind the drums is striking.
This yielded an unexpected mix of material that feels more confidant, mature, focused-and most of all, dynamic. From songs like "Dory" (a gracefully psychedelic, ever-evolving work),"Ready, Able" (a synth-y opus, and one of four songs that boasts string arrangements by composer Nico Muhly) and "Foreground" (a plaintive, vocal-driven send-off, and one of two songs to feature choral arrangements also by Muhly) to more resounding pop songs like "Two Weeks" (an other-worldly doo wop featuring backing vocals from Beach House's Victoria LeGrand) and "While You Wait For the Others" (a triumphant and melodically cacophonous pop masterpiece), Veckatimest is an album of the highest highs and lowest lows-an unbelievably diverse collection of songs that celebrates the strength of each band member, and the power of the whole. It was well worth the wait.
Tickets: $25.00 not including applicable fees. Tickets are on sale now at Tickets.com, in person at the Paramount Theatre box offices, 24-hour kiosks located outside The Paramount & Moore Theatres, charge by phone at 877-STG-4TIX, or online at STGPresents.org. More information can be found at SealedWithAKissPresents.com, as well.
Seattle Theatre Group is the 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization that operates the historic Paramount and Moore Theatres in Seattle, Washington. Our mission is to make diverse performing arts and education an integral part of our region's cultural identity while keeping these two landmark venues alive and vibrant. STG presents a range of performances from Broadway, off-Broadway, dance and jazz to comedy, concerts of all genres, speakers and family shows - at both historic theatres in Seattle and venues throughout the Puget Sound and Portland, Oregon.
Seattle Theatre Group (STG) & Sealed With A Kiss present Grizzly Bear on Friday, October 16, 2009 at 8:00pm at the Moore Theatre.
Grizzly Bear released Yellow House in 2006. It was a slow, steady and stunning ride-boundless in scope and elegance. Given the album's otherworldly charm and staying power, it's hard to believe three years have gone by.
That might seem like a long time. But given Grizzly Bear's hectic touring schedule, including stints with Radiohead, TV On The Radio and Feist-as well as several performances during a five-night tribute to Paul Simon at the Brooklyn Academy Of Music, a co-headlining show with the L.A. Philharmonic, and the release of Friend, a 10-song EP of re-recorded and re-worked songs, collaborations and covers-all of this seems very reasonable. They've been busy.
But about a year ago, singer/songwriter Ed Droste, drummer Christopher Bear, bassist Chris Taylor and singer/songwriter/guitarist Daniel Rossen -whose other band, Department of Eagles, released the sublime In Ear Park last fall-began passing demos around and working together creatively in different pairs and permutations. A few months later, blessed with producer/engineer Chris Taylor's willingness to transport his recording equipment, they began the recording process for Veckatimest, which would unfold over the next six months in three very singular locations. And in many ways, it is the recording process that reveals this record-each space catalyzing different interactions, inspirations, and ultimately, songs.
In July, the band spent three weeks at the Glen Tonche house in upstate New York. The beauty, mystery and surrealistic feel to the estate made anything seem do-able, possible and even magical. Though still finding their feet, much of the album's groundwork was laid there. After breaking briefly for the Radiohead tour in August, the band convened at a house on Cape Cod (graciously provided by Droste's grandmother) where they re-addressed and solidified the compositions they'd started at Glen Tonche. Lastly, Grizzly Bear came home, to a church in NYC, to fine-tune and complete the album-named Veckatimest, after a tiny, uninhabited island on Cape Cod that the band visited and was inspired by, particularly liking its Native American name. Following initial mixes by Chris Taylor, the band brought Gareth Jones (Interpol, Liars) over from England for a final mixing session with Taylor. The album was then mastered by Greg Calbi. Artist WilLiam O'Brien created Veckatimest's colorful, hand drawn artwork-a perfect compliment to the album's enigmatic title.
There is an unbelievable clarity of sound and vision to Veckatimest: vocals (a duty now shared by all band members) are sharper and more complex, arrangements are tighter, production is more venturous and lyrics more affecting. Having opened the creative dialogue at such an early stage, Grizzly Bear was able to realize these 12 songs together as a band, making it their most collaboratively compositional album to date. Taylor's artistry as a producer and engineer has only gotten stronger, both Rossen and Droste's conviction as singers and lyricists has swelled, and Bear's authority behind the drums is striking.
This yielded an unexpected mix of material that feels more confidant, mature, focused-and most of all, dynamic. From songs like "Dory" (a gracefully psychedelic, ever-evolving work),"Ready, Able" (a synth-y opus, and one of four songs that boasts string arrangements by composer Nico Muhly) and "Foreground" (a plaintive, vocal-driven send-off, and one of two songs to feature choral arrangements also by Muhly) to more resounding pop songs like "Two Weeks" (an other-worldly doo wop featuring backing vocals from Beach House's Victoria LeGrand) and "While You Wait For the Others" (a triumphant and melodically cacophonous pop masterpiece), Veckatimest is an album of the highest highs and lowest lows-an unbelievably diverse collection of songs that celebrates the strength of each band member, and the power of the whole. It was well worth the wait.
Tickets: $25.00 not including applicable fees. Tickets are on sale now at Tickets.com, in person at the Paramount Theatre box offices, 24-hour kiosks located outside The Paramount & Moore Theatres, charge by phone at 877-STG-4TIX, or online at STGPresents.org. More information can be found at SealedWithAKissPresents.com, as well.
Seattle Theatre Group is the 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization that operates the historic Paramount and Moore Theatres in Seattle, Washington. Our mission is to make diverse performing arts and education an integral part of our region's cultural identity while keeping these two landmark venues alive and vibrant. STG presents a range of performances from Broadway, off-Broadway, dance and jazz to comedy, concerts of all genres, speakers and family shows - at both historic theatres in Seattle and venues throughout the Puget Sound and Portland, Oregon.
Monday, July 6, 2009
STG Presents Psychedelic Furs & Happy Mondays 9/14
Broadway World
Seattle Theatre Group (STG) presents Psychedelic Furs & Happy Mondays on Monday, September 14, 2009 at 7:30pm at the Moore Theatre.
The Psychedelic Furs are back and currently preparing to once again unleash their distinctive brand of smartly tripped-out grooves for audiences. Reforming after 10 years gone, the Furs are headlining a spring tour in support of Sony/Legacy releasing The Psychedelic Furs Greatest Hits. In addition, the band is working on a bundle of brand-new songs that will be recorded later this year.
During the Furs' first tenure (1978-91) the group garnered tremendous respect from critics and fans alike for the music's unpredictable mix of punk rock, poetic lyricism and seductive rhythmic hooks. Fronted by vocalist and chief songwriter, Richard Butler, the Furs earned a reputation as one of the most riveting musical forces to come out of the early 80s post-punk, new wave era. The band charted big hits with "Love My Way," "Pretty In Pink," "Heaven," and "The Ghost In You," in all releasing seven studio albums on Columbia and spawning several compilations including a box set in 1997, "Should God Forget: A Retrospective."
In their finest moments on albums including 1980's Talk, Talk, Talk and 1984's Mirror Moves, Butler's husky vocals and often-brooding lyrics ingeniously intertwined with the edgy musical textures provided by brother Tim Butler on bass and John Ashton on guitar. Even when their releases didn't scorch the Top 10, Furs records remained innovative and adventurous force in early alternative music and maintained a steady presence on college radio.
Through it all, Butler's rubbery baritoNe Yowl became one of the 80's most recognizable sounds, often managing to be both introspective and aloof at the same time. It was quirky and darkly cynical faire that expressed the detachment of the times and the itchy struggle of a generation to find meaning in the turbulent headwaters of what would later become the dawn of Information Age. Gaining much of their fame as part of MTV's first wave of video artists, Butler and company will be forever identified with a time when the stale musical paradigms of 70s were forever cast aside and replaced by the new rock of an angrier and faster world.
Throughout the Fur's reign, critics routinely compared the group's enigmatic sound to an impressive slew of art-rock icons including David Bowie, The Velvet Underground and The Doors, as well as to punk progenitors, The Sex Pistols. Growing heavier and more guitar-oriented in their later releases, the Furs have since been placed loosely in the rock pantheon somewhere between early punk and the alternative hard rock and grunge that would rise in the band's wake during the 90s.
After twelve years of recording and touring, Butler and the other band members grew tired of being the Psychedelic Furs and in 1991, they decided to go their own ways. "It was really very amicable," Butler recalls. "We had been doing it for so long that the process became predictable. I think we all wanted to do different things. We had a great run, but after you've been playing 'Pretty In Pink' almost every night for ten years, things are bound to feel pretty old. There weren't any surprises left, so we moved on. "
In 1994, Butler formed a new band called Love Spit Love. The group recorded two albums and met with moderate success but never captured the sort of loyal following the Furs had enjoyed. In 1998, Butler and wife Annie had a daughter, Maggie Mozart Butler, and the artist who was once described as a wiser Johnny Rotten and a sober Jim Morrison decided to concentrate on being a parent. Spending much of his time at home in Cold Springs, New York, Butler began writing songs for a solo project.
According to Butler, it was interest in developing this wealth of new material that gave rise to the Psychedelic Furs' second coming. "I was working on songs for a solo record, when I got together with Tim to do some writing. When he saw all the songs I had, he was pretty impressed and he asked me if I had ever thought about doing a Furs' record. I hadn't really given it much thought, but then our manager called and asked me if I'd be willing to do some shows. Those two things sort of coincided so it seemed like the time was right."
During the Fur's decade-long hiatus, guitarist John Ashton was also busy, producing and performing with the likes of Marianne Faithful, Mercury Rev and Red Betty, among others including Spiv, a local band in Ashton's hometown of Woodstock, NY. Like the brothers Butler, Ashton says he ready to plug in again with the Psychedelic Furs.
"It's been fun hanging out and writing Furs material again," he says. "There's always been great tension in energy in what we do. However, our audience has always been the other half of the story. Without them we wouldn't be here."
For his part, Butler says he's warmed to the idea of tackling the old favorites as well, not only to make long-time fans happy, but also to rediscover the work itself in a fresh context. "When we decided to do this, I went back and listened to a lot of our records, and honestly, I was really surprised by how good I think they are. We did some good work and I'm really looking forward to playing those songs. I guess you could say it's like getting to know some old friends all over again.
"I'm especially delighted to be working with Tim and John Ashton. It's going to be interesting to see what influences we've all absorbed over the past few years and how those ideas will come out in the music," Butler says.
With a career spanning the rise and fall of punk, MTV, glam metal, grunge and hip-hop, Butler is wizened and happy to be in a position to communicate with an audience. "As long as there are people, who enjoy music and have fun going to shows, there'll be a place in the world for artists who try to do something interesting and different," he says. "I don't really think you can change the world making music, but it sure is nice to think that you can enable people to have a good time."
Demand for the Furs has obviously never waned, with Sony/Legacy releasing The Psychedelic Furs Greatest Hits to coincide with their latest trek across the U.S. and Canada.
Tickets: $29.50, not including applicable fees. Tickets are on sale now at Tickets.com, in person at the Paramount Theatre box offices, 24-hour kiosks located outside The Paramount & Moore Theatres, charge by phone at 877-STG-4TIX, or online at STGPresents.org.
Seattle Theatre Group is the 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization that operates the historic Paramount and Moore Theatres in Seattle, Washington. Our mission is to make diverse performing arts and education an integral part of our region's cultural identity while keeping these two landmark venues alive and vibrant. STG presents a range of performances from Broadway, off-Broadway, dance and jazz to comedy, concerts of all genres, speakers and family shows - at both historic theatres in Seattle and venues throughout the Puget Sound and Portland, Oregon.
Seattle Theatre Group (STG) presents Psychedelic Furs & Happy Mondays on Monday, September 14, 2009 at 7:30pm at the Moore Theatre.
The Psychedelic Furs are back and currently preparing to once again unleash their distinctive brand of smartly tripped-out grooves for audiences. Reforming after 10 years gone, the Furs are headlining a spring tour in support of Sony/Legacy releasing The Psychedelic Furs Greatest Hits. In addition, the band is working on a bundle of brand-new songs that will be recorded later this year.
During the Furs' first tenure (1978-91) the group garnered tremendous respect from critics and fans alike for the music's unpredictable mix of punk rock, poetic lyricism and seductive rhythmic hooks. Fronted by vocalist and chief songwriter, Richard Butler, the Furs earned a reputation as one of the most riveting musical forces to come out of the early 80s post-punk, new wave era. The band charted big hits with "Love My Way," "Pretty In Pink," "Heaven," and "The Ghost In You," in all releasing seven studio albums on Columbia and spawning several compilations including a box set in 1997, "Should God Forget: A Retrospective."
In their finest moments on albums including 1980's Talk, Talk, Talk and 1984's Mirror Moves, Butler's husky vocals and often-brooding lyrics ingeniously intertwined with the edgy musical textures provided by brother Tim Butler on bass and John Ashton on guitar. Even when their releases didn't scorch the Top 10, Furs records remained innovative and adventurous force in early alternative music and maintained a steady presence on college radio.
Through it all, Butler's rubbery baritoNe Yowl became one of the 80's most recognizable sounds, often managing to be both introspective and aloof at the same time. It was quirky and darkly cynical faire that expressed the detachment of the times and the itchy struggle of a generation to find meaning in the turbulent headwaters of what would later become the dawn of Information Age. Gaining much of their fame as part of MTV's first wave of video artists, Butler and company will be forever identified with a time when the stale musical paradigms of 70s were forever cast aside and replaced by the new rock of an angrier and faster world.
Throughout the Fur's reign, critics routinely compared the group's enigmatic sound to an impressive slew of art-rock icons including David Bowie, The Velvet Underground and The Doors, as well as to punk progenitors, The Sex Pistols. Growing heavier and more guitar-oriented in their later releases, the Furs have since been placed loosely in the rock pantheon somewhere between early punk and the alternative hard rock and grunge that would rise in the band's wake during the 90s.
After twelve years of recording and touring, Butler and the other band members grew tired of being the Psychedelic Furs and in 1991, they decided to go their own ways. "It was really very amicable," Butler recalls. "We had been doing it for so long that the process became predictable. I think we all wanted to do different things. We had a great run, but after you've been playing 'Pretty In Pink' almost every night for ten years, things are bound to feel pretty old. There weren't any surprises left, so we moved on. "
In 1994, Butler formed a new band called Love Spit Love. The group recorded two albums and met with moderate success but never captured the sort of loyal following the Furs had enjoyed. In 1998, Butler and wife Annie had a daughter, Maggie Mozart Butler, and the artist who was once described as a wiser Johnny Rotten and a sober Jim Morrison decided to concentrate on being a parent. Spending much of his time at home in Cold Springs, New York, Butler began writing songs for a solo project.
According to Butler, it was interest in developing this wealth of new material that gave rise to the Psychedelic Furs' second coming. "I was working on songs for a solo record, when I got together with Tim to do some writing. When he saw all the songs I had, he was pretty impressed and he asked me if I had ever thought about doing a Furs' record. I hadn't really given it much thought, but then our manager called and asked me if I'd be willing to do some shows. Those two things sort of coincided so it seemed like the time was right."
During the Fur's decade-long hiatus, guitarist John Ashton was also busy, producing and performing with the likes of Marianne Faithful, Mercury Rev and Red Betty, among others including Spiv, a local band in Ashton's hometown of Woodstock, NY. Like the brothers Butler, Ashton says he ready to plug in again with the Psychedelic Furs.
"It's been fun hanging out and writing Furs material again," he says. "There's always been great tension in energy in what we do. However, our audience has always been the other half of the story. Without them we wouldn't be here."
For his part, Butler says he's warmed to the idea of tackling the old favorites as well, not only to make long-time fans happy, but also to rediscover the work itself in a fresh context. "When we decided to do this, I went back and listened to a lot of our records, and honestly, I was really surprised by how good I think they are. We did some good work and I'm really looking forward to playing those songs. I guess you could say it's like getting to know some old friends all over again.
"I'm especially delighted to be working with Tim and John Ashton. It's going to be interesting to see what influences we've all absorbed over the past few years and how those ideas will come out in the music," Butler says.
With a career spanning the rise and fall of punk, MTV, glam metal, grunge and hip-hop, Butler is wizened and happy to be in a position to communicate with an audience. "As long as there are people, who enjoy music and have fun going to shows, there'll be a place in the world for artists who try to do something interesting and different," he says. "I don't really think you can change the world making music, but it sure is nice to think that you can enable people to have a good time."
Demand for the Furs has obviously never waned, with Sony/Legacy releasing The Psychedelic Furs Greatest Hits to coincide with their latest trek across the U.S. and Canada.
Tickets: $29.50, not including applicable fees. Tickets are on sale now at Tickets.com, in person at the Paramount Theatre box offices, 24-hour kiosks located outside The Paramount & Moore Theatres, charge by phone at 877-STG-4TIX, or online at STGPresents.org.
Seattle Theatre Group is the 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization that operates the historic Paramount and Moore Theatres in Seattle, Washington. Our mission is to make diverse performing arts and education an integral part of our region's cultural identity while keeping these two landmark venues alive and vibrant. STG presents a range of performances from Broadway, off-Broadway, dance and jazz to comedy, concerts of all genres, speakers and family shows - at both historic theatres in Seattle and venues throughout the Puget Sound and Portland, Oregon.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Tickets.com Client Spotlight: Paramount Theatre
Seattle Theatre Group (STG) presents Bob Weir & RatDog on Sunday, August 23, 2009 at 7:00pm at the Paramount Theatre.
Broadway World
BWW News Desk
Bob Weir already has a secure place in rock history as the Grateful Dead's co-vocalist and what Andrew Clarke (in one of England's leading newspapers, "The Independent") called the genre's "greatest, if most eccentric rhythm guitarist." When you have a modest, anti-promotional personality - and when you spend 30 years next to an icon - it's easy to fall under the radar.
There's a second reason he doesn't always get quite the attention he deserves. Although always a gentleman, Bob Weir can be...contrary. This is the man who, when his muse required that he go study music, chose McCoy Tyner - not exactly a rock rhythm guitarist - as his model. And just as his personality has a discriminating antiauthoritarian streak that leads him down his own road, his composing is just as distinctive and impossible to classify. So that in "Lazy Lightnin'" he combined r & b/disco chords and a time signature in 7. His go-your-own-way point of view is perfectly articulated in John Barlow's lyrics for "Throwin' Stones," which Weir called an "anarchist diatribe." And the dry, offbeat humor of so many of his songs lets you know - his is a nuanced, special voice. Bob Weir was born in San Francisco in 1947 and grew up in the suburb of Atherton. After less-than-popular-with-the-family-and-neighbors experiences with piano and trumpet, he glommed onto the guitar at the age of 13, and hasn't let go since. He soon became the most-junior member of a folk scene that centered on a Palo Alto, California, club called the Tangent, which hosted such future legends as Jerry Garcia, Jorma Kaukonen, and Janis Joplin. Kaukonen was his guitar-picking role model (Garcia, at that time, was a banjo player), and Weir soon became a full-fledged, if young, folkie, listening to Lightnin' Hopkins, Joan Baez, and the Greenbriar Boys, as well as the Everly Brothers and Chuck Berry.
By 1964, at the age of 17, he'd become a fixture at a Palo Alto music store called Dana Morgan's. That summer, when Jerry Garcia went off on a bluegrass odyssey, Weir assumed responsibility for his guitar students. In the wake of "A Hard Day's Night," rock and roll had swept away even the most purist folkies' doubts, so that when late that year Ron "Pigpen" McKernan urged Garcia to electrify their jug band instruments and become a rock band, Bob Weir - already a Beatlemaniac - evolved from jug to the rhythm guitar chair. They started as the Warlocks, played a lot of bars, and then in the fall of 1965 underwent a trial by fire, serving as the "house band" for a series of psychedelic explorations thrown by Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters, the "acid tests." By early 1966, the tests had grown into events involving many thousand people, and history was never quite the same. And the Warlocks had become not only unimaginably fused brothers, but also the Grateful Dead.
Weir was "the kid," and while his first Dead song, "The Other One," was not only brilliant and enduring - The Dead play it to this day - his early songwriting had its up and downs. His next song, "Born Crosseyed," was actually out of his vocal range, and for a while he gave up songwriting.
Finally, in 1970, he regained focus with a number of tunes. One was "Cassidy," about a young woman of that name whose birth he attended, combined with the same-sounding legendary hero of "On the Road" and the acid tests, Neal Cassady. With this and other songs, he began a songwriting partnership with John Perry Barlow, an old school friend, which would last 20 years and more. After adding legendary songs like "Truckin'" and "Sugar Magnolia" (written with Robert Hunter) to the 1970 Grateful Dead masterpiece "American Beauty," in 1971 Weir proposed to do his first solo album, which would be called "Ace." For various reasons, his backup band turned out to be, for the most part, the Dead. The album was a classic, and it's no surprise that five songs from it made it on to the "Weir Here" list, including "Playing in the Band," "Cassidy," and "Mexicali Blues."
In 1974, the Dead took a nearly two-year vacation (their only lengthy break in 30 years), and during that period Weir took up with a band called Kingfish, really his first side effort from the Dead. Weir took from Kingfish - aside from a massive amount of fun - the songs "Lazy Lightnin'" and "Supplication," and a huge dose of encouragement for the idea that, in order to be a creative contributor to the Dead, he needed to do things for himself.
As a result, the year after the "Kingfish" album was released (1976), he began a solo project with producer Keith Olsen that would come to be called "Heaven Help the Fool." A brief tour to support that album brought him in contact with various session players, including, eventually, Brent Mydland (who would join the Dead in 1979), Bobby Cochran, Alphonso Johnson, and Billy Cobham. This was the genesis for Bobby and the Midnites, who would tour in the early 1980s and produce two albums, including the eponymous debut album, here represented by "(I Want to) Fly Away."
Later in the '80s, Weir hooked up with the talented multi-genre bassist Rob Wasserman at a benefit, forging a partnership that would last 15 years. They began as a duo. Working on Rob's album "Trios," they joined forces with Neil Young to produce "Easy Answers," and then in the period after Jerry Garcia's death in 1995, added drummer Jay Lane and ex-Kingfish harmonica/guitar player Matthew Kelly to become a blues band called the Ratdog Review.
Eventually, Rob moved on, and a settled lineup featuring Lane, keyboardist Jeff Chimenti, lead guitarist Mark Karan, reeds man Kenny Brooks, and bassist Robin Sylvester was RatDog.
Tickets: $39.50, not including applicable fees. Tickets on available now at Tickets.com, in person at the Paramount or Moore Theatres box offices, 24-hour kiosks located outside The Paramount & Moore Theatres, charge by phone at 877-STG-4TIX, or online at STGPresents.org.
Broadway World
BWW News Desk
Bob Weir already has a secure place in rock history as the Grateful Dead's co-vocalist and what Andrew Clarke (in one of England's leading newspapers, "The Independent") called the genre's "greatest, if most eccentric rhythm guitarist." When you have a modest, anti-promotional personality - and when you spend 30 years next to an icon - it's easy to fall under the radar.
There's a second reason he doesn't always get quite the attention he deserves. Although always a gentleman, Bob Weir can be...contrary. This is the man who, when his muse required that he go study music, chose McCoy Tyner - not exactly a rock rhythm guitarist - as his model. And just as his personality has a discriminating antiauthoritarian streak that leads him down his own road, his composing is just as distinctive and impossible to classify. So that in "Lazy Lightnin'" he combined r & b/disco chords and a time signature in 7. His go-your-own-way point of view is perfectly articulated in John Barlow's lyrics for "Throwin' Stones," which Weir called an "anarchist diatribe." And the dry, offbeat humor of so many of his songs lets you know - his is a nuanced, special voice. Bob Weir was born in San Francisco in 1947 and grew up in the suburb of Atherton. After less-than-popular-with-the-family-and-neighbors experiences with piano and trumpet, he glommed onto the guitar at the age of 13, and hasn't let go since. He soon became the most-junior member of a folk scene that centered on a Palo Alto, California, club called the Tangent, which hosted such future legends as Jerry Garcia, Jorma Kaukonen, and Janis Joplin. Kaukonen was his guitar-picking role model (Garcia, at that time, was a banjo player), and Weir soon became a full-fledged, if young, folkie, listening to Lightnin' Hopkins, Joan Baez, and the Greenbriar Boys, as well as the Everly Brothers and Chuck Berry.
By 1964, at the age of 17, he'd become a fixture at a Palo Alto music store called Dana Morgan's. That summer, when Jerry Garcia went off on a bluegrass odyssey, Weir assumed responsibility for his guitar students. In the wake of "A Hard Day's Night," rock and roll had swept away even the most purist folkies' doubts, so that when late that year Ron "Pigpen" McKernan urged Garcia to electrify their jug band instruments and become a rock band, Bob Weir - already a Beatlemaniac - evolved from jug to the rhythm guitar chair. They started as the Warlocks, played a lot of bars, and then in the fall of 1965 underwent a trial by fire, serving as the "house band" for a series of psychedelic explorations thrown by Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters, the "acid tests." By early 1966, the tests had grown into events involving many thousand people, and history was never quite the same. And the Warlocks had become not only unimaginably fused brothers, but also the Grateful Dead.
Weir was "the kid," and while his first Dead song, "The Other One," was not only brilliant and enduring - The Dead play it to this day - his early songwriting had its up and downs. His next song, "Born Crosseyed," was actually out of his vocal range, and for a while he gave up songwriting.
Finally, in 1970, he regained focus with a number of tunes. One was "Cassidy," about a young woman of that name whose birth he attended, combined with the same-sounding legendary hero of "On the Road" and the acid tests, Neal Cassady. With this and other songs, he began a songwriting partnership with John Perry Barlow, an old school friend, which would last 20 years and more. After adding legendary songs like "Truckin'" and "Sugar Magnolia" (written with Robert Hunter) to the 1970 Grateful Dead masterpiece "American Beauty," in 1971 Weir proposed to do his first solo album, which would be called "Ace." For various reasons, his backup band turned out to be, for the most part, the Dead. The album was a classic, and it's no surprise that five songs from it made it on to the "Weir Here" list, including "Playing in the Band," "Cassidy," and "Mexicali Blues."
In 1974, the Dead took a nearly two-year vacation (their only lengthy break in 30 years), and during that period Weir took up with a band called Kingfish, really his first side effort from the Dead. Weir took from Kingfish - aside from a massive amount of fun - the songs "Lazy Lightnin'" and "Supplication," and a huge dose of encouragement for the idea that, in order to be a creative contributor to the Dead, he needed to do things for himself.
As a result, the year after the "Kingfish" album was released (1976), he began a solo project with producer Keith Olsen that would come to be called "Heaven Help the Fool." A brief tour to support that album brought him in contact with various session players, including, eventually, Brent Mydland (who would join the Dead in 1979), Bobby Cochran, Alphonso Johnson, and Billy Cobham. This was the genesis for Bobby and the Midnites, who would tour in the early 1980s and produce two albums, including the eponymous debut album, here represented by "(I Want to) Fly Away."
Later in the '80s, Weir hooked up with the talented multi-genre bassist Rob Wasserman at a benefit, forging a partnership that would last 15 years. They began as a duo. Working on Rob's album "Trios," they joined forces with Neil Young to produce "Easy Answers," and then in the period after Jerry Garcia's death in 1995, added drummer Jay Lane and ex-Kingfish harmonica/guitar player Matthew Kelly to become a blues band called the Ratdog Review.
Eventually, Rob moved on, and a settled lineup featuring Lane, keyboardist Jeff Chimenti, lead guitarist Mark Karan, reeds man Kenny Brooks, and bassist Robin Sylvester was RatDog.
Tickets: $39.50, not including applicable fees. Tickets on available now at Tickets.com, in person at the Paramount or Moore Theatres box offices, 24-hour kiosks located outside The Paramount & Moore Theatres, charge by phone at 877-STG-4TIX, or online at STGPresents.org.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Tickets.com Client Spotlight: Paramount Theatre
Maxwell To Perform At The Paramount On June 23
The Seattle Medium
Live Nation welcomes R&B artist Maxwell to the Paramount Theatre on Tuesday, June 23 at 8:00 p.m.
BLACKsummers'night, the heavily-anticipated new studio album from the groundbreaking modern soul artist Maxwell due for release on Tues., July 7, is the first full-length Maxwell release since Now, his critically-acclaimed third studio album, debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 in August 2001.
BLACKsummers'night is the sensuous opening installment of the artist's monumental BLACKSUMMERS'NIGHT trilogy. The trilogy's subsequent chapters, blackSUMMERS'night and blacksummers'NIGHT, are slated for release in 2010 and 2011 respectively.
BLACKsummers'night reunites Maxwell with long-time collaborator Hod David, who serves as co-producer and co-writer of the album. Striving for an emotional authenticity and real world sound for the album, Maxwell and Hod recorded the entire album live in the studio with an a-list ensemble of elegantly sympathetic musicians.
Maxwell began redefining classic soul music for a new generation with the release of his critically-acclaimed debut album, Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite, in April 1996. Fueled in part by the RIAA gold single, ''Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder),'' the Grammy-nominated Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite was certified platinum in March 1997, less than a year after its release, and achieved double platinum status, in recognition of sales of more than 2 million copies in the US alone, in 2002. Maxwell followed up with his MTV Unplugged EP, released in July 1997 and certified gold in September 1999. His second full-length album, Embrya, was released in June 1998 and certified platinum in May 1999. Another Maxwell single, the hit ''Fortunate,'' was certified gold in June 1999. To date, Maxwell has achieved 10 gold and platinum certifications from the RIAA for his albums and singles.
Tickets are on sale at Tickets.com, Tickets.com 24-hour kiosks at the Paramount and Moore Theatres, or charge by phone (877) STG-4TIX. All tickets subject to applicable service charges and fees.
The Seattle Medium
Live Nation welcomes R&B artist Maxwell to the Paramount Theatre on Tuesday, June 23 at 8:00 p.m.
BLACKsummers'night, the heavily-anticipated new studio album from the groundbreaking modern soul artist Maxwell due for release on Tues., July 7, is the first full-length Maxwell release since Now, his critically-acclaimed third studio album, debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 in August 2001.
BLACKsummers'night is the sensuous opening installment of the artist's monumental BLACKSUMMERS'NIGHT trilogy. The trilogy's subsequent chapters, blackSUMMERS'night and blacksummers'NIGHT, are slated for release in 2010 and 2011 respectively.
BLACKsummers'night reunites Maxwell with long-time collaborator Hod David, who serves as co-producer and co-writer of the album. Striving for an emotional authenticity and real world sound for the album, Maxwell and Hod recorded the entire album live in the studio with an a-list ensemble of elegantly sympathetic musicians.
Maxwell began redefining classic soul music for a new generation with the release of his critically-acclaimed debut album, Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite, in April 1996. Fueled in part by the RIAA gold single, ''Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder),'' the Grammy-nominated Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite was certified platinum in March 1997, less than a year after its release, and achieved double platinum status, in recognition of sales of more than 2 million copies in the US alone, in 2002. Maxwell followed up with his MTV Unplugged EP, released in July 1997 and certified gold in September 1999. His second full-length album, Embrya, was released in June 1998 and certified platinum in May 1999. Another Maxwell single, the hit ''Fortunate,'' was certified gold in June 1999. To date, Maxwell has achieved 10 gold and platinum certifications from the RIAA for his albums and singles.
Tickets are on sale at Tickets.com, Tickets.com 24-hour kiosks at the Paramount and Moore Theatres, or charge by phone (877) STG-4TIX. All tickets subject to applicable service charges and fees.
Friday, March 20, 2009
"Tyler Perry's The Marriage Counselor" play comes to the Paramount Theatre
"Tyler Perry's The Marriage Counselor" plays at Seattle's Paramount Theatre March 20-22.
By Michael Cidoni
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — Tyler Perry wants Madea dead.
That may come as a surprise, given the big-hearted but foul-tempered, pistol-packin' granny has emerged as director-writer-producer-actor Perry's signature character — and, now, his cash cow.
"Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail" topped the U.S. box office for two weeks last month, and made $41 million in its first three days of release, then quickly surpassed the overall take of his previously top-grossing film, "Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion" (2006). It's now at $83 million and counting.
Still, Perry confesses: "I would love to see Madea die a slow death in the next film."
The reason? It takes a lot of effort to turn the 6-foot-5-inch Perry into big momma Madea. She's "a whole lot of fun to watch. But to do it is a nightmare," Perry says.
"It's all one suit that I'm zipped into, so it's all heavy. The hips are heavy. And the more I sweat, the heavier it gets. ... "
Come summer, the 39-year-old Perry — whose Atlanta-based media empire includes films, books, videos, theatrical productions and TV shows — will be back on the big screen making a cameo appearance in director J.J. Abrams' "Star Trek."
Perry's empire sends entertainment around the country, such as "Tyler Perry's The Marriage Counselor," the touring play with a three-day stand at Seattle's Paramount Theatre today through Sunday. Perry found his initial success in touring black-themed plays through Southern theaters, the so-called "chitlin circuit."
Next is Perry's own period drama "A Jazz Man's Blues." Then, more Madea, with "Madea's Class Reunion."
Perry said that it's clear that fans want more of her. "As long as they want to see her, she'll stay around. But, I'm telling you, if they ever stop coming, she's going to die a quick death. 'Madea's Funeral.' That's what you look forward to."
By Michael Cidoni
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — Tyler Perry wants Madea dead.
That may come as a surprise, given the big-hearted but foul-tempered, pistol-packin' granny has emerged as director-writer-producer-actor Perry's signature character — and, now, his cash cow.
"Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail" topped the U.S. box office for two weeks last month, and made $41 million in its first three days of release, then quickly surpassed the overall take of his previously top-grossing film, "Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion" (2006). It's now at $83 million and counting.
Still, Perry confesses: "I would love to see Madea die a slow death in the next film."
The reason? It takes a lot of effort to turn the 6-foot-5-inch Perry into big momma Madea. She's "a whole lot of fun to watch. But to do it is a nightmare," Perry says.
"It's all one suit that I'm zipped into, so it's all heavy. The hips are heavy. And the more I sweat, the heavier it gets. ... "
Come summer, the 39-year-old Perry — whose Atlanta-based media empire includes films, books, videos, theatrical productions and TV shows — will be back on the big screen making a cameo appearance in director J.J. Abrams' "Star Trek."
Perry's empire sends entertainment around the country, such as "Tyler Perry's The Marriage Counselor," the touring play with a three-day stand at Seattle's Paramount Theatre today through Sunday. Perry found his initial success in touring black-themed plays through Southern theaters, the so-called "chitlin circuit."
Next is Perry's own period drama "A Jazz Man's Blues." Then, more Madea, with "Madea's Class Reunion."
Perry said that it's clear that fans want more of her. "As long as they want to see her, she'll stay around. But, I'm telling you, if they ever stop coming, she's going to die a quick death. 'Madea's Funeral.' That's what you look forward to."
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Stars of "Spinal Tap," "A Mighty Wind" to come to Paramount "Unwigged & Unplugged"
Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer will perform music from their film "mockumentaries" "This is Spinal Tap" (heavy metal) and "A Mighty Wind" (folk) at Seattle's Paramount Theatre on April 20.
By Marian Liu
Seattle Times staff reporter
Prepare a night of hilarity.
The trio behind the nutty mockumentary "A Mighty Wind" are hitting the road. Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer will perform folk music from their 2003 film satire, along with metal from their fake band from the 1984 film "This is Spinal Tap," on a six week, 30-city multimedia acoustic tour.
And true to their silly vibe, they promise a show without wigs and electric instruments.
Guest, McKean and Shearer will be at Seattle's Paramount on April 20. Tickets are $35 to $75, and go on sale 10 a.m. Friday, March 6 at www.tickets.com, at the 24-hour kiosks at the Paramount and Moore Theatres, or you can charge by phone at 206-STG-4TIX.
Along with "A Mighty Wind" and "Spinal Tap," Guest, McKean and Shearer have orchestrated such comedies as "Waiting For Guffman" (1996), "Best In Show" (2000) and "For Your Consideration" (2006).
To get a preview of their show — appropriately named, "Unwigged & Unplugged" — go to www.youtube.com/user/TAPUNWIGGED.
By Marian Liu
Seattle Times staff reporter
Prepare a night of hilarity.
The trio behind the nutty mockumentary "A Mighty Wind" are hitting the road. Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer will perform folk music from their 2003 film satire, along with metal from their fake band from the 1984 film "This is Spinal Tap," on a six week, 30-city multimedia acoustic tour.
And true to their silly vibe, they promise a show without wigs and electric instruments.
Guest, McKean and Shearer will be at Seattle's Paramount on April 20. Tickets are $35 to $75, and go on sale 10 a.m. Friday, March 6 at www.tickets.com, at the 24-hour kiosks at the Paramount and Moore Theatres, or you can charge by phone at 206-STG-4TIX.
Along with "A Mighty Wind" and "Spinal Tap," Guest, McKean and Shearer have orchestrated such comedies as "Waiting For Guffman" (1996), "Best In Show" (2000) and "For Your Consideration" (2006).
To get a preview of their show — appropriately named, "Unwigged & Unplugged" — go to www.youtube.com/user/TAPUNWIGGED.
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