She Stoops to Conquer - Goldsmith / National Theatre (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)"She Stoops to Conquer" is a humorous study of human relationships. As in real life each person has multiple dimensions. Some people are chameleons and change color to suit their surroundings. Others are more comfortable with themselves and maintain a constant stripe. The interactions of these different characters lead to humorous situations and witty dialogue. This is a thoroughly enjoyable farce. The cast is outstanding and the picture quality is great.

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Oliver Goldsmith Heritage Theatre presents The Out of Joint / National Theatre Co-Production of She Stoops To Conquer. Oliver Goldsmith's classic comedy of manners tells of the clever schemes and comic ruses that unfold one night at a country house. An ambitious step-mother, impassioned sweethearts, a pragmatic father and a pair of star-crossed suitors are sent spinning through a hilarious comedy of errors by one of the great characters of the stage, Tony Lumpkin.In its day, this eighteenth century masterpiece was considered so 'low' that it might never have reached the stage. When it was finally produced, it enjoyed immediate and lasting success, breaking the mould with its satirical swipe at polite society. Goldsmith made comedy funnier and more natural than the 'sentimental' stuff of his contemporaries - yet his characters burst with warmth as well as great wit. Max Stafford-Clark sets the story of the ultimate dysfunctional family in the hinterland of Lichfield. His triumphant production played to great acclaim at the National Theatre and on tour.'beautifully directed by Max Stafford-Clark...a dream' The Independent 'superb' Daily Mail'supremely well acted' The Wall Street Journal' enjoyably rowdy' The Evening Standard 'brilliant new Irish actor Owen Sharpe' Daily Mail'a comedy without errors...with effervescent performances from the entire cast, it was impossible not to get caught up in the thrill of it all... exudes all-out fun and frivolity...the sheer verve of the exuberantly witty dialogue was quite enough to keep the 21st century audience at the National Theatre roaring with laughter. The crowd simply loved it' Daily Mirror''lots of rewards...Ian Redford's Hardcastle can be splendidly irascible' Sunday Telegraph'Includes an interview with Max Stafford-Clark on his production.This production was first performed on September 12, 2002 at the Oxford Playhouse, and opened at the National Theatre on December 17, 2002. It was recorded at the Theatre Royal, Bath on April 8 & 9, 2003.CASTSir Charles Marlow / Roger: NIGEL COOKEYoung Charles Marlow (his son): CHRISTOPHER STAINESMr Hardcastle: IAN REDFORDMr George Hastings: STEPHEN BERESFORDTony Lumpkin: OWEN SHARPE Landlord / Jeremy: MATTHEW SIM Diggory: JASON WATKINS Mrs Hardcastle: .JANE WOOD Miss Kate Hardcastle: MONICA DOLAN Miss Constance Neville: FRITHA GOODEY Pimple: BELLA MERLIN Director: ROBIN LOUGH Our gratitude to the staff and patrons of the THEATRE ROYAL, BATH. Heritage Theatre

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Bob Marley and the Wailers Live at the Rainbow (1977) Review

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(More customer reviews)So it falls to me to review this first? This June 1977 concert at London's Rainbow Theater captures the recently reconfigured Wailers ending a European tour to promote the masterful 'Exodus' album. The rare videotaped performances of 'Trenchtown Rock' and 'Rebel Music', and 'Crazy Baldhead', dating from the earlier Wailers repertoire, and performed wonderfully well here, are the treasures of this collection, however. Missed notes on some songs, including the beginning of 'Exodus', and guitarist Junior Marvin's failure to notice his boss Bob about to start singing 'Lively Up Yourself', are minor annoyances, as is the loss of Aston Barrett's famous distinctive bass line in 'No More Trouble', jettisoned in favor of a 'new', harder sound (surely a reaction to the exciting energy of London's 'new wave' summer of 1977). By the way, it always annoyed me that the front cover picture on the VHS and now the DVD editions is most definitely not from this 1977 show, but rather is the same photo that graces the 1975 Live at the Lyceum album. I wish those responsible would show some commitment to historical accuracy, and use a photo from the actual show in '77. The DVD sound and picture are good, considering the age of the videotape source. I purchased my DVD copy of 'Live at the Rainbow' from Amazon France, and it includes an accompanying DVD entitled 'Carribbean Nights', which is an informative and enjoyable look at Marley's life and times. While 'Caribbean Nights' contains no full-length performances, it does contain several exciting if brief film clips of various performances such as the Leeds, UK 1973 show with Peter Tosh. Hopefully these early performances will someday make it onto DVD as well.


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Bizet - Carmen / Obraztsova, Domingo, Mazurok, Buchanan, Rydl, Zednik, Kleiber, Vienna Opera Review

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(More customer reviews)When this production of 'Carmen' was mounted at the Vienna State Opera in 1978 it caused quite a stir. Mostly that was because Carlos Kleiber rarely conducted opera and when he did it was always an occasion. And Zeffirelli, controversial but brilliant as an opera conductor, always created a stir with any new production of his. This film was also directed by Zeffirelli for Austrian television and as far as I know it has not been available in general circulation since its initial airing. It is a fitting tribute to Kleiber whose death this last summer was a blow for the classical music world. He was surely one of the great conductors of recent times.
Plácido Domingo is in his prime here as Don José. In Act II 'La fleur que tu m'avais jetée' ('The Flower Song') is thrilling, even though he doesn't quite manage the pianissimo ending Bizet intended. There is a five-minute-plus ovation at its finish, and it is well-deserved. It is interesting that Zeffirelli left the entire ovation in his edited film because there are many other places in the performance where the applause has been edited out. One wonders if he wasn't playing favorites with his cast. Elena Obraztsova gets silence after several of her arias, but Isobel Buchanan gets a huge ovation after her Act III 'Je dis que rien ne m'epouvante,' again deservedly so. It is true that Obraztsova is not an ideal Carmen, at least in the early going when she is supposed to be the alluring, devil-may-care gypsy woman. Later, though, in the Card Scene where she repeatedly turns up cards that predict 'La mort!' ('Death!) she is riveting. Our Escamillo is, to my mind, rather a cipher. Yuri Mazurok has a solid baritone, but his torero does not have the necessary vocal or physical swagger, and his French is almost unintelligible. The minor characters are well-taken. I was particularly impressed both vocally and histrionically with the Frasquita (Cheryl Kanfoush) and Mercédès (Axelle Gall), singers not previously known to me.
The undoubted star of this production is Carlos Kleiber. From the downbeat of the Prélude to the very end of the opera, his musical direction is as exciting as any I've ever heard in this thrice-familiar opera. Zeffirelli knew this, too. His camera focuses on Kleiber repeatedly throughout the production, sometimes even interrupting action onstage, but generally only when the orchestra is playing alone. I had never seen Kleiber conduct, so I was very pleased to be able to see this. (I was amused to see him give the opening tempo of those fast sixteenths at the beginning of the fourth act by mouthing to orchestra and chorus 'Puh puh Puh puh Puh puh' before giving the downbeat.) I can imagine others, less interested in the conductor, might feel that Zeffirelli's cutting away to show Kleiber is a distraction. The members of the Vienna Philharmonic play like gods. Their rhythmic precision is jaw-droppingly good. I'd particularly single out the concertmaster and the principal flute for praise.
This is one of those over-the-top Zeffirelli productions. There are huge numbers of people onstage much of the time and Zeffirelli's vaunted ability to direct crowds, giving each member some individual bits to perform, is on show here. The camerawork is such that at times one almost believes one is watching an opened-out movie of an opera, not one confined to a stage. I did think all the donkeys and horses in Act III were a bit much, but the crowd outside the bullring arena in Act IV (and featuring exciting flamenco dancers) was a great pleasure to watch.
The edition used here appears to be the one by Fritz Oeser, with spoken dialog and sans the Guiraud recitatives. That was something new in the 1970s and must have been interesting for seasoned operaphiles. I well remember a 1973 production at the Met conducted by Bernstein and starring Marilyn Horne that broke with precedent by using this new edition. I don't know if that one has made it to video.
Is this the definitive 'Carmen.' Well, first of course one would have to ask if there could ever be such a thing. Is it a good 'Carmen'? You bet it is! I do wish the Carmen had perhaps been a bit more alluring, but one cannot argue with that huge organ-toned mezzo of Obraztsova. And it's hard to imagine a better Don José. Isobel Buchanan's Micaëla is a tiny bit generic (as perhaps the part itself is), but lovely and appealing. Mazurok has his admirers, but I'm not particularly one of them. Still, this DVD rates five stars; it definitely is an occasion and an exciting one. Interestingly there is another Zeffirelli production from Verona on DVD that I like almost as much as this one, even though the cast is a whole lot less famous, but its orchestra is nowhere near as good.
Visually this is stunning and in crisp videography. Sound is clear and in plain vanilla stereo, no options. Subtitles in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish.
Recommended with minor reservations.
TT=154mins
Scott Morrison

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Faerie Tale Theatre: Tale of the Frog Prince (1982) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is truly a great version of this timless tale and Robin Williams is, as usual extremely funny. BUT he does use one word in discribing the princess that make this otherwise great production questionable for children. At one point he calls the princess a "b----" (rhymes with witch). I know that children hear this word all the time, but it is a jolt to hear it in a children's story and might make some young ones think it is OK to use that word.

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Jiri Kylian's Car Men (1986) Review

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(More customer reviews)this is a somewhat strange release. apparently kylian collaborated with a filmmaker to make "car men", a 30-minute B&W film done in a very "silent era/slapstick" sort of way. there's very little dancing involved, but kylian's touch is definitely discernible. the slapstick comedy is amusing in the way that kylian's comedy often is, with a lot of exaggerated belly laughs, double takes, and questioning looks, but it doesn't add up to much. the connection to carmen the opera is tenuous, and the film is more focused on the central female character's premonition (or fear?) of being hit by a car. her dreams/nightmares are the most interesting sequences and feature some striking images. all in all a curiosity, but worth seeing for fans of kylian.
"silent cries" (from 1986) is a work for female soloist set to debussy's famous "prelude to the afternoon of a faun". the dancer dances behind a pane of glass and kylian's choreography evokes classic mime, perhaps a little too closely. it's also fascinating to see how he references nijinsky's version. definitely worth seeing for fans, but probably won't convert anyone.
the final piece, "the drowned cathedral" for two male-female couples, has already been released on the video "four by kylian". it's a fine, serious piece with some remarkable, memorable choreography, although it's more overtly sexual than many of his other works.
the two dance works were well selected and complement "car men" extremely well. all in all this is definitely worth watching for fans (although it's short at 61 minutes), although newcomers would be much better off watching a more traditional collection, such as the black and white ballets DVD (although unfortunately that one's currently out of print in the US).

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Bernstein - Wonderful Town / Audra McDonald, Kim Criswell, Thomas Hampson, Wayne Marshall, Simon Rattle, Berlin Philharmonic Review

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(More customer reviews)'Wonderful Town' is not Leonard Bernstein's best score, but you wouldn't know it from this exuberant performance in the unlikeliest of places: New Year's Eve 2002 at the Philharmonie, the home of the Berlin Philharmonic. Led by their new chief conductor, Sir Simon Rattle, and featuring an all-star cast of American singers, this semi-staged BPO concert version of the Bernstein's 1953 Broadway hit is amazingly right in all its particulars. From the jazzy overture to the encore of 'Conga!' in which Rattle entreats (in German) the gala audience to get up and form a conga line, the joy and esprit of this concert has to be seen and heard to be believed. The singers are as good as they get. Kim Criswell, one of the best Broadway singers of recent times, plays the aspiring writer, Ruth Sherwood, with brass, spunk, and shaky cynicism; her 'One Hundred Ways to Lose a Man' had the audience roaring. Ruth's sister Eileen is performed by the delectable Audra McDonald, winner of three Tonys before the age of 28. (Interestingly, it's a homecoming of sorts for McDonald; she was born in Berlin in 1970.) A graduate of Juilliard, McDonald has one of the most gorgeous voices around these days, and personality to spare. Her 'A Little Bit in Love' is scrumptious. One number that brings a lump to the throat is the sisters' duet, 'Ohio' ('Why, Oh Why, Oh Why Oh, Why Did I Ever Leave Ohio?').
Singing multiple roles in his marvelous baritone, the handsome Brent Barrett sings 'Christopher Street' and rocks the house with 'Pass the Football.' I was frankly amazed that the German audience seemed to have no trouble understanding some of the 1950s American slang in that and other songs. They clearly were having the time of the lives. Thomas Hampson, as Baker, sings 'A Quiet Girl' and the duet with Eileen 'It's Love' in his world-class baritone and flawless diction. Secondary roles, including some taken by the chorus, European Voices (in American accents), were ably done.
Simon Rattle, known for his love for classic American light music, is completely in his element in this complex Bernstein score with its rapid changes of meter, tricky accents, and jazzy harmonies. More than that, he was obviously enjoying every moment. But even more amazing was the patent enjoyment of the ordinarily staid Berlin Philharmonic musicians. It is often said that European musicians just don't 'get' American popular music, but that clearly is not the case here. One is unlikely to ever hear a more beautiful instrumental performance of this score. In 'Swing!' the licks by the BPO brass were worthy of any of the famous Big Bands of the thirties and forties. The Raschèr Saxophone Quartet were in the pit to add to the Big Band sound. British keyboardist Wayne Marshall (best known as an organist, but a frequent collaborator with Rattle, including the jazz piano role in Rattle's recording of 'Porgy and Bess') played the dazzling orchestral piano part.
I cannot recommend this DVD highly enough.
1 DVD; Sound: PCM Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1, or DTS 5.1. Subtitles: English, German, French. Running time: 76 minutes
Scott Morrison

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SCTV, Volume 1 - Network 90 (5 Disc Set) (1981) Review

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(More customer reviews)Whenever I got together with friends discussing television and movies we always wondered why every crummy TV show and movie made it to DVD while SCTV was not yet on DVD. Then we would inevitably begin to reminisce about the show, out favorite sketches, etc. Now we can all watch together because SCTV is finally on DVD . . . well, at least some of it is, and that's a good start.
For those who fondly remember the series I must first state that this is not a collection of the 30-minute shows that were shown in syndication. Rather, this collection contains the first nine shows of SCTV-90 that ran on NBC during the early 80's. Fortunately, the first episode of the collection is a retrospective of some of the best sketches that ran on the syndicated show. Fans will be able to see "Night School Hi-Q," a quiz show where Eugene Levy plays a harassed Alex Trebek to Catherine O'Hara's clueless Margaret Meehan; John Candy as a fully grown Beaver who finally gets revenge in Eddie Haskell; Rick Moranis as Merv Griffin comparing jacket linings with Yasser Arafat and Liberace; and the jewel of the disk, Rick Moranis as Woody Allen playing against Dave Thomas as Bob Hope in "Play It Again, Bob." No one ever imitated Bob Hope like Dave Thomas; seeing him on the screen almost makes us believe were really were seeing Bob Hope, that's how good the impersonation was.
And there's more to come with some of the best-loved characters in SCTV: Guy Callabero, Edith Prickley, Bob and Doug McKenzie, Johnny LaRue, Mrs. Falbo, Lola Heatherton, Bobby Bittman, Earl Camembert, Floyd Robertson, aka Count Floyd, Dr. Tongue, Perini Scleroso, Mel Slirrup, and Sammy Maudlin. They're still as funny, and almost as fresh, as when we watched them back then.
Other highlights to look for include the following:
-- John Candy as Civil War coward "Yellowbelly," a spoof on Chuck Connor' series, "Branded."
-- Rick Moranis a video deejay Gerry Todd, pre-MTV and eerily prescient.
-- The Sammy Maudlin Show where Bobby Bittman (the unfunniest funny-man in Hollywood) is upstaged by Bob Hope.
-- The Ingmar Bergman film parody that shows up of Count Floyd's "Monster Chiller Horror Theater." Floyd is under the impression that it's a horror film. His disappointment when he finds out the truth is as hilarious as the parody itself. ( A bit of SCTV trivia here: Count Floyd, who was SCTV news anchorman Floyd Robertson in a vampire costume and cheesy make-up, is based on Bill Cardille, who Joe Flaherty watched as a kid growing up in Pittsburgh. Cardille did the weather for the local NBC station, and on weekends hosted the studio wrestling matches and as "Chilly Billy" hosted the Saturday night horror feature.)
-- Joe Flaherty as station owner Guy Callabero, who, although he can walk, uses a wheel chair. ("I only use it for respect!")
-- "The Grapes of Mud," a parody of "The Grapes of Wrath."
-- "Mrs. Falbo's Tiny Town." Andrea Martin at her funniest.
-- Johnny Larue's "Polynesiantown," with its ending crane shot that got LaRue in hot water with Guy Callabero because it went so far over budget.
-- "The Merv Griffith Show," with Rick Moranis as Merv doing the part of Sheriff Taylor. Look for Eugene Levy as a great Floyd the Barber and John Candy as Otis.
-- "Dr. Tongue's 3-D House of Stewardesses," a cheesy send-up of 3-D movies.
-- Catherine O'Hara as Lola Heatherton. Simply hilarious.
That said, the only stumbling block would be the price, which is due to the cost of obtaining the music rights. But it's worth it, and the music's not bad. For instance, the late Roy Orbison, Dr. John, and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes (fans of Conan O'Brien and the Max Weinberg 7 should watch for LaBamba and Mark Pender in earlier incarnations) are among the performers.
Besides the excellent commentaries on each disk, there is also a 24-page booklet with articles by Conan O'Brien and Ben Stiller, among others. O'Brien says in his piece that in regard to SCTV, "I don't think anyone's ever topped it." I agree.

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Mike Portnoy In Constant Motion DVD Review

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(More customer reviews)If you own any of Mike's previous videos you'll know what to expect here, more of the same with bonus footage from guest apperances with his side project tribute bands. He breaks down a few Neal Morse songs and the new OSI material and it was nice to see his drum set arrangements for those projects.
I'm becoming more a fan of watching him play than just listening to Dream Theater's music. This is a must for any current Mike Portnoy fan and I highly recommend this one to anyone who does not own any of his videos yet. Some of the most impressive playing I've ever seen captured on this set. This set costs less than a tank of gas in a full size SUV so just go for it.

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Disc 1: In the Dream focuses on music from the last three Dream Theater albums, Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence, Train Of Thought and Octavarium; featuring complete band performances of six songs from these albums as well as new studio performances of the drum tracks and Mikes in-depth analysis of each song. Disc 2: On the Side covers a wide range of Mike's side projects, including his work with TransAtlantic, John Arch, John Petrucci/G3, Fates Warning and Overkill. Disc 3: Bonus Material contains additional Dream Theater tracks filmed on the band's 20th Anniversary tour, three live drum solos featuring duets with Charlie Benante, Jason Bittner and Richard Christy.

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The Pallisers, Set 1 (1977) Review

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(More customer reviews)If you are a fan of English costume drama, interested in amiable depiction of High Victorian Society, if you liked the most recent BBC version of Pride and Prejudice, and, most particularly, if you ever were forced to slog through Anthony Trollope's endless series of lengthy novels recounting the peregrinations of the Duke of Omnium, Phineas Finn, et al, then this is the series for you. It may be most interesting to the long suffering Trollope-reader. I believe that his novels were a sort of 1840s counterpart to modern cable TV. They were made to be read in the evenings, often aloud to gatherings of family and friends. And, since there was little competition for polite entertainment, there was undoubtedly little incentive for the listeners to want the stories rushed to an end. Hence, the elegantly written descriptions of drawing room rivalries, scrapes most often between the honorable and landholding wealthy and the rather dishonorable new-rich tended to drag on and on...and on. This TV treatment, although not a great commercial success in Britain when it was made thirty years ago, is therefore surprisingly successful - the acting, though criticised as stilted, actually is stylised. The basic drama of the situations (will the grand Duke of Omnium crush his defeated rival when they at last meet at some European gambling Spa? Will whatsisname, the preppy son of the Duke make good on his promise to marry the American adventuress?) comes across much better - and MUCH faster - through the TV episodes, and frankly make Trollope quite entertaining in the process.
Occasionally, TV takes narrative forms from the past and does make them paced and pallatable for new audiences. This series is still not for fans of fast editing, car crashes, and gore. It is, however, well-paced, mannered, elegant, wholesome and intelligent drama that should have been released to the public decades ago.
I have looked for it from time to time for over twenty years - having viewed these episodes as a young school teacher in Singapore in the 70s, where anything from Britain or America was a lifeline to home. I will look forward to watching it again, in senile rapture, rooting for the Duke and wishing ill on the many rascals that surround him.

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On Broadway Review

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(More customer reviews)Ladies and gents,
This film is a timeless treasure........one that you will watch for YEARS to come, enjoying it just as much every single time you watch, as you did the very first time you watched. :-) I saw it 9 times in the theatres around Boston and each and every time I walked away feeling the same inspiration, sorrow, joy, and every other kind of emotion that wells up within when you feel the utmost accomplishment in life. I hope you purchase this amazing DVD as you will not be disappointed in the least!
:-) Guaranteed!!!!
~Kimmie

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ON BROADWAY is about how laughter helps us deal with loss. It's about the ties of family and the warmth of Boston's neighborhoods. It's about a young man with visions, and the guts to go for it. It's about the refusal to bow to adversity. It's about a father and son, and breaking down the wall that divides them. It's about life.Jack and Kate O'Toole, just married, their future lies in front of them. Then Jack's godfather falls from a roof and dies.At the wake, Jack hears the dead man's voice telling him to write a play. When nobody else will produce the play, Jack quits his job to produce it himself. With no money and just his gut to guide him, Jack mounts the play on the only stage he can afford: in the back room of a local pub...on a neighborhood street called Broadway.
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Sty of the Blind Pig (Broadway Theatre Archive) Review

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(More customer reviews)This 1974 production by the Negro Ensemble is a powerful play with emotional characters, gospel music, and unrequited love. The setting is the Warren apartment bound for demolition, on the southside of Chicago. It is occupied by an elderly mother, Weedie Warren, and her spinster daughter Alberta.
Visiting periodically is Weedie's brother, Uncle Doc, played by Scatman Crothers, a drinker, a smooth dresser and he loves to play the numbers. Alberta is also a drinker, pill popper, frustrated, and has been driven up the wall by her overbearing and meddling mother, who calls Alberta a whiskey head.
While mother goes back to the south for a convocation, she observes the civil rights movements and its uprising, something not quite in Chicago yet. Meanwhile, a street singer named Blind Jordan wanders the neighborhood, looking for a woman he knew. Alberta invites him in and soon befriends him.
Witness a powerful performance, possibly 10-12 minute soliloquy by Alberta as she recites her most memorable obituary she wrote for a love she craved, Emmanuel Fisher. Then, she displays the sexual frustration reliving her angst at his funeral. This performance by veteran actor Mary Alice is worth the watch.
The play's title Sty of the Blind Pig is in actuality a house of ill repute that Blind Jordan tells about, where women, whiskey and food were sold. We also learn more of Weedie's past.
Because of Weedie's faith, gospel music is often heard in the background, such as Precious Lord, Farther Along, and Amazing Grace. The actors have all had extensive television experience. This is a wonderful play. Writer Phillip Hayes Dean has also written Freeman (Broadway Theatre Archive), where a black man struggles to break the stigma of being black in the 70s. .....Rizzo


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Philip Hayes Dian's play is about an uprooted black family from the South, living in Chicago at the start of the civil rights movement. Stars Mary ALice, Richard Ward, Maidie Norman, Scatman Crothers.

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The Producers (Widescreen Edition) (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)I remember seeing the original film of The Producers in a virtually deserted theatre and loving it. I still think it is one of Mel Brooks' best films. So I was a bit apprehensive when I heard it was being turned into a Broadway musical and then that musical was being made into a film. But, on the whole, I have to admit to enjoying it much more than I thought I would.
Much of the credit must go to Susan Stroman's stagey and somewhat campy direction, which suits the material perfectly. Even more credit belongs to the incredible Nathan Lane for managing to equal Zero Mostel's original Max Bialystock and even, once or twice, surpassing it. He is, quite rightly, the heart and soul, of the film. The rest of the cast is not bad either. Uma Thurman is a pleasant surprise, the double act of Gary Beach and Roger Bart are pure politically-incorrect joy, and even Will Farrell is good. Which leaves Matthew Broderick. He certainly comes to life when singing and dancing, much more so than I would have expected. But his characterisation of Leo Bloom seems just a bit too bland. I know Leo is supposed to a personality-deficient accountant, but I really miss Gene Wilder's manic edge. With Broderick, there's not even a hint in the eyes that he really needs that blue blanket.
It was fun spotting all the lines of dialogue from the original and seeing how the story and characters were altered (I could understand LSD not fitting into the new concept but the playing of Hitler first by Hans, then by DeBris seemed a tad awkward). But, this being a musical version, the show is going to rise or fall on its musical numbers. In general, the staging was clever and often laugh out loud funny. The songs, it must be said, are not the most memorable ever heard on Broadway. But the energy and enthusiasm with which they are performed more than make up for that. Strange then that some of them are edited. The opening number ends so abruptly - I'm grateful that the DVD has the entire number as an extra. I can see no real reason why it was cut short (unless someone felt it was too Jewish). Surely, running times are not the crucial factor they used to be. But many delights survive including a chorus line of grannies with walking frames, beautiful girls dressed only in pearls, and Uma Thurman doing a quite good Cyd Charisse impersonation with her seemingly endless legs. In fact, the only real musical disappointment for me was the notorious Springtime For Hitler number which seemed to lack the punch, fizz and open-mouth shock quality of the original. Maybe it's the passage of time or just knowing that it was coming. But Nathan Lane's Betrayed number was soooo good that I had to rewind for an instant encore.
All in all, it's nice to see that someone can still do a good old-fashioned musical.

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Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick return to their award-winning roles in the hilariously funny film of the record-breaking Broadway smash-hit. Scheming producer Max Bialystock (Lane) and his mousy accountant, Leo Bloom (Broderick), discover that under the right circumstances they could make more money by producing a Broadway flop than they can with a hit. But what will they do when their sure-to-offend musical becomes a surprise sensation? Co-starring sexy Uma Thurman and comedy genius Will Ferrell, The Producers is a fun-filled, side-splitting comedy.

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Cirque du Soleil 3-Pack (Quidam / Dralion / Journey of Man) Review

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(More customer reviews)Three years ago, I was lucky enough to see, within a three-week period, Riverdance in Tokyo and Cirque du Soleil in Melbourne. Watching Cirque du Soleil live is, of course, a heart-stopping and heart-racing experience, so joyful, so amazing. My reaction again and again to the dozens of performances on these DVD's is not "unbelievable", but "impossible". The laws of physics do not permit what these performers are able to pull off. The performers are so far above and beyond anything you will see anywhere else, combining original styles you never see in a traditional circus. Nothing is predictable. On top of that you get a production worthy of an Olympic opening ceremony, just on a smaller scale to fit into CdS's live tent. In addition, there are no live animals used for the amusement of us humans. All the entertainment (including the lions in Dralion) is provided by people for people. The show is wild, uplifting, inspiring, hysterically funny. Two of the shows were filmed before live audiences, and just as in the live performance I attended the audience is screaming, clapping, whistling, guffawing and gasping almost constantly throughout the show. Totally involved. Most circus acts start slow and build to an amazing climax. Cirque du Soleil acts start amazing, move through unbelievable and climax at impossible. My only slight disappointment in this set is "Journey of Man", which was not filmed before an audience but at a variety of famous natural and man-made sites around the world. The "journey" narrated by Ian McKellen is so fast, the baby in the first scene grows to late middle age about as fast as Alice changes size in Wonderland, only to discover that the secret to happiness as an adult is to keep the child within you alive. Somehow, the writers try to connect this to some of the Cirque acts which are truncated to fit into the short show. Nonetheless, the acts are still impressive and the photography is lush, the scenes varied. On the whole, you will not find a more entertaining DVD set for the whole family to enjoy together. Be forewarned: after viewing the DVD's you are going to want to see Cirque live if they come to your neck of the woods.

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Three Cirque du Soleil performances.Genre: Performing Arts - ConcertsRating: NRRelease Date: 19-NOV-2002Media Type: DVD

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Greater Tuna Review

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(More customer reviews)I SO wanted to award them 5-stars like all the rest of the reviewers, but the DVD version of this classic play just doesn't meet my expectations.
My wife and I absolutely love the Tuna trilogy (Greater Tuna, A Tuna Christmas, and Red, White and Tuna). We first saw Greater Tuna on our honeymoon while in San Francisco fifteen years ago and have seen others perform it several times since. We have seen Joe and Jaston (the originals) perform A Tuna Christmas and Red, White and Tuna twice each. Every time we see any of these three shows, we absolutely laugh our a$$e$ off! The writing is simply sheer genius.
I was incredibly psyched to learn that the first two shows had finally been released on DVD and rushed to buy them. I popped one into the player and that was when my heart sank.
Don't get me wrong. The play and the performances are absolutely stellar! I am so glad that they got these performances recorded for posterity (the third one, Red White and Tuna, MUST be done as soon as possible before the opportunity is lost)!
The one star docking from the perfect five is due to the really shoddy DVD packaging and presentation. There are ZERO extras included on the disc. NOTHING! There isn't even an information insert inside the cover of the DVD. The show itself is just a straight copy of the VHS video recording transfered to DVD. Period. No remixing or remastering; any flaws on the VHS video transfered to the DVD playback. Shame on them. They could have created something for the ages, but no.
Still, this is an incredible show and well worth the investment to own. My wife and I will watch these shows over and over now and never tire of them. If they ever do come to their senses and remix and release some "collector's editions" with lots of extras (and they should, by all means!), then we'll probably jump on those as well. We love them that much!

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Studio: Wolfe VideoRelease Date: 08/31/2004Rating: Ur

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Poldark 1 (6 VHS Boxed Set) (1977) Review

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(More customer reviews)My sister has always raved about the Poldark series that was shown on Masterpiece Theatre in the mid nineteen seventies. When it first became available on video, though it was expensive, she promptly bought the first set of six tapes and has yet to tire of watching them. Knowing how much I love period pieces, she urged me to watch it, telling me that she was sure that I, too, would love it. Well, she was right.
This is a first rate period piece, set in late eighteenth century Cornwall. It focuses on Ross Poldark, scion of a well known Cornish family. He is a member of the established gentry and a gentleman. Having been gone from Cornwall for a time to fight against the colonists, he returns battle scarred only to find that his father has died and left the family estate in ruins and in debt. He also finds that the love of his life, Elizabeth, believing that Ross had been killed in battle, has become engaged to his first cousin, Francis Poldark. He also discovers to his dismay that the upstart but wealthy Warleggan family, for whom Poldark has no love, is trying to buy the Poldark family mine. This mightily upsets Ross, as the Poldarks represent old money and the established gentry, while the Warleggans represent new money and are social upstarts.
As Ross Poldark tries to rebuild his estate and family fortune, he takes in a red headed, feisty, young street urchin who turns out to be a hoyden with the unlikely name of Demelza. Firmly ensconcing herself on the Poldark estate, she helps Poldark rebuild his estate, scrubbing. cleaning, all while falling in love with the brooding Ross, as he moons for Elizabeth and fends off the Warleggans who appear to conspire to ruin Poldark at every turn. A night of passion, however, finally finds Poldark looking at Demelza with new eyes, and his sense of honor compels him to marry her, little knowing that he would be getting the bargain of his life in doing so.
This is the story of Ross Poldark and Demelza, their families and friends, their loves and enemies. It is a story of sweeping proportions and a fine dynastic saga. It is also a story of the intense rivalry between the Poldarks and the Warleggans, a rivalry that would pit the scions of each of these families, Ross Poldark and George Warleggan, in a life long personal battle that nearly destroys them both. Based upon a series of books by Winston Graham, the Poldark series does honor to the author's work.
Robin Ellis is outstanding as the honorable, though brooding, Ross Poldark. When the viewer first sees him, the viewer wonders what on earth all the fuss is about. Within minutes, however, the viewer finds oneself half falling in love with his character. Angharad Rees is delightful as the feisty, impish little red head and is guaranteed to win the heart of every viewer. Robert Bates gives an affecting performance as Poldark's enemy, George Warleggan, a despicable yet, at the same time, curiously touching, individual. Jill Townsend is appropriately cool and aloof as the ever unattainable Elizabeth of Ross' dreams. Richard Morant gives a stellar performance as the kind and compassionate Dr. Enys, a close friend of Ross Poldark. The rest of the supporting cast is also quite strong and contributes to the success of this tale of romance and adventure in the Cornish countryside.
This is a video set well worth having in one's personal collection. Bravo!

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STOMP Live (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)It is rare for stage shows to get a video release. You can count the DVD releases of still-active Broadway shows on one hand and have a few fingers left over. STOMP, thank goodness, is tossing that rule into one of their oft-used and abused trash bins.
This DVD features a full performance of the wonderfully entertaining stage show, filmed in the UK on the same stage where many of the show's segments were created.
Even after a decade and a half, STOMP still defies easy description. Part concert, part theatre.... Impossible to pigeonhole. But it is 100% entertaining and fun. In STOMP, the world is your drum kit.
I've attended ten performances of this show since 1995 and I never grow tired of it. This DVD is a perfect souvenir of the performance.
There are quite a few bonus features on the disc, including a peek at some new bits being developed for future versions of the show. You also get performer bios, interviews with STOMP creators and directors, an alternate take of one show segment, and a few other bells and whistles.
A few years back saw the release of "STOMP Out Loud" on home video. It featured bits from the stage show and new material created especially for the pay-cable program, but it wasn't the complete show. Not even close. I liked "STOMP Out Loud", but I was a little disappointed that I wasn't getting the full stage show.
But now it's here!!
I cannot recommend this DVD enough. Fun, fun show. Even my fuddy-duddy friends who don't like theatre love this show.
Great disc, good crisp picture and sound.
I've only had it 24 hours and I've already watched it twice.
My personal favorite segment is "Hands and Feet", perhaps the most rhythmically complex and interesting part of the show. It is carefully structured and choreographed but also allows room for quite a bit of improvisation, like a jazz routine.In a perfect world, someone would figure out how to mesh the magic of STOMP with the zany and creative juggling of The Flying Karamazov Brothers......


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Eight performers take the audience on a journey through sound and music, where rhythm is the only language...STOMP has grown from its beginnings on the streets of Europe into an international sensation, with touring productions all over the world, and long running shows in London, Las Vegas and Broadway. This special performance brings together performers from the West End, New York and Vegas for the very first time, to Stomp's home town and the theatre where many of the routines were originated: Brighton Dome.Instantly recognizable household objects take on new life as percussive instruments in the hands of each of the Stompers: brooms, cigarette lighters, water bottles, basketballs and more are each explored for their sonic potential. Dance meets rhythm in "Hands and Feet" and Stomp takes to the air in "Suspension", where the entire set becomes a musical instrument. The show climaxes with the "Bins" routine: a ten minute rhythm extravaganza in itself, using trash-cans, oil drums and plastic drums with trash-can lid combat sequences...Combining physical comedy and athleticism, it's a highly charged performance from an idiosyncratic group who could only come from the world of STOMP.

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Ipi Ntombi: An African Dance Celebration (1998) Review

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(More customer reviews)I have audio cassettes for Ntombi Marhumbhini. My friend gave them to me when I was in Malawi. When I came to the US, I wanted if I could find a VHS for the audio cassettes I have only to find Ipi Ntombi. I read the reviews, and I did not hesistate to buy it.
This movie is great. The way they sing and dance depicts African originality. Their voices are so sharp that I do not see it boring throughout. If you haven't watched this movie, please try to. You will not regret like I am not regretting having bought it. If you have watched Namu Lwanga from Uganda, it is almost at par. Namu Lwanga holds shows in colleges and universities all around United States.
Finally, I would advise to look for this movie and see for yourself.

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Originally created by mother/daughter team Bertha Egnos and Gail Laiker, IPI NTOMBI (pronounced Ippy-Intombee and meaning "where are the girls") opened in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1974 and then played to standing ovations all over the world for the next six years. Now, more than 20 years later, this new, updated version sizzles with its return to the stage, blending the traditional rhythms of Africa with the modern heartbeat of its people. The company of 50, some of whom are direct descendants of the original cast members, dance the story of the Johannesburg mine worker, who sings of his love for the girl back home and his sense of separation from his tribal roots. The show has restyled the musical's most popular numbers and added some new ones, including the exhilarating "Four Important Porters from Potgietersrus."

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