July 6, 2007DISNEY DOES HIGH SCHOOLTwo years ago this July, a fire all but destroyed the North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly. This summer the box office is on fire with the arrival of "High School Musical" -- the New England premiere of the Disney Channel juggernaut. First of all let me say I'm thrilled for the folks at NSMT -- "High School Musical" is going to do wonders for the bottom line. I'm also pumped for the teen cast members who are getting an unforgettable opportunity with a profession company. If only it wasn't for the musical equivalent of a Skittles and Mountain Dew dinner!Yeah, yeah I'm a crank. I should be stoked that tweens, teens and their parents are flocking to a live theatre event. It's all good, clean fun right? Sure. Just like Foxwoods is an "entertainment resort" for dining,dancing and golf."High School Musical" serves up cliché and stereotypes like oversized turkey legs at a ren-faire. There's no challenge here, it's recycled teen schlock that's been around since "Bye Bye Birdie." That doesn't mean it isn't fun to watch or sing along to, it just means it doesn't have any lasting value. It's a 4th of July sparkler, bright and brilliant one second -- an ashen pile the next.So, am I saying, "don't take the kids to High School Musical?" Absolutely not -- take 'em, then head out to "The Olive Garden" for some genuine Italian cuisine afterward! (sorry, cheap shot there). No, seriously go -- but make sure you put some more challenging material on the plate for the future. If you have older teens, take them to see "Spring Awakening" when it comes to Boston. The new production of "Sweeney Todd" will be at the Colonial Theatre in October -- that's an amazing show. Heck, "Wicked" will be back at the Opera House in September, and that show ain't half bad either. Let "High School Musical" be the spark for some real artistic fire.What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandJuly 5, 2007COMING ATTRACTIONSWith the big screens mostly filled with summer cheese, and TV gummed up with game shows and reality crud, it's good to know that there are some promising coming attractions out there.Wes Anderson's new movie "The Darjeeling Limited" will open the New York Film Festival in September -- the rest of us will have to wait for Christmas Day. To me it doesn't even matter what the plot is, I'd buy a ticket just knowing Anderson is at the helm. "Rushmore" was such an unexpected joy when it came out in 1998. I hadn't seen his debut, "Bottle Rocket", at the time so I was catching Anderson with fresh eyes. I laughed SO hard, tears of joy ran down my face -- my memories of high school blended with the film's. Jason Schwartzman and Bill Murray could not have been more perfect in their roles. Pure magic.Anderson's "The Royal Tenenbaums", and "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" may not have had the wire-to-wire brilliance of "Rushmore", but there's so much to love in those films too. Grab the Criterion series DVDs because they are all keepers.On the TV side, the buzz is building for the ABC series "Pushing Daisies." The creator is Bryan Fuller who was also behind the short-lived -- criminally short-lived -- FOX series "Wonderfalls." Fuller's latest is a quirky drama about a man who can raise the dead simply by touching them -- and then send them right back to their maker by touching them again. ABC will run the series on Wednesday night's beginning this fall, and with "Lost" on the shelf until early 2008 that's very good news. Bill Carter has an excellent article on "Pushing Daisies" in today's New York Times -- check it out.Couple other things to consider for the immediate future. New Repertory Theatre will present "Side by Side by Sondheim" beginning Saturday at the Arsenal Center for the Arts in Watertown. Great songs, and talented singers who can do them justice.Also, 10,000 Maniacs at Lowell's Boardinghouse Park Saturday night. Actually, it's more like 9,999 Maniacs since Natalie Merchant is still AWOL. Still worth it though.What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandJuly 3, 2007GOING 4THThe 4th of July holiday is pretty much a do-it-yourself affair when it comes entertainment. I know a bazillion people will plop themselves down on the Esplanade tomorrow for the Pops concert and fireworks. I'd rather pick up road kill on the highway for 8 hours than do that! You can also watch it on TV -- but honestly is there anything more lame than watching fireworks on TV! If you must see Teeth Lockhart and John Mellenhead hit the free dress rehearsal tonight.Newton's John Krasinski graduates from "The Office" to the big screen in "License to Wed" which opens just about everywhere today. Most reviews from established critics have been pretty brutal. A.O. Scott in The New York Times calls is the worst movie he's seen this year! Yikes. Too bad because I like Krasinski, and his co-star Mandy Moore is kind of goofy and sweet. You'd think Robin Williams as a manic Minister would be on solid comic ground, but apparently not.The passing of Beverly Sills is a major loss for music lovers of any genre. She brought opera to the people with a smile and an embrace. R.I.P.I'll be back on Thursday. Have a great 4th.What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandJuly 2, 2007HARD SELLBoston's Hard Rock Café moves to Faneuil Hall today -- (as the late, great Chris Farley would have said, "Well, whoop-dee freakin' do!"). So, Quincy Market gains another soulless, corporate tourist trap, and Boston loses another piece of its homegrown independence. Did it have to happen over the 4th of July holiday just to make the whole wretched event even more odious?
Here's what bugs me the most about this "grand" opening. They're smashing 71 guitars outside the tarted-up Applebee's this morning. This is to commemorate the 1971 birth of Hard Rock International. It's also a lame and hollow attempt by the company's marketing wing to show how edgy and rockin' the café is. Pathetic. The Hard Rock has about as much edge as an Air Supply reunion tour. In fairness, for each guitar smashed, Hard Rock donates a new guitar to Peace Games, a non-profit group that promotes peace through music. Why not just drop the posing and make a bigger deal of the donation?Mayor Tom Menino will also be on hand for the smashing ceremony. Hey Mayor, how about getting these pinheads to donate a few instruments to the music program in the Boston Public Schools. You remember the music program don't you? The one that's been cut to ribbons through budget cuts. Maybe if you spent a little more time promoting the importance of the arts in education, you'd spend a little less time behind the yellow police tape.**July 3, 2007 (update)**Guess I wasn't the only media scold on the Hard Rock story. Now we're getting all kinds of clarifications on the guitar smash event that weren't in the original press release. Seems that Gibson Guitars wants to make it clear that all the instruments used in the smash were "defective." And Peace Games, the non-profit that's getting the 71 new guitars is making sure that the new axs go to the Boston Public Schools.Hmmmmmmmmm. Glad to hear all that stuff, but it still doesn't change the way I feel about the Hard Rock Cafe. Head to the Middle East in Cambridge if you want a genuine rock and roll experience ... and great food too.What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandJune 29, 2007WEEKEND PLANNERMy weekend's pretty much spoken for but yours may not be, so let me throw a few suggestions out there for you.Ryan Adams is at the Somerville Theatre tonight. Don't bother trying to score tickets online, since the show is pretty much sold out. That doesn't mean you can't get tickets though. Hit the box office or, gasp, grab a pair off a scalper. Hey, it's Ryan Adams not The Police! I'd pay a C-note for a pair -- but no more. Adams has a well received new CD that just hit the stores this week called "Easy Tiger" -- it's a more focused return to his alt-country roots.Adams is ridiculously prolific, writing songs by the metric ton! A lot of it is crap, but a lot of it is brilliant too. He's got a great backing band called "The Cardinals" and that helps take some of the spotlight off Ryan -- but not much! He's a diva, but I still think he's great.Joan Osborn plays Boardinghouse Park in Lowell tonight. The weather will be perfect, unlike the last few sweltering days. I loved her breakthrough CD with "One of Us" on it. She hasn't been able to regain that level of commercial success since, but her voice is as sharp as ever. She's a pro.On the movie front, I'd put "Live Free or Die Hard" on the list. Bruce Willis is still a hoot."Sicko" is a must see too. No matter what you think of Michael Moore you've got to see this movie. The health care system in this country has to change.The Krispy Kreme donut shop on Route 1 in Dedham is closing down in a couple of weeks. That means only the supermarket and gas station variations will be available in Massachusetts. I'd stop buy for one last hot dozen if I was in the neighborhood! Still, a glazed stick at any Dunkie D's isn't a bad consolation prize.Have a great weekend.What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandJune 28, 2007LIGHTS OUTIt's lights out for NBC's "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" tonight -- (cue the crickets). Yes, the 5 or 6 Aaron Sorkin fanboys (and girls) still hanging in there can have themselves a good cry. The rest of us can just scratch our heads over how such a talented writer could produce such a colossal waste of time! It was so stunningly bad, so relentlessly self-absorbed, so totally phony. For a show that fell all over itself trying to portray a level of verisimilitude, everything about Studio 60 was totally false.Sorkin proved in the unfairly short-lived "Sports Night", and the unjustly long-lived "The West Wing" that he has a talent for machine-gun dialogue and the heart-tugging portrayal of contemporary relationship dramas. In Studio 60 he tried mightily to recreate the behind the scenes world of a network comedy-variety show -- one problem though, the man isn't funny. We're supposed to believe that his characters are working on the funniest, hippest show on TV -- except every skit they worked on was about as flat as a 2 liter bottle of ginger ale left capless for a month.The cast had such promise too. I really like Matthew Perry, Bradley Whitford, D.L. Hughley and Amanda Peet -- but I hated their characters on Studio 60. What a bunch of selfish prats. And, be honest, was there ever a phonier character than Harriet Hayes, the ultra-Christian comedic actress played by Sarah Paulson? Sorkin had to spend so much time trying to make Harriet plausible that the rest of the show just fell apart around her. I stopped caring -- and stopped watching -- after about 6 episodes. I have no idea what's going on with the show now, and could care less. NBC is so desperate to fill time that even after giving up on the show they decided to show the rest of the series anyway. What does that say about the state of network television in 2007!Anyway, Studio 60 will serve an important role in the future. The DVD set will be used in writing courses for years to come as an example of what not to do!What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandJune 27, 2007FIRST EDITION HARRYIt's hard to remember a time when the name Harry Potter didn't bring instant recognition. The child/wizard conjured up by author J.K. Rowling is an entertainment empire now. But back in the mid-90s he was just a name on a yellow legal pad at a coffee shop table -- his creator an unknown writer with big dreams an unpaid bills. We all know what's happened since.That's why I was so taken by the news of a first edition "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" selling for $18,000 at auction. Not a bad mark-up for a book that's only 10 years old! The initial press run in Great Britain was only 500 copies, so it wasn't like the publisher had high hopes for the novel. Rather than slick, the original cover art was delightfully cheesy. A Hogwarts Express train that looks more like a sewer cover, a very cartoony Harry at the bottom of the drawing -- with trademark round glasses and lightning bolt scar -- but little more than his head is showing. It's almost as if the artist who did the cover thought the train was more significant than the title character.The other aspect of the auction story that's great is the fact that the prized copy was actually bought with book tokens that the owner had been given as a school prize. Something about the book captured the unidentified woman's imagination and she made the purchase. No media hype, no book review splash, just curiosity and a hunch. That's everything any aspiring writer could hope for -- someone taking a chance on you.Harry may have been a bolt from the blue, but here's hoping there's another author working on a legal pad right now -- and lightning's about to strike again.What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandJune 26, 2007iPhone AnxietyI don't know about you, but all of the hype over the iPhone is ringing a little hollow with me. Sure the commercials and demos look great, but forgive my technological skepticism, but they've crammed just a few to many functions into that little device. It's a phone, it's a computer, it's and MP3 player, it's a camera -- it's a floor wax, it's a dessert topping!The iPod, runaway success that it is, doesn't have a great record for durability, or reliability. Heck, my 40 gig, pre-video iPod is already a relic after less than three years. That wonderful little thumb wheel that basically controls the whole thing is balky and often seizes up. I have to click the hold button on and off to get it to move. The once free-flowing trip through the lists of artists and albums is now an irritating chore, and I often just put it on shuffle so I don't have to deal with it -- and this is for a device that only plays music! I love the thing, but I loved it a lot more when it worked properly. Also, the price Apple wants for the updated models is patently absurd. $350 for the 80 gig is highway robbery -- especially after what they nailed you for on your initial purchase.So now Apple is promising the world with the iPhone. People, be honest, you treat your cell phone like crap don't you? You jam in in your pocket, stick it in a pocketbook full of junk, slam it on desk tops. Do you honestly think a device with a touch screen display is going to survive that kind of abuse. Fat chance! You're going to drop $500-$600 -- plus the price of a calling plan -- and walk around with a Ming vase that talks! I can get by without music for an hour or two, but a phone is a lifeline.Love ya Steve Jobs, but I'm gonna have to send you to voice mail!What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandJune 25, 2007WE'LL ALWAYS HAVE PARISThe last name may not always be Hilton, but we'll always have Paris -- or at least a no-talent, celebutant like her. Jurassic, Hollywood apologist Larry King will welcome Ms. Hilton back from her stay at the L.A. County jail on his CNN talk show this week. That's after the major networks had a sudden spasm of journalistic integrity by putting down the check books for the "exclusive" first interview.Let's be real here, there is absolutely nothing "exclusive" about Paris Hilton. With the click of a mouse you can pretty much see every square inch of her. Every bottom-feeding celebrity media concern has an army of full-timers on the Paris beat -- and an audience with an insatiable appetite for her latest exploits. I'm sure Larry will get a tear-filled explanation about how she found religion behind bars. Interesting that her family is celebrating her release in Las Vegas which is known for its deep Judeo-Christian traditions!Whatever. Watch if you must, but in intellectual terms, know your getting the nutritional equivalent of a KFC Famous Bowl.What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandJune 21, 2007CHILLING IN SUMMERWish I could have been at Stonehenge this morning to welcome the solstice, but Massachusetts is a pretty cool place to celebrate summer too. Let's all promise ourselves that we'll take time to chill over the next few months, because it will be over in a flash. When it comes to entertainment choices sometimes a checklist can help prioritize the choices -- hey, we all have to watch the budget, (unless, of course you're Ernie Boch Jr.) -- anyway, here's a random list that might be of some help.
The Edward Hopper exhibit at the MFA
Bob Dylan & His Band, at The Pines Theatre in Northampton, June 26
Vans Warped Tour, at The Tweeter Center, Aug. 9
"The Front Page" at the Williamstown Theatre Festival July 4-15
Fountains of Wayne, Copley Square Park, Aug. 9
Raw Bar, Popponesset Matketplace, Mashpee (best lobster roll in the world!)
Fenway Park, Boston's best outdoor sports bar, game day!
Crowded House, Bank of America Pavilion, Aug. 5
Wachusett Country Ale, anytime!
I'm off tomorrow. Will blog again on Monday.What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandJune 20, 2007HOLLYWOOD MINUTEBoston's Emerson College is apparently ready for its closeup. The Boston Globe reports today that Emerson is ready to establish a satellite campus in La La Land. You can understand why, with the college's impressive list of alumni with influential jobs in the entertainment industry. Emerson has had a beachhead in Burbank since 1990, allowing students to score jobs as interns, and getting some real world experience -- (yes, I realize the term "real world" when mentioned in connection with Los Angeles is an oxymoron!). I'm fine with the internship idea, but not so keen on extended "study" out there.The college should be careful about diluting its identity and reputation. Emerson's strength is in the performing arts, but a key part of its appeal is Boston itself. The city allows students to soak up ideas and experiences well beyond their field of study. They may arrive at Emerson convinced they want to be an actor, and leave with a very different career path. Maybe they discover a love of art history after a visit to the MFA. Maybe a visit to Trinity Church touches off a love of architecture. Maybe a stroll through Boston Common awakens a love of landscape design and preservation. All this is possible in Boston. Little of it is possible in L.A.Los Angeles is a factory town, cranking out entertainment like widgets. There's nothing wrong with that, but I think young people need a less cynical atmosphere to pursue their undergraduate degrees. They'll graduate to the real world soon enough.What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandJune 19, 2007BURY THE HATCHETIt seems a sure bet that there will be a tribute concert for Brad Delp in Boston this summer. What's not so sure is who will show up, and that's a shame. Delp, the former lead singer of the band Boston, committed suicide in March, and soon afterward the idea of a kind of musical memorial took shape. Nice idea -- until old feuds and big egos become part of the equation.It's hard to explain to the iPod generation just how big Boston's debut album was -- especially here in it's namesake town. It was bigger than the bicentennial in 1976 for crying out loud! You couldn't go anywhere without hearing a track from that LP, and the distinctive high-pitched yowl of Brad Delp burned into your memory. Guitarist and songwriter Tom Scholz was the mastermind, but Delp's vocals gave the band it's signature sound.Boston's sophomore effort, "Don't Look Back" came out a few years later. It was OK, but realistically nothing could possibly trump the debut. After that, the in-fighting began, original members broke off, and the long, slow slide into corporate mediocrity began.Okay now we're back in 2007, and Brad Delp is gone far too soon. Invitations, we're told, have been sent out to the surviving members of the original band, but can they all bury the hatchet for a tribute concert? It's sad that we even have to ask the question. Bury the hatchet guys. Send the lawyers back to their firms and just play some music.Scholz is apparently concerned that if he plays more than a single tune with his old mates it will be construed as a "Boston reunion." Get over it Tom. That collection of sycophants you currently call "Boston" isn't worth seeing at a free outdoor festival! Barry Goudreau, Fran Sheehan, and Sib Hashian -- that's Boston! Play the tunes that made you a fortune with those guys. Brad's voice will be missing, but the magic created back in 1976 won't be.What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandJune 18, 2007CD PICKSThe current issue of Rolling Stone paints a pretty grim picture for the music industry -- at least the giant record companies. Sales are tanking as more and more people pick and choose single tracks online rather than buying CDs in the store.I'm still an album guy -- warts and all. I like to think that a CD tells a complete story, and each component is thought out and necessary. The order of the songs is important. The album art is important. Heck, the thank you credit list is important. If you believe in a band, you should be willing to take a creative leap with them. If that means you'll have to skip over some unworthy songs from time to time, well that's how it is with art.How many plays have you seen where one Act is considerably better than the others? But you don't get up and leave.How many movies have you seen where the first half is great and the second isn't? But you stay in your seat.How many book have you read where some chapters leave you breathless and others leave you snoozing? But you keep turning those pages.How many video games have you played where the big payoff at the finish hardly seems worth the time? But you're still glad you took the journey.Music is the same way. It's kind of like a garden. You have to do a little weeding, but when the flowers are in bloom or the tomatoes on the vine, it's all worth it.That said, here's some new CD releases coming out Tuesday that you should consider.The White Stripes, "Icky Thump." Jack and Meg White continue to put out genre busting blues and roots rock. Real good and real fun. Let's have a ball and a biscuit Sugar!Lifehouse, "Who We Are." Most people only know these guys for the single "Hanging By A Moment" from a few years back. There's plenty more to check out -- I particularly like "Come Back Down" from their self-titled CD. Lifehouse songs have a spiritual power and grace, and singer-songwriter Jason Wade has an amazing voice. They used to rock a lot harder, but their quieter stuff is still quite remarkable. It's music for people who think.Straylight Run, "The Needles, The Space." This indie rock outfit is all about the big gesture -- the big emotion. Emo overdrive? At times, but at their best Straylight Run can leave you awash in the grandeur of rock. Good stuff.Listen up!What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandJune 15, 2007FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDSDroll.Deadpan.Subtle.SweetNot exactly the usual recipe for success for an HBO comedy series, but "Flight of the Conchords" is all about new directions ... And New Zealand!In fact Jermaine Clement and Bret McKenzie bill themselves as "New Zealand's fourth most popular folk parody duo." Self-effacement is their trademark but these guys are incredibly talented. Their HBO show lands the Kiwi's in New York City as they struggle to break into the music business. They are innocents sent into the heart of Gotham, but rather than mean-spirited slams, "Conchords" serves up understated anarchy.The show debuts on Sunday right after "Entourage." Check it out.To see concert clips of Flight of the Conchords in action, just head over to YouTube -- my favorite bit is the Hiphopopotomus vs. Rhymenoceros.Have a great weekend.What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandJune 14, 2007NANCY DREWShe doesn't have super powers, or play Quidditch, but Nancy Drew could be the summer's most refreshing movie heroine. The latest film treatment opens tomorrow in the Boston area, and the teen sleuth has come a long way since her debut in 1930. One thing, happily, hasn't changed -- Nancy still cracks her cases with brains and independence, a combination with ageless appeal.Nancy Drew is now a multi-media enterprise. There are graphic novels and PC games along with the book series created by Edward Stratemeyer. The movie folks chose Emma Roberts (daughter of Eric, niece of Julia) to play the title role and its looking like a brilliant move. Emma has already build up a good deal of cred as the star of the Nickelodeon series "Unfabulous." She's got a Hollywood pedigree, but comes across as unspoiled and approachable on screen. In short, you'll root for her, which is essential for a movie like this. The filmmakers aren't going to dazzle you with special effects, this story hinges on character believability.If you'd allow me to soapbox for just a minute -- hey, it's my blog but I like to ask for permission from time to time -- I really think American kids need a heroine like Nancy Dew out there. It'd be great if the movie got them to pick up a book or two, or maybe even inspire them to write their own mystery story, but I'm not counting on it. Could Emma Roberts wind up in the celebrity detox unit a few years from now? Possible, but I sure hope not. I guess what I'm trying to get at is, with all the coverage of basket cases like Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears and Paris Hilton it would be nice to have a role model out there that puts brains and self esteem over good looks and dumb luck. I know Nancy Drew is fictional, but somehow she's never seemed more real.What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandJune 13, 2007eBay LiveIt's the socially acceptable equivalent of surfing for porn -- trolling on eBay. There's a Marshall Crenshaw song called "You're My Favorite Waste of Time" -- it's about a romantic relationship, but for me that lyric is the essence of eBay. Sometimes tuning out the stress of the daily grind, and finding a long lost replacement piece for your "Lord of the Rings" chess set is all you need to keep on keepin' on! You might never win the lottery, but I'll be you'll win a fair share of eBay auctions!Tomorrow, tens of thousands of people will pour into the South Boston Convention Center for eBay Live, the year's biggest event for the folks who keep that internet juggernaut churning. There'll be vendors, workshops, speakers, and networking galore. Everyone sharing dreams and schemes to make it big on eBay.Still, for those of us who use eBay more for a treasure hunt than a money making enterprise, it's the chaos of the site that can be the most fun. Your learn how to spot the quality dealers and how to stay away from the bottom feeding scammers. You track that "Hot Wheels" car or "Barbie" you got for your birthday decades ago, and wait until the right dealer with the right price turns up -- then you bid. You search for a pristine copy of the "Sticky Fingers" LP -- complete with working zipper! -- and wind up bidding on a "Cap'n Crunch" cereal bowl! It's random, it's nuts, and sometimes it's just what you need.So, welcome eBay Live, hope you love Boston. We're a little crazy too!What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandJune 12, 2007DIVINE LEADERBoston rock musician Aaron Perrino has fronted two notable bands over the past 10 years -- The Sheila Divine and Dear Leader. The latter hits the stage at The Paradise on Saturday night, and if you can snag a ticket, do it!I'm more of a Sheila Divine guy, and for one big reason; the song "Hum." For me that tune is two and a half minutes of rock and roll bliss. It's blistering, yet tuneful and finished off with Perrino's signature howl. Lyrically it makes little or no sense, but it doesn't need to. The guitar riff is as timeless as the melodic hook, and Perrino sings it like it's the last song he'll ever sing! Love it.The latest Dear Leader CD, "All I Ever Needed Was Tonight," has plenty of solid tracks too, including "Raging Red." They'll sell out The Paradise by show time so make sure you grab tickets now!What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandJune 11, 2007THE OTHER TONYTony was there, and so were quite a few sopranos, but I wasn't watching HBO last night. No, theater geek that I am, I was watching the Tony Awards. I'm glad I did, too. Critics have been falling all over themselves praising "The Sopranos" for weeks now, but I wanted to cast my lot with the unsung heroes of the entertainment world.The Tony broadcast is a bit of an inside affair. Everyone inside Radio City Music Hall knows each other very well. Just about everyone outside -- meaning the television audience -- doesn't have a clue who these people are! Sure, David Hyde Pierce is a well known commodity, and bringing in Zach Braff as a presenter was an excellent move, but in terms of name recognition, do any of the following names ring a bell?
Christine Ebersole
Julie White
Jennifer Ehle
Billy Crudup
John Gallagher Jr.
Mary Louise Wilson
Not exactly the type of red carpet crowd the entertainment media flocks after. Paris Hilton's jail caper is getting a hundred times more coverage. Yet, that amazing list of people has light years more talent than the Hollywood set. They are true actors, not celebrity hacks who are blessed with good looks and good luck -- but little else.So let's celebrate the cast and creators of "Spring Awakening" and "The Coast of Utopia" -- the Tony winners for Best Musical and Best Play. Well done.Thank you David Hyde Pierce -- the Tony winner for Best Actor in a Musical -- for headlining a show that needed a bankable name in the lead roll. Pierce could be making a comfortable living just collecting checks for his work on "Frasier." Instead he's leading a colorful cast of actors, eight shows a week, and earning every penny he makes.Thank you Duncan Sheik for making "Spring Awakening" rock.Thank you Tom Stoppard for writing "The Coast of Utopia" and for blessing the stage with your brilliance.Tony Soprano faded to black last night.Broadway goes back to work tonight.What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandJune 8, 2007HOSTEL HOSTILITYThe movie "Hostel Part II" opens in Boston today, once again cashing in on America's torture fetish. I've never found this type of sadistic schlock entertaining, but apparently there are millions of people who feel differently. If you really want to torture yourself this weekend, I'd like to offer some alternatives that are far less bloody -- but equally chilling!For Guys:
Shop for swim suits with your better half
Gilmore Girls marathon
French Open Tennis on TV
Yard sales
Clean the garage
For Gals:
Shop for cars with your better half
Battlestar Galactica marathon
NBA Basketball on TV
Beer and brats festival
Clean the garage
Horrifying!What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandJune 7, 2007IT'S ALL BEEN DONEIt always amuses me when a movie or book or song becomes a hit and a few days later the lawsuits start flying. Someone out there claims their idea was stolen. Yes, there's always some unknown author who had the exact same idea and has the dog-eared manuscript to "prove" it.Let me tell you something, folks -- it's all been done. Someone else with more talent, and more money, just did it better than you. It's time to stop the whining, ditch the attorney, and get back to work.Take the case of crime novelist Patricia Cornwell. The Boston writer is being stalked by some Harvard educated loon who claims she stole the storyline from his self-published novel "The Virginia Ghost Murders" for her bestseller "The Last Precinct." Please. Cornwell's been cranking out books like corndogs for years. To me it's just standard issue mystery-lit, but she has her following. Do you really think she has to go around stealing ideas to make a buck? Half the time she just has to cook up a lurid murder scenario and add water! It's not rocket science. She happens to do it better than anyone else right now.Could you have thought up one of the murder plots Cronwell put in one of her novels? Probably.Could you have put it all together the way she does? Doubtful.Look at J.K. Rowling. After the Harry Potter books took off, every kid-lit hack on the planet claimed his or her ideas were stolen. All the belly-aching was about the same: "I wrote a book about a kid named Barry Dotter, who's a child magician and goes to Hogfat Academy!" Sure you did.Now the director of "Knocked Up" is being sued for "ripping off" the plot for his hit movie. Right. No one before Josh Apatow ever thought up the story of a one night stand that led to a pregnancy! Just like no one ever thought up the story of teens from rival families falling in love before Shakespeare.Good thing The Bard died hundreds of years ago -- he'd never get out of court!June 6, 2007BOOK 'EMFor me, a quick trip to the book store is always a pleasant diversion, and we are blessed here in the Boston area with plenty of shops to duck into. It doesn't matter if it's a big box, like Border's or Barnes and Noble, or a small independent store, there's always something to check out.I'm not much for resolutions, but one thing I want to do this summer is read more. I have a couple of suggestions if you want to join me."Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver. It's a non-fiction book by a top-notch novelist. Kingsolver lays down a passionate and fascinating argument for changing the way we look at food. She wants people to try to eat foods that are grown and produced near where they live. You won't believe the difference eating locally can make. This isn't a hard-line manifesto, it's a balanced and reasonable approach everyone can benefit from."Strangled" by Brian McGrory. The former Boston Globe columnist is a clever writer who knows the Hub as well as anyone. Since he's now the editor of the Globe's local news coverage his discourses have disappeared from the front page of the City & Region section. No one since Mike Barnicle in his pre-plagiarism days brought more color and pathos to the pages of the Globe. His new novel deals with a current day Boston strangler case. Read it, and spread the word.What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandJune 5, 2007PAVILION TIME WARPYou might think the summer of 2007 is about to arrive in the Hub, but over at the Bank of America Pavilion an 80's time warp has set in. Yes, the big tent is making a big push for the Lipitor crowd, and the following concert list proves it!June 13, Chicago. At least a collection of guys calling themselves Chicago. That ship has sailed folks. Chicago without Peter Cetera is like Boston without Brad Delp.June 16, True Colors Tour. This show is really all about Cyndi Lauper and if you like her act you'll have a good time. Don't judge her by that awful performance with the Boston Pops on the 4th of July a few years back. She's much better than that.June 30, Working Class '07 Tour. Rick Springfield and Eddie Money. Mmmmm. Well, Rick's still looking good and he does have "Jessie's Girl" in his repertoire. Eddie is just scary.July 25, Boz Scaggs. He had his moment, folks. "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" are great tunes. Those hits are actually from the late 70's, but he was still cranking in the 80's.Aug. 1, Squeeze. Classic Brit-pop.Aug. 3, Bryan Adams and George Thorogood. Bry for the girls. George for the boys.Aug. 5, Crowded House. Don't dream it's over! Nice to have these Aussie boys back.Aug. 18, Pat Benetar. "Love is a Battlefield" is epic cheese. Pour mine over nachos!Boy, I hope those acid wash jeans still fit!What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandJune 4, 2007Monday BestLousy weather today, but there's a lot to look forward to on the entertainment scene this week.The best event of the week is the annual WFNX Best Music Poll concert. On Wednesday evening the excitement begins along Lansdowne Street -- some events are inside the clubs, but others are outside. The list of bands is stunningly good, and a tribute to the independent programming that FNX provides. The station has rebounded from a failed attempt a few years ago to cater to a young male audience. Now the concentration is on the music. Good move.Among the bands on Wednesday: Kings of Leon, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, The Bravery, Bang Camaro, and Silversun Pickups. Tickets are still available, but grab them today. The forecast for Wednesday is ideal.WFNX FMSome other odds and ends:Marilyn Manson has a new CD coming out Tuesday. Does anyone still care? Remember when he terrified suburban parents all over the country? Now he's just oddly quaint. Weird.Also, "Gone With the Wind" the musical will hit the boards in London next year. Yikes! Trevor Nunn is directing. It should be epic!What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandMay 31, 2007KARMA WILL GET YOUThe only people I've ever met more superstitious that baseball players, are performers -- actors especially. Most of them are terrified that whatever project they're currently working on will be their last. Which begs the question, why are so many of them ungrateful twits?! Anyway, the following list is a collection of numb-skulls who've violated the sacred rules of karma, and are now paying the price. Bad behavior will come back to haunt you every time.Here we go.
Lindsay Lohan -- What a train wreck. Too bad, she does have talent.
Steven Tyler -- Egomaniac schlock rocker. Hang up your scarves Steven.
Donald Trump -- The comb-over says it all. You're fired!
Whitney Houston -- It was all over after she hooked up with Bobby Brown.
Scott Stapp -- Creed was crap, and now he's been exposed for the no-talent he is.
Phil Spector -- Crazy is as crazy does.
Jim Carrey -- Crashed and burned in "The Number 23" then turned down "Evan Almighty."
Andy Dick -- Headlining at the Kowloon in Saugus on June 7. That's about right.
Michael Richards -- Racist rant kills career.
Quentin Tarantino -- Creepy is as creepy does.
Of course this is just a quick sample, feel free to add your own! The good karma list is coming in the days ahead, so stay tuned. The Mike Stand is off tomorrow, but I'll be back with a fresh blog on Monday. Be good!What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandMay 30, 2007CLASS SONGHundreds of high school commencement ceremonies will be held in Massachusetts in the days ahead. It's a moment of sweeping emotion, for everyone concerned. From valedictorians to principals to invited speakers, everyone will try to capture the meaning of the moment in words. Still, sometimes the most lasting memories come from a song.Not every high school class has their own class song. Mine did. It was the cheesy Seals and Crofts classic "We May Never Pass This Way Again." Quick, do the math. Yes, I'm that old! Anyway, I can't remember a word anyone said on the podium that night, but I can remember just about every lyric in that song. We modified it a bit to be more personal.Life, so they say Is but a game and we let it slip away Love, like the autumn sun Should be dyin' but it's only just begun Like the twilight in the road up ahead We don't see just where we're goin' And all the secrets in the universe Whisper in our ears All the years that come and go Take us up, always up We may never pass this way againA cliché? Oh yeah! And, believe me, I had nothing to do with the choice of the tune. But rehearsing it for a week with my classmates, some who had never sung in public before, was a bonding experience. It was the last thing we would ever do together as a group, and I can remember looking at the different faces during our performance that June evening. I'll never forget it.Seals and Crofts has been sealed in my brain, and you know what? I'm OK with that.What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandMay 29, 2007BACK TO WORKMan, it's hard to gear back up after a holiday weekend! Still the business of pop culture blogging must go on!If you came up empty trying to score tickets to the two shows by The Police at Fenway Park you're getting another shot. They'll play the TD Banknorth Garden on November 11. Tickets go on sale on Monday June 4 at 10:00 AM. They won't come cheap!Black Rebel Motorcycle Club plays at Avalon in Boston tonight. The band's history is filled with personnel shifts and stylistic changes, but they're well worth checking out.The hot gossip from The New York Post (consider the source y'all) is that Steven Tyler wants out of Aerosmith. The Post says Tyler's daughter Liv claims her dad is all put out over the way the rest of the band treats him. They apparently don't appreciate his genius enough. I hope you can see the crocodile tears rolling down my cheeks! Please, just break up! The bad boys from Boston haven't made a decent album since "Rocks" in 1976! How can we miss you if you don't go away!It doesn't arrive until Friday, but I'm going to start beating the drum for the movie "Paprika" today. The anime (animated movie) from Japan will play at the Kendall Square Cinema in Cambridge, and it should be seen on the big screen. Expect mind-bending images and a cryptic storyline from director Satoshi Kon. Nearly 10,000 people attended the Anime Boston convention back in April, so the interest in this amazing art form is certainly there. Let's make sure "Paprika" is a big hit in the Hub so more anime goodness will come our way!What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandMay 25, 2007HOT AND NOTSome random thoughts on what's hot, and what's not this Memorial Day Weekend.HOT: Music under the stars NOT: Mosquitoes under the t-shirtHOT: Ice cream stands NOT: Melting in lineHOT: Charcoal grills NOT: Gas grillsHOT: Sandals on women NOT: Sandals on menHOT: EarthFest at the Hatch Shell NOT: WeedFest on the EsplanadeHOT: William Friedkin's "Bug" NOT: Quentin Tarantino's "Grindhouse"HOT: Band names you can't print in a family blog NOT: Bands that don't live up to their namesHOT: Tan in a can NOT: Cheap tan in a canHOT: Holding hands NOT: Clenching fistsWhat Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandMay 24, 2007BRIGHT LIGHTThe singer-songwriter Conor Oberst, better known as Bright Eyes, has just pulled off an impressive feat: selling out New York City's Town Hall concert venue seven shows in a row. According to New York Times writer Melena Ryzik, 10,465 tickets were sold in just two weeks. The weeklong stand begins Friday.Oberst is 27 years old, and one of the founding fathers of the Saddle Creek record label in Omaha, NEB. He's been recording since his early teens and touring for nearly a decade. He pretty much invented emo -- a music style that is raw in emotion and spare in production. His songs are rich in lyrics but often simple in melody. Many songs have no chorus. Intimacy and truth replace the hooks, so unless you're listening to a college station, don't expect to hear a lot of Bright Eyes on the radio.That's fine. For Bright Eyes aficionados, too big a fan base would spoil the home-grown vibe. Home-grown is what you get at a Bright Eyes show as well. Conor's likely to have everything from a french horn to a cello on stage with him, and friends will pop in and out from show to show. It's so refreshing and will restore you faith in the possibility of outside-the-mainstream success.The latest Bright Eyes album, "Cassadaga" is doing very well. Its first week out, it was No. 4 on the Billboard album chart. Bright Eyes concert tours aren't always the most organized, and Conor's been known to slip into the Boston area on little notice. So scan those concert listings on a daily basis because when Bright Eyes hits town, you're going to want to be there.**Blog Update 5/29/07** When I wrote this blog on Thursday 5/29/07 I was unaware of the fact that Bright Eyes was performing at the Wang Theatre in Boston that very night! When I say Conor can slip in and out of town quietly I mean it! From all reports the show was classic Bright Eyes. Congratulations to everyone who got to see the show.What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandMay 23, 2007LOST IDOLIf you live in a world without Tivo like I do, you've got to make a tough call tonight: will it be "Lost" or "American Idol"?It's a pop culture clash of the titans, but I've decided to pack up and head for the island. Honestly, does it really matter who wins "Idol" tonight? I think it's pretty well established that it doesn't. Of last year's crop, the guy selling the most CD's is Chris Daughtry, and he finished fourth! Even the tone deaf kid with the faux-hawk should bankroll a bundle before he mercifully fizzles out."Idol" is too big now. It's the new music establishment. The first edition felt fresh and rebellious. The concept was a hit in Great Britain, but many "can't miss" ideas hit icebergs on the trip across the pond. Fox placed a cagey bet that has paid off big time.Maybe the reason I like Kelly Clarkson the best of all the "Idol" winners is because she seems the most genuine and real. A Texas barroom belter becomes America's blue collar pop princess. No classic beauty. No classic shape. No classic sound. Kelly has grit and a keen awareness of who she is and, more importantly, who she isn't. I love that fact that she's squabbling with her record company about what her next CD will sound like. She really is "Miss Independent," not some spoon fed yes-girl.What about the other Idols? Well, Ruben lost his mojo. Fantasia hasn't caught fire. Carrie Underwood is a country sensation but makes extremely safe and predictable choices in material. Taylor Hicks? Soul-crushing maybe!I'll take "Lost" tonight. Flawed as it is, it's still the only appointment show I have left on my calendar. The "Lost" creators made a good decision last week in promising to wrap up the series over the next three years. That should significantly cut down on the subpar episodes that have cropped up this season. I like knowing there's a real end, but I'm not anxious for it to come.What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandMay 22, 2007HOT LIST PT. 2More tasty summer tips for you today, and remember you're getting sirloin for no extra cost!I blogged a little while ago on Northampton, now I'm going to send you a little further west. Summer theater in the Berkshires is something New Yorkers have been soaking up for decades. Why are we letting them have all the fun? I know there's no ocean to dip your toe in out there, but you also don't have to spend any time in a bathing suit. For a lot of us that's reason enough to make the trip!The Berkshire Theatre Festival in Stockbridge makes for a great getaway. "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" will hit the boards with Linda Hamilton on July 10. Sarah Connor as Nurse Ratched? That just has to be check out.The Williamstown Theatre Festival is bigger and more ambitious. You'll get a sampling of premieres along with well known works. Kate Burton stars in "The Corn Is Green" beginning Aug.1. Even if you don't step a foot in the theater do yourself a favor and spend a day in Williamstown. It's equal parts funky and sophisticated with great restaurants and museums. Do spend the night though 'cause it's a long ride home.As Tanglewood is to classical music in the Berkshires, Jacob's Pillow is to dance. It's a weird and wonderful place that fits its whimsical name. The tiny town of Becket becomes the center of American Dance each summer and the crowds follow. It's not for everybody, but if you're into a little arty experimentation you should check it out. "Riverdance" it's not!See you out there.What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandMay 21, 2007HOT LIST PT. 1There are tons of entertainment choices in our neck of the woods this summer, but unless you have unlimited funds you're going to have to make some hard choices. So, as a public service, your friendly neighborhood Mike Stand will now make that job a little easier. Plus, you get witty asides at no extra cost! Here we go.For the folkies out there: Alison Krauss & Union Station at the Newport Folk Festival on Aug. 5. She's insanely talented and has an amazing catalog of songs to choose from. It's sophisticated country with brilliant musicianship. Also on the bill that day will be the luminous Emmylou Harris.For those about to rock, the big event is The Police at Fenway Park. Ticket prices are obscene. I'm torn on this one. I saw them them on the "Synchronicity" tour way back when, and truly they were amazing, but unless somebody hands me a ticket, I'm not going near the Fens on July 28-29. The greed factor is just too high. Still, I do understand the fervor and sometimes you've got to bite the bullet. Too bad Sting evolved into such a self-satisfied prat. Go if you must, but do so knowing you could see about a dozen great bands for what you're paying to see The Police.The White Stripes at Agganis Arena July 23 is a much better deal. Jack and Meg make more glorious noise than you ever thought two people could. So cool -- and, vital too.How about the soul and power of Joan Armatrading at the Berklee Performance Center on June 6? This woman deserves to play for a packed house.Help me with this one -- I hate "American Idol," but I really like Kelly Clarkson. She's got spunk, and a growing list of solid tunes. It seems like everyone's got a cover of "Since U Been Gone" these days. I'll bet she puts on a real crowd-pleaser at the TD Banknorth Garden on Aug. 4.The best bang for the buck, without question, is The Vans Warped Tour at the Tweeter Center, Aug. 9. New Found Glory, Flogging Molly, and many, many more will be there. For $24 you'll get a whole day's worth of music. Sure, not all of it is great, but you'll be amazed at how much is.I don't know squat about classical music, but if the weather's right, there's no more glorious place in Massachusetts than Tanglewood. You really can't go wrong. If you're reluctant to take a chance on a classical program, "A Prairie Home Companion" with Garrison Keillor will be there on June 30. That should be a really good time!Hot List part deux will come tomorrow, but as an added bonus I'm going to give you a little summer take-out tip: The best fried clams in the state are at Ronnie's on Route 20 in Auburn. Trust me.What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandMay 18, 2007DRIVEN TO DISTRACTIONBoston ranks No. 3 in the nation for road rage, and commutes like this morning's are a prime example why. A car winds up on a patch of median grass near the Route 9 Exit on 128 South.No damage. No injuries. Nothing of interest. At least if you have a brain, there was nothing of interest. Four lanes of traffic back up all the way to Lexington because everyone has to catch a glimpse of a freakin' car parked on a patch of grass. For God's sake people it's not an alien spacecraft. Just keep driving. Park your car on your front lawn when you get home if you need to experience the wonder for yourself!Anyway, I couldn't stand another round of the news cycle on BZ so I hit the shuffle on the iPod. Good call. A great bunch of tunes loosened my grip on the steering wheel considerably.The best of the bunch was "1001 Pleasant Dreams" by Mission of Burma. Thank's Clint.Also included in the mix were "Drain You" by Nirvana, "Star of Wonder" by Sufjan Stevens, "Bury Me With It" by Modest Mouse, and "Ain't That Pretty At All," by Warren Zevon. I hate it when the iPod has better taste than me!Oh. Did you see that the "American Idol" concert tour (which hits Worcester's DCU Center September 5) is sponsored by Pop Tarts. 'Nuff said.What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandMay 17, 2007RADIO STATICThese are not the glory days for Boston radio, especially when it comes to music. Corporate mergers have all but killed any kind of creative programming leaving us mostly with bland play lists and in many cases even blander hosts. All is not lost however.WFNX FM provides at least a ray of hope. It's still independently owned (unfortunately by the odious Stephen Mindich) and still playing new, local and classic alt-rock. Mindich, in case you didn't know, is married to Judge Maria Lopez of "you will sit down" fame. She's mercifully presiding over a TV courtroom now. Never have two more miserable media personalities deserved each other more.But I digress -- back to FNX. The station's signal is inconsistent, sometimes sliding into static for no apparent reason, but smart song choices make up for it. New bands, new tunes, and an appreciation for artists as they grow, change and evolve.The station's upcoming Best Music Poll festival is looking phenomenal. Local faves Bang Camero will be on hand as well as a stunning list of national acts including Kings of Leon, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, the Bravery and Silversun Pickups. It all happens June 6 so get your tickets now.I also have to give a shout out to Julie Kramer who's been holding down the fort at FNX for more than a decade. She's a local treasure who doesn't get anywhere near the credit she deserves for promoting worthy bands and causes.WXRV FM -- The River is all right. The first place I go when the FNX signal goes south. If anything it's a little too tasteful. There's no edge to it. On the plus side the station treasures live music and features it often. The River also does a really good job of promoting female artists, who unlike, say The Pussycat Dolls, have actual talent. It's the first place I heard Kathleen Edwards and I've been a fan ever since.After FNX and The River there's not much to recommend. Don't get me started on the frat-boy stations, and the middle of the road everything-to-everyone operations just flat out bore me.MIKE FM made the "bold" decision to go without program hosts -- thanks, but I have an iPod. And what's with that TV commercial with the stripping office workers?Sometimes the best bet is the unholy mess that is college radio -- but that's a blog for another day.What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandMay 16, 2007NOT BUYING ITI don't like Bob Barker. There, I said it. I can hear the hush over blogland -- so be it. Tonight and tomorrow CBS will devote major blocks of prime time to celebrate the career of the game show shill, and the 60 minute lobotomy clinic he hosts Monday-Friday; better known as "The Price is Right."I know I'm in the minority on this one, but hear me out. "Price" is a dodgy piece of materialistic glob. Barker presides with his skinny little microphone -- pinky extended -- and lavishes phony praise and encouragement on the contestants. Models display the goods with laughably exaggerated gestures and expressions, and the carnival barker of an announcer leads us from segment to segment. Barker to barker. A modern-day snake oil special.All right nay-sayers, I can hear you. "Lighten up Mike, it's all harmless, escapist fun."Maybe.Who cares if some of the "big winners" have to sell off their new boat because they can't swing the taxes? Who cares if the contestants are chosen to fit a convenient demographic or stereotype? So what if Barker's hugging and smooching borders on the creepy?Yeah, yeah. I know. Free will. Nobody's getting hurt.Sorry. I'm still not buying.What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandMay 15, 2007SPRING CLEANINGThe Tony Award nominations were announced today in New York. The rock musical "Spring Awakening" leading the way with 11 nods -- quite a clean-up! Actors Jonathan Groff and John Gallagher Jr. are up for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical and Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical respectively. Well deserved, but everyone in that amazing ensemble cast is worthy of mention. When this show comes to Boston, do not miss it.Here's some other bits from the Tuesday entertainment scene:Keith Lockhart will conduct his 1,000th Pops concert tonight at Symphony Hall. Barring any balcony brawls, it should be a festive affair. Lockhart is the ultimate salesman for the Boston Pops, a virtual one-man marketing machine. Is he more sizzle than steak? Yes. Still the Pops by their very name are meant to be a sort of symphony-lite. The players have the chops, but Lockhart mainly wants to please. That's OK, but don't fool yourself into thinking you're getting a healthy musical diet.The rock band Wilco has a new CD out today called "Sky Blue Sky," and it's clearly a return to the band's rootsy origins. The stunning experimentation of "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" and "A Ghost Is Born" is stripped away for a more traditional song structure. That's fine. Frontman Jeff Tweedy nearly killed himself from the Sturm und Drang of those last two efforts. If he needs to kick back and mellow out for awhile, let's cut him a wedge. There's an edgy sweetness to his earlier stuff with Wilco, and, before that, Uncle Tupelo that's missing from "Foxtrot" and "Ghost." It all should make for an eclectic mix when the band hits the Bank of America Pavilion on June 28. Tickets are on sale now.What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandMay 14, 2007MONDAY M*A*S*H UPTomorrow, a deluxe DVD of the final episode of the "M*A*S*H" TV series will be released. "Goodbye, Farewell & Amen" first aired on February 28, 1983 and is still the single most watched episode of a television series in American history. Depending on who's doing the number crunching, somewhere between 109 and 125 million people watched the finale. That's 77 percent of the televisions that were turned on that night.With the advent of cable and satellite television, numbers like that will never happen again. There are too many choices now and television, in many ways, is now a niche market. Not so in '83. Back then CBS, ABC and NBC pretty much had the nightly entertainment audience hand-delivered, and FOX was just a twinkle in Rupert Murdoch's jaundiced eye. "American Idol" can shriek all it wants, but its final numbers won't even come close to the mega-M*A*S*H."M*A*S*H" was the "Seinfeld" of my generation. We knew all the episodes, cherished favorite bits, and argued over cast rosters. To some it was all over when Trapper left; others thought BJ gave the show more depth and heart. Was Frank Burns the perfect foil to Hawkeye or did Charles Emerson Winchester give him more of a challenge? Did Henry Blake or Sherman Potter make the better head of the dysfunctional clan? Was Hot Lips really hot? Radar? Klinger? You loved 'em and you hated 'em.The series was far from perfect. It could be very preachy and predictable. You'd cringe when a cast member's name popped up for a writing or directing credit. Everyone, except Harry Morgan, as Potter was way too old for their roles. Jamie Farr must have been 35 when the series started! The one constant was Alan Alda. It was his show, man, for better or worse. Like Jerry Seinfeld, everything revolved around Alda and the line between actor and character was very thin. Give him his due though; that show could deal with just about any cast defection except his.I haven't watched the final "M*A*S*H" since that night in '83 and I won't be rushing out to buy the DVD package. My lasting memory of "M*A*S*H" will always be watching the repeats on my roommate's TV in our college dorm. Rick and I didn't have a whole lot in common, but we did have "M*A*S*H." It was our touchstone. A great show can do that. I see it when I watch my son and his friends watch "Scrubs." It's neat that DVD collections can let you watch all the episodes, but they can't duplicate moments lost to time and distance. When "M*A*S*H" finally wrapped I was ready to say goodbye, farewell and amen.What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandMay 11, 2007MUM'S THE WORDIt's Mother's Day weekend, and there's plenty of entertainment gifts you can wrap a ribbon around. Here's a few.The movie "Waitress." I know the murder of director Adrienne Shelly adds a sad undercurrent, but most critics write glowingly about this slice of Americana. What better tribute to Shelly's memory than making this movie a well deserved hit?An edgier choice would be "Red Road." It's another movie directed by a woman, Andrea Arnold, and it's a trip to the dark side of the U.K. Both films are playing exclusively at the Kendall Square Cinema in Cambridge.Whatever you do avoid the latest steaming pile from hackmeister Garry Marshall. Somehow he convinced Jane Fonda, Felicity Huffman and Lindsay Lohan to star in "Georgia Rule." Please let this movie completely tank so this no-talent is never allowed in back of a camera again!It'd be an early present, but consider checking out LCD Soundsystem at Axis in Boston tonight. Spend just $15 for some tasty beats.Also, keep in mind the Boston Ballet's "Giselle" and the Hopper exhibit at the MFA."Wicked" will be back in Boston in a few months, but tickets are on sale now.If all else fails, never underestimate the power of breakfast in bed!Have a great weekend.What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandMay 10, 2007BRAWL AT THE HALLIt was an opening night smack down for the Boston Pops. A brawl broke out in the Symphony Hall balcony last night, forcing conductor Keith Lockhart to stop the show until order was restored. Fists were flying, shirts were pulled off, and chairs were kicked over. Never has a medley from the movie "Gigi" provoked such a bare-knuckle response!Thank goodness pop-rock iconoclast Ben Folds was the special guest. The wise-cracking pianist has dealt with his share of barroom boobs over the years, so I'm sure last night's dust-up didn't phase him in the least. In fact, it will be great fodder for his between-song banter in concerts to come. Folds is vastly underappreciated gem of a musician. His songs range from the silly to the sentimental to the sublime. He's opening for John Mayer this summer, and you'll get to hear a lot more of him -- for a lost less -- in the weeks ahead.And that brings me back to Symphony Hall. Tickets to a Pops show don't come cheap. In fact, some went for $1,000 last night. The problem is when people fork over that kind of money, they think they own the place. The attitude changes from one of appreciation to one of entitlement. Plus, if you haven't noticed, people in the Hub are wrapped a little too tight these days.Now, I don't know what sparked the balcony brawl, but I'm going to hazard a guess that it was someone talking during the performance. God knows I've found myself clinching my fists at more than a few shows lately. What is it with people? Just shut up and listen. Is that so hard? It's about the music not you. No one cares what you have to say once the music starts so shut your pie hole!Oops, now I'm starting to sound like a "Smackdown" fan, or perhaps a Pops patron!What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandMay 9, 2007OUT OF BOUNDSOK, the New England Patriots cheerleader thing is now officially out of control. The members of the squad recently finished a photo shoot at a resort in the Dominican Republic in which fans were invited along as part of a pathetic package deal. Pay for the flight and hotel, and get free access to ogle the girls during their swimsuit calendar sessions. How sick is that? And what sort of "fan" goes along with it?In today's Boston Globe, writer Bella English serves up a puff piece that would make Hugh Hefner proud. She falls all over herself justifying this skeezy excuse for off-season exposure. We learn how the girls are all smart, healthy, and just sweet as pie. Blah, blah, blah. They also have some burning desire to turn their bodies into personal marketing campaigns. I don't have any problem with that, but let's call it what it is.Robert Kraft and family deserve all the credit in the world for turning the Patriots into one of the NFL's marquee franchises, but some soul searching is needed on this cheerleader thing. The squad is supposed to be seen as goodwill ambassadors, but apparently goodwill isn't enough. Skimpy outfits, not philanthropy, is the real calling card. Is this a football team or a Vegas casino?Of course, none of this would be possible unless legions of young women weren't ready, willing, and able to sign up. Ladies, please ask yourself, is it really worth it? Smart, beautiful, athletic women should shoot for opportunities far higher than this.What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandMay 8, 2007(XO) ELLIOTI was late to the Elliot Smith dance, but thanks to MY daughter's persistence I finally made it. I was familiar with some of his songs, most notably the Oscar-nominated "Miss Misery" from the movie "Good Will Hunting," but I never went deeper into his catalog. Then his sad and strange death four years ago clouded the picture even more for me.About three months ago I started learning the guitar chords for his song "Waltz #2 (XO)" and that opened the floodgates. Mallory loaned me a few CDs with gloriously beat up jewel cases and I was off. Now I finally understand why artists such as Ben Folds and Rhett Miller have written such beautiful songs in his memory. Smith puts all of life's heartaches to music, but does so in such a sublimely heroic way that the emo scars he sings about become badges of courage not despair. I don't know many other musicians who can do that.Today a posthumous collection of Smith songs called "New Moon" is on store shelves. Many thanks to the Kill Rock Stars label for helping keep his legacy alive. Pick it up at Newbury Comics.One last Elliot Smith story to share, one I only pulled from my pop culture memory bank recently. It was during the Oscar show when he sang "Miss Misery." Also nominated that year was Celine Dion for "My Heart Will Go On," the theme from "Titanic." Anyway, Elliot was clearly the crowd favorite, and a one point he found himself standing next to the uber diva. The audience was making no secret of who they were rooting for but Elliot wouldn't have any part of it. Celine, to him, was just another singer trying to make a go of it. Her millions, and his relative obscurity, didn't mean anything on that stage. They were colleagues, troubadours, equals. He gently took her hand and bowed with her, and Celine seemed more human than I've ever seen her. That's the essence of Elliot Smith. He makes us all more human.XOWhat Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandMay 7, 2007OPEN & CLOSEThe summer concert tours will be hitting the outdoor venues soon. The Tweeter Center (Great Woods to those of us who remember the days before corporate sponsorship) and the Bank of America Pavilion are both heavily promoting their roster of shows. Usually two bands, sometimes three, are on the card and the quality can range all over the place.Sometimes there are mismatches that are flat-out hilarious. Take for example the May 23 pairing of Lady Sovereign and Gwen Stafani at the Tweeter Center. Yeah, I know Akon's there, too, but somehow I couldn't care less! Anyway, back to Lady Sov. She's the opener and she's also the only reason to go to that show. This pint-size Brit has a real knack for snarky rhymes and rap-rock beats. She's working-class angst laced with tough girl swagger. So who do the promoters match her up with? None other than Ms. Stefani, the shopping mall queen from Orange County. Maybe they thought the royal thing was the hook! Still, if it were a fight it would be over in the first 30 seconds. In fact, 30 seconds after Lady Sovereign finishes her set everyone should just get up and leave. Show's over!I take a great deal of satisfaction in going to shows and walking out on the headliners. My favorite example is from a few years back. The three bands in question were Cracker, Gin Blossoms, and Spin Doctors. OK, so it was more than a few years ago! Anyway, a good three quarters of the seats under the roof at Great Woods were empty. Cracker comes out, and does a scorching set. Three or four young women who were clearly attached to the guys in the band sang, danced and generally carried on from start to finish near the front of the stage. The Spin Doctor fans just kind of gawked at them as they started to filter in. My wife and I cheered mightily as Cracker finished up, getting our share of stares, too.Gin Blossoms were next, and suddenly there was a surge in numbers under the roof. A lot of young girls swarmed the stage area, for what turned out to be a sing-along from their red-hot CD "New Miserable Experience." They were good, too. Sure, they sort of dried up and blew away after that summer, but that's what happens when the guy who writes all the hit songs gets kicked out of the band and commits suicide. Doug Hopkins, wherever you are, please know that the songs you wrote for "New Miserable Experience" were some of the best pop-rock tracks ever. The surviving members had their moment in the sun that day, and they were all genial, grateful, and respectful. They gave proper credit to Cracker, too, who they confessed should have been the headliner of the night.After Gin Blossoms, just to be fair, my wife and I decided to give Spin Doctors a try. "Two Princes" was one of three songs corporate radio was playing to death at the time. The crowd filled in, the Spin Doctors came out, and they played their hit. They also spouted all kinds of rock star cliches. We walked out as the crowd roared their approval -- to the band, not us! -- and got all kinds of looks as we headed to the exits. I savored every one of them. Sometimes you can make the loudest statements without ever saying a word.What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandMay 4, 2007HOPPED UPThe Edward Hopper exhibition opens at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts this Sunday, and I can't wait to go. The painting "Nighthawks" is a true icon of American art, and to have the chance to stand in front of it, to see the brush strokes, to see the imperfections, is a rare privilege.Even in this age of CGI and high-def, do not underestimate the power of oil on canvas. Hopper confirms this in so many ways. His paintings are sparse, his human figures often awkward, and yet they speak to us in so many ways. The ache of loneliness etched on a face, the sense of desperation lurking just beneath the surface, the longing for something more. It's all there.I love the fact the Hopper was an artistic late bloomer. He didn't hit his stride until he was in his 40s and I think that really adds to the complexity of his work. He was no artistic bolt from the blue. Hopper painted ordinary people in mundane but poignant settings. They speak to everyone, not just the Brahmin set.Speaking of elite, I know the MFA can give off that vibe at times, but that's more perception than reality. I've been going there since I was a dirt-poor college student and have always felt welcomed and appreciated. In fact it's one of my favorite places in Boston. Forget the special exhibits; the works that make up the year-round collection are stunning in their own right. Every time I go I'm re-energized.A few last thoughts on the Hopper exhibit. If you can, spend the extra cash on the headset tour. You'll learn some great background nuggets about the art and the artist. It's definitely worth it. Also, when you get to the gift section at the end of the line, show some restraint. They'll slap Hopper images on just about anything and some of the stuff is tacky, and in my mind, disrespectful. Postcards, quality reproductions, exhibit books YES. Coffee mugs, tote bags, baby bibs, NO.Have a great weekend.Resources:
What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandMay 3, 2007HAIR TONIGHTJust caught the Mitt Romney segment on last night's "Tonight Show." I don't know about you but I have to watch Jay Leno's nightly antics,and Letterman's too, the next morning. When the alarm goes off before 6:00, you'd better be in bed before 12:00!So, back to our former governor. Say what you want about Mitt, but he's never unprepared. That was part of my problem with his appearance. He'd obviously been given a set of canned quips by his staff and he was bound and determined to use them. He kept going back to an unfunny riff on his "perfect hair." It was meant to be a self-effacing, aw shucks, moment, but it came off kind of lame. Trading barbs with someone as polished as Leno is risky business, and Romney isn't exactly Robin Williams.He was much better talking about his faith and family. He didn't shy away from a question about whether America was ready for a Mormon president, and he was rightly proud to talk about his wife Ann's courageous battle with M.S. He does push the "perfect family" button a little too hard at times. Raising a healthy, happy family is a challenge no matter what your circumstances, but when your bank statement is as fat as the Romney clan, there can be a disconnect with us "regular folks." An occasional serving of humble pie might be in order.Here's some other thoughts for the Romney camp as they trot their man out on the pop-culture stage: Get him out of that Wall Street power broker suit. It's fine for "Meet The Press" but tone it down for "Tonight." Also, if you're going to take a slam at an opponent, like Romney did when he sniped at John Edwards' $400 haircuts, make sure the general viewer is in on the joke, and the host wants to play along. Leno didn't bite, and the audience didn't laugh, but I'm sure they were howling in Ann Coulter's living room. And one more thing, if you're going to plant supporters in the studio, don't have them hoot and yell over reheated lines from your stump speech. It's rather obvious and borderline desperate.Overall, though, Mitt did himself more good than harm. I just hope Jay's booked someone like Martin Short to liven things up tonight.What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandMay 2, 2007BONO SAVESI confess, I have a great deal of affection for the rock band U2. Most of it dates back to the earlier days, though. I consider anything post "Achtung Baby" to be pretty spotty. Even the much celebrated comeback album "All That You Can't Leave Behind" was only OK in my book. And that brings me to the book -- I'll call it "The Book of Bono," and a fairly recent happening called U2charist.The Rev. Dr. Paige Blair at Framingham's St. Andrew's Episcopal Church has begun weaving anthemic U2 songs into a traditional service. According to an article in today's Boston Globe by writer Johnny Diaz, she uses songs that "carry spiritual messages to raise awareness about global poverty and AIDS." Sure, I can see that. Bono has signed off on it, too. Still, I have some misgivings.The best U2 songs, for me, have always carried universal power. The majesty of "One," the yearning of "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," the sorrow of "Bad." When you put them in the context of a religious service, however, some of the universality is lost, and a hint of exclusivity seeps in. U2 certainly has made no secret of their Christian beliefs, but they've never used it as a calling card for their music. It's just there. No matter what your faith, or lack thereof, a song like "Pride (In The Name of Love)" can touch the heart. I just feel like tying the songs to a particular religious denomination starts subtly pushing others to the side.Maybe I'm overthinking it -- I tend to do that a lot -- but I prefer an open-air approach to U2. Share the joy with everyone, everywhere. Divine inspiration doesn't always happen inside a church.What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandMay 1, 2007LOVE SICKI'm done with Courtney Love. The widow Cobain's latest scheme to make a buck off her late husband's iconic legacy is to sell off most of his personal belongings. She claims to have a few billionaires interested in buying the whole lot. It's just all so disgusting!The funny thing is I'm not a Courtney hater. I actually think her CD with the band Hole called "Live Through This" is one of the best alt-rock albums ever. It's also rather clear that hubby Kurt had a rather large hand in the song writing. Uncredited of course, because the music had to be all about Courtney. Fine. Whatever. It all worked in the end. Then Kurt picked up a shotgun.Kurt and Courtney were married for about two years before his suicide. Clearly walking down the aisle was the best decision she ever made, and one of the worst he ever did. I don't blame her for his death. Kurt had his own demons that he just couldn't shake. Courtney just piled on in the end. Still, his genius has sustained her in the years since, and provided a level of financial security for the one innocent bystander in all this: daughter Frances Bean Cobain.So now Courtney says she wants to sell all of Kurt's stuff, saying, "my daughter doesn't need to inherit a giant ... bag full of flannel ... shirts." Yeah, that's a sack all right Courtney, but I'm not sure shirts are inside! Did Kurt buy a whole lot of meaningless stuff after he hit it big? Most likely. The guy grew up dirt poor. Could a lot of the stuff been dealt with in a more dignified manner? Absolutely. Too bad that's not Ms. Love's style.Of course old Courtney claims most of the profits will go to charity. Maybe. She also claims she still sleeps in Kurt's pajamas. Yeah, and that was a herd of unicorns frolicking on Boston Common last night! Free will is free will, though, so Courtney can do whatever she pleases.Courtney named her band Hole all those years ago. Now, I just want her to crawl back into one.What Do You Think? Click here to add your comments.Write to me at The Mike StandApril 30, 2007EXCELLENT POINTEThis Thursday through Sunday the Boston Ballet will present "Classic Balanchine" at the Wang Theatre. If you can, please go. Too many people seem oblivious to the fact that we have a world-class ballet company right under our noses, and these dancers need and deserve your support.A Balanchine greatest hits program is sure to be wonderful, but if you'd like to try something a little more accessible, "Giselle" arrives on May 10. You don't have to know much, in fact you done have to know anything, about ballet to enjoy "Giselle." It's the old-school storytelling style of show. Sumptuous music, ethereal costumes, a bittersweet romance. It's also a great challenge for the dancers because they have to act, too. Technical precision and athletic ability will only take you so far. In "Giselle" the dancers are playing characters, and the audience must believe in them as flesh and blood people, not just names in a program. It takes a company as good as Boston Ballet to make it all work.Both of these shows have rather limited runs, and I'm sure ticket demand is part of the reason. The Wang's a pretty big room, and unlike Fenway Park it's hard to sell it out night after night. The situation, however, is best compared to soccer, not baseball. Parents all over the region sign their kids up to play soccer, and a lot put them in dance class too. Soccer fields are filled with kids and spectators all the time. Dance recitals are often packed to the rafters. So why doesn't it translate to the professional level? Our MLS team, the Revolution, plays to pretty moderate houses at Gillette Stadium, and the Boston Ballet often struggles to fill seats at the Wang.So, weekend sightings of kids in shin guards and tights prove that the interest is there and the numbers as well. In the ballet's case. what's needed is for more people to step up to the barre. "Classic Balanchine" and "Giselle" will come an go in a flash. Catch the magic.Boston BalletWhat Do You Think? Write to me at The Mike StandApril 27, 2007BEANSActor Hugh Grant got busted in London the other day for throwing a tub of baked beans at a pair of bottom-feeding paparazzi. Hilarious. I mean, honestly people, is this what our celebrity-obsessed culture has sunk to?I mean, Grant is a fine actor, a versatile combination of charm and smarm, but is his personal life so interesting that two photographers have to stake him out as he walks back to his flat carrying take-out? Are people so bored with their own lives that chuckle-heads carrying cameras can make a living taking random pictures of any person who's achieved some level of renown?I blog about pop culture, so obviously I watch and enjoy many forms of entertainment, but the work is enough for me. If I have the good fortune of meeting someone I admire as an artist, I tell them so and wish them continued success. That's it. I don't grovel in front of them like they're some kind of gods. I have as much respect for the guy or gal who can fix my car, or stop my toilet from running, or cook a great steak, as I do for any actor or musician. And I treat them the same too. Anyone who has extraordinary talent at anything should be celebrated. Just don't follow them home and take a picture!Now that that's out of my system, here's a few suggestions for the weekend.Modest Mouse at the Orpheum tonight.Cracker (unplugged) at Harpers Ferry tomorrow.The Killers at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell on Sunday.Have a great weekend.What Do You Think? Write to me at The Mike StandApril 26, 2007ALL IS NOT LOST"Lost" is no longer the weekly can't wait to see it jaw-dropper it used to be, but I'm still hooked. The show suffers from the usual malignancies that strike long-running series-television -- lack of focus, vanity episodes, character inconsistencies, and writer's block. Mercifully with "Lost" a standard set during the extraordinary first season has a halo effect. After a particularly lame episode, a well timed promo for the following week that features a favorite character can get you to come back.Last night was a welcome return to the Sun/Jin story line. I really like the complexity of their relationship. The use of subtitles in the Korea flashback adds a level of authenticity that can't be overstated. It also blows apart the old saw that American audiences are too lazy to read subtitles. Believe me, if the story is compelling they'll stick with it. It sure isn't hurting "Heroes" over on NBC.The Sun/Jin story arc also feels more real to me than some of the others. She's the pampered, but spirited daughter of a powerful family. He's the self-made man struggling to come to terms with a troubled upbringing. It's less flashy than the Hurley/Lottery, or Kate/Killer or Sawyer/Grifter or Locke/Paralysis story lines, but it's also more human. Though I've got to say that Sun's decision to going running off with Juliet to the sketchy medical lab last night felt a little forced. It may have made sense to keep the story line moving, but it didn't fit with Sun's skeptical personality.I also have to give a shout out to Desmond. I'm not sure why I like him so much, but he's got me calling everybody "Brother" these days! If I know Desmond is going to be front-and-center in an episode then count me in.That's the thing about "Lost." Fans can hook on to a favorite character or character group and just go along for the ride. It doesn't matter that the overall story is a complete mess right now, it's going to keep moving ahead as long as the ratings hold up. "Lost" fortunately, has found a loyal fan base.LostThat's my stand.What Do You Think? Write to me at The Mike StandApril 25, 2007ROSIESo it's finally official. Rosie O'Donnell is leaving ABC's morning yackfest "The View." Too bad. In less than a year she turned a lukewarm tea party into a hot java room. Suddenly opinion was backed with passion and attitude instead of politically correct sermonettes.Rosie is full of thorns, but that's what makes her real. She can be obnoxious, rude, petty and self-serving. On the other hand she can be generous, insightful and a tireless defender of the underdog. Her dust up with Donald Trump is now the stuff of legend. Talk about a battle of blowhards, but I have to come down on Rosie's side in this one. Trump is such pond scum, and it was great for someone to finally say it publicly and repeatedly.In fact, the only time I really disliked Rosie was when she was putting on that "I'm the sweetest person in the world" act a few years back. You know, when she was swooning over Tom Cruise and handing out Drakes cakes to her talk show audience. What a crock. Rosie is hard boiled, not over easy.So expect a solo Rosie doing her own thing real soon. She has promised to come back and visit "The View" gang. I'm sure clueless Elisabeth will have the perfect sun dress for the occasion. Barbara will play the passive-aggressive grand dame, and Joy will add just enough spice to keep it real. Since a little Rosie can go a long way, maybe it's all for the best.That's my stand.April 24, 2007COVER MERock & Roll Hall of Famer Patti Smith has a new CD out today. That's the good news. Its all cover songs. That's the bad news. Love you, Patti, but covering "Smells Like Teen Spirt" is a bad idea. If you want to honor Kurt Cobain, try one of his lesser known gems, not that one. Other tracks include "Are You Experienced?" and "Helpless." I don't know about you, but I think Jimi Hendrix and Neil Young rightfully own those songs in every way.I have a love/hate relationship with cover tunes. In concert when a band throws a change-up by doing a song by an artist that influenced them, that's awesome. Maybe they'll cook up a version that surpasses the original or take the song in an unexpected direction. Maybe they'll butcher the hell out of it. Either way, it's a one-song interlude.On the current CD by the band America, there's a cover of Nada Surf's "Always Love." It's not better than the original, but it's quite pleasant and one of the high points of the album. It made me want to go back and listen to more Nada Surf.Where I jump off the covered wagon is tribute bands. You know, bands that ape their heroes right down to their hair and facial expressions. It's like going to a wax museum -- just plain creepy.I'll cut a wedge for bands that have to make a living doing covers. Hey, not everyone can write catchy songs. Just keep the mix fresh, and be true to the spirit of the tune. Plus, defy the club owner if you have to and throw in an original. I don't care if it's an instrumental. It's yours and that means something.That's my stand.April 23, 2007SPRING AWAKENINGThis past weekend auditions were held at Brandeis University in Waltham for a future Boston production of the new musical "Spring Awakening". The cast is made up almost exclusively of teenagers, so those 22 and over are pretty much out of luck. Ouch! Twenty-two and too old! Welcome to the club!Anyway, there's a reason for the age requirements. "Spring Awakening" is a coming of age story that actually respects the age of its characters. Unlike movies and television that continually cast 28-year-olds to play teenagers. This story needs the authenticity, energy and passion of real-life young people. Another brilliant move by the producers is to take ethnicity out of the casting equation. Talent is what's required. Now there's a concept!If you follow musical theater or rock music you've probably heard a little about "Spring Awakening". If you haven't here's a quick recap. It was written in 1891 by German playwright Frank Wedekind. It was immediately deemed obscene for its frank portrayal of sexuality and banned. It could only be performed in highly censored productions and fell into obscurity. Enter composer Duncan Sheik and writer and lyricist Steven Sater, and somehow a 21st century miracle happened."Spring Awakening" is a rock musical that tackles its subject matter with power, wit and empathy. The songs range from gorgeous ballads to scorching rockers. Modern sound equipment is mixed with 19th century costumes -- hand-held microphones are used brilliantly -- and instead of an orchestra you have a rock band on stage providing a stunning range of sound.I saw the original cast in New York this past weekend, and I was blown away. I've only seen a handful of flawless productions in my lifetime. This is one of them. It's impossible to signal out individual cast members. They are all extraordinary. I am privileged and honored to have seen this production, and the fact that I was able to share the experience with my son is something I will never forget. Live theater can create such moments like nothing else can.If you can't catch the Broadway run make sure you see "Spring Awakening" when it comes to Boston. One caution, the show contains partial nudity and strong language. Last time I checked real life contained healthy amounts of those things too!Spring AwakeningMISS SAIGONIf you live in the Merrimack Valley and want to see some fantastic theatre this coming weekend, or next, then look no further than Westford Academy. That's where Westford Academy Theatre Arts will present "Miss Saigon". Yes, these are high school kids. And yes, like the kids I was just talking about in "Spring Awakening", they are supremely talented. Also, for a fraction of the price, expect a production that will rival, if not surpass a professional company. Michael Towers, the director of Miss Saigon and driving force behind W.A.T.A. taps into the entire community for his productions. The result: Stunning costumes, amazing set construction, ingenious lighting and sound effects, and wonderful musicians. Prepare to change your perception of what a high school production can be. See you at "Miss Saigon." MVArts Miss SaigonThat's my stand.April 20, 2007TAKE IT OUTSIDEI've got a great entertainment suggestion for you this weekend, and it won't cost you a thing. Go outside!I mean it. A little sunshine, a dry patch of grass to stretch out on, a favorite T-shirt and jeans. Relax. Turn the stress knob down as far as it'll go.Here's my personal favorite for a spring weekend like this. Give the car a good washing in the driveway. Hot sun off the asphalt, cold water out of the hose, and a rockin' playlist on the iPod. Oh yeah. Afterward, anything from the Long Trail selection of fine beverages -- preferably pulled out of an iced filled cooler. Virgil's root beer does the trick too.If you're lucky enough to have a hammock, make sure you spend a little time in it. If you're even luckier and have someone to share it with, make sure you do.One last suggestion before I go. Read. I don't care if it's F. Scott Fitzgerald or J.K. Rowling. Give the tube a break, and get reacquainted with the written word.That's my stand.April 19, 2007HEAVENLY DAYThe news from Virginia has been so heartbreaking this week, and the flooding triggered by the nor'easter has only added to the misery up here. I think a little inspiration is in order, a little antidote to the insanity. My prescription? Patty Griffin.On her exceptional new CD, "Children Running Through," the Maine native delivers some of the best country rock you'll ever have the pleasure to hear. She's also performing Friday night at the Orpheum in Boston. Patty GriffinIf you've got the scratch to make the concert, go. If you've got the cash for the CD, buy it, or download it. If you're not ready to do either, just plunk down the 99 cents to download the song "Heavenly Day."That song is a healing experience. So simple, and at the same time packed with deeper meaning. It's upbeat, to be sure, but there's a melancholy underneath that Patty's soulful alto cradles like a sleeping child. Sure, she's singing about a heavenly day, but you can tell she's seen plenty that weren't quite so sunny. It's real and honest, and makes walking out from a cloud of bad news feel even better.That's my stand.April 18, 2007JUST VISITINGThe band Augustana will play a set after the Celtics season finale at the Garden tonight. Expect mediocre hoop, and fair-to-middling pop rock. Of course the group is getting a lot of play around here because of their hit single "Boston." The lyrics include, "I think I'll go to Boston/I think I'll start a new life/I think I'll start over/Where no one knows my name." It's a pretty good power ballad. Yearning vocals, soaring guitars, the whole bit. Think Goo Goo Dolls meet Soul Asylum.Augustana formed in Greenville, Illinois and the lead singer, Dan Layus is from San Diego. Not exactly breeding grounds for Hub love. I guess that's what kind of bugs me about the song. It's like they threw a dart at a map and it hit Boston. I get the feeling they could have inserted the name of just about any city and it wouldn't have made that much difference -- and that's my point. Boston is many things, but it's certainly not generic.Six Day Slide, a local rock band has a song called "City Streets". They never mention the name Boston in the song, but you know that's what it's about. Put you money down on those boys. Six Day SlideAm I being too hard on the out-of-towners? Maybe -- but that's my stand.April 17, 2007MUDDY RIVERI hate the fact the the song "Take Me To The River" is being used as a jingle for the Twin River casino and dog track in Rhode Island. I hate the way the studio-hack singer apes David Byrne's vocals from the classic Talking Heads recording. I hate that a song with so many spiritual touchstones -- it was written by the Rev. Al Green for crying out loud! -- is now a come-on for the spirit-crushing world of big time gambling.I also find it ironic that a band that formed at the Rhode Island School of Design is being so crassly disrespected by its home state. How lousy is it that a band that so creatively railed against corporate culture is now being unfairly tied to it? I'm not sure who had the rights to sell the song to Twin River, but whoever you are, grab a seat in the marketing hall of shame.I know music, like any other artistic creation, is a commodity to be bought and sold. Bob Dylan sold his songs. The Beatles catalogue has been used and abused for years. A local auto dealer is using the Blondie song "Call Me" in its ads right now. I don't put Blondie in the same category as the Talking Heads, and the fact the song is about a male prostitute is pretty funny when you think about it. Hey, Pontiac used the guitar riff from Buffalo Tom's "Sodajerk" a few years back -- and that song ain't exactly about hot fudge sundaes!It seems like everything's for sale, and I know this rant is naïve, but that's my stand.April 16, 2007WEATHER OR NOTMan, when the weather stinks this bad, everyone needs a little fresh entertainment! Here's some ideas to kick around during wet-vac duty in the cellar.Guster hits the stage at the Hampton Beach Casino this Wednesday. The eternal college kids from Tufts are part of the "Campus Consciousness Tour," in which music is mixed with environmental awareness. These guys are a little too sweet for me, but they've written some great pop-rock hooks over the years, and I think their live shows are much better than their studio stuff. They're at the Opera House in Boston on Friday and Saturday too.Tomorrow, the new Nine Inch Nails CD arrives. It's called "Year Zero" and if you're looking for some feel-good fun, Trent Reznor is definitely not your guy! It's been more than a decade since "The Downward Spiral" and Trent really hasn't brought much new to the table. I'll reserve judgment until I hear a little more. I will say that NIN's industrial-grade nihilism can get real old, real fast. It took a dying Johnny Cash to make them human.Avril Lavigne also has a new effort. Effort seems to be the key word here, this girl is trying way too hard. Relax kid. The music is what it's all about, and the punk rock dress-up routine rings a bit hollow. Strap on the guitar and let it rip. If you're more than a shopping mall diva it's the tunes that will prove it.On the DVD front, A four-disc "Larry Sanders" compilation is a welcome arrival on Tuesday.I also noticed that season six of "Murder She Wrote" can be had for $40. I have a suggestion for anyone considering the purchase: Take 20s and set them on fire in the street! Either way you're out 40 bucks, and at least the pyro routine gets you points for street theatre!That's my stand.April 13, 2007LONG WEEKENDPatriots' Day Weekend. Technically a three-day weekend, but for who? Not me. I vote for casual Monday. It's the patriotic thing to do.Anyway, let me toss a few ideas out there if your entertainment calendar is still open.Music: The VH1 "You Oughta Know" tour is at Avalon tonight. Rocco Deluca is in the lineup. That's the band that Kiefer Sutherland followed around like a deranged puppy for a while. Are they that good, or is it the lingering effects of his Jack Bauer torture fetish? You decide!Movies: I'm up for "Grindhouse." Yeah, I know Tarantino's a pig and it's sleazy and violent. Blah, blah, blah. I still wanna see it, and definitely on the big screen.Hey, speaking of cinema swine, Paul Verhoeven's got a new one too. "Black Book." It's subtitled (Dutch and German), and takes place during the Nazi occupation of Holland in 1944. Heavy duty subject matter, but expect Mr. V's usual boatload of sex, too. It can't be better or worse than "Showgirls," but then nothing compares! Might hold out for the DVD on that one.Art: Check out Daphne Confar's paintings at the Pepper Gallery on Newbury Street. Love the folky vibe of the portraits, and the titles are hilarious. Pepper GalleryThat's my stand.April 12, 2007NORTHAMPTON IS HAPPENINGIt's not exactly next door, but if you're passionate about music, and tired of too much big city 'tude in Boston, you have to head to Northampton. And the list of upcoming shows is jaw-dropping.I have a check list for you, but first a quick suggestion. If you live in the Route 128 or I-495 belts, depending on the day, it's going to take a good two hours to get there. That makes for an especially long ride home. Consider booking a place to stay. Rates are very decent, and the food in Northampton is fantastic. Reasonably priced too! Trust me it's worth it.OK, here's my sample of shows to check out, and it's just a small sample. The Iron Horse Entertainment Web site has the complete rundown. Iron Horse EntertainmentSon Volt, tomorrow night, Pearl Street Nightclub Kristin Hersh, April 20, Iron Horse Music Hall Patty Griffin, April 21, Calvin Theatre Spoon, April 27, Pearl Street Nightclub Michael Penn, May 3, Iron Horse Music Hall Bang Camaro, May 5, Iron Horse Music Hall They Might Be Giants, May 5, Iron Horse Music Hall (two shows, and 14-plus) Wilco, June 24, Pines Theatre at Look Park Morrissey, June 27, Pines Theatre at Look ParkOne last item. RIP Kurt Vonnegut.That's my stand.April 11, 2007COMMUTER SHUFFLEIt takes me about an hour to drive home at night, and since the m
