Monthly Archives: October 2012

Lincoln Alexander, our memories Reply

by • miscellaneous

LINCOLN MacCAULEY ALEXANDER 1922-2012, personal memories

Linc & Terry –

A Burlington concert was the occasion of our first introduction to ‘Linc’ about eight years ago. Showing proper respect for his status we did not attempt to be too pushy or ingratiating. After subsequent such meetings, he seemed to desire that we pursue a more personal relationship. Naturally, we complied and soon learned about the man’s amazing sense of humor. No subject (except politics) was forbidden and his quick wit oftimes led to giggles. More…

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“Semi-Monde”, begins a UTM season of ‘mayhem’ Reply

by • Play, Theatre

Review by Danny Gaisin

Noel Coward was way too clever…one of those people who was brilliant at trillions of genres. Personally, I prefer a more normal dilettante type like most of ours truly’s. Long before computers and spreadsheets, the guy wrote ‘SEMI MONDE’; a play with over three dozen characters and innumerable revolving-door inter-relationships. It must have been a Herculean task to create and keep each one pigeon-holed and maintain their individual psyches straight. Talking about straight, Coward wasn’t and I always thought how delicious it would have been if he had been into S/M…his long-time partner was Graham Payn!     Photo courtesy of Jim Smagata

the demi-monde denizens of “SEMI-MONDE”

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“The NYLONS”, a quarter-century later Reply

by • Concert

Review by Danny Gaisin

It was mid-July of 1987 when Prince Andrew & ‘Fergie’ were visiting Toronto. The city arranged some outdoor entertainment for the Royal couple. After assisting me with solo docking of Wind Breaker I at Ontario Place, Star reporter Rosie DiManno suggested I take in the free concert with her. The guest performers were THE NYLONS!  Last night we had the opportunity to again enjoy one of their live performances as part of the ‘Charles T. Cozens Presents’series at Hamilton’s Lincoln Alexander Centre. Conclusion – I waited much too long … they’re still terrific entertainers.

Cozens and his guests THE NYLONS

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RIGOLETTO; a new 160-year-old operatic tragedy Reply

by • Opera

Review by Danny Gaisin
Verdi’s take on a Victor Hugo tale is one of the operatic genre’s most musically profuse works. RIGOLETTO is the story of a deformed, mean-spirited jester whose only affection is for his virginal daughter whom he diligently protects. His boss is a Duke and is a definitive libertine who has noticed the daughter – Gilda, in church and naturally lusts for her. Mantua sneaks in to meet & start his seduction.

cast & crew of RIGOLETTO, post-curtain reception

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NEXT TO NORMAL; surprises, but no cliché Reply

by • Musical, Theatre

Review by Tony Kilgannon

On arrival at the Citadel Theatre for the opening night of the rock musical Next to Normal, I noticed that the piped-in background music was interesting…Peter Gabriel, John Mayer, and a cover of a John Hiatt song, among other selections. I guess I found that surprising because I was attending a musical, and somewhere deep inside I expected some cliché Glee-ish hits. It was only the first of many pleasant surprises. The play won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2009 and a Pulitzer Prize the following year, and is anything but cliché.

Hammer Prod’s “NEXT TO NORMAL” family

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“Scotland Road”, a titanic-sized enigma Reply

by • Play, Theatre

Review by Terry Gaisin
It’s a century since the ‘unsinkable’ sank so naturally there’s much buzz about the anniversary and the ‘Monday morning quarterbacking’ questions still unanswered. Jeffrey Hatcher’s play about a tabloid article describing the amazing location of a young woman floating on an iceberg dressed in early 20thcentury attire who has uttered only one word – ‘Titanic’.

l-r: Maggie,Jared,Daniel,Sanja,Aaron & Julie

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