The Tony Awards continue to razzle-dazzle us, year after year. The themes of both the Best Play and Best Musical award winners this year revolved around true stories (or as "true" as any staged or Hollywood presentation is) from other areas of the creative arts. "Red" portrays American expressionist Mark Rothko and his struggle to create a masterpiece while coping with competition from his protege'. Best Musical "Memphis" is loosely based on the work of 1950's disk jocky "Daddy-O" Dewey Phillips who stretched the boundaries of the day and broadcast music based on what he liked, ignoring racial boundaries. Daddy-O was also the first to play Elvis' "That's All Right/Blue Moon of Kentucky" debut on the air.
Another Best Musical nominee, "Fela" tells the story of Nigerian musician Fela Kuti. "American Idiot" is a post-911 tale set to the music of the popular band "Green Day." "Sondheim on Sondheim" is a portrait of the famous Tony-award winning composer/lyricist. It seemed this year, art itself was the inspiration for many fine plays who all deserved to win, of course. I also found it interesting that many of those nominated had strong ties to television and movie roles. For example, the entire category of "Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play" was comprised of movie actors like Jude Law, Denzel Washington and Liev Schreiber.
Now, most of us can't hop a plane to Broadway and we're not likely to see movie stars on our local stages. Nevertheless, we have fine talent in the region performing at community theaters around the area. You'll be surprised at what you'll find if you go get a little taste of Broadway (or off-off-Broadway) at theaters right in your backyard. Give them a try; they'll never win a Tony but they'll entertain you with no problem at all.
- Upcoming Artisan Events:Saturday, June 19, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - "Shirley Blackman Poster Artist" Reception and Opening Exhibit. Rockport Center for the Arts. Admission: Free.
- Tuesday, June 22, 7:00 p.m. - "Rialto Rhythms" Weekly Open Acoustic Jam. Rialto Theater. Admission: Free ($5 contribution suggested).
- Daily through June 23 - "First Look" Debut Art Exhibit by Norma Gafford and Mary Rush-Griffin. Main Gallery, Rialto Theater. Admission: Free.
- Thursday, June 24, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - "Young Musings." Anita Bransom Debut Art Exhibit and Aransas Pass Chamber Mixer. Main Gallery, Rialto Theater. Admission: Free.
- Thursday, June 24, 7:30 p.m. - Special Half-Price Preview of "Showtime on the Showboat (or Don't Throw Garbage in the River)" Summer Melodrama. Rialto Theater. Admission: Free to Marquee Members, Others $6.
- Fridays and Saturdays, June 25 through July 10, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, July 11 at 2:00 p.m. - "Showtime on the Showboat (or Don't Throw Garbage in the River)" Summer Melodrama. Live on Stage. Rialto Theater with special performance Saturday, July 3rd at Noon (no showing that evening at the Rialto) at Sail South Texas 2010. Admission: $12.
- Fridays-Saturdays through July 27, 7:30 p.m./2:30 p.m. Sunday matinees - "Rumors" by Neil Simon. Aurora Arts Theatre. Admission: $14.
- Daily through - June 30 "Guys and Dolls" Art Exhibit. Art Center for the Islands. Admission: Free.
- Friday, July 2, 5:30 p.m. - "First Friday" Opening Art Reception. Art Center for the Islands. Admission: Free.
- Fridays-Saturdays, July 15 - July 31, 7:30 p.m. - "Year with Frog and Toad" Youth Theatre Production. Admission: $5-15.
Jen Jones is a member of the Board of Directors of the Rialto Theater, an IRS 501(c)(3) charitable organization fostering art and education through visual art, music and live stage productions in the historic movie theater in downtown Aransas Pass. Her day job is in real estate at Coldwell Banker Myers-Gallagher. If you have someone you'd like to spotlight in this column, drop her a line at jen@jenscoastalbend.com .
