When I think back about the talent here at the University of Michigan, odds are high that Gibson Fleck will stick out in my mind. I cannot explain to you the itching anticipation I’m experiencing for this show and I hardly know anything about it. Gibson Fleck, presented by the Department of Musical Theatre, is an original production with music and lyrics written by A.J. Holmes and Carlos Valdes and book by Ali Gordon. These names may sound familiar to you, and they should. The creators of Gibson Fleck are all current U of M students. This impressive and ambitious young team has worked incessantly to produce a show that is sure to continue the university’s tradition of innovation and creative genius.
Gibson Fleck, a story of a young man searching for a place to call home, incorporates a blend of both folk rock and musical theatre idioms. The show is sure to be an emotional rollercoaster, as Gibson is faced with the enduring uncertainty of the meaning of “home.” I have no doubt that the inspiring story of Gibson Fleck will take you into a world unbeknownst to you.
Gibson Fleck will run throughout the weekend in the Arthur Miller Theatre on North Campus.
Thursday, November 18th: 7:30 PM (SOLD OUT)
Friday, November 19th: 8:00 PM
Saturday, November 20th: 8:00 PM
Saturday, November 20th: 2:00 PM
Sunday, November 21st: 2:00 PM
Limited tickets available at the League Ticket Office: 734.764.2538
I was waiting for this show for a long time and what a lovely evening it turned out to be!
First we were greeted with an excellent rendition of “El pastor” by the cute and gifted Sebastian de la Cruz, (all of eight years old!), who was selected to be the best in his category in 2009 Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza Competition. My goodness, his yoddling was so awesome! If at eight, he can sing so well, just imagine what wonders he will do in the musical world when he grows up! The winner of the best female voice in the competition, Karenn Lazo dazzled next! She was all grace and her voice was so powerful!
Next came the much awaited mariachi band, all spectacular in their costumes and the extravaganza began! What powerful voices & what energy! What grace, what awesome stage presence! It was really something to be watching that! The songs kept coming one after the other and the strumming of the guitars, the exceptional violin playing, the awesome trumpets, the joking, the dancing and the most beautiful combination of voices- it was just mindblowing!
I was so happy and grinning from ear to ear the whole time as the music was simply superb. There was so much of variety and so much going on. What clarity in their voices! The energy and enthusiasm was so infectious- the band played non-stop for almost two and a half hours and it was a big party!
I was amazed at the multi-tasking of the members. One would come sing (do a lil jig too), and then go play the guitar or the violin and be a part of the chorus! My god- what stamina they must have! It was really a treat to watch them and at the end of the show, the performance had moved me to tears as the music touched me so deeply. I LOVE them!
The Mariachi Vargas band, courtesy UMS
The audience was amazing, singing along to most of the songs. In fact, many knew almost all the songs and the band gave a chance to a gentleman in the audience who did a great job (with José ‘Pepe’ Martinez jokingly trying to get the mike away as the singer sang the whole song!)
I was really very very happy after the show, one of the best I have ever seen in the Hill auditorium. This performance of Mariachi Vargas ranks really high in my all-time favorites! I hope I can watch another live performance of them sometime as this is definitely my kind of music! 🙂
Bravo! Bravo! Bravisimo! That is what everyone has been exclaiming all weekend as they left the Power Center. The Elixir of Love, presented by the ever-brilliant School of Music, Theater, and Dance, is the first of two operas that are performed this academic year, and let me just say it was a huge success! The opera was so funny; both within the plot and the body acting of the performers. And the music…Oh the music! Italian opera is perhaps the most beautiful song form in the world.
Most people I know have never seen an opera (aside from the movie Phantom of the Opera, which doesn’t count). So when I told them I was going they were completed shocked that UofM even had operas. “Isn’t it all in Italian?” they said. Yes it is, but it doesn’t really matter. They give you a synopsis of what will be happening, character names, and even subtitles above the stage. It isn’t difficult to understand at all. Plus, with Italian opera phrases are repeated endlessly in different runs and notes, so you only need to read about a third of the show. The rest you can just listen and watch.
I love going to the Power Center. I know I say that all the time, but I really do enjoy it. There is a fair amount of leg room, you’re close enough to the stage pretty much anywhere you sit, and the performers are always genuinely excited to be on the stage performing for you.
The show starts with the curtain going up and us seeing the set for the first time. It’s a classic Italian town. The chorus and the characters come on stage and begin the performance. And then it’s two hours of laughter, smiling, and my mouth hanging open in awe of the beautiful notes coming from the mouths of the singers. Absolutely astonishing. It is truly a joy to see something come to life like this. And if only wine could work the wonders it does in this show. Or maybe a dilluted effect. Instead of everyone falling falling in love with you and wanting to get married, maybe just a date on friday night? A cup of coffee or something? Wine sales would sky-rocket! (Disclaimer :WINE DOES NOT CAUSE SPONTANEOUS LOVE OR THE SUDDEN EXISTENCE OF DATES. DO NOT CONSUME FOR THESE PURPOSES UNLESS YOU WANT TO EMBARRASS YOURSELF)
Wine is great and all, but probably not what the topic of this review should be. I would like to end it with a shout out to all of the stars of the show who were all fantastic and for the chorus who made the show possible and entertaining. Part of the Cast for November 11&13
Cast
November 11 & 13, 2010
Amy Petrongelli as Adina
Kyle Matthew Knapp as Nemorino
Steven Eddy as Belcore
Nicholas Ward as Dulcamara
Ariel Halt as Giannetta
November 12 & 14, 2010
Anne Jennifer Nash as Adina
Kyle Tomlin as Nemorino
Brian Rosenblum as Belcore
Benjamin Sieverding as Dulcamara
Kristen Seikaly as Giannetta
I left the show with a wonderful feeling of happiness and contentment, and maybe a little contact love tipsyness 🙂 I hope that I’ve left you with the same.
As always,
This is Danny Fob: Artist and Art Reviewer.
It is time my friends, it is time to support the glory of the Midwest, and the uncanny ability for unique movement and visions to arise out of what outsiders only recognize as barren land. My goal is to help bring to light the many wonderful things that happen here in little Ann Arbor and if you scroll down this page, you will see an opportune variety not afforded by many other places.
Ghostly International, a phenomenal record label started in Ann Arbor by U of M alum, Samuel Valenti IV, will be hosting a belated 10 year anniversary this Monday. Founded in 1999, Ghostly evades definition, instead becoming a community for music lovers and innovators alike, that is redefining the way we think of a record label in the digital age.
Could it really be that easy? Just drink and Bam! Love? I guess I’ll just have to see this Thursday night, won’t I? I’m very excited to see The Elixir of Love. This Italian Opera, L’elisir d’amore, is a comic opera in two acts, with music written by Gaetano Donizetti and the Libretto written by Felice Romani. For those who have never experienced an opera, I would especially suggest a visit to this one. The University opera productions are always fantastic and they include subtitles to make the show more accessible for those that have a hard time interpreting the music. I find that they really help you understand the drama and comedy of the show instead of just having an idea of what’s going on.
The music is going to be fabulous. I know this because I have three friends in the show and have heard bits and pieces. I also know this because Italian opera is one of the most beautiful song forms in the world. I would urge everyone on campus to buy tickets, mostly because I already bought mine and I already have my seats, so it is allowed to sell out. Student Rush tickets are only $10 and the seats are great. Details you ask? (or maybe you didn’t ask, but I’m going to tell you anyway. If you really don’t want to know than you can stop reading, but I know that you really want to go to the show and you won’t stop reading).
When: Thursday, November 11 at 7:30 PM
Friday, November 12 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, November 13 at 8:00 PM
Sunday, November 14 at 2:00 PM
Where: Power Center for the Performing Arts (My favorite Venue on campus)
How much: $10 Student Rush. $18 regular price (Available at League Box Office)
Who: School of Music, Theater, and Dance
Why: Do you really have to ask?
If you have not yet found the time to make it to an a cappella concert here at the University of Michigan then you should make time! The Michigan A Cappella community is one of the most eclectic and diverse in the country and internationally recognized.
Erica Searcy sings "Alone" by Heart.
Spookappella, a Halloween themed a capella concert, featured three stunning UofM groups: (g)imble, The Harmonettes and Maize Mirchi. with special guest Scotch Tape from Malacaster College in Minnesota. Each group took the stage in their own creative Halloween attire to give the audience a night of a cappella bliss.
Scotch Tape opened the show, followed by headliner (g)imble with their rendition of “Forever and Always,” originally performed by Taylor Swift. Marianne Gruzwalski, one of (g)imble’s powerhouse soloists, was on the solo. You would not ever expect such a powerful voice to come out of such a small girl. You couldn’t take your eyes off this one as she emulated and extraordinary amount of confidence and sass on this song. What a great performance it was.
The “sometimes sassy, always classy” Harmonettes officially opened the first half of the show with “Nothing Ever Hurt Like You” sung by Lauren Morrison, “Stay” sung by Brennan Couturier and “Goodbye to You” sung by Sarah Short. This group of classy ladies brought a lighthearted vibe to the stage throughout their set. Chelsea Selden brought some fantastic vocal percussion to the first two songs in the set. This girl arguably had the most charismatic stage presence throughout this evening of performance. There was not a moment when she was not radiating a contagious smile. Additionally, her continuous step touches made it nearly impossible to sit still while watching. All in all, the Harmonettes put on a great show!
Maize Mirchi, one of the newest additions to the Michigan a cappella community, opened the second half of the show. Mirchi is Michigan’s premier South Asian a cappella group and is known for fusing Bolloywood Indian music with more contemporary music They most definitely know how to capture an audience. While some of their costumes were a bit distracting, they put on a wonderful show.
(g)imble closed both the first and second halves and had a number of beautiful pieces, most notable being “Either Way” by Guster and “Alone” by Heart. “Either Way” was performed as a group song as the solos were distributed across each member of the group. This moving piece provided the audience with some of the most beautiful harmonies of the evening. However, “Alone” stole the show completely. With another one of (g)imble’s powerhouse soloists taking the lead, the audience was left with nothing but chills. Erica Searcy (otherwise known as “Fiercy”) tore the roof off with this song. While she first seemed a bit apprehensive, she soon settled into what would become the best song of the evening.
All in all, it was a wonderful evening of a cappella. Be sure to look out for the many a cappella concerts that are held at the end of the semester! It’s most definitely a quintessential Michigan experience!
