On Wednesday night, I was out at Bar Pink catching Joe Jack Talcum of the Dead Milkmen, and I bumped into some friends who had gone to see Whisper House based on the review I wrote about the show. This pleased me to no end, because it's nice to know people actually read and take to heart some of my suggestions, but even more than that, they loved the show as much as I did. I had already made plans to see the show again the next night, but based on their thoughts, I was excited to see how the show had changed from when I saw it. I knew there were some re-writes and changes in the story, and that the original Christopher was no longer in the show, so I was interested to see if it would hold up.
I don't really ever read The Reader outside of Blurt, but while flipping through, I read their scathing review of the show and I questioned my own opinion, as if maybe I'm just not theatre-savvy enough to be appropriately critical. After seeing the show a second time, call me easy, but I loved the show even more, and frankly will just continue to ignore The Reader's reviews on just about everything, because how they see the world is clearly different than the way I see it.
This time around I took my mom. She's the kind of person who loves specific shows...Hair, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and we even dropped $95 a ticket to see Sebastian Bach as the lead in Jesus Christ Superstar a few years back. As a kid she used to take us to pretty much anything Bill Virchis was involved with around San Diego and sometimes to local high school productions, too, but bigger shows were out of our budget. I'll also say about my mom that after I kept programming it into their car stereo, KPRi is her favorite radio station, though she still has no idea who Duncan Sheik is, but she's pretty open minded when it comes to music.
I didn't want to influence my mom with the show, so I didn't tell her anything about it except that I saw the show and thought she'd like it. And she did. She loved it, actually. She thought the music was great, the story fit. She read the program before the show and she really connected the parallels with wartime fear-mongering done during WWII and the U.S. response post-9/11.
It isn't a complicated story, and any holes that might've existed have been filled. I suspect that if you're a right-wing conservative, you'll have a visceral reaction to this show and it's probably not for you. Ditto if you're not into contemporary rock music. I consider the music quite mellow, but at times the seniors around me looked like they were watching Black Sabbath or something. After the show, an elderly woman turned to her husband and said, "You couldn't pay me enough money in the world to see this play again." And that's fine. I can see how this show wasn't for her. On the other hand, as my 59 year old mom said, "sometimes old farts just can't be pleased." As I said last time, if you're looking for a traditional musical, this is not it. I've heard that one of the biggest complaints is that there's no dancing and that the actors don't sing. For that I am grateful. I prefer the singing be left to the ghosts.
The show has two more weeks before it ends on February 21 and I would encourage you to check it out. I know it's not cheap, but there are several outlets for discounted tickets that you can try:
20under30: The Old Globe has a program for people under 30 to buy tickets for $20. Only the purchaser has to be under 30, and your ID will be checked at the show, but this is a bargain worth investigating.
Goldstar: Goldstar events still has some of the best ticket discounts in San Diego and have offered tickets at half off through the entire run of Whisper House. Sign up now and take advantage before the show leaves San Diego. (There are also pre-sale tickets for the new Cirque Du Soleil Kooza at steep discounts.)
Win Here: Since you've read this far, I have TWO pairs of tickets to give away for the show. You can see any performance (subject to availability). Send your name and phone number in an email with subject Whisper House to sddialedin AT gmail. I will pick one winner on Wednesday and one more on Friday.
For ticketing and more show information, click here.
Showing posts with label whisper house. Show all posts
Showing posts with label whisper house. Show all posts
Monday, February 08, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Duncan Sheik at The Old Globe, 1.11.10
Dear Duncan Sheik,
I figured since you'll be living in my city for a while, I thought I'd say hi and thank you for the amazing concert you performed tonight at the Old Globe. I'm really glad it was well attended, too, because we kinda had to dig to find out about it. I guess it's not often that there are concerts at The Old Globe. Really, that's a shame, though, because the sound and lighting were amazing, the seats were comfortable, and let's face it, when the older demographic that subscribes to theatre tickets ages, they're gonna need younger people who appreciate theatre to become the subscribers of the future, and a concert to introduce a production was pretty genius. The set for Whisper House was simple but pretty and I look forward to seeing the performance.
I'm kinda spoiled, I have to admit, so I asked a radio friend if his station was promoting the concert and production and alas, they were, but I didn't find out until after another friend already bought tickets. It was cool though, because we were able to give the extra tickets to some North County folks from Twitter who probably wouldn't have otherwise been introduced to Whisper House. You should really get on Twitter...look how many people are always talking about you.
Oh, and I took my camera. I know that's probably frowned upon in the theatre, but it's kinda what I do. I was trying to take photos on the sly, which is why you kinda look like a ghost in the two pictures I did happen to capture before the guy behind me got irritated and without mincing words told me to cut it out.
Actually, I think he was more annoyed that the light from my phone kept turning on because I was taking notes on your set list, but fuck him, I wanted to remember every part of the night. Sometimes it's hard for me to just go to a show and sit and watch. Call me a.d.d. but that's why I don't ever go to the movies. Still, I stopped using my phone and camera anyway because I'm not a total bitch and I didn't want him to have an usher bounce me out, but luckily I had a small notepad and can write somewhat legibly in total darkness.
I loved that you started with an older tune. I saw you at Brick By Brick after your first record came out, and I also have Humming and Daybreak but I wasn't sure if you'd play stuff I knew. "Such Reveries" was a great way to kick off the show. I also appreciated that you introduced every song...I imagine much of the crowd was less familiar with your material than me, so the stories and titles helped. "Good Morning" got a laugh when you talked about George Bush and the line about being surrounded by 'fucking clowns'. Did you know in the last election that San Diego was actually blue? At least I think that's what I heard. I'm guessing the theatre-goers are all part of the 'liberal elite', so I'm pretty sure they weren't offended. "Come Out" was beautiful...I think you said that one isn't released?
Then you had Holly Brook come out and sing a song. I wasn't sure about the title, but I'll go with "Something Else". She was amazing and had a gorgeously haunting voice, I'm sure she's perfect for the production. I enjoyed your exchange after her song. "Now we go from the sacred back to the profane," and not taking your compliment, she replied, "That song is about vampires." Then you said, "Why must you contradict me? You clearly have your finger on the pulse of the cultural zeitgeist," to which the audience all laughed. Her voice was a nice touch on your classic "Barely Breathing" and I was totally blown away by your Psychedelic Furs cover of "The Ghost In You".
I had never heard "Half A Room" before, but your story made it easy to envision the Venice hotel and the metaphor was relatable. At that point you had David Poe come out (I think that's when the guy behind me got pissed) and not to be too cheesy, but that is one sexy man. I thought it was pretty funny how he entered the stage through the prop door, and also that he was chomping on gum while he sang his song that he called "The Naughty Folk Song". I'm glad he's on MySpace- I'll definitely check him out some more. You sounded great singing "Love Is A Sinner" together.
It was nice to get a taste of some tracks from the show, too. You played and explained "Solomon Snell" and "Earthbound, Starlight" and then you went back to the beginning and ended your regular set with "Home". Man, I really wish I had a recording of the version you played tonight because it was breathtaking. I've been thinking a lot lately about the idea of "home"...Have you heard Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros' song of the same name? I think you'd like it.
Of course in theatre there's always an encore, and I couldn't tell if you were joking about the sing-along when you played the Radiohead classic "Fake Plastic Trees" because I'd venture to guess the majority of that crowd had never heard the song before. And fittingly, you finished the show with "Take A Bow", the final song in Whisper House to which you received a standing ovation.
It was an amazing show and when I'm not so strapped for cash I'll pick up some more of the CDs you've put out over the years...I noticed your Greatest Hits CD has a live version of "Home", so maybe it's similar to the version you played tonight. Anyway, I hope you enjoy your stay in San Diego...I list shows and stuff going on in this town and could also give you some good restaurant and bar recommendations if you're looking for suggestions. Maybe I'll see you some Tuesday night at Nunu's when they have dirt cheap drinks and we can chat about stuff.
Thanks for the music,
Rosey
I figured since you'll be living in my city for a while, I thought I'd say hi and thank you for the amazing concert you performed tonight at the Old Globe. I'm really glad it was well attended, too, because we kinda had to dig to find out about it. I guess it's not often that there are concerts at The Old Globe. Really, that's a shame, though, because the sound and lighting were amazing, the seats were comfortable, and let's face it, when the older demographic that subscribes to theatre tickets ages, they're gonna need younger people who appreciate theatre to become the subscribers of the future, and a concert to introduce a production was pretty genius. The set for Whisper House was simple but pretty and I look forward to seeing the performance.
I'm kinda spoiled, I have to admit, so I asked a radio friend if his station was promoting the concert and production and alas, they were, but I didn't find out until after another friend already bought tickets. It was cool though, because we were able to give the extra tickets to some North County folks from Twitter who probably wouldn't have otherwise been introduced to Whisper House. You should really get on Twitter...look how many people are always talking about you.
Oh, and I took my camera. I know that's probably frowned upon in the theatre, but it's kinda what I do. I was trying to take photos on the sly, which is why you kinda look like a ghost in the two pictures I did happen to capture before the guy behind me got irritated and without mincing words told me to cut it out.
Actually, I think he was more annoyed that the light from my phone kept turning on because I was taking notes on your set list, but fuck him, I wanted to remember every part of the night. Sometimes it's hard for me to just go to a show and sit and watch. Call me a.d.d. but that's why I don't ever go to the movies. Still, I stopped using my phone and camera anyway because I'm not a total bitch and I didn't want him to have an usher bounce me out, but luckily I had a small notepad and can write somewhat legibly in total darkness.
I loved that you started with an older tune. I saw you at Brick By Brick after your first record came out, and I also have Humming and Daybreak but I wasn't sure if you'd play stuff I knew. "Such Reveries" was a great way to kick off the show. I also appreciated that you introduced every song...I imagine much of the crowd was less familiar with your material than me, so the stories and titles helped. "Good Morning" got a laugh when you talked about George Bush and the line about being surrounded by 'fucking clowns'. Did you know in the last election that San Diego was actually blue? At least I think that's what I heard. I'm guessing the theatre-goers are all part of the 'liberal elite', so I'm pretty sure they weren't offended. "Come Out" was beautiful...I think you said that one isn't released?
Then you had Holly Brook come out and sing a song. I wasn't sure about the title, but I'll go with "Something Else". She was amazing and had a gorgeously haunting voice, I'm sure she's perfect for the production. I enjoyed your exchange after her song. "Now we go from the sacred back to the profane," and not taking your compliment, she replied, "That song is about vampires." Then you said, "Why must you contradict me? You clearly have your finger on the pulse of the cultural zeitgeist," to which the audience all laughed. Her voice was a nice touch on your classic "Barely Breathing" and I was totally blown away by your Psychedelic Furs cover of "The Ghost In You".
I had never heard "Half A Room" before, but your story made it easy to envision the Venice hotel and the metaphor was relatable. At that point you had David Poe come out (I think that's when the guy behind me got pissed) and not to be too cheesy, but that is one sexy man. I thought it was pretty funny how he entered the stage through the prop door, and also that he was chomping on gum while he sang his song that he called "The Naughty Folk Song". I'm glad he's on MySpace- I'll definitely check him out some more. You sounded great singing "Love Is A Sinner" together.
It was nice to get a taste of some tracks from the show, too. You played and explained "Solomon Snell" and "Earthbound, Starlight" and then you went back to the beginning and ended your regular set with "Home". Man, I really wish I had a recording of the version you played tonight because it was breathtaking. I've been thinking a lot lately about the idea of "home"...Have you heard Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros' song of the same name? I think you'd like it.
Of course in theatre there's always an encore, and I couldn't tell if you were joking about the sing-along when you played the Radiohead classic "Fake Plastic Trees" because I'd venture to guess the majority of that crowd had never heard the song before. And fittingly, you finished the show with "Take A Bow", the final song in Whisper House to which you received a standing ovation.
It was an amazing show and when I'm not so strapped for cash I'll pick up some more of the CDs you've put out over the years...I noticed your Greatest Hits CD has a live version of "Home", so maybe it's similar to the version you played tonight. Anyway, I hope you enjoy your stay in San Diego...I list shows and stuff going on in this town and could also give you some good restaurant and bar recommendations if you're looking for suggestions. Maybe I'll see you some Tuesday night at Nunu's when they have dirt cheap drinks and we can chat about stuff.
Thanks for the music,
Rosey
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