"Duets" by Alive & Kickin' at the Varsity Theater

Alive & Kickin' is billed as "the Twin Cities' premiere rockin' senior ensemble group." I'm not sure there's a whole lot of competition in that category, but the women and men of Alive & Kickin' are most definitely awesome. For the past five years, Michael Matthew Ferrell (Theater Latte Da's resident choreographer) has led this talented group of singers ranging in age from 60s to 90s, with music direction by Jason Hansen. With talent like that behind them, this group is no joke. They sing a variety of classic rock and pop songs, or as this musical theater geek likes to call them, Glee songs. In fact, Michael Matthew Ferrell is a little like the Mr. Schuester of senior citizens. I imagine them gathered in their choir room every week, learning a life lesson through the music of Queen or Katie Perry or Lady Gaga. Except in this case, it's the seniors who are the teachers with their years of life experience. One of Alive & Kickin's goals is to give voice to senior citizens, an important but often ignored segment of our society. This week they performed at the Varsity Theater with some of the Twin Cities' top talent from the world of music and theater, sponsored and emceed by myTalk 107.1, to raise money for a permanent choir room, er... rehearsal space.

Highlights of the show include:

• The rock songs like "Stayin' Alive" and "I Love Rock and Roll" are fun, but the quieter "Blowin' in the Wind" really showcased the talent of these singers, joined in beautiful harmony. The epic song "Bohemian Rhapsody" was also a treat!
• In addition to singing, two of the senior shared their inspirational stories that remind us just how much we still have to learn from our elders, including one man's experiences in Vietnam in 1969, and a woman growing up in the segregated South.
• It's a near impossible task to upstage the hilarious powerhouse Erin Schwab, but 90-year-old Katherine did just that in their duet of "Rehab." Later, Erin took the stage alone in a very funny "dirty song" about a dentist.
• Damn that Ben Bakken can sing! I almost forget, until I see him again, what a powerful rock voice he has, in this case on the Glee songs "Dream On" and "Somebody to Love." I wonder if he's ever played Roger in RENT? I bet his "One Song Glory" is quite something.
• A couple of music/theater crossovers in Lisa Pallen (of Belladiva) and Michelle Carter wowed with such songs as "I Wanna Know What Love Is" and "A Change is Gonna Come."
• Two greats from the local music scene, neither of which I've seen live before but both of whom I've heard of, loaned their considerable music talent to the event. Brian Leighton (aka GB Leighton) is kind of like Minnesota's Springsteen, singing an original song and a cover of "Lean on Me" with the ensemble. Allison Scott has a gorgeously soulful and sultry voice, singing "Waterfalls" and "Piece of My Heart," back by the Alive & Kickin' women.
• The band, led by Jason Hansen, is pretty awesome too. Sax, electric guitar, tambourine, so much enthusiasm and great support of the singers!
• A big part of the fun of watching Alive & Kickin' is Michael Matthew Ferrell's unique direction style. Part interpretive dance, part cheerleader, part expressive conductor, and all energy. It's obvious he cares a lot about his seniors and making them look and sound the best they can.

If you're interested in supporting this wonderful ensemble, visit their website for more info. You can also find details about their next performance, Winds of Change at Bloomington Civic Theatre this June.

"Jesus Christ Superstar" at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres

I don't think I need to explain to anyone what Jesus Christ Superstar is about (except for my sister, who asked me, so what's the show about?).  It's the story of, obviously, Jesus of Nazareth and the last days of his life, as told in the form of a rock musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber.  What I didn't realize going into the show, however, is that there's virtually no talking.  It's pretty much two and a half hours of straight singing, and pretty intense singing at that.  Unfortunately, the two leads - Ben Bakken as Jesus and Jared Oxborough as Judas - had the night off when I saw the show.  Their understudies did a great job, but Jared (who was so amazing as Che in Theater Latte Da's Evita last fall) is one of those actors I would go see in anything, and I like Ben too, so I was disappointed to see that dreaded slip of paper in the playbill.  That being said, it was another great night of theater at the Chan, if a little more heavy than usual.

The show began with a love-fest, people wandering onto the stage and greeting each other and their teacher Jesus with hugs and smiles.  But we soon find out that not everything is as pleasant as it seems.  Judas is not happy with the direction things are taking.  And Jesus is overwhelmed by his followers' adoration of him.  Mary Magdalene seems to be the only person who really understands his very human struggles, and soothes him with the song "Everything's Alright."  Michelle Carter gives a beautiful performance as Mary, especially the haunting "I Don't Know How to Love Him."  Both understudies gave a fine performance, as is usually the case.  Jake Klinkhammer as Jesus did an amazing job.  He has a beautiful strong voice and his performance of the song "Gethsemane," in which Jesus questions his fate, was powerful.  Even though Jesus is the title role, I think Judas has the larger role, driving much of the plot.  Broadway veteran Michael Gruber (who performed a charming tap dance with cast-member Tony Vierling at the Twin Cities Theatre Artists Support Japan benefit concert a few weeks ago) was Judas, and did a great job with the complex role.

The show was directed by Michael Brindisi and choreographed by Tamara Kangas Erickson, and they had a big job because there's a huge ensemble cast.  As usual at the Chanhassen, they're all great.  A lot of faces I recognize from countless shows, and I saw a few new ones too.  One of the highlights is the brief but entertaining performance by the always hilarious Jay Albright as King Herod.

The Chanhassen always puts on a quality performance with talented performers and this show is no exception.  It's a little darker and more intense than their usual shows, but really well done.