Interview: Writer/Performer Anzu Lawson on the L.A. Debut of her Solo Show THE RUB
by Shari Barrett - Jan 17, 2023
Anzu Lawson is gearing up to debut her second one-woman show, The Rub, inspired by her 30-minute single camera comedy pilot about her life as a stand-up comic who secretly pays her bills by being every Asian mother's worst nightmare... a masseuse. I first met Anzu when she was performing as Yoko Ono during the 2014 Hollywood Fringe Festival, a role she inhabits with her entire body, heart and soul. So it makes perfect sense that The Rub debuts on Yoko Ono’s 90th birthday on Saturday, February 18 at 8pm as part of Whitefire Theatre's Solofest 2023. Here's my interview with her about the show.
Marcus Gad & Tribe Show Love For Home On 'Long Way Home'
by Michael Major - Jan 12, 2023
Gad, the rising reggae star from the island nation of New Caledonia, returns here to work with his usual backing band, Tribe, for a more organic, roots oriented sound. A warm contrast from his last project where he and his producer Tamal dived into modern, programmed beats on the Brave New World album (2021). Watch the new music video now!
BETWEEN TWO KNEES Sketch Comedy Show Announced At McCarter Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 9, 2023
McCarter invites audiences to start the New Year laughing with the outrageously funny and wickedly subversive tale of familial love, loss and connection: Between Two Knees, by acclaimed intertribal sketch comedy troupe The 1941's and directed by Eric Ting.
Marcus Gad Shares 'Long Way Home'
by Michael Major - Jan 9, 2023
A warm contrast from his last project where he and his producer Tamal dived into modern, programmed beats on the Brave New World album (2021). This track is a love song of sorts for Gad’s home Pacific Island nation of New Caledonia. Watch the single's accompanying music video now!
VIDEO: meija Shares the Official Video for 'Time For Us'
by Michael Major - Jan 5, 2023
Los Angeles artist and producer meija shares the official video for his new single, “Time For Us.” The indie rock number, which dropped over the holidays, was placed on Spotify’s covetable New Music Friday playlist and on All New Indie. Do Ya? was recorded after being inspired by The Beatles’ documentary and digging into his vinyl collection.
Chris Williams & Kid Reverie Announce New 'Something From Nothing' Album
by Michael Major - Dec 20, 2022
Chris Williams and Kid Reverie’s new album began with an inquisitive search for a simple sound. Having heard Steve Varney’s (Kid Reverie) open-back banjo accompanying fellow songwriter Gregory Alan Isakov on a YouTube video, Williams began tracking down something similar for his own personal collection.
RAYE Releases Singles 'Escapism' & 'The Thrill Is Gone'
by Michael Major - Dec 8, 2022
'Escapism.' and 'The Thrill Is Gone.' both showcase very different sides of RAYE's musical journey, clearly underlining just how diverse RAYE's upcoming album is. 'Escapism.' is a trip-hop inspired song about heartbreak, loneliness and escaping those emotions, featuring New Jersey rapper 070 Shake. Plus, check out tour dates!
Review: FRONT PORCH CABARET Reunites Old Friends at Front Porch Theatricals
by Greg Kerestan - Nov 30, 2022
Front Porch announces a season of Finn and Sondheim, in an evening of song and stories. As far as I'm concerned, if you want to measure the pulse of the Pittsburgh theatre scene, you will feel it the most intensely and regionally in Front Porch. The company's mission to produce exciting musicals specifically highlighting the talents of Pittsburgh-area artists makes it feel somehow organically part of the community; much as I love seeing the talents of major Broadway stars at Pittsburgh CLO every years, there's a thrill in seeing a Front Porch show and knowing 'all of this was made here.' Though Front Porch's impresario and producer Leon S. Zionts passed away several years ago, he has remained an active member of its creative community, as the shortlist of shows he crafted with fellow producers Bruce E. G. Smith and Nancy D. Zionts continues to guide the company's mission statement forward.