Proper Old-School Theatrical Heart

Andrew Lloyd Webber's new $8.5 million musical, The Woman in White, opened tonight on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre.

Maria Friedman, leading lady of the British musical theatre, makes her Broadway debut in London's smash hit musical, repeating her Olivier-nominated performance as Marian Halcombe. Just two weeks ago, while being fitted for corsets, Maria discovered a lump in her breast. She immediately went for a biopsy, and was diagnosed with stage-one breast cancer.

Three day's later she was in surgery and the malignant lump was removed from her left breast. Five days later, under a doctor's supervision, she returned to rehearsals.

Friedman was motivated by the livelihoods riding on the show, and the fact that her younger sister was one of the show's producers. Friedman did not let it get in the way of her Broadway debut.

She will continue radiation treatments for seven weeks. "Its like a large elephant sat on me," she told the Times. When asked to comment on Friedman's tenacity, her co-star Michael Ball replied, "Proper old-school theatrical heart."

Playlist of the Week (11.16.05)

It's been awhile since I've posted a playlist, went on a hip-hop binge, gained some appreciation for Kanye and the Yin Yang Twin's 'Shake'. Though its not really my style, its fun to move to. Here's what I'm tote'n around on the z'pod lately.

1. This Time Around, Helen Stellar/Elizabethtown Soundtrack
2. If I Ain't Got You, Athlete
3. How High, Madonna
4. Summer's Gone, Aberfeldy
5. Get Together, Madonna
6. Photobooth, Death Cab For Cutie
7. Ordinary World, Duran Duran
8. Hands Down, Dashboard Confessional
9. Stormy Weather, Echo & The Bunnymen
10. Isaac, Madonna

Did you know?
Krump is the new Vogue. Madonna highlights an underground dance form, known as krumping. She was introduced to it from a dancer on the last tour and features it on the The Tube scenes in 'Hung Up', her latest video. When asked to describe the movement's appeal, Madonna states "there is something raw and theatrical, something Shakespearean. All hail the Krump!"

The artfom first originated as a response to the 1992 Rodney King riots and was called “Clowning". "The kids use the dance as an alternative to gangs and hustling. For the dancers, Krumping becomes a way of life – and, because it’s authentic expression (in complete opposition to the bling-bling hip-hop culture), the dance becomes a vital part of who they are."

To learn more, check out David LaChapelle's film, "Rize" on DVD now.

Madonna will grace the next cover of Rolling Stone. You can read the article "How Madonna Got Her Groove Back" online at www.rollingstone.com.

'Sorry' is set to be the follow-up single to 'Hung Up' off M's tenth studio album, Confessions on a Dancefloor, out this week! Its hot, give it a spin.

Bring on the Turkey, Turkey!

Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away. I'm cooking at home this year. In the past, we've gone out (-!) or burnt a turkey on the Showtime rotisserie. This year, I'm basting one lucky bird in the oven. Wish me luck.

So far, here's the menu plan,

Starter:
Spiced champagne
Tomato Bisque Sip Soup

Main:
Turkey with Herbed Gravy
Stuffing (type undecided)
Green Beans with Smoked Bacon
Herb Butter Mashed Potatoes
Fluffy Cranberry Mousse
Spicy-fruity California Zinfandel

Dessert:
Pumpkin Flan
Espresso
Tawny Port

Sticky Fingers

According to the Food Marketing Insitute, the 10 most frequently shoplifted items are:

1. Advil Tablets (50 count)
2. Advil Tablets (100 count)
3. Aleve Tablets (100 count)
4. E-P-T Pregnancy Test (single)
5. Gillette Sensor (10 count)
6. Kodak 200 Film (24 exposures)
7. Similac Infant Formula w/Iron (case)
8. Similac Infant Formula w/Iron (1 can)
9. Preperation H Suppositories (12 count)
10. Primatene Tablets (12 count)

Pocket-sized, pricey, and good resale value makes these items hot.

Did You Know?
The Italian farmer's association claims that seven out of ten Italian products in the United States are not the real deal. -Chow Magazine

Tom Ford Update

On the coattail of a recent entry...

Lauder/Ford, Part Deux: The Original Azurēe
(NEW YORK) Get ready for part two of Tom Ford for Estée Lauder. At Thursday night’s launch party for Amber Nude, his first of two design collaborations with Estée Lauder, Ford revealed some details on his forthcoming second venture for the cosmetics giant, called Azurēe. “It was Estée’s own made up name,” Ford said, “for this sexy, beachy thing.” That might be Ford’s interpretation of the updated Azurēe, but the original scent—a mix of fresh citrus, basil, sage, oakmoss, and spearmint—was created by Estée Lauder in 1969 and recommended for eveningwear.

According to an Estée Lauder spokesperson, the next—and last—collection of Tom Ford for Estée Lauder, which will bow next spring, will not contain a new fragrance the way Ford reinterpreted Amber Nude this season. Ford has, however, already shot the images, straying not too far from his first campaign players. “We shot it with Carolyn Murphy again,” said Ford, who art directed alongside photographer Craig McDean. “But this time it was done out in Montauk, last winter, and I felt so bad for her because she was freezing.” When asked if he could reveal any details of the imagery, Ford declined, but said, "Let's just put it this way: I rarely find anything too risqué."

But that might just be “take one.” Known for his attention to detail, Ford admitted that he was thinking of reshooting it. “I like to shoot the ad as close to the launch date of the product as possible,” he said. “This way, it’s fresher and more of the moment.” -Jim Shi, The Daily News

A Date with Puccini's Tosca

Saturday night I attended Portland Opera's Premiere of Tosca for the 2005-2006 Season: Power and Corruption. Portland looked smashing all dressed up, ringing in the Opera's 41st season. Only one pair of jeans were spotted amid a sea of velvet, sequin and fur.

General Director, Christopher Mattaliano, opened the night with warm appreciation, thanking the city for its renewed interest in the company and for the evening's sold-out performance.

Puccini's Tosca, with its torture, attempted rape, murder, and suicide, has won audience acclaim since this romantic melodrama first premiered January 14, 1900 in the mother city of Rome at the Teatro Costanzi where it received seven curtain calls, three for the Giacomo Puccini alone.

Saturday evening's performance was robust, with powerful voices and impassioned acting. I especially enjoyed the sheer volume of the opera, when compared to the San Francisco's Opera where the effect (I found) is numbed by the sheer size of the auditorium. At Kellar Audiorium, the sound grips you and packs a punch.

Tosca's momentous aria, "Vissi d'arte" (I lived for art) was breathtaking, but my favorite moment was the top of the third act, when Cavaradossi awaits his execution by a firing squad. He writes a letter to Tosca, overcome with emotion, he sings of his love for her and his despair at dying at a time when he has never loved life so much.

The clarinet dictates the melody to the singer in this aria, and the voice and instrument unite to convey Cavaradossi's anger over the unjust laws of life and death, finally he releases a cry that transpires such pain it overwhelms the listener.

Now, when he loves Tosca more than ever, his life is to end.

E Lucevan Le Stelle (English translation)
How the stars seemed to shimmer,
the sweet scents of the garden,
how the creaking gate whispered,
and a footstep skimmed over the sand,
how she then entered, so fragrant,
and then fell into my two arms!
Ah sweetest of kiss, languorous caresses,
while I stood trembling, searching her features
concealed by her mantle. My dreams of pure love,
forgotten forever! All of it's gone now!
I die hopeless, despairing, and never before
have I loved life like this!

When the firing squad arrives, the staging quickly brought to mind Francisco Goya's The Third of May.

Greer Grimsley, as the villain Scarpia, delivered a stand-out performance; tall and thunderous, he reeks of vile corruption as his rich bass-baritone socks you right below the belt.

The evening was a delight, a true crowd-pleaser. Puccini's adherence to authenticity and craftsmanship continues to enthrall its audience today, more than a century later. Bravissimo!