{"id":22383,"date":"2016-12-10T08:25:20","date_gmt":"2016-12-10T13:25:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=22383"},"modified":"2016-12-10T08:25:25","modified_gmt":"2016-12-10T13:25:25","slug":"on-stage-wcs-fitzgerald-makes-mark-in-kinky-boots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=22383","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: WC’s Fitzgerald makes mark in Kinky Boots"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Staff Writer, The Times<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Ian Gallagher Fitzgerald<\/p><\/div>\n

The stars have lined up nicely for aspiring young actor\/dancer Ian Gallagher Fitzgerald and produced a celestial role and a heavenly opportunity for him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fitzgerald, a resident of Thornton and Bayard Rustin High graduate, got cast in the National Tour of \u201cKinky Boots\u201d before he even graduated Marymount University in Manhattan back in the spring \u2013 landing a role as one of the show\u2019s \u201cAngels.\u201d Now, he gets to come back to the area when \u201cKinky Boots\u201d visits the Playhouse on Rodney Square (10<\/span>th<\/sup><\/span> and Market streets, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-888-0200, www.duponttheatre.com<\/span><\/a>) for a six-day run from December 13-18.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe timing of the tour stop in Wilmington is perfect,\u201d said Fitzgerald, during a phone interview Monday from Waterbury, Connecticut.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe finish on the 18<\/span>th<\/sup><\/span> and then have the following week off for Christmas break. So, I\u2019ll be able to head back to my mom\u2019s place in Thornton for the holidays. And, with the venue so close to West Chester, a lot of friends and family will be able to come to the show.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Some of Fitzgerald\u2019s fans heading to Wilmington to see \u201cKinky Boots\u201d will be his former teachers from Crane Performing Arts School in West Chester \u2013 especially Joyce and Bram Crane.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI studied dance at Crane\u2019s ever since I was little,\u201d said Fitzgerald. \u201cJoyce Crane was a great teacher. A lot of what I\u2019m able to do is because of her. My sister Paige used to dance there too. I\u2019m also so lucky to have had Bram Crane as my main teacher. I even danced for a while in one of his companies \u2013 A.S.H. II.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI graduated from Marymount in May. As part of our course, we had to audition for Broadway shows and tours. I did the audition for \u2018Kinky Boots\u2019 and got a couple call-backs. Then, I received a call from the producers in March that I had the job. The show went on break over the summer, got revamped and started up again in August. I started in Cleveland. The whole directing team was there to revamp the show.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKinky Boots\u201d is a Broadway musical with music and lyrics by Tony, Emmy and Grammy-winner Cyndi Lauper and a book by Tony-winner Harvey Fierstein. The Broadway production opened in 2013 and scored well at the Tony Awards \u2014 13 nominations and six wins, including Best Musical and Best Score for Lauper.<\/span><\/p>\n

The inspirational story, which is actually a true story, tells the tale of a shoe factory owner facing bankruptcy who\u00a0works to turn his business around with help from Lola, a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKinky Boots\u201d is based on the 2005 British film of the same name which was inspired by a 1999 episode of the BBC2 documentary television series \u201cTrouble at the Top.\u201d It followed the story of Steve Pateman, who was struggling to save his family-run shoe factory from closure and decided to produce fetish footwear for men.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show is lively, colorful, fast-paced and highly entertaining. The touring production showcases stellar young actors who can sing, dance and nail their roles. And, it is fueled by an evening\u2019s worth of great songs by Lauper.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI saw \u2018Kinky Boots\u2019 on Broadway when I was in school,\u201d said Fitzgerald. \u201cIt was one of the first times I pictured myself being onstage in a Broadway musical. I definitely saw myself as an Angel. I\u2019m 6-3 \u2013 6-7 in the heels \u2013 so the role fits my body style. And, I\u2019m able to use my dance training.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAudiences really like \u2018Kinky Boots\u2019 because it\u2019s such a beautiful show. It has such a beautiful heart. It\u2019s just such a great message of love and acceptance. Then, after they leave the theater, people love that they get to apply in their own lives what they had just seen on stage.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd, the costuming is amazing. It\u2019s stunning. As an Angel, I get to wear a lot of outrageous costumes. The costumes for the final number alone cost thousands of dollars. Another thing about his show, the staging is just lovely. The whole show is colorful, lively and a lot of fun.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for \u201cKinky Boots\u201d \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/uV-dW9MHVFM?t=3<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Showtimes at The Playhouse are Tuesday-Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. with matinees at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Ticket prices range from $40-$90.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

The Mavericks<\/p><\/div>\n

It\u2019s hard to think of many American rock bands that have the staying power \u2014 or the tradition of consistent excellence \u2014 exhibited by The Mavericks.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Mavericks, who are performing in December 10 at the Grand Opera House (818 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-652-5577, www.thegrandwilmington.org<\/span><\/a>), came together in Miami more than a quarter-century ago and immediately built a strong following with its eclectic mix of rock, country, Latin, rockabilly, standards and cowpunk.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite personnel changes, financial difficulties, internal conflicts, a few periods in limbo and a variety of other challenges, The Mavericks are still going strong more than 25 years later.<\/span><\/p>\n

The current line-up of The Mavericks includes founding members Raul Malo (vocals) and Paul Deakin (drums). Jerry Dale McFadden has been the band\u2019s keyboardist since 1994 and guitarist Edie Perez joined in 2003.<\/span><\/p>\n

Last year, the group just released its eighth studio album \u201cMono\u201d (The Valory Music Co \u2014 Big Machine Label Group) and has spent most of the time since then touring in support of the new disc.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show in Wilmington this weekend will be different. It\u2019s The Mavericks\u2019 \u201cSleigh Bells Ring Out!\u201d holiday show.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRaul did a Christmas album a few years ago,\u201d said McFadden, during a phone interview last week from a tour stop in Washington, D.C.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe had done some Christmas shows on his own and said they were fun. So, back in April, we toyed with the idea of doing some Christmas music. Then, we got in the studio and ended up making a whole new record of Mavericks\u2019 music.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe did record a couple Christmas songs. We recorded \u2018Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)\u2019 with a choir and also cut a new song by Raul. He said that when people come to shows on this tour, they\u2019re coming for Christmas songs and Mavericks favorites.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Mavericks just released their latest album \u201cAll Night Live: Volume 1\u201d back in October and already have a new one titled \u201cBrand New Day\u201d ready for release early next year.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just like any other Mavericks album \u2013 it\u2019s all over the place,\u201d said McFadden. \u201cWe recorded most of it in Nashville and did two tracks at Capitol Studios in L.A. At Capitol, Raul got to sing through the microphones that Frank Sinatra used to sing through. We usually record things pretty quick and we did most of it live in the studio.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

After releasing an eponymous album in 2003, the band did a support tour and then split up. From 2006-2010, Malo built a strong solo career and released several albums on his own.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Mavericks may not have had a chart-topping hit back in their initial incarnation but they still racked up a lot of impressive accolades \u2014 Academy of Country Music Awards\u2019 \u201cTop New Vocal Group\u201d (1994) and \u201cTop Vocal Group\u201d (1994 and 1995), Country Music Association Awards\u2019 \u201cVocal Group of the Year\u201d (1995 and 1996) and Grammy Awards\u2019 \u201cBest Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal\u201d (1995).<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2011, a reunion, which was eagerly anticipated by fans, took place and The Mavericks have been on a roll ever since.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was kind of shocked when the reunion happened,\u201d said McFadden. \u201cIt never seemed like something that could happen again. But, old issues fell away and we decided that it would be fun to do it again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe got back together. We didn\u2019t rehearse. We just immediately went into the studio and recorded the \u2018In Time\u2019 album. It came out great. It was a lot of fun. We have very loyal fans who have stayed with us and we\u2019re loving every second of it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for The Mavericks — https:\/\/youtu.be\/yfnA4XAvLk4?t=5<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

The show at the Grand on Saturday will start at 8 p.m. Tickets prices range from $46-$55.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

The Wizards of Winter<\/p><\/div>\n

It\u2019s a sure sign that the Christmas holiday season has arrived when the entertainment calendar features a show by Wizards of Winter.<\/span><\/p>\n

On December 10, Wizards of Winter will perform their 2016 holiday show at the Scottish Rite Theatre (315 White Horse Pike, Collingswood, N.J., http:\/\/www.collingswood.com\/entertainment\/theater-and-ballroom<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

The Wizards of Winter are an eclectic group of musicians from the Metro NY, NJ, PA region with strong classical and progressive rock influences. In 2010, this group of talented performers joined together with the intentions of faithfully reproducing the music of the Trans- Siberian Orchestra (TSO) and present it in a more intimate setting.<\/span><\/p>\n

It should be noted that the Wizards of Winter are not a TSO tribute band. But, they do have two of the original members of TSO \u2013 vocalists Tommy Farese and Guy LeMonnier \u2013 in their current line-up. While their music is similar to TSO in its style, the Wizards original material is unique unto itself. The Wizards now perform a few of TSO\u2019s greatest hits but most of the concert features Wizards of Winter original music.<\/span><\/p>\n

The touring group features Scott Kelly- Director, Keyboards; Greg Smith- Bass; Tommy Ference- Percussion; Sharon Kelly- Vocals, Flute; Fred Gorhau- Guitar; TW Durfy-Guitar; Mary McIntyre- vocals\/keys; Jenn Hamilton- violin\/vocals; Vinny Jiovino- vocals; and Shawna Marie- vocals \u2013 along with LeMonnier and Gaynor.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Wizards of Winter were formed in 2009 by Scott Kelly, Sharon Kelly and Steve Ratchen as a way to give back to the local community. A holiday concert was held to support a local food pantry. They continued to give back the community through several successful holiday music performances in 2010. In 2011 the band embarked upon writing their own Christmas rock opera, \u201cTales Beneath a Northern Star.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis whole project actually started out as a charity thing for local churches,\u201d said Gorhau, during a phone interview Tuesday from a tour stop in Tarrytown, New York. \u201cDuring the first and second year, we got request for where to get our CD. So, we made a CD and decided to go on tour. Now, we have a couple CDs and this is our sixth year of touring.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Wizards of Winter released their own self-titled Christmas rock opera<\/span><\/a> album based on entirely original material in 2014. The following year, they released their latest album, \u201cThe Magic of Winter,\u201d which includes their single featured on Yahoo Music<\/span><\/a> \u201cThe Spirit of Christmas.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe spent seven months writing sand recording the album,\u201d said Gorhau, who lives on Old Bridge, New Jersey. \u201cScott comes up with ideas working with his wife Sharon. Then, I\u2019ll sit down with him. I can usually hear a pulse right away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe initially started as a TSO tribute band and several members of that band heard what we were doing and said they liked what they heard. It brought more attention to us. Also, having Guy and Tony in the band adds more legitimacy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn our live shows, we do 20-21 originals and a few Trans-Siberian Orchestra songs. It\u2019s a two hour and 20-minute show with two sets. It\u2019s a modest show. We don\u2019t have a light show and laser effects like TSO. It\u2019s not a huge production with millions of dollars of equipment.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe theme for our show is that it takes place inside a snow globe \u2013 with the narrator shaking the snow globe. The whole production falls between a rock opera and a Broadway show.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Wizards of Winter — https:\/\/youtu.be\/WZqGpNkIv9k?t=2<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

The show at the Scottish Rite Theatre on Saturday will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $29, $35 and $45.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Jessy J<\/p><\/div>\n

Jessy J, who is performing a December 11 matinee at the Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808,\u00a0www.st94.com<\/span><\/a>), is a multi-talented instrumentalist, singer and composer. She introduced herself to the contemporary jazz world in 2008 with Number 1 Billboard hit for eight consecutive weeks.<\/span><\/p>\n

The engaging young artist claims classical music as her primary love but draws inspiration from everyone from Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan and Sergio Mendes to Snarky Puppy, Bruno Mars and Ed Sheeran. In a genre dominated by men nearly twice her age, Jessy J has carved out a niche for herself by remaining true to her own unique vision and sound.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jessy J recorded her debut album \u201cTequila Moon\u201d in 2008 and has released four more studio albums since then \u2013 \u201cTrue Love\u201d in 2009, \u201cHot Sauce\u201d in 2011, \u201cSecond Chances\u201d in 2013, and \u201cMy One and Only One\u201d in 2015.<\/span><\/p>\n

Six weeks ago, Jessy J released a new album \u201cCalifornia Christmas\u201d on her Changi Records Label. On her debut holiday recording, Jessy J brings a California twist to the season with an upbeat, jazzy, bluesy tropical collection of her favorite Christmas songs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI really enjoy Christmas,\u201d said Jessy J, during a phone interview last week from Anaheim, California. \u201cIt\u2019s my favorite time of the year. I love everything about Christmas so I\u2019ve wanted to do a Christmas album for a long time. I wanted to take the songs into different sonic modes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jessy J produced \u201cCalifornia Christmas\u201d and asked longtime collaborator Paul Brown to mix and also guest star on \u201cSilent Night\u201d, playing one of his blistering trademark electric guitar solos. Also featured on the album are contemporary jazz greats, such as keyboardist Jeff Lorber (who also produced three tracks), guitarist Steve Oliver and vocalist Maurice Smith.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jessy J also used a variety of other talented musicians including guitarists Michael Thompson, Michael Nomad Ripoll and Michael Angel, keyboardist Norman Jackson, pianists Jay Rowe and Ruslan Sirota, bassists Oskar Cartaya and Frank Abraham, percussionists Ronnie Gutierrez and Richie Gajate Garcia, and drummers Dave Hooper, Trever Somerville, Iajhi Hampden and Gary Novak.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been into music since I was really young,\u201d said Jessy J. \u201cI started learning piano when I was four. I fell in love with sax when I was in fourth grade. We had an elementary school jazz band and I wanted to play flute in the school band but there were already a lot of flute players. So, my teacher suggested sax.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Soon, Jessy J and the sax found true love with each other.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was listening to great players like Charlie Parker and Cannonball Adderly,\u201d said Jessy J.\u00a0 \u201cI really enjoyed the process of improv \u2013 the complexity and challenge it holds \u2013 the creative spontaneity. I enjoy the freedom of composing in jazz \u2013 and the chemistry in the studio. And, jazz is the American art form.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I first started playing sax, I was still little and it was a huge instrument — too heavy for me to carry around all the time. But, I stayed with it. I like the sound of the sax. It\u2019s really pleasing to the ear and I like the way you can bring nuance to the notes. I played alto sax through high school. Now, I also play tenor sax, baritone sax, soprano sax and bass clarinet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When Jessy J started her career as a professional musician, success quickly followed.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to scoring back-to-back hits, including a #1 Song of the Year and #1 Billboard Contemporary Jazz Album, she has toured with smooth jazz greats like Jeff Lorber, Gerald Albright, Euge Groove and Peter White on several all-star Guitars & Saxes tours as well as her solo concert tours.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jessy J has also performed on the hit television competition shows \u201cAmerican Idol\u201d \u201cThe Voice\u201d and \u201cDancing With the Stars.\u201d The year Steven Tyler was a judge on \u201cIdol,\u201d he was so impressed with her performances he invited her to play on Aerosmith\u2019s 2012 album \u201cMusic From Another Dimension.\u201d She has also worked on recording sessions with artists such as Michael Buble, Jessica Simpson, The Temptations and Michael Bolton.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor me, \u2018California Christmas\u2019 is special for many reasons,\u201d said Jessy J. \u201cIt will give listeners the feeling of being in a warmer, sunnier climate during the holiday season. And, most importantly, I get to share the holidays musically with all my fans for the first time.\u00a0 Christmas is my favorite time of year and I am so grateful for all of my blessings.\u00a0Feliz Navidad!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Jessy J \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/I330tfa1UkY?list=PL-21kadY7f-GYAnPBfVSfr5fpMjs0tVvU&t=3<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at Sellersville on Sunday will start at 1 p.m. Tickets are $21.50 and $30.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff,\u00a0Staff Writer, The Times The stars have lined up nicely for aspiring young actor\/dancer Ian Gallagher Fitzgerald and produced a celestial role and a heavenly opportunity for him. Fitzgerald, a resident of Thornton and Bayard Rustin High graduate, got cast in the National Tour of \u201cKinky Boots\u201d before he even graduated Marymount University […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22385,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7529],"tags":[6518,8305,8307,8304,5030,8306],"class_list":["post-22383","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-featured","tag-ian-gallagher-fitzgerald","tag-jessy-j","tag-kinky-boot","tag-the-mavericks","tag-wizards-of-winter"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22383","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=22383"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22383\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22384,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22383\/revisions\/22384"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/22385"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=22383"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=22383"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=22383"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}