Sketchy Details

Watch: Chita Rivera, "Kiss of the Spider Woman," 1993 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

You do not understand how long I have been trying to find a clip of this performance from the 1993 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

For one thing, I'm convinced this singular Chita Rivera performance is why I became so heavily involved in theater and horror. It's beautifully done with just enough of a menacing approach to make it totally inappropriate for the occasion.

Whoever greenlit a musical about political prisoners in South America escaping into a fantasy world of a silver-screen femme fatale to take their minds off the horrible torture they are undergoing to perform for a big family event was completely out of their mind. Yes, Kiss of the Spider Woman is a wonderful novel that beget a wonderful film that beget a wonderful stageshow, but it doesn't exactly scream nationally-televised parade. Unlike most other Broadway performances, this was clearly filmed in a studio with the oval of Chita Rivera filmed in front of a blue screen (or the '93 equivalent, I'm pretty sure it was blue screen) superimposed on a clipart-quality black and white spiderweb.

Also noteworthy is how it appears Chita Rivera was actually recorded singing this song live since the performance is different from the cast recording of the show. Stranger still is how the cast recording was released before this performance. Meaning, at some point, the song was made less horrifying. On the cast recording, the "s" is "kiss" and "mist" is almost always held as a hissing sound before the chorus (but in a different way than the telecast, more subtle), and the song's verses are almost whispered in a threatening manner. Listen for yourself. 

The orchestration is great. I really am obsessed with the triplets before the verses--they're so much fun to play--and the idea of a waltz inspired by a black widow film. The timpani roll is breathtaking right before the chorus.

This bizarre black, white, and ball-gowned performance of the titular song of a very not-for-children show has been a lifelong obsession. I perform this song at gigs and have even auditioned with it on the strength of this performance (neither situation tends to go well, but it always feels like a good idea at the time). Just imagine an eight year old coming off of his first theatrical performance watching this on a 16" television set with a VCR over and over until the tape broke. It explains a whole lot.

Video after the jump.

5 Reasons to Love Project Runway Again

It was so easy to become disillusioned with Project Runway last season. For one thing, the show's release was delayed so long the final three designers didn't even get to step foot on the runway of Bryant Park to address the crowd; any shot you saw like that was manipulated in editing to create the public appearance without spoilers. For another, Lifetime seemed to be so afraid of making the show all about the drama that the characters were never defined and the cast felt boring. Perhaps most unsettling was the constant absence of Nina and Michael.

These issues seem to be long gone. Yes, it is now safe to love Project Runway again. Here's why:

1. We're back in NYC. Maybe it's my bias showing, but Project Runway is not Project Runway without Mood Fabrics, Parsons School of Design, and the gorgeous cityscape of the Big Apple. Seeing the designers wander into Central Park for the standard "grab everything you can and design" challenge was like a homecoming. Even Heidi and Tim made a big deal of the return to NYC in their introductory rooftop toast to the designers. It's good to be back.
2. A full judging panel. If you follow the press about the show at all, you would know that Heidi, Michael, and Nina will be present for every judging this season. Frankly, I don't mind when Michael is out and, say, Zoe Glasner or a previous winner fills in for a challenge. That's not a problem. But when weeks go by without Michael or Nina gracing us with their snarky presence and classic one-liners, the show becomes inconsistent at best and unwatchable at worst. All of the judges were in top form last night. They focused on the designs and still managed to throw out some fun commentary.
3. More Tim. I believe Lifetime listened to the complaints that there was not enough Tim Gunn last season. The result: wall to wall Tim in the first episode. Watching him talk Ping through the rules of the twist in the challenge made me sigh with relief: the show really is back to where it should be. 
4. Creative designers. Last season, after we had the one-two knockout of Ari and Malvyn, we were left with talented, but boring, designers. This season, we're overflowing with designers that never met a pleat they didn't like or an architectural element that didn't look stunning jutting off of an appendage. A few designers played it safe in the first challenge with simple, but clean, work that still showed more innovation than most of last season.
5. Ping Wu. It's good to see, for the first time ever, the judges embrace a totally off the wall designer in the first episode. Ping Wu is a physical therapist by day, clothing designer by night. She lets her occupation influence her design by making everything about the movement of the body within the fabric. She makes as few cuts as possible to maintain the integrity of the fabric and ensure free motion. It's completely removed from anything we have ever had on the show before. Undoubtedly, she will not be making it to Bryant Park because she will be hit with a challenge that does not lend itself to such an innovative style and be sent home, but at least we'll have been introduced to a true artistic talent on Project Runway.

12 Days of Sketchies: Day 9: Outstanding Achievement in Non-Fiction

Non-Fiction, used here as a catch-all for television, film, and web experiences not manipulated within an inch of their life (like competitive Reality TV, worthy of its own day), is just as much fun as fictional entertainment, only based in reality. But not overly scripted reality.

Let's get to it.

12 Days of Sketchies: Day 8: Outstanding Achievement In Reality Programming

Is awarding Reality TV as outstanding an oxymoron? Some would say so. Me? I'm hooked on it like a drug. Let's get to it.

12 Days of Sketchies: Day 6: Outstanding Achievement in Music Video

Music videos are a misunderstood form nowadays. Cynicism over lack of airtime on music networks has led some to question the quality of the entire medium. Further confusing the dialog is the fact that music videos are simply advertising tools for records. Some artists attempt to go beyond that and create engaging products, but that is not always the case.

Here are the honorees for Outstanding Achievement in Music Video.

The Twelve Days of Sketchies: Day Five: Outstanding Achievement in Writing

Writing is a broad category, and I will be addressing it that way. We write books, we write screenplays, we write teleplays, and we write music. All shall be represented here.

First, an honorable mention. This is another one of the no one really knows or cares so why bother recognitions, but I must say it. Stew, badass rockstar and composer of one of the best rock musicals of all time Passing Strange, composed an original score for an outdoor production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. It's beautiful. You can sample it at CDBaby. It's not what you would expect for Shakespeare, but I can hear how it would work.

Our first honoree in Outstanding Achievement in Writing is a book that apparently came and went with no one noticing: Homer & Langley by E.L. Doctorow. Based on the lives of the infamous Collyer Brothers, a pair of hoarders in NYC who literally died in their own filth, Doctorow captures the desperation the men must have felt and accepted before allowing their lives to become overrun with hoarded objects. It's funny, it's touching, and it's entertaining. The extension of their lives through the Vietnam War and beyond was a smart touch to allow for a more believable arc of destruction. Sometimes, reality is too weird to be captured in print and seem real.

Our next honoree in Outstanding Achievement in Writing is the score to a motion picture that I simply fell in love with: Karen O and Carter Burwell's original score to Where the Wild Things Are. This is certainly a polarizing score. I was charmed by the simple melodies, complex arrangements, alt/folk/rock/pop influences, and emotional content performed by Karen O and a group of children. Others can't get past Karen O's signature voice and repetition. Here's a sampling of the score:

I'm a sucker for an original vocal score and Karen O and Carter Burwell delivered here.

Speaking of great original scores, I would be mad at myself if I neglected to mention another of my favorites of the year: John Ottman's original score for Orphan. "Orphan," you ask, "isn't that the one where the little girl turns out to be a [removed for spoiler free post]? That movie's stupid." I'm not arguing the screenplay here. I'm arguing the score. Beautifully written, largely sustained horror scores play me like nothing else. This one just worked for the film. Samples are available at Amazon. It's a little Goblin (Argento's go-to composing band), a little Danny Elfman, and a whole lot of strange and ominous. Truly an Outstanding Achievement in Writing.

Back to more easily understood forms of writing, our next honoree for Outstanding Achievement in Writing is a screenplay: (500) Days of Summer written by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber. What Neustadter and Weber did to the romantic comedy is to be praised. Who could imagine what an impact believable characters and genuine circumstances could make in this kind of film? The time-jumps are just the icing on the cake. Aside from a very strained board room scene, the dialog is natural to the characters and the story compelling. Yes, an architect working for a greeting card company is intended to be quirky just because, but it works beyond the wacky gimmick. It's certainly a film worth watching for the writing.

Our next honoree is an original song that will send people clicking away from my site in droves. That's ok. I can take it. Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance." What happens when pop and/or dance music becomes totally self-aware? Lady Gaga happens. I've bought into the performance art hook, line, and sinker, and feel "Bad Romance" is easily the best new pop song of the year. It's disturbing, features half a verse dedicated to Hitchcock references, and only features a human voice as a real instrument (how modified is another matter of debate). So what's so great? It's a catchy pop song embracing the darker side of choosing a romantic partner, has a unique sonic identity, and stands out. See for yourself:

Freaky video, right? The song is even stranger. And I love it.

Now our winner. I struggled to pick a singular Outstanding Achievement in Writing since what I was drawn to this year was so weird. I opted for a mix of different writing elements combined to perfection in a television series. That would be the "Pilot" episode of Glee written by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan. The key moment of the episode is "Don't Stop Believing." The arrangement of the song is still the strongest written of any presented on the show. The lead up to this grand unveiling of the students actually being talented in all things Glee Club is predictable, but handled with so much charm and genuine enthusiasm that the scene works better than I could imagine. The super clean processed vocals and unrealistic rate of learning these characters demonstrate in every other episode is not a detriment in the pilot. Shoot, I'm willing to overlook the clearly orchestrated diversity of the Glee Club (which only expands) because the "Pilot" episode is so much fun. Having such clean elements and familiarity was the smartest way to launch a weekly musical series on American TV and that is why this wins Outstanding Achievement in Writing.

12 Days of Sketchies: Day 3: Outstanding Achievement in Musicals

I may be a horror fan now, but my love of musicals cannot be superseded. I remember growing up and having musical theater thrust upon me. I was forced to audition for my first show through a brilliant performance by my one grandmother (still kicking 18+ years later, she laid it on thick with the "I won't be here much longer and I would love to hear you sing on stage" schtick) in conjunction with a grand multi-generational conspiracy to get me out of the house. I then spent three years devouring every musical film I could get my hands on. I watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for the Broadway performances (I can still playback Chita Rivera in Kiss of the Spiderwoman) and still sneak into NYC whenever I can for whatever live musical I can afford.

Every few years, America claims the musical has died. Then there's a resurgence and everyone gets excited that it's back. It's dizzying and unnecessary. The musical as we know it is a largely American invention that isn't going anywhere.

First, and honorable mention. I sure hope the Tony Awards learned not to invite non-theater performers up on stage in a techy broadcast after Bret Michaels was knocked out flat by showboating this year.

I knew nothing good could come from an 80's jukebox musical.

Our first honoree for Outstanding Achievement in Musicals is a long-gestating show that I first encountered years ago at the New York Musical Festival: Next to Normal. The whole thing is so far removed from typical musical territory I could pick any aspect of the show and be justified in honoring it. I refuse to choose between focusing on the entire cast (phenomenal) or the best song in the score (audition song in another four years if I can still pull off far, far younger than I am (if? I'm 24 and still get callbacks for mid-teen parts)), so I won't. Here are dueling videos of "Superboy and the Invisible Girl" and "I'm Alive," featuring Alice Ripley, Aaron Tveit, and Jennifer Damiano killing it outside of the show.

And "I Miss the Mountains" to show you how much Alice Ripley deserved her Tony.

Why yes, this is a show about a damaged family dealing with the mother's bipolar disorder and other major issues. Why do you ask? Stunning. The whole show is an Outstanding Achievement In Musicals.

Our next honoree is rather hit or miss in quality, which is expected since it's breaking new ground for television in America. Glee is an hour long musical-comedy series about a high school glee club. Once you get past the conceit that these are the most gifted musicians in the history of the world, perfectly capable of sight-reading complex musical arrangements every episode with flawless choreography and studio-magiced voices, it's entertaining. Jane Lynch is phenomenal as the cheerleading coach bent on destroying the glee club. Hopefully she gets her wish and has the opportunity to strut her own musical stuff on the show in 2010. For now, we have to settle for Broadway veterans clamoring to appear on the show, like Kristen Chenoweth. In one of the best episodes, Chenoweth is brought in as a ringer to compete with the seedier methods of rival schools. Apparently some schools like to fail students who are a bit too talented to lose. Chenoweth plays a former glee club member who dropped out of high school and comes back for another moment in the sun. Here's a Fox-created recap to demonstrate just what the show's like.

For being so funny, refreshing, and soon to be stuffed to the gills with Broadway veterans (Idina Menzel coming in 2010), Glee is clearly an Outstanding Achievement in Musicals.

Revivals made a big comeback on Broadway in recent years, and 2009 was no exception. West Side Story is our next honoree, for bringing a musical back to Broadway with a serious downer of an ending and not shuttering rapidly. The bilingual experimentation was interesting, but ultimately the production has gradually reduced the number of Spanish-language songs in the production to open the show up to a wider audience. If they stuck to their guns, they might have won this category. It's an honor just to be nominated. The true standouts were Karen Olivo as Anita, George Akram as Bernardo, and Josefina Scaglione as Maria, as well as the gorgeous lighting design by Howell Binkley. Here's "The Dance at the Gym" from the 2009 Tony Award performance.

The singing, the dancing, the acting, and the design are all top notch, making this production a natural honoree for Outstanding Achievement in Musicals.

The winner of the category is a show I never anticipated becoming a fan of. However, the musical was given a whole new life for a new generation thanks to the brilliant direction of Diane Paulus: Hair. The cast is tremendous. Their energy is infection. And the interaction with the audience is done well in this context.

 

It was the bonus points for actually using genuine smelly hippies that pushed this one over the edge. The cast gets the show, and for that, it is truly an Outstanding Achievement in Musicals.

Sketchy Recs: What to Do This Weekend: 4-6 December 2009

In Theaters: Brothers: I'm intrigued by this film. The reviews are decidedly mixed, but the cast is receiving raves. I'm curious to see what Tobey Maguire does with a challenging role for once. Maybe I'll finally be able to stop accidentally calling him Elijah Wood and vice versa, since Brothers could mean the "No, not the one in Sin City and Free Willy (thanks for the correction, Karin), the one in Spiderman and Brothers" distinction. Iraq war dramas are big this year and this one looks at the home life rather than the war itself. Or else you can see Precious and finally understand what has been missing in your cinematic life.

Listen: The Fame Monster by Lady Gaga: In the wake of a disappointing Grammy categorization (apparently she's just a dance artist with one cross-over hit and surprising albums sales), I can still take joy in listening to The Fame Monster. The album is far more sonically challenging than the first and even more catchy in its total lack of care towards what should be popular in today's music scene. She's not just a simple pop (or dance) artist. There is surprising depth here and potential for great growth in the future. I'm excited for her career.

Watch: Ghost Hunters Academy: Let's be clear on this: I support Ghost Adventures for sheer hillarity and results, but there are fans of Ghost Hunters/HQ/International out there. I respect that. I think Ghost Hunters Academy is a stronger show by value of combining a clear explanation of what is being done with a smarter approach to competitive reality shows. Yes, there are eliminations, but the contestants are acting like respectable, professional human beings and maintaining a spot in the contest by virtue of performance, not manipulation. The hosts are intentionally screwing with the contestants to ensure no crazy, naive, or just plain stupid people stay on the show too long. That's not to say there aren't crazy people on the show or random acts of utter stupidity. If you ignore the sexism (and it's hard, believe me, when the male contestants are admonished for letting female contestants take the lead in an investigation) and constant hatred towards empaths/psychics trying to integrate science into their own investigation (the third episode has them eliminating one because the crew just can't work with that kind of evidence even if she was willing to do extra research on her own to verify her readings), it's entertaining and informative. On the whole, it is demonstrating a level of sensible thinking that other shows of this kind lack. All of the episodes are available online at SyFy.

Visit: Horror Board Short Story Contest: It's happening again for December. I revamped the website, added a blog, and changed up the rules a lot. If you have the time, why not try writing up a quick short story just for kicks. There are, as always, fabulous hand-crafted prizes for the winners and feedback from actual horror fans.

Have a great weekend, everyone.

Thanksgiving Recs, or Alternatives to Family Tension and Football

I'm all for the food on Thanksgiving. Sure, I might get stressed out when someone wrecks all my desserts before they can even be served, or fight with the family over a menu that doesn't consist of boiled vegetables slathered in butter and a roast turkey stuffed with ground beef (small victory: roasted brussels sprouts - yum), but it's mostly an enjoyable experience. It's the tension caused by my dislike of football and a very passive aggressive family that sends me up the wall wishing it was New Years already so I don't have to see anyone till Easter.

But I digress.

There is a wealth of holiday entertainment to distract from forced family bonds and artery clogging meals.

For example, here's one of the most offensive and hilarious Thanksgiving specials ever devised: Strangers with Candy Episode "Trail of Tears," wherein 40-something high school student Jerri Blank discovers she is a Native American. Pay close attention to the man running the Indian heritage camp: his career swiftly went downhill in quality even though people were willing to pay for his awful films for year.

Next is a film that makes me believe my family can't be that horrible: Pieces of April. This Academy Award nominated independent film about a family meeting up for what will probably be their last Thanksgiving together is hillarious and upsetting. Patricia Clarkson and Katie Holmes give standout performances.

It wouldn't realy feel like recs from me if I didn't include some horror. Why not embrace the gorgeous autumnal color scheme of Ginger Snaps? Sure, it's a Halloween horror film, but the leaves on my trees are just about to fall off completely and very few horror films have embraced the sublime of trees reaching their peak color right before going barren. Warm and fuzzy feelings for Thanksgiving.

Wait? No, I'm not linking to Eli Roth's Thanksgiving trailer. What an awful idea. I'd be more likely to link to Simon Pegg's Don't for the freaky family factor or Rob Zombie's Werewolf Women of the SS if they weren't so disturbing they could turn you off your feast.

No. I'll take the high road here.

Addams Family Value - The Play Sequence: It's creepy and it's kooky and somehow manages to top the violent quotient of the Strangers with Candy scalping without seeming too menacing.

Have a great Thanksgiving, everyone.

It's Back: RuPaul's Drag Race Season 2 Teaser Ads

What do you mean I swore I'd never discuss this show again on this blog? That doesn't sound like me. Why would I discourage discussion of one of the better competitive reality shows to come out in years? Oh that's right: it's a drag queen reality show on Logo and I'm straight. I'm not supposed to like it.

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Sorry, blacked out there from rolling my eyes too much.

The show is still very much on the horizon, but perhaps we can see land after floating in a less than fabulous, Cameroooooonless ocean for too long.

RuPaul posted a teaser poster for the new season. It's adorable:

SURPRISE! A true drag fairy tale from RuPaul... Click link for a mystery surprise from Season 2...!

And today another poster.

So we're going to see the progression from child to man to woman for all of the contestants. Except for the one with no baby pictures: we see that contestant grow from smiley face to man to woman.

Sorry for the cheap short post. It would have been a review of Precious if the furnace repair guy hadn't shown up an hour and a half late beyond a two hour window. First call of the day my keister.