Green Day's AMERICAN IDIOTPerfromed by Deaf West Theater

AMERICAN IDIOT, the Broadway musical first opened in 2010. It's a contemporary rock-opera compiled of the music by Green Day which evoke the listless lives of 20 somethings. The characters spend their days getting stoned while shifting from friends' sofas to 7-ll's parking lots with not a lot to show for their lives. Their malcontent and lack of motivation is artistically portrayed through song and dance while painting a drab existence. These dreary, unkempt young Americans are hellbent on revolting against a future from which they feel alienated.  The simple staging with live musicians atop the stage provides an overwhelming sense of futility or false pretense for engaging in society. I enjoyed the original version on Broadway and had the great pleasure of seeing it again, presented at the Mark Taper Forum by the Deaf West Theater. The Deaf West Theater is a non-profit arts organization established in LA, 1991. The company has earned Tony nominations for their productions of "Spring Awakening" and "Big River." The recent and enhanced production of "American Idiot" engages deaf artists and audiences with singing, choreography and signing for a seamless, energetic balletic performance.  ASL (American Sign Language) was interwoven to create a hybrid art form where hearing impairment becomes a non-issue for needing translation. This imbues the choreography and the vocals an added layer of communication that is able to  encompass larger audiences and enhanced the visualizations with hand movements. Furthermore, the incredible undertaking to present an audio medium by a theater comprised of deaf individuals is an astounding achievement. An achievement that is rewarding for audiences and communities alike.  The Center Theater Group's mission is to provide diverse audiences elite theatrical experiences by attracting new artists and developing outreach arts education programs.  The theatrical works are aimed at bold, entertaining dramas and musicals to inspire and delight a broad spectrum of guests.  In so doing, The Center Theater Group collaborates with diverse and innovative artists and performers. "American Idiot" was presented in a non-interrupted 1 1/2 hour performance with  powerhouse storytelling and sublime staging. The show will be running through Nov. 16th . Tickets are available. Don't be a moron. Make a point of catching this magical musical before it closes and learn a few signs while enjoying the performance. 

The Doc. WILL and HARPER-Buddy Road Trip to Navigate Friendship's Alterations

The seriously funny and revelatory raw feelings expressed between two friends on a cross country buddy trip revealed altered curves and adaptations wrought with new bends in their relationship. Will refers to SNL legend and movie star, Will Ferrell. Harper is Harper Steele, an SNL Emmy winning head-writer. The two met at SNL and became decades long friends and writing partners. Since their SNL days they maintained a friendship now undergoing growing pains after Harper informs Will in a letter of a major life-change. Harper, formerly Andrew Harper, recently transitioned to living as a woman and changed her name to Harper. Will reads the letter verbatim from Harper, registering a stunned and perplexed reaction despite having read it previously. The jest of the letter, and the purported goal for the film is to monitor how the two can or WILL maintain the friendship they heretofore entrusted. As in all documentaries the slant is skewed and should be viewed as seen through a certain lens. Still, all in all, WILL and HARPER is a heartwarming film about friendship and a unique first hand account by Harper of her inner turmoil, what led her to transition and her fulfillment with her decision. The affection and awkwardness between the two as they head from NY to CA with numerous stops at roadside flops along the way, a visit with her sis in IA and some staged stops for entertaining scenarios, shows an abating timidity along with a flourishing bond that is stretched and strengthened, Both Will and Harper are professional comics so their lively banter is clever, credible and enlightening, Harper encourages Will to ask anything of her and she will happily answer him truthfully. She hopes the film will serve helpful to people who are trans, considering becoming trans and for everyone else who know or will meet trans individuals. The doc. aims to spotlight how trans people are perceived in different walks of life, in different locals across the country. However, Will Farrell is a recognizable celebrity (although he's not known at one hilarious pitstop) so he is a buffer to hostile reactions to Harper. There are burning questions that were left unasked that many would want answered. What surgeries have you undergone or plan to have? How did you feel married to a woman and having a family together? What occurred when confronting your wife with your decision? We did see Harper and Will enjoying a meal together with Harper's kids early in their road trip. Overall, I was enchanted and diverted riding along on their journey. In a recent interview Will was asked what his main take away was from their time together. Will said, "I didn't appreciate how much pain and turmoil a person endures who feels they've been misaligned with their sexual identity at birth." This is a thoughtful and uplifting film attesting to empathy and kinship. 

The WILD ROBOT-an Animated Film that will Win your Heart

THE WILD ROBOT is an animated sci-fi, survival film rich in story-telling and beautiful to watch. The hybrid plot mixes A/I with an island inhabited only by animals. A crate transporting a robot washes ashore after its cargo ship was destroyed. Thanks to an inadvertent push to the on-switch by a curious rodent, the high-tech robot becomes activated. Designed to service its owner in whatever capacity required, the robot goes in search of its directives. The robot's valiant attempts to seek its officious duties is met by the only sentient beings; numerous wild animals. An underlying message here is the need for being of service or having a purpose in life. This message is not likely to compute into the minds of young children. Needless,  it offers an added pearl of wisdom to the panoramic splendor of unspoiled wilderness. THE WILD ROBOT is based on the children's series by Peter Brown who appropriated a few gimmicks from the beloved movie ET. The Robot uses its omnipotent intelligence to comprehend the languages of the animals and is soon fluent in their gibberish which translates into comprehensible English. The other nod to ET is the startled screams he receives by the gosling who hatches in Roz's palm and then imprints her as his mother. The robot's presence is deemed passive by the animals and is befriended by a wily fox, Fink, Pedro Pascal) and a mother possum who provide support. Much of the film's charm stems from the endearing bond that develops between the gosling, Brightbill and Roz.  Roz is voiced by a robotic sounding Lupita Nyong'o. The mother possum assures Roz there is no manual for being a mother. "You'll never be the perfect mother, so just do the best you can All Brightbill really needs is to know you're doing your best," The fox assigns tasks that Roz needs to fulfill in order for Brightbill to migrate with the other geese. The unusual relationship the two share keeps Brightbill ostracized from the pack of geese. But, Longneck (Bill Nighy) the leader takes him under his wing. The pangs of separation are felt as Brightbill is successfully launched and migrates with the others. The winter proves extremely harsh and threatens the animals on the island, Roz rescues them by bringing them into her sturdy safe haven. Fink lays the ground rules - no animal is to prey on any other during their hibernation. The utopian truce melted away with springtime. Roz is located by the nefarious futuristic robots who come to reclaim their property.  This time all the animals come to Roz's rescue but not before the evil robots cause massive destruction to their island.This delightful and touching film teaches without being treacly or preachy the meanings of sacrifice, friendship, family and power of love. THE WILD ROBOT should become an instant classic. Will children recognize the intimated angst between an aging Brightbill and his immortal mother? No, but then how many adults took note near the ending.  

SWAN LAKE-World Ballet Co. at Luther Burbank Theater (LBT)

Peter Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" is a classic, full length ballet. Tchaikovsky's brilliant music, the beauty of dance and pageantry all blending into a breathtaking ballet that has become a beloved staple in the repertory of major ballet companies for well over a century. It's surprising that its Moscow premier in Moscow back in 1877 was poorly received by critic and fans. It ran for only 41 performances at the historic Bolshoi Theater. Last evening at the Luther Burbank Theater in Santa Rosa, "Swan Lake" was performed by the World Ballet Company to a poorly turned out crowd appearing less than half-full for the full two acts. The current choreography was by three Russian choreographers: Petipa, Ivanov and Kalinina.  The original choreographer  was Julius Reisigner (b. Czechia 1828-1893) who was a former dancer. World Ballet Company was founded in 2015 and based in Los Angeles under the direction of co-founders Sasha Gorskaya (b. Belarus) and Gulya Hartwick (b. Latvia). Their mission is to present ballets in cities with little access to ballet and expose a broader audience to the art form. The World Ballet Company performs modern ballets in addition to classic ballets. Although last night's audience wasn't large there were a number of young fans dressed to impress in sparkle and glitter. In the lobby photo ops were available with one of the ballerinas in her swan costume in front of a magical backdrop with a professional photographer to capture the moment. A popup shop was in the lobby with ballet paraphernalia for sale. The ballet promptly got underway using a recording of Tchaikovsky's music. - Act I began with a lot of smoke to represent the mist off the lake where the bewitched swans transform back into their true female forms at midnight until dawn. The smoke was overbearing and the scenery sorely lackluster.  The backdrop for Act II had more interest set within the royal palace. The costumes were exquisite, the dancing by three leads enchanting in the roles of the jester, Odile and the prince. The corps had a few missteps somewhat forgivable with a less than ample stage space not intended to host a full-scale ballet. The fans on hand were enthusiastic if not passe' (like the man whistling as if at a baseball game). It's a shame this production was not well attended as it was a wonderful opportunity for appreciating the artistry inherent in ballet. Having the world class San Francisco Ballet Co. an hour away is not the ease of having it in our own backyard. The tickets were modestly priced for the World Ballet Co. I encourage locals to attend any ballet programs at LBT or in Sonoma. I'm hoping this won't be our swan song for future ballets in our area. 

NOBODY WANTS THIS-But I Do Like this Smart Rom/Com-Christin Bell/Adam Brody Star

The title for Netflix's new rom/com series, "Nobody Wants This" is apropos. It goes without saying, I thought this when I first saw the trailers and learned the archaic conflict concerns a Rabbi and a blonde bombshell "shicksa" falling into a forbidden love.  For those old enough to remember the comedy series, "Bridget Loves Bernie", (1972) you'll recall the culture clash between a Jewish family and wealthy Wasp family resonated with wry humor. Bridget and Bernie made the leap into marriage while "Nobody Wants This" is a modern day flirtation and dating parody that is smart, silly, sensual with two consensual adults of different faiths and convictions. Whether this matters today is another matter. Varying values and character traits are a different matter which the two are trying to discover about each other. At least they banter back and forth on serious subjects whenever not engaged in foreplay and whatever else ensues. Noah (Adam Brody) plays the cool Rabbi who just ended a three year relationship after realizing his ex maintained a controlling ownership of him. Joanne (Kristen Bell) is the perky, motormouth who can't help falling for this cute guy who goes eye to eye with her witty repartee. (And, by the way, may be the world's best kisser.) One of Joanne's girlfriends advises her to hang on to him. "A straight, nice guy with a steady job in LA is a unicorn").  If I haven't won you over to this inane non-issue premise of goy meets boy but their love runs astray, perhaps the added interference from a meddling mother, Vina (Tovah Feldshuh) and bubble-head siblings will convince you with their comic flair. Sasha (Timothy Simons) is Noah's brother, he's married with a kid but still a puerile putz. Morgan (Justine Lupe) is Joanne's squabbling sister. Sasha tells her, "You're the loser sibling like me." The sisters are partners in a budding pod-cast about dating they're trying to monetize. Still, both sets of siblings are each other's best friends and biggest nudge. Each slick episode is swiftly paced with banter that makes the "Gilmore Girls" look like geriatrics. Adding quips to the incessant chatter is Ashley (Sherry Cola) friend and business partner to the sisters.  So what's to kvell about? Well, it's LOL and endearing. I'm more sure of what I don't like than what I find appealing. For example, Jewish women are not portrayed in a favorable light. They're portrayed as manipulative and hostile. Joanne's ignorance of basic Judaism feels false. The girl's new-age mother is still in love with their father despite having divorced him because he's gay goes astray. And, Noah acts pitifully about keeping his job as the rabbi very apologetic and wishy-washy with Joanne who seems to have the upper hand. What I can testify to is once you've delved into NOBODY WANTS THIS, this tempting guilty pleasure does deliver the goods for what makes a good rom/com fun. I've done a mitzvah by letting you know this is a show you'll want, even if you didn't think you did. Nu...go figure.