Opening Night at the Hollywood Bowl
June 2012
Photo courtesy of HollywoodBowl.com
Julie Andrews. An open night sky. The Hollywood Bowl.
Hello, Summer 2012!
The voice of Mary Poppins resounds through the
speakers of the hallowed alabaster amphitheater.
In a couple of short months, these same seats will be occupied by thousands of voices joining an on-screen Andrews in unison at the annual "Sing-A-Long Sound of Music." For now, we sit, wine in hand, staring into summer,
and listening to cinema's quintessential fairytale entity introduce the evening's program.
Friday, June 22 served as the 13th Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame Induction, awarding country superstar Reba McEntire and multiple Grammy-winner Chaka Khan, marking the first time two women have ever been honored together. A portion of the proceeds went to benefit the LA Philharmonic's education program, Youth Orchestra LA (YOLA), and Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA), which provides free after-school programs. McEntire and Khan share a heartfelt connection for music education causes.
Backed by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, conducted by Thomas Wilkins, now in his fifth season, McEntire and Khan performed selections from their catalogs with a few special guests interspersed who shed light on the artists' lauded careers. McEntire's former and new castmates, respectively, Melissa Peterman ("Reba") and Lily Tomlin of "Malibu Country," debuting this Fall, provided funny and complimentary introductions prior to her half of the program.
Tomlin quoted her dear friend, saying, "Reba says the 3 things you need in life are a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone," while Peterman joked, "[Reba] is gonna blow the roof off this place. I mean, if there was a roof, she would blow...it...off!"
McEntire performed four songs as a retrospective of her career from 2001 when she starred in Broadway's
Annie Get Your Gun. From an Old West lament of "You Can't Get a Man with a Gun," to a literal and figurative change of tune with South Pacific's "I'm Gonna Wash that Man Right Outta My Hair," McEntire lit up the stage with her signature energy and down-home charisma. Her final two numbers were "I'm A Survivor" and "Fancy" which certainly embraced essential Reba, but her choice in highlighting her stage career, as well, was a delightful treat.
Intermission gave the LA Phil and resident Music Director Gustavo Dudamel the chance to introduce some talented kids from YOLA, ages 9-12, who joined the orchestra and performed Brahms’ "Hungarian Dance No. 5."
Up next, "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson came out to support soul songstress and vocal powerhouse Chaka Khan, who performed “I Know You, I Live You," "Ain't Nobody," "My Funny Valentine," "Earth Song," and "Through the Fire." Khan, to my dismay, did not feature a full performance of arguably one of her most recognizable tracks, "Tell Me Something Good," instead, singing roughly a chorus of it at the end of her first song.
Considering McEntire and Khan were receiving the same award and recognition, both women should've had equal stage time. Khan's set seemed to dominate the remainder of the evening and made McEntire's feature look rather simple in comparison. Even if it can be proved that Khan deserved more presence based on sales or definable successes, I don't think you can judge one way or the other in terms of impression on culture, as they come from two completely different musical worlds. On the other hand, Khan performing second made for a special finale, as she belted out her famous anthem, "I'm Every Woman," and had most of the crowd singing and dancing along.
Khan, McEntire, and Andrews certainly cast a spell over Hollywood skies, and the opening night finale fireworks sparkled like jewels on the crown of the Hollywood Bowl amphitheater, heralding what looks to be a stellar 2012 season.
Links: Official Site | Facebook | Twitter
Hello, Summer 2012!
The voice of Mary Poppins resounds through the
speakers of the hallowed alabaster amphitheater.
In a couple of short months, these same seats will be occupied by thousands of voices joining an on-screen Andrews in unison at the annual "Sing-A-Long Sound of Music." For now, we sit, wine in hand, staring into summer,
and listening to cinema's quintessential fairytale entity introduce the evening's program.
Friday, June 22 served as the 13th Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame Induction, awarding country superstar Reba McEntire and multiple Grammy-winner Chaka Khan, marking the first time two women have ever been honored together. A portion of the proceeds went to benefit the LA Philharmonic's education program, Youth Orchestra LA (YOLA), and Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA), which provides free after-school programs. McEntire and Khan share a heartfelt connection for music education causes.
Backed by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, conducted by Thomas Wilkins, now in his fifth season, McEntire and Khan performed selections from their catalogs with a few special guests interspersed who shed light on the artists' lauded careers. McEntire's former and new castmates, respectively, Melissa Peterman ("Reba") and Lily Tomlin of "Malibu Country," debuting this Fall, provided funny and complimentary introductions prior to her half of the program.
Tomlin quoted her dear friend, saying, "Reba says the 3 things you need in life are a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone," while Peterman joked, "[Reba] is gonna blow the roof off this place. I mean, if there was a roof, she would blow...it...off!"
McEntire performed four songs as a retrospective of her career from 2001 when she starred in Broadway's
Annie Get Your Gun. From an Old West lament of "You Can't Get a Man with a Gun," to a literal and figurative change of tune with South Pacific's "I'm Gonna Wash that Man Right Outta My Hair," McEntire lit up the stage with her signature energy and down-home charisma. Her final two numbers were "I'm A Survivor" and "Fancy" which certainly embraced essential Reba, but her choice in highlighting her stage career, as well, was a delightful treat.
Intermission gave the LA Phil and resident Music Director Gustavo Dudamel the chance to introduce some talented kids from YOLA, ages 9-12, who joined the orchestra and performed Brahms’ "Hungarian Dance No. 5."
Up next, "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson came out to support soul songstress and vocal powerhouse Chaka Khan, who performed “I Know You, I Live You," "Ain't Nobody," "My Funny Valentine," "Earth Song," and "Through the Fire." Khan, to my dismay, did not feature a full performance of arguably one of her most recognizable tracks, "Tell Me Something Good," instead, singing roughly a chorus of it at the end of her first song.
Considering McEntire and Khan were receiving the same award and recognition, both women should've had equal stage time. Khan's set seemed to dominate the remainder of the evening and made McEntire's feature look rather simple in comparison. Even if it can be proved that Khan deserved more presence based on sales or definable successes, I don't think you can judge one way or the other in terms of impression on culture, as they come from two completely different musical worlds. On the other hand, Khan performing second made for a special finale, as she belted out her famous anthem, "I'm Every Woman," and had most of the crowd singing and dancing along.
Khan, McEntire, and Andrews certainly cast a spell over Hollywood skies, and the opening night finale fireworks sparkled like jewels on the crown of the Hollywood Bowl amphitheater, heralding what looks to be a stellar 2012 season.
Links: Official Site | Facebook | Twitter
|
|
