Today is America's Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday, a day where we take stock of how far we've come as a society, as well as consider what remains to be achieved.
While responding to the horrifying killings in Tucson, President Barack Obama's call for civility last week certainly seemed particularly well-timed given today's observances. Yet, since civility also naturally extends to those who look different from us, let alone think differently than we do, the President's remarks also provide a stark reminder that we have a long way to go before reaching Reverend King's dream.
Since Bono and The Edge have been in the news for their gestating work on Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark -- and since Steve On Broadway (SOB) is ostensibly about theatre -- today, I'm posting U2's seminal 1984 hit, "Pride (In The Name Of Love)."
While the tune references Dr. King's tragic 1968 assassination in Memphis, it also boldly proclaims, "Free at last, they took your life, (but) they could not take your pride."
Let's remember his enduring legacy through civility and love -- proud traits no one can take away unless you let them.
In keeping with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations that unfairly discriminate against bloggers, who are now required by law to disclose when they have received anything of value they might write about, please note that I have received nothing of value in exchange for this post.
Talk about advance buzz with a capital bee, the upcoming Broadway musical version of Spider-Man, Turn Off The Darkis already firmly in the "on" position as it's selling advance group tickets, even though it won't open for nearly one year.
Spider-Man, Turn Off The Dark is set to begin previews at Rialto's barn-like Hilton Theatre on January 16, 2010, with opening night scheduled for February 18, 2010. Personally, I don't know of too many people who can plan quite that far in advance, especially for large groups, so I guess you have to give them credit for their moxie, especially in this economy.
But I guess since the musical will be directed by Julie Taymor, who made us marvel as she brought a little cartoon lion roaring to life on the Great White Way over a decade ago, you're allowed to think fancifully. Perhaps Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark's real secret weapon is the not so secret pairing of U2's Bono and The Edge in providing their first Broadway score. Taymor and Glen Berger are writing the book.
...spins a new take on the mythic tale of a young man propelled from a modest rowhouse in Queens to the sky-scraping spire of the Chrysler Building, the bustling offices of the Daily Bugle, through the dizzying canyons of Manhattan, to new vistas never before seen. The musical follows the story of teenager Peter Parker, whose unremarkable life is turned upside-down -- literally -- when he's bitten by a genetically altered spider and wakes up the next morning clinging to his bedroom ceiling. This bullied science-geek -- suddenly endowed with astonishing powers -- soon learns, however, that with great power comes great responsibility as villains test not only his physical strength but also his strength of character. Spider-Man's battles will hurtle the audience through an origin story both recognizable and unexpected -- yielding new characters as well as familiar faces -- until a final surprising confrontation casts a startling new light on this hero's journey.
Can Taymor spin her magic once again? Will Bono and The Edge's score make Peter Parker soar? And who will portray that bullied science-geek? For these and other questions, stay tuned. Count me among the intrigued.
Rain: A Tribute To The Beatles Limited run extended through May 31, 2011 (Show will go on hiatus starting January 15 and reopen at Brooks Atkinson Theatre on February 8)
Rock Of Ages - Open-ended run (Show will go on hiatus starting January 9 and reopen at Helen Hayes Theatre in March)
As someone who has been involved in both politics and public relations, it's no wonder I love watching theatre. Good or bad, it's the raw energy of seeing a live performance that gets my adrenaline pumping. From the moment I saw my very first Broadway show ("Annie" in London in 1979), I was hooked. Now I see as many as 70 shows each year ranging from soaring musicals to two-hander plays. And these eyes just may be in an audience near you!
