{"id":38411,"date":"2023-04-20T09:16:23","date_gmt":"2023-04-20T13:16:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/?p=38411"},"modified":"2023-04-20T09:16:26","modified_gmt":"2023-04-20T13:16:26","slug":"on-stage-on-4-20-a-celebration-female-singer-songwriters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/?p=38411","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: on 4\/20, a celebration female singer\/songwriters"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"

Julia Othmer<\/p><\/div>\n

Today, April 20, is a holiday of sorts. It is 420.<\/p>\n

420 used to be an underground holiday. However, with the ever-expanding list of states that have legalized recreational marijuana, 420 is not so underground anymore.<\/p>\n

420,\u00a04:20\u00a0or\u00a04\/20\u00a0(pronounced\u00a0four-twenty) is\u00a0cannabis culture\u00a0slang for\u00a0marijuana and hashish consumption, especially\u00a0smoking\u00a0around the time 4:20 pm (16:20). It also refers to\u00a0cannabis-oriented celebrations that take place annually on April 20. At locations in the United States where cannabis is legal,\u00a0cannabis dispensaries\u00a0will often offer discounts on their products on April 20.<\/p>\n

Ingesting marijuana can result in a wide array of effects \u2013 many cerebral and some physical. Unfortunately, the ability to clone yourself is not one of them.<\/p>\n

If there were ever an evening when fans of female singer\/songwriter\/musicians wished they were able to clone themselves, it is April 20, 2023.<\/p>\n

On Thursday evening, three of America\u2019s highly acclaimed female singer\/songwriter\/musicians are performing in the Philadelphia area. Unfortunately, their shows are all at different venues \u2013 Julia Othmer at the Living Room, Karla Bonoff at the Sellersville Theatre and Rachael Sage at City Winery.<\/p>\n

Julia Othmer, a former Philadelphia resident, most recently performed in the area last November with a show at The Living Room & Cricket Caf\u00e9 (104 Cricket Avenue, Ardmore,\u00a0livingroomardmore.com<\/a>). Tonight, she is returning to the same venue \u2013 much to the delight of her many local fans.<\/p>\n

Othmer and her husband\/bandmate James Lundie have come east from Kansas City for a special event.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re at a writing retreat in North Jersey,\u201d said Othmer, during a phone interview Tuesday from Jersey City, New Jersey. \u201cThis experience showed up at the last minute.\u201d<\/p>\n

Othmer is delighted to have the opportunity to do another show at the Living Room & Cricket Caf\u00e9. The venue is Laura Mann\u2019s latest musical venture.<\/p>\n

Mann is a talented singer-songwriter who has been a staple in the Philly music scene for years. She is also a music venue owner who, in recent years, has had two \u201cLiving Room\u201d venues in Ardmore. They now have been replaced by the brand-new listening room \u2014 The Living Room and Cricket Cafe.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause of my relationship with Laura, she was able to get me a last-minute spot at the Living Room,\u201d said Othmer. \u201cLaura has done a really good job at making the venue feel intimate.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to have a semi-regular presence in the Philly area. It\u2019s where I got started in music.\u201d<\/p>\n

There are three major cities in\u00a0Othmer\u2019s life \u2013 Kansas City, Philadelphia and Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

Kansas City is where she was born and raised. Philadelphia was where her career as a singer\/songwriter\/keyboardist came to life. Los Angeles was her home for most of the last decade.<\/p>\n

The last time Othmer performed locally prior to her previous show in Ardmore was when she toured in support of her \u201cSound\u201d album, which was released on April 12, 2019.<\/p>\n

The album was recorded in Los Angeles with composer-producer James \u201cJT\u201d Lundie. It was produced, recorded, engineered, arranged, mixed and mastered by Lundie at Frickin\u2019 Awesome Studios in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

The album credits list \u2013 Othmer: vocals, piano, Rhodes, piano, organ, accordion, tambourine, shakers, piano strings, foot stomps and hand claps; Lundie: \u201cAlmost everything else including guitar, slide guitar, bass, charango, ukulele, synthesizers, organ, tambourine, shakers, programming, hand claps and foot stomps.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI did a Kickstarter campaign to get the time and space to make the album I really wanted to make,\u201d said\u00a0Othmer, who spent time recently in the U.K., Prague, Sweden and Germany \u2014 playing some shows, some festivals,\u00a0writing, working on some collaborative arts projects, exploring her roots and going on adventures.<\/p>\n

\u201cJames and I made a promise not to stop until we got what we wanted. It was a garage studio album. James has his own studio, and it\u2019s a great studio.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lundie was Othmer\u2019s one-and-only choice for the job. She pursued the goal relentlessly. And she got the man.<\/p>\n

\u201cI kept banging on his door,\u201d said Othmer. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t leave him alone until he agreed to produce my album. We created the \u2018Sound\u2019 album together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Othmer not only got \u201cthe man,\u201d she got \u201cher man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJames is now my creative partner \u2013 and my husband,\u201d said Othmer.<\/p>\n

Last year, Othmer was one of only six artists chosen to represent the USA for Global Music Match 2021 \u2014 a selection of 78 artists from four continents who are collaborating with and sharing one another\u2019s work.<\/p>\n

Using music to connect to people and social issues inspires Othmer\u2019s work.<\/p>\n

Recent projects include \u201cSongs of September,\u201d a 30-day online voter registration drive concert series resulting in \u201cSeeds, Volume 1\u201d, which is a listener-curated collection of her live piano-driven performances of songs of change, protest and hope.\u00a0 \u201cSeeds, Volume 2\u201d was released on the spring equinox \u2013 March 20, 2021.<\/p>\n

\u201cJames and I wanted to figure out how to make the world a better place,\u201d said Othmer. \u201cSo, we did the voters\u2019 rights project. We released a new song every day the month of September.\u201d<\/p>\n

The first CD Othmer released was \u201cLive at the Tin Angel\u201d CD, which was recorded in October 2002. In 2004,\u00a0Othmer\u00a0was nominated at the Philly Music Awards for \u201cBest Female Entertainer\u201d, \u201cBest Female Vocalist\u201d and \u201cBest Keyboardist\u201d. Her most recent album was \u201cOasis Hotel,\u201d which was released in 2006.<\/p>\n

\u201cMusic is my earliest memory,\u201d said Othmer. \u201cI was born into a family with generations of artists and musicians. As soon as I could speak and make my demands known, I told my mother that I wanted to learn piano.<\/p>\n

\u201cI studied classical piano when I was a young girl growing up in Kansas City. When I was studying classical music, I was told not to do original compositions. Then, when I was in college, I started writing songs. My first band was when I was 19 in New York. It was a rock-folk-funk-blues band. I sang — and wrote all the words and melodies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Othmer spent time in New York and also was involved with projects that took her to Russia and Spain — and to India to study with His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama. After a while, Othmer went back to Kansas City and took a position managing a theater company which brought youth into the arts.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I went back to Kansas City, I started to write more songs,\u201d said Othmer. \u201cI realized that I needed to focus on music because it was the only thing that really made sense to me. I wanted to get back into the whole band thing, so I moved to San Francisco.\u201d<\/p>\n

Othmer\u2019s debut album captured her live energy. It was recorded on October 18, 2002 at the Tin Angel in Philadelphia featuring Othmer and percussionist extraordinaire Hoagy Wing. The next LP was \u201cOasis Motel\u201d in 2006.<\/p>\n

Tracks from \u201cOasis Motel\u201d have been featured on such shows as \u201cWitches of East End,\u201d \u201cSwitched at Birth,\u201d \u201cThe Lying Game,\u201d \u201cArmy Wives,\u201d \u201cParty of Five,\u201d and \u201cDeGrassi: The Next Generation\u201d and earned her songwriting awards from the Billboard World Song Contest and the International Songwriting Competition.<\/p>\n

After waiting for more than a decade for a new album,\u00a0Othmer\u2019s fans were treated to a stellar new LP release in spring 2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are 10 songs on \u2018Sounds\u2019 and they come from a variety of eras,\u201d said\u00a0Othmer. \u201cThe album\u2019s 10 songs tell a story. It has an arc.<\/p>\n

\u201cMusically, the songs are very intimate, honest and immediate. The production is lush. We created a lot of soundscapes. The songs are really different. But they hang together well.\u201d<\/p>\n

As good as\u00a0Othmer\u00a0is in the studio, she is even better on stage.<\/p>\n

Othmer\u00a0is known for her energetic live performances \u2013 and her powerful expressive voice.<\/p>\n

Facing the audience while playing her keyboard,\u00a0Othmer\u00a0is a bundle of energy unleashed. She delivers each song with intensity and rarely stays seated for long. When the music starts, she never holds back.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a lot of projects going on right now,\u201d said Othmer. \u201cIn my live set now, I play at least a few songs from the early days. I\u2019m very open to satisfying what my fans want to hear.\u201d<\/p>\n

Othmer is also working on new recordings.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a studio where we live, which is just outside Kansas City,\u201d said Othmer. \u201cWe also have a mobile rig that we can take on the road with us.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe brought it with us on this trip. Right now, we\u2019re just in a really creative place.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe writing retreat is special \u2013 and Jersey City is a great. It\u2019s relaxed \u2013 people just carrying on their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Julia\u00a0Othmer\u00a0\u2013\u00a0https:\/\/youtu.be\/glIEHgxt1Qw<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at The Living Room & Cricket Caf\u00e9 on April 20 will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at The Living Room & Cricket Caf\u00e9 are Andy King on April 21, The Wild Hymns and Lauren Mendelsohn on April 22 and Julieann Ott on April 23.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Karla Bonoff<\/p><\/div>\n

Bonoff will have a show on April 20 at the Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808,\u00a0www.st94.com<\/a>). Ironically, Bonoff and Othmer shared a bill at the Sellersville Theater in November 2018. Bonoff also had a post-pandemic show at the venue in April 2022.<\/p>\n

Bonoff has released seven studio albums, one Christmas album and one live LP on her own and several albums as part of the band Bryndle. Her last five singles have reached the Top 40 in the U.S. Adult Contemporary charts.<\/p>\n

In 1982, Bonoff had a hit with her song, \u201cPersonally,\u201d which charted at #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 as well as #3 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.<\/p>\n

But Bonoff is more known for her songwriting.<\/p>\n

Bonoff has enjoyed critical acclaim, commercial success, enduring popularity, and the unwavering respect of her peers. The prolific songwriter has seen her songs become hits for classic artists including Bonnie Raitt, Wynonna Judd, and Linda Ronstadt.\u00a0Bonoff’s songs include \u201cHome,\u201d covered by\u00a0Raitt, \u201cTell Me Why<\/a>,\u201d recorded by\u00a0Wynonna, and \u201cIsn\u2019t It Always Love,\u201d which was a hit for\u00a0Lynn Anderson<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Most notably,\u00a0\u00a0Ronstadt<\/a>\u00a0recorded several Bonoff songs, including three tracks on the 1976 album\u00a0\u201cHasten Down the Wind<\/a>\u201d — \u00a0\u201cSomeone To Lay Down Beside Me,\u201d \u201cLose Again\u201d and \u201cIf He\u2019s Ever Near\u201d —\u00a0 as well as \u201cAll My Life<\/a>,\u201d which was a 1989 duet with Ronstadt and\u00a0Aaron Neville<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy songs got known first,\u201d said Bonhoff, during a phone interview last week from her home in Santa Barbara, California. \u201cBut I never really write for other people \u2013 I write for me. I was fortunate that Linda Ronstadt took an intertest.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the mid-1960s, Ronstadt joined forces with Bobby Kimmel and Kenny Edwards\u00a0and became the lead singer of a folk-rock trio, the Stone Poneys.<\/p>\n

\u201cI met Kenny Edwards in the late 60s after the Stone Poneys,\u201d said Bonoff. \u201cWe formed a band called Bryndle with Andrew Gold and Wendy Waldman. Kenny and Andrew joined Linda\u2019s band. I knew she was looking for songs, so I filtered my songs through them to Linda.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven then, I always wrote my songs for me. I was writing with the idea of making my own record. I recorded my first album at the Sound Factory in L.A., and it did really well. It went gold. After that, I opened for Jackson Browne on his \u2018Running on Empty\u2019 tour.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her self-titled debut came out in 1977 followed by \u201cRestless Nights\u201d in 1979 and \u201cWild Heart of the Young\u201d in 1982. Then, Bonoff had no releases until 1988\u2019s \u201cNew World.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI had depression,\u201d said Bonoff. \u201cI wasn\u2019t really well. I couldn\u2019t get going. Then, I made \u2018New World,\u2019 which did well and had songs covered by Linda and Wynonna.\u201d<\/p>\n

In 2019, Bonoff released \u201cCarry Me Home,\u201d a 16-song set featuring brand new recordings of some of her classics along with new songs by Kenny Edwards and a cover of a vintage Jackson Browne tune, \u201cSomething Fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

She was featured in the acclaimed Linda Ronstadt documentary, \u201cThe Sound of My Voice,\u201d highlighting her friendship with Linda and as the writer of several of her biggest songs, including the Grammy Winner, \u201cAll My Life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bonoff\u2019s latest studio venture was a holiday album, \u201cSilent Night,\u201d which came out a few years later.<\/p>\n

\u201cI made \u2018Silent Night\u2019 in 2020,\u201d said Bonoff. \u201cIt was fun. I didn\u2019t think it would do a lot, but it was named as a New York Times Top 10 holiday album.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t write a lot these days. I\u2019m not working on a new album right now. It\u2019s hard to make an album. It costs 20-30 thousand dollars to make an album. It costs a lot of money, and you don\u2019t make much back. So, for now I\u2019m just touring and taking it easy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Karla Bonoff \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/chk79aEFtbI<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at the Sellersville Theater on April 20 will start at 8 p.m. Ticket prices start at $39.50.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at the venue are Michael Borowski on April 21, John Primerano on April 22, 40 Fingers on April 23 and Louis Prima Jr. & The Witnesses on April 26.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Rachael Sage<\/p><\/div>\n

Sage, who is headlining a show at City Winery (990 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, www.citywinery.com<\/a>) tonight, is on a two-week, seven-show tour with\u00a0Annalyse & Ryan.<\/p>\n

Sage\u00a0and The Sequins started their Spring Tour at\u00a0SXSW and made a stop later for a taping of\u00a0NPR\u2019s Mountain Stage. The band features Kelly Halloran (violin), Andy Mac (drums), Ward Williams (cello) and Trina Hamlin (harmonica).<\/p>\n

Sage and her Hudson Valley neighbors\u00a0Annalyse & Ryan\u00a0are on the road together for the\u00a0\u201cOut Of The Valley Tour,\u201d which began March 26 at the Towne Crier in their hometown Beacon, New york.<\/p>\n

The tour will end on April 30 and then, three weeks later, Sage will head across the Atlantic for a three-week tour that will take her all around the U.K. — including a showcase event at The Plesantry in London.<\/p>\n

In addition to her ambitious touring, Sage is putting the finishing touches on her brand-new album, \u201cThe Other Side.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhistle Blow,\u201d the first single from \u201cThe Other Side,\u201d will officially be released tomorrow (April 21).<\/p>\n

Sage has released 15 studio albums \u2013 starting with \u201cMorbid Romantic\u201d in 1996. She released her sixth album, \u201cBallads & Burlesque\u201d in 2006 and then has faithfully released a new album every two years (on even years) since then \u2013 until COVID hit. Her two most recent LPs are Myopia\u201d in 2018 and \u201cCharacter\u201d in 2020.<\/p>\n

Sage is like a modern-day Renaissance woman \u2014 singer-songwriter, ballerina, pianist, poet, record label owner, actress, organist, writer and record producer. Currently, she is focused on being a performer.<\/p>\n

Sage has developed a loyal international following for her dynamic piano playing, delicate guitar work, and improvisational audience interaction. A six-time Independent Music Award winner, Sage has toured with an eclectic list of artists including Howard Jones, Beth Hart, Ani DiFranco, and Grammy\u00ae winners Shawn Colvin and Judy Collins \u2013 with whom she also recorded a critically-acclaimed duet of Neil Young’s \u201cHelpless.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since founding her own label MPress Records two decades ago, NYC-based alt-pop artist\u00a0Rachael Sage\u00a0has steadily released a slew of vibrant, dynamic albums with poetic lyrics spanning subjects as wide as her inspirations. She has toured with an eclectic list of artists including\u00a0Ani DiFranco, Beth Hart, Sarah McLachlan, Judy Collins\u00a0and\u00a0Howard Jones.<\/p>\n

Sage also continues to significantly grow her visibility via her many song placements \u2013 including many on top reality show,\u00a0\u201cDance Moms,\u201d which translated into over\u00a010 million YouTube hits.<\/p>\n

Annalyse & Ryan are a NY-based Americana duo. Their sound and songs take listeners on a soulful, rootsy journey. The sweetness and severity in their music echoes a cross between The Civil Wars and Tedeschi Trucks Band. Their music has been featured on CBS, BBC, and in multiple documentaries.<\/p>\n

Video link for Rachael Sage \u2013\u00a0https:\/\/youtu.be\/IDk5HWy1pgM<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at City Winery will start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for a show tonight that doesn\u2019t feature a singer-songwriter, check out the comedy show at the Candlelight\u00a0Theater (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware,\u00a0302- 475-2313,\u00a0www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org<\/a>).<\/p>\n

This month\u2019s edition of the Candlelight Comedy Club is scheduled for April 20 at 8 p.m. Jake\u00a0Mattera\u00a0will headline tonight\u2019s show. Jay Simpson will be the feature and Seamus Millar will be the emcee.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just released a special on YouTube called \u2018A Soft One\u2019,\u201d said Mattera, during a phone interview last week from Anchorage, Alaska.<\/p>\n

Mattera is a Philadelphia-based stand up known for his loveable brand of wholesome self-deprecation. He perfectly blends smart and silly on his spiritual quest to make himself the butt of every joke. His hilarious take on marriage, parenthood, work, and daily life highlight the universal vulnerability we share in our most awkward moments.<\/p>\n

His debut album,\u00a0\u201cA Soft One,\u201d was released by Helium Records. It debuted at #2 on iTunes and Amazon. Mattera\u2019s comedy is featured on a \u201cBest Of Philly\u201d compilation that\u2014along with his album\u2014can be heard on Sirius XM.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe recorded the video last year,\u201d said Mattera. \u201cIt was a 50-minute show. I recorded it at Helium in Philadelphia which is sort of my home club. It\u2019s the club where I started.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mattera has performed sketches on\u00a0\u201cConan\u201d\u00a0and with the sketch group Gilly and Keeves. His comedy festival appearances include Big Sky, Laughing Skull, Limestone, San Francisco Sketchfest, and HBO\u2019s WICF. Jake was a finalist in the Boston Comedy Festival and Helium Comedy\u2019s Philly\u2019s Phunniest Competition.<\/p>\n

This month, he was in Alaska for a special event.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m performing at a comedy festival here in Anchorage for three days,\u201d said Mattera. \u201cIt\u2019s called the \u2018Before You Die Conedy Fest\u2019 and there are shows at a lot of individual clubs.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn January, I was in San Francisco for the San Francisco Sketch Festival. In February, I did a headline gig at a club in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I\u2019m also getting a lot of one-night stuff in Philly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Two years ago, Mattera had his first headline at Helium Comedy Club in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n

\u201cI usually feature there because I\u2019m a local comic,\u201d said Mattera. \u201cIn a comedy show, there are usually three comics \u2013 the MC, the feature and the headliner. I\u2019m one of the features they use regularly. I\u2019ve also played Punch Line Philly. \u201c<\/p>\n

Mattera, who grew up in Chichester and graduated from Cardinal O\u2019Hara High School, explained how he was drawn to the life of a standup comedian.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was playing in a band that played a lot of local shows,\u201d said Mattera. \u201cThe band broke up and I was looking for another way to get attention for myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was a smart choice.<\/p>\n

Mattera studied comedy writing at Temple University and then landed an internship with one of television\u2019s top comedians.<\/p>\n

\u201cI moved to L.A. and was an intern for Conan O\u2019Brien,\u201d said Mattera, reflecting on his career break in 2012.<\/p>\n

\u201cI worked in the monologue department. I wrote the set-up for the jokes. It was like a master class in learning how to write a joke. I spent six months in L.A. Then, they hired me back for a month of shows in Atlanta.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mattera came back to Philly and worked on WMMR\u2019s \u201cPreston and Steve Show.\u201d After that, he embarked on a standup comedy career.<\/p>\n

The Delco comic has been invited to perform at many prestigious festivals all over the country, including Big Sky Comedy Festival, Laughing Skull Comedy Festival, Limestone Comedy Festival, San Francisco Sketchfest, and HBO\u2019s \u201cWomen In Comedy Festival.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was young, I was the kid who would do anything to make people laugh,\u201d said Mattera. \u201cI always thought I was funny. People told me I was funny.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started out in comedy doing open mics \u2013 5-to-10-minute open mics. I learned the ropes. I learned which bars to play. I learned stage presence in Delco. Then, I went to Philly to learn joke efficiency \u2013 learn how to just get to the point.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy comedy has been described as wholesome \u2013 funny things that mothers would like. It\u2019s self-deprecating and anecdotal. I married with a kid, so I talk about family life. I have my routines and I stick to my material.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Jake Mattera \u2013\u00a0https:\/\/youtu.be\/_0pg26wMXp0<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $30 for the 7:30 p.m. show.<\/p>\n

Every weekend, the Candlelight Theater presents stage productions of popular Broadway shows.<\/p>\n

The current production is \u201cI Love You, You\u2019re Perfect, Now Change\u201d \u2013 a show that will run through April 23.<\/p>\n

The show is billed as \u201cA musical presented in the form of a series of vignettes, connected by a central theme of love and relationships. Everything you have secretly thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws, but were afraid to admit!\u00a0For mature audiences. Adult content.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI Love You, You\u2019re Perfect, Now Change\u201d\u00a0is a\u00a0musical\u00a0comedy with book and lyrics by\u00a0Joe DiPietro\u00a0and music by\u00a0Jimmy Roberts. It is the second-longest running\u00a0Off-Broadway\u00a0musical. The musical was nominated for the\u00a0Outer Critics Circle Award\u00a0as Outstanding Off-Broadway musical in 1997.<\/p>\n

The musical premiered Off-Broadway on August 1, 1996, and closed on July 27, 2008, after 5,003 performances.\u00a0It was first produced in the town where playwright Joe DiPietro was born, Teaneck, New Jersey. This production ran from February 24 to March 12, 1995, at the American Stage Company Theater.<\/p>\n

Despite the large number of characters, the show is typically done with a comparatively small cast: the original Off-Broadway production uses a cast of four.<\/p>\n

The production at the Candlelight features a standout cast of Jessica Ball, Jared Calhoun, Tori Healy and Max Redman.<\/p>\n

With few exceptions, the scenes stand independent of the others, but progress in a fashion designed to suggest an overall arc to relationships throughout the course of one’s life. A first date, for example, comes before scenes dealing with marriage, and scenes dealing with marriage come before those dealing with childbearing.<\/p>\n

Watching this production is similar to watching a show by a comedy troupe like Second City \u2013 watching a rapid series of scenes that are intense, loosely related and very funny.<\/p>\n

\u201cI Love You, You\u2019re Perfect, Now Change\u201d is running now through April 29. Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings (doors 6 p.m.\/show, 8 p.m.) and Sunday afternoons (doors, 1 p.m.\/show, 3 p.m.). Tickets, which include dinner and show, are $69.<\/p>\n

There also will be a special one-night-only show on April 29 featuring Broadway\u2019s Tyler Hanes in concert. The show, which is a benefit for Candlelight Education Programs, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $45 and include hors d\u2019oeuvres and open bar.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for a good time evening of live music, Jamey\u2019s is always a good place to look.<\/p>\n

Jamey\u2019s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985,\u00a0www.jameyshouseofmusic.com<\/a>) has an impressive lineup of shows for this weekend.<\/p>\n

On April 21, Jamey\u2019s will host the Gabe\u00a0Stillman Band.<\/p>\n

Stillman, an accomplished blues guitarist from Williamsport, seems to have found a home-away-from home in Delaware County.\u00a0This will be his fourth concert at Jamey\u2019s in the last year-and-a-half.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve stayed busy all through the last year-and-a-half,\u201d said\u00a0Stillman, during a phone call from his home in the birthplace of Little League Baseball.<\/p>\n

Stillman\u00a0was busiest during a two-week period in April 2021.<\/p>\n

\u201cI went to Austin in April and recorded my first album,\u201d said\u00a0Stillman. \u201cIt was produced by Anton Funderbergh at Wire Recording.\u201d<\/p>\n

Funderbergh is top-flight guitarist\u00a0and\u00a0the bandleader\u00a0of\u00a0Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets\u00a0since 1978. Their style incorporates both\u00a0Chicago blues\u00a0and\u00a0Texas blues. He is also one of the most respected producers in Texas\u2019 capitol city.<\/p>\n

\u201cI met Anton at the International Blues Challenge a couple years ago,\u201d said\u00a0Stillman. \u201cI\u2019ve been a fan of his since I was a teenager. He\u2019s in my top 10 list of blues players. And I loved his production work with other people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stillman\u2019s album, \u201cJust Say the Word,\u201d was released in August by the Vizztone Label Group.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a 15-song album \u2013 13 originals and two covers,\u201d said\u00a0Stillman. \u201cThe covers were Bill Withers\u2019 \u2018Friend of Mine\u2019 and Bobby Blue Bland\u2019s \u2018I\u2019ll Take Care of You.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen the album came out in August, it debuted at Number 10 on the Billboard Magazine Blues chart. It was also named one of the top blues albums of 2021 by Roots Music Report.<\/p>\n

\u201cI brought my rhythm section Bassist Colin Beatty and drummer Ray Hangen \u2013 down to Austin. In the studio, we used Taylor Streiff, a piano player from St. Louis, Austin\u2019s Texas Horns and had Sue Foley and Anton playing guitar on one track.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was a big step forward for\u00a0Stillman, who\u00a0has been studying guitar for almost a decade-and-a-half.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started taking guitar lessons when I was 11,\u201d said\u00a0Stillman. \u201cI\u2019m 25 now so I\u2019ve been playing for 14 years.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I started out, I wanted to play heavy rock and heavy metal. Listening to guitarists in those genres, I realized that their playing was very fast and technically complicated. A teacher told me to learn rock by getting into the blues.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, I started listening to a lot of blues guitarists like B.B. King, Freddie King, Albert King, Buddy Guy and Elmore James. I was also listening to guitarist such as Duane Allman and Derek Trucks. I realized \u2013 hey, I can do this. I got hooked on blues and R&B \u2013 and jazz. When I was 13 or 14, I started to perform live.\u201d<\/p>\n

A key stage in\u00a0Stillman\u2019s development came at the Uptown Music Collective in Williamsport.<\/p>\n

For 20 years, the Uptown Music Collective has been providing exceptional modern music education grounded in traditional educational principles. Its programs engage students through an emphasis on modern genres including rock, pop, soul, blues, country, R&B, and funk.<\/p>\n

\u201cI studied at the Uptown Music Collective when I was younger,\u201d said\u00a0Stillman. \u201cI also taught there after I got out of college.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stillman\u00a0spent his college years in Boston where he got a degree in \u201cProfessional Music\u201d with an emphasis on guitar performance and songwriting.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started my band in 2015 after graduating from Berklee,\u201d said\u00a0Stillman, whose honors include making it to \u201cFinal Eight\u201d of the 35th Annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis Tennessee.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy band has been primarily a trio but at the Blues Challenge, I made it to the finals with the addition of a harmonica player in the group.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy bass player Colin Beatty, who is also from Williamsport, has been with me the whole time. We\u2019ve had different drummers come in-and-out. Right now, our drummer is Ray Hangen from Buffalo, New York.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the trio, we play mostly blues and American rock. There also is a little mix of R&B in there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Gabe\u00a0Stillman\u00a0\u2014\u00a0https:\/\/youtu.be\/QGIJgb51Kw8<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at Jamey\u2019s on April 21will start at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.<\/p>\n

On April 22, the venue in Delaware County will present the Tommy Froelich Band.<\/p>\n

Froelich is a Chester County based blues\/rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He delivers powerful performances, captivating audiences with his smooth vocals and compelling soulful energy on guitar. His diverse writing style is inspired by his love of classic rock and roll, old school blues and country music influences.<\/p>\n

In 2016, Froelich released his first album, \u201cRoads Less Traveled,\u201d recorded at Noisy Little Critter Studio in Thorndale. The album features 12 original tracks combining blues and rock influenced sound to create an eclectic textured mix of tunes. His follow-up EP, \u201cTime Well Spent,\u201d was released in May 2017 and recorded at Philly Sound Studios in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n

The show at Jamey\u2019s on April 22 will start at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.<\/p>\n

The \u201cThursday Night Jazz Jam\u201d tonight will feature Julie Charnet.<\/p>\n

Every Sunday, Jamey\u2019s presents \u201cSUNDAY BLUES BRUNCH & JAM\u201d featuring the Philly Blues Kings from noon-1 p.m. and an open jam session from1-3 p.m. There is no cover charge.<\/p>\n

Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295,\u00a0http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/a>) is presenting Jill Sobule on April 20, \u201cKnow Return: A Tribute to Kansas\u201d on April 21, On the Lash on April 22 and Alice Howe and Freebo with special guest Craig Bickhardt on April 23.<\/p>\n

Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 North High Street, West Chester,\u00a0www.uptownwestchester.org<\/a>) is presenting Home Again on April 21 and Cash Unchained on April 22.<\/p>\n

\t
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By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Today, April 20, is a holiday of sorts. It is 420. 420 used to be an underground holiday. However, with the ever-expanding list of states that have legalized recreational marijuana, 420 is not so underground anymore. 420,\u00a04:20\u00a0or\u00a04\/20\u00a0(pronounced\u00a0four-twenty) is\u00a0cannabis culture\u00a0slang for\u00a0marijuana and hashish consumption, especially\u00a0smoking\u00a0around the time 4:20 pm […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":38408,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[6269,10893,14434],"class_list":["post-38411","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-featured","tag-julia-othmer","tag-karla-bonoff"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38411","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=38411"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38411\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38412,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38411\/revisions\/38412"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/38408"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=38411"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=38411"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=38411"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}