Movie - Theater - Book - Dining Reviews
Movie - Theater - Book - Dining Reviews (5)
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Fort Lauderdale French Film Festival
FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL
Credits:
Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival's
Ninth Annual Perrier French Film Festival:
A Taste of France Through Cinema and Cuisine
Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) in conjunction with The French Consulate-Miami whisks you off on a celluloid vacation to France via the Ninth Annual Perrier French Film Festival, July 29 – August 2, 2010 at Cinema Paradiso. Audiences will experience the French culture through both cinema and cuisine.
Fifteen (15) films will be presented during the four-day fest featuring an eclectic array of dramas, scenic adventures and side-splitting comedies.
The fest opener July 29th is the street-smart comic adventure, PARIS EXPRESS. Michaël Youn (Iznogoud, Around The World In 80 Days) stars alongside Heroes' Jimmy Jean Louis and two of France's hippest, sexiest young actresses, Géraldine Nakache (Comme t'y es belle) and Catalina Denis (Go Fast). Following the film, FLIFF hosts their popular Opening Night Soiree catered this year by internationally renown Chef Kim Naimoli. The sumptuous buffet of classic French cuisine will include Salad Nicoise, Pommes Dauphine, Coq au Vin and deserts including crepes.
Film and food pairings continue throughout the film festival. Wine, baguettes and brie will be served July 30th between the comedy LES SŒURS FÂCHÉES starring Isabelle Huppert and Catherine Frot and the wildly entertaining MICMACS from director, Jean-Pierre Jeunet's (Amélie). Refreshing Sorbets and cupcakes, provided by Gelato Station & Gelati Martini Lounge, will be offered July 31 between COCO CHANNEL & IGOR STRAVINSKY - the "sumptuous recreation of '20's France and the mad affair between two the century's most iconic figures" (Hollywood Reporter) and the romantic comedy MA VIE EN L'AIR starring Oscar® winner Marion Cotillard (Nine, La Vie en Rose). The monthly Sunday morning Cafe Cinematheque International brunch goes French with croissants, pastries and French roast coffee or tea before the irreverently funny road movie AALTRA.
On Saturday, July 31st, FLIFF'S Summer MAKE-A-MOVIE Camp concludes as FAB! Films for Kids presents a screening of the campers final film projects with a French flair. Admission is free.
Closing the fest on August 1 is LET IT RAIN, an endlessly charming and a sharp-witted battle of the sexes from the celebrated director Agnes Jaoui (Look at Me and the Oscar® nominated The Taste of Others). FLIFF's Wrap Party follows with light French fare including Soup d'Oignon, Ratatouille, Quiche Lorraine and for dessert, a Chocolate Fountain with fruit and cake.
Additional film highlights include: TWO IN THE WAVE an absorbing look at French directors François Truffaut and Jean-Luc Godard, THE FATHER OF MY CHILDREN Winner of the Un Certain Regard Special Jury Prize at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival, DREAMS OF DUST which will transport audiences to a world few have seen, and DUMAS a fascinating and gorgeously told tale of French author Alexandre Dumas and his relationship with Auguste Maquet, the little known co-author of such classics as The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo. DUMAS stars Gerard Depardieu and Benoit Poelvoorde. There will also be an encore presentation of select films on Monday, August 2.
Admission:
- All Films & Parties: Fast Pass $115 non-members / $70 FLIFF members
- Opening Night Film & Party: $25 non-members and $15 for FLIFF members.
- Closing Night Film & Wrap Party: $15 General Admission and $10 FLIFF Members.
- Café Cinematheque : $12 general Admission, $8 FLIFF Members
- FAB! Films for Kids: FREE!
- Films Only: $10 general Admission, $8 Seniors & Students, $6 FLIFF Members
Details and Advance Ticket Sales: www.FLIFF.com or 954-525-FILM (3456)
Venue: Cinema Paradiso, 503 SE 6 Street in downtown Fort Lauderdale, one block east of Broward County Courthouse on south bank of New River.
Below is the complete film and event schedule.
The 9th Annual Perrier French Film Festival, July 29 – August 2
THURSDAY, JULY 29
6:00PM Opening Night Soiree
7:30PM PARIS EXPRESS
Directed by Herve Renoh France / 2009 / 90 min / French w/English sub-titles
On his scooter, Sam breaks every rule of the road to make good on the "express delivery" promise of the courier service he works for. But however hard he tries, Sam never gets a bonus from his boss, never beats his slicker colleagues and never gets past his Dad, a cop who books him every time. All Sam has up is Nadia and she will turn on him if he doesn't show up for her sister's wedding. Trouble is, Sam has one more delivery to make and his day has just gone from bad to worse...
France has found another accidental hero in the shape of speedy Sam the delivery man
who innocently scoots into the heart of an art smuggling scam run by a shady organization
called The Sphere. On his trusty two-wheeler, Sam puts his life on the line to reel in a
missing Rembrandt and keep his girl. Michaël Youn (Iznogoud, Around The World In 80
Days) toplines in this street-smart comic adventure alongside Heroes star Jimmy Jean
Louis and two of France's hippest, sexiest young actresses, Géraldine Nakache (Comme
t'y es belle) and Catalina Denis (Go Fast).
FRIDAY, JULY 30
5:00PM LES SŒURS FÂCHÉES / THE ANGRY SISTERS
Directed by Alexandra Leclère France / 2004 / 93 min
Starring Isabelle Huppert and Catherine Frot star as two very different sisters in the comedy, Les Sœurs Fâchées. Louise, 36, is a charming young woman who is disconcertingly open and rather awkward. She’s a beautician and lives in Le Mans. Martine, 38, is her older sister. She’s a very beautiful, elegant woman, although aloof. She lives a deeply middle-class world in Paris. Louise has written a novel and she has an important meeting in Paris that could change the course of her life. She comes to stay with Martine for three days, during which time she and her obvious happiness drive Martine up the wall and shatters her life.
6:00PM Wine, Baguettes & Brie
6:45PM MICMACS
Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet France / 2009 / 105 min / French w/English sub-titles
Jean-Pierre Jeunet's Amélie is a landmark of cinematic ingenuity. Similar inspiration and wonder is echoed in his inventive, playful, and wildly entertaining Micmacs. Meet Bazil. He was raised in an orphanage from a young age, his father having been killed by a land mine as a soldier and his mom deemed insane. Flash forward years later, a grown-up Bazil is working at a video store when a stray bullet from a random drive-by shooting lodges into his brain. Unable to remove the stubborn slug, the doctors release him into the world to encounter an unexpected fate.
Homeless and hopeless, he is taken in by a group of merry misfits (the mic macs), among them an ex-con, a contortionist, a mathematician, and a human cannonball. The jolly motley crew lives in a junkyard, recycling materials and building ingenious knick-knacks to support themselves. But when Bazil discovers that his bullet and the bomb that killed his father are made by two feuding weapons companies, he hatches a brilliant plan to take them down. Quirky, energetic, and layered with timely themes, Jeunet's Micmacs is a feast for the eyes and fun for the whole family. Genna Terranova, Tribeca Film Festival
THE DIRECTOR: Jean-Pierre Jeunet's first feature film, Delicatessen (directed with Marc Caro, FLIFF 1991) brought new vigor to French cinema in 1991. He followed with the cult film The City of Lost Children (FLIFF 1995), Alien: Resurrection, Amélie (worldwide the most successful French film in history), and A Very Long Engagement.
8:30PM JE CROIS QUE JE L’AIME | COULD THIS BE LOVE?
Directed by Pierre Jolivet France / 2007 / 90 min
Lucas, a rich 43 years old industrialist, is just getting over a terrible breakup when he meets Elsa (Sandrine Bonnaire of QUEEN TO PLAY) , a nice looking, famous, 38 year-old ceramist to whom he commissions a fresco. Irresistibly attracted to the young lady, Lucas tries to conquer her. But even though he is a highly-skilled business man, Lucas lacks assurance when dealing with love. He therefore hires Roland Christin, a private detective from his firm, to spy on Elsa and find the reasons behind Elsa’s celibacy. Roland uses all the latest investigation techniques at his disposal for an ancestral feeling : love.
SATURDAY, JULY 31
10:00AM FAB French Kids Films
FLIFF'S Summer MAKE-A-MOVIE Camp concludes with a screening of the campers final film projects with a French flair. Free for everyone.
12:30PM TWO IN THE WAVE
Directed by Emmanuel Laurent / France / 2009 / 91 min / French w/English sub-titles)
In the documentary Two in the Wave, first-time director Emmanuel Laurent decided, perhaps wisely, to base the entirety of the relationship between French New Wave icons François Truffaut and Jean-Luc Godard from the time period when they were friends and colleagues, beginning in the early 1950s, through to the 1970s.
He has made an absorbing, adulatory look at the directors, who in archival interviews are able to express how they made their films in a way that was different than those filmmakers that came before them. That is not to say they rebelled against all filmmakers—Alfred Hitchcock, Howard Hawks, Jean Renoir, and Nicholas Ray were their idols—but against a stale, studio aesthetic from the 1950s that they felt needed a change. It’s not that they were out to actively tear apart the world of filmmaking. Their purpose was to make new, exciting, and personally meaningful films.
1:15PM CAUSE TOUJOURS!
Directed by Jeanne Labrune France / 2004 / 87 min
This way-offbeat comedy from Gallic director Jeanne Labrune concerns two young French women, best friends Léa (Sylvie Testud) and Jacinthe (Victoria Abril). While Jacinthe develops a fixation with the moths that begin to cluster in frightening quantities throughout her apartment, Léa finds herself drawn to a dim-witted fellow employed by a local supermarket, then impulsively decides to follow him home via train. When Léa mysteriously disappears during the days that follow, Jacinthe naturally grows concerned about her friend and decides to investigate. Plot Synopsis by Nathan Southern
3:00PM RÊVES DE POUSSIÈRE / DREAMS OF DUST
Director Laurent Salgues / Burkina Faso, Canada, France / 86 min / French w/English subtitles
Mocktar, a strikingly handsome peasant from Niger, comes looking for work in Essakane, a dusty gold mine in Northeast Burkina Faso, Africa. He is an intriguing individual, tall, strong, and an honest worker. He is also a "man with a past". The film does not reveal much about him; only that he was once a farmer, was married and had a daughter. Mocktar is intrigued by the beautiful widow Coumba who is courageously struggling to raise her daughter, and hopes to send her to school in France. Dreams of Dust transports you to a world few have seen and totally immerses you there. The golden desert relaxes the viewer to sit back and drink in every frame.
4:50PM FATHER OF MY CHILDREN
Directed Mia Hansen-Love/France / 110 min / French w/English subtitles
Grégoire, a Parisian film producer, has it all — a beautiful wife, three adorable daughters, wealth and a buzzing career. On the surface he seems invincible, maintaining humor and charm as he tirelessly juggles the demands of his production company with his family's needs. But when Grégoire's reserves — both financial and emotional — reach a dramatic breaking point, his family's love and resilience is tested.
Winner of the Un Certain Regard Special Jury Prize at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival and featured at the Toronto and London Film Festivals, THE FATHER OF MY CHILDREN is an extraordinarily perceptive new drama from emerging young talent Mia Hansen-Love, and a deeply moving portrait of family in tumult.
6:45PM COCO CHANNEL & IGOR STRAVINSKY
Directed Jan Kounen /France / 120 min / French w/English subtitles
Paris 1913. Coco Chanel is infatuated with the rich and handsome Boy Capel, but she is also compelled by her work. Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring is about to be performed. The revolutionary dissonances of Igor's work parallel Coco's radical ideas. She wants to democratize women's fashion; he wants to redefine musical taste. Coco attends the scandalous first performance of The Rite in a chic white dress. The music and ballet are criticized as too modern, too foreign. Coco is moved but Igor is inconsolable. Paris 1920, Coco is newly wealthy and successful but grief-stricken after Boy's death in a car crash.
Igor, following the Russian Revolution is now a penniless refugee living in exile in Paris. Coco is introduced to Igor by Diaghilev, impresario of the Ballets Russes. The attraction between them is instant and electric. Coco invites Igor along with his wife - now sick with consumption - together with his four children and a menagerie of birds to stay at her new villa, Bel Respiro, in Garches.
8:45PM Sorbet & cupcakes from Gelato Station & Gelati Martini Lounge
9:00PM MA VIE EN L’AIR
Directed by Rémi Bezançon France / 2005 / 103 min
Vincent Elbaz, Elsa Kikoine and Oscar® winner Marion Cotillard star in this romantic comedy about an instructor for an airline company whose fear of flying has sabotaged his relationships. Yann Kerbec uses flight simulators to evaluate pilots’ abilities to handle extreme conditions. But Yann has a small problem: paradoxically, he’s afraid of flying, a debilitating panic linked to his birth and which, in his youth, stopped him from following the woman of his dreams to the end of the world. This phobia leads to a continued childhood immaturity, a detachment from practical life kept alive by the incapacity, or unwillingness, to fly. Today Yann is thirty years old. With nostalgia and humor, he reflects upon his trauma and delivers a scathing stocktaking of his love affairs that went sour because of his phobia.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 1
10:00AM Cafe Cinematheque International Brunch
11:00 AM AALTRA
Directed by Gustave K/Vern, Benoît Delepine / France / 2004 / 92 min / French w/English
sub-titles)
Written, directed by and costarring comedians Benoît Delépine and Gustave
Kervern,AALTRA is an irreverent road movie, showing a distinct flair for understated
physical comedy and defiantly non-PC humor.
Rural neighbors who hate each other come to blows one day on a farm and get tangled up
in an agricultural tractor, leaving them both paralyzed, wheelchair-bound, and simmering
with spite. But rather than feel sorry for themselves, the embittered paraplegics decide to
seek revenge against the tractor's manufacturer. They take to the road, redirecting their
frustrations with their plights towards the people they meet on the way to Helsinki.
Captured in sharp black-and-white Cinemascope photography that complements its
exquisite Tati-like sight gags, Aaltra undermines conventional attitudes toward the
disabled with its dry wit and acerbic, vengeful characters. Look for some recognizable
cameos, including famous Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki.
1:15PM VILLA JASMIN
Director Férid Boughedir / France / 2007 / 90 min / French & Arabic w/English sub-titles
Based on Serge Moati's novel, VILLA JASMIN, is a compelling double love story about a French-Tunisian Jewish family. Serge Moati, a young, handsome Parisian and his equally beautiful wife visit La Goulette, Tunisia to discover Moati's family roots, seen in flashbacks from the 1920s through World War II. The film explores an exotic Jewish culture, which is marred by the impact of the Vichy Government under German Occupation in the 1940s. The locus of the film is the eponymous Villa Jasmin, the seaside mansion of Serge Senior and Odette Boccara. He is from an “old” established Tunisian Jewish family, and she from a “new,” immigrant one, and though they are very much in love, much is made of the social tensions between the two groups. Moati finds solace as he discovers that his parents' love for each other sustained them through good and bad times. Their love was compared to the sweet aroma of Jasmin, the national flower of Tunisia. His mother's charm necklace given by his father with the hidden inscription from Dante Alighieri, The Divine Comedy, "the love which moves the sun and stars" described their unique relationship.
3:00PM DUMAS
Directed by Safy Nebbou France / 2010 / 105 min
Nobody knows Auguste Maquet, and yet everybody knows "The Three Musketeers", Everybody knows Alexandre Dumas who wrote the swashbuckling masterpiece but who knows that Maquet is his co-writer? No one, as his name does not appear on the cover. At least not Charlotte Desrives, the lovely daughter of a doctor stagnating in prison for his political opinions. When the lively girl mistakes the shy Maquet for the fiery ex-revolutionary Dumas, begging him to help her to have her father released, the former makes few efforts to put her right. She is so admiring of him. She is so pretty. Starring Gerard Depardieu as Dumas and Benoit Poelvoorde as Maquet.
5:00PM LET IT RAIN / PARLEZ-MOI DE LA PLUIE
Director Agnes Jaoui France / 2010 / 98 min / French w/English sub-titles
From the celebrated director of LOOK AT ME and THE TASTE OF OTHERS, Agnes Jaoui, comes LET IT RAIN, an endlessly charming and a sharp-witted battle of the sexes. An audience favorite at the New York Film Festival, this charismatic comedy is not to be missed for fans of French cinema everywhere.
Agathe Villanova (Jaoui) is a self-centered, workaholic feminist politician who, upon reluctantly returning to her home in the south of France to sort out her mother’s affairs, runs for an local election. Upon her arrival, Agathe grudgingly agrees to take part in a documentary being made by the blundering duo of Karim (Jamel Debbouze, AMELIE) an aspiring filmmaker, and self-professed "reporter" Michel (Jaoui’s regular writing partner Jean-Pierre Bacri), on the subject of “successful women." As Agathe's life hilariously unravels, the camera is there to capture it all.
6:45PM The Wrap Party
MONDAY AUGUST 2
6:00PM Encore Film TBD
7:30PM Crudites with Fromage
8:00PM Encore Film TBD
Rock Opera
Neil Berg Has to Plan Next Step After Premiere
Credits: Ray Brasted
Theater Review
"The 12" is a Rocking Show,
But Needs to Find its Pace
By Ray Brasted
There is a lot of passion in "The 12", the rock opera that had its world premiere at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on April 1. There had better be, the story is based on the tribulations and confusion experienced by the 12 apostles following the crucifixion of their leader, Jesus Christ.
As the show begins, "Peter" (Ron Bohmer) emerges from the front of the audience in an agitated state. Their leader is lost. Will the show go on? This opening is clever on one hand, but a bit disconcerting on the other. The audience has to quickly get up to speed because just moments after Peter's appearance, the first of 20 songs "Walk Away" begins. The numbers are strung together with minimal dialogue to set them up and almost no set pieces or costumes.
There is a lot of singing talent on stage and the music and lyrics by Neil Berg are on point and reflective of the angst and uncertainty the band members feel. Bohmer's Peter is torn with guilt and it comes through in in raging lyrics and anguished screams.
Jeremy Kushnier as Tom (Thomas) is the doubter of the 12 and it takes some convincing to make him believe that the group should carry on their leader's work and his desire to bail out on the band comes through in his emotionally charged solo, "I'm No Hero".
There was inspired casting in the choice of Dan Spitz, one of the founding members of the heavy metal band Anthrax. Director Richard Seyd makes sure Spitz gets the spotlight and some ripping guitar solos in several of the numbers. Spitz, as the apostle Philip has no lines in the show. He lets his guitar do the talking.
With 12 men on stage, it is necessary to make sure there are some strong female voices and Sophia Ramos as Mary Magdalene and Elaine Caswell in several roles (Mother Mary / the Devil / Roadie) offer some of the best numbers of the show.
It is early in the run, but there seems to be some steps that can be taken to ensure The 12 finds its place in rock opera history. Performers should have head set microphones and not rely on hand mikes that limit their movement.
The audience should be given a chance to get into the scene before the first song is belted out. And sure, this is a rock band and everyone wears what they came to work in, but a bit more effort at costuming wouldn't hurt. Pacing is a challenge with so many people on stage, but at under 90 minutes the show has room to set up transitions and add some dialogue. We have great singers, we just need a bit more acting.
This is a great story and concept but to reach the kind of wide audience that helps ensure long term success, patrons have to identify with the characters on some level. We have mothers, lovers, friends and traitors in this story. Define them a bit more and The 12 can have a long life because there is no doubt this musical rocks out.
Ft. Lauderdale News Restaurant Review - Azur in Key West Featured
Susan Lazarus Reviews Azur in Key West
Credits: Ray Brasted
RESTAURANT REVIEW
Azur Restaurant in Key West, FL
Susan Lazarus, Travel and Entertainment Writer
When travelling for work in Key West, one of the perks is the opportunity to try new restaurants, which are plentiful and at times unique. A local friend recommend Azur restaurant, a bit off the “beaten path” which is a good sign – it’s not on the overcrowded and touristy Duval Street strip but still conveniently located in the heart of Old Town.
While rather unassuming upon arrival, the interior is pleasant the staff welcoming. We had a group of 7 with varying ages and food preferences. We all were happy with Azur.
Azur is known for its creative and inventive Mediterranean cuisine, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner options. The salad of frisee lettuce, iced pear, dates, Belgium endive and gorgonzola with honey herb vinaigrette was light and refreshing yet filling at the same time. The fish, chicken and lamb entrées tried were presented well and were delicious. We tried the apple and almond tart dessert but next time I would look at one of the chocolate delicacies. The prices are not cheap, but typical of Key West and at least the food had the quality and the restaurant had the ambiance we were looking for.
I recommend Azur for a fine dining experience in a comfortable setting.
For more information go to www.AzurKeyWest.com of call 305-292-AZUR
Azur Restaurant is located at 425 Grinnell Street, Key West.
Ed. Note: Susan Lazarus is a writer for Ftlauderdalenews.net and covers travel, dining, destination and entertainment news and reviews.
Barilla Interactive Dinner - South Beach Wine & Food Festival
Cooking for Your Supper... with Help From Friends
Credits: Photo by Ray Brasted
Cooking with Strangers,
Dining with Friends, An
Interactive Experience
Ray Brasted and Susan Lazarus
We didn't know what to expect as we walked into the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables for the South Beach Wine & Food Festival's Barilla Interactive Dinner. We were actually going to cook with strangers? How was that going to work?
We found our table in the banquet hall and introduced ourselves to our new cooking colleagues. We were already feeling a lot more relaxed thanks to the champagne we sipped while waiting for the doors to open. A bit more wine was served at the table and we were ready to cook.
The evening was facilitated by Lidia Bastianich, award winning chef, author and Public Television cooking show host. She was joined by her son, Joe Bastianich who owns a number of award winning restaurants and three wineries. Also on the podium were Lorenzo Boni, Executive Chef of Barilla America, Cody Hogan, Chef at Lidia's Kansas City, Fortunato Nicotra of Felida New York and Phillippe Ruiz of the Palme d'Or restaurant at the Biltmore Hotel.
With such an illustrious team helping us out, how could we go wrong? After enjoying the already prepared Academia Barilla, consisting of Cherry Tomatoes and Academia Barilla Shaved Pecorino and a plate of Organic Goat Cheese Terrine with Black Olive Tapenade, Roasted Italian Sausage and locally grown greens, we were ready to cook.
In turn, members of our table prepared Montasio Frico with Potato and Crab Filling and then moved on to Fish Soup with Barilla Ditalini and Academia Barilla Cherry Tomatoes. The main course was Ahi Tuna, Radicchio and Balsamic-Beet Vinaigrette and we finished up with the already prepared Pistachio Brownie Napoleon. Along the way we enjoyed wine pairings with each dish.
By the end of the evening we had made new friends and discovered the joy of cooking with a team. "This is a fantastic way of giving a cooking lesson," said Chef Lidia Bastianich. "You can really get into it and these recipes reflect who we really are."
Participants left with a copy of "Lidia Cooks from the Heart of Italy - A Feast of 175 Regional Recipes", assorted Barilla products and wonderful memories of an interactive experience.
Learn more about the festival at www.sobe.com and mark your calendars for next year's events. (Photo by Ray Brasted)
Rock Musical
Neil Berg, Dan Spitz and Adam Friedson
Credits:
Rock Musical "The 12" World
Premiere, April 1 at Broward Center
If the World Premiere of "The 12" scheduled for April 1 at the Broward Center has half the passion as the show's composer and lyricist Neil Berg and show producer Adam Friedson, audiences will be in for a very special treat.
This is an original rock musical that seeks to join the ranks of Jesus Christ Superstar, Hair, Rent and Spring Awakening. The story and concept are by Berg who expressed a "life long fascination with religion" when he spoke at a recent Fort Lauderdale press conference. The show is written by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, Robert Shenkkan.
"This was written from the heart," Berg told reporters at a special screening of a 12 minute "showcase-type" performance recently held in a New York City club. "I wanted to explore the dramatic questions surrounding one of the most important events in human history." Berg developed the music, lyrics and story concept.
Berg said that he was a rock and roller at heart and a musician with a love of the history of the genre. "I wanted to write an authentic rock and roll show," he emphasized.
Producer Adam Friedson said it was his goal to bring together the b iggest names in contemporary theater to create a "great fusion" of Broadway talent. The show has cast Ron Bohmer (Phantom, Les Miserables, Ragtime) as the apostle Peter; Jeremey Kushnier (Rent, Footloose) as apostle Thomas; Pattie Russo (featured singer from Meatloaf, Trans Siberian Orchestra) as Mother Mary and The Devil; Michael Lanning (Broadway's The Civil War) as Simon; Sophia Ramos (VH1s Best Undiscovered Artist), as Mary Magdelene. One of the great surprises was the casting of Palm Beach resident and former lead guitar player from the heavy metal band Anthrax, Dan Spitz.
Spitz said that he and Berg have known each other for a long time but was still surprised when offered a part in the musical. "Neil came to me and said, you need to be a part of this," Spitz said. This is another in a series of dramatic changes in the life of Spitz who gave up the music scene and left Anthrax to become a master watchmaker and founder of Spitzwatch.
The rock and roll production will be set in the context of a modern day underground rock band whose members face a crisis in their lives when their leader is murdered. The team behind the show expects "The 12" to appeal to a wide range of audiences and are doing a lot of preliminary ground work to let the religious community know about the show and what it seeks to accomplish. They say it is about how people react under pressure and how they interact with each other. It won't hurt that, judging from the samples of music from the production, at heart it will be a rock and roll event with great vocal talent and great music.
The show will play in several small markets as the cast and music is fine tuned and then open April 1 at the Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. For ticket information visit www.browardcenter.org. (Story and Photo by Ray Brasted - Promenade News)
