Rockers on Broadway
A Benefit for Broadway Cares /
Equity Fights AIDS
Monday December 6th @ 8pm
Crash Mansion @ BLVD
Reviewed by John Miller
Photographed by Lizzie Heard
http://www.newyorkcool.com/archives/2005/January/music_4.html
I have to admit, shamefully, the first reason I went to see Rockers on Broadway was not because I wanted to be a Good Samaritan and bring money into Broadway Cares / Equity fights AIDS (even though I am as concerned as the next guy about this dreadful disease and hope to see it end soon). It was also not because I wanted to see all my favorite Broadway actors, (I have only seen a couple of Broadway shows and really know nothing about any of the actors in those shows). It was not even for the common reason many people went to see it: Justin Guarini of American Idol up close and personal. The reason is, I am purely interested in music - of all types. “How is Broadway supposed to fit in with rock and roll music?” I thought. “Can Broadway actors really do rock and roll without it seeming like a curious high school rendition of a talent show?” Being skeptical, yet curious, about this question, I went to check it out. I guess I also have to admit another reason in case you think I’m trying to be too sophisticated. It was also because of my imaginary teenage love affair with Christina Amphlett of the Divinyls.
Put together by Donnie Kehr and Sabrina Gordin, Rockers on Broadway started from the inspiration of the musical Tommy. In the words of Sabrina Gordin: “The idea started in 94, Donnie was in TOMMY on Broadway and Pete Townsend wanted to arrange a concert so the actors in the show could sing some of their own music...They did a few concerts back then.”
With the way the media and the public in general have lately been more inclined towards glamorous rock events rather than traditional theater, it seems natural that Broadway actors, (not immune from our cultural influences) would want to do something of the same nature. We all grew up on MTV and stadium concerts. To want to combine the traditional with the modern is a natural human tendency. The highly developed stage and character techniques of the actor, combined with the glamour of the rock star, the “Rockers on Broadway” were able to present Rock and Roll in a way that has not been seen very often.
Using the actors in the skin of rock stars for the evening were able to capture the audience and draw them into the emotional ride, with the actor/rockstar at the wheel. It seems that the actor, in these days, has a not-so-secret desire to be a rock and roll star, but on the other end of things, the rock and roll star could learn much about the character-play and audience-control of the actor. Some examples of this crossing-over is Christina Amphlett’s desire to do get into theater. Bringing her full circle back to the traditional medium from which she started in Australia in the early 80’s.
On the other end of things,
actor/producer Donnie Kehr recently
created his solo record. Sabrina Gordin
says: “Earlier this Year Donnie Released
his Solo record SHIFT… We had a Record
release Party/concert at Arlene's
(Grocery).” From this CD opening party,
they had so much fun discovering their
“rock” side that they had to do it
again. “They (Arlene’s Grocery) offered
us a Monday night a month…Donnie's brain
started turning and he decided he wanted
to do the ROCKERS concerts again. So
together we did and
now we have completed our 4th one…each
getting bigger and more successful”. So
successful was it, that apparently that
they have had to move the venue from
Arlene’s Grocery to Crash Mansion at 199
Bowery.
Charging a hefty $20, I was surprised and pleased to see so many people lining up to see the show and stand up for research against this deadly disease. According to Sabrina, “We always had a full kick ass band”. This was certainly not an exaggeration. The band consisted of both revered veteran and talented new musicians as follows:
Kevin Kuhn, Guitar
David Kuhn Bass
Keith Crupi Drums
David Rosenblatt Percussin
Ted Baker and Randy Cohen Piano
This talented group was truly able to re-create a real rock concert as one could see them beyond control, yelling their enthusiasm at the crowd through their instruments. The actors supplied the audience engagement and participation to where it all seemed very interactive. There was even a table full of actors (Ryan Link, Will Chase & co.) who came to the show in 80’s/90’s head-banger/grunge gear. (You gotta love the Metallica T-shirt and chain wallet!).
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| Justin Guarini |
The show contained two acts with people singing in no particular order and ended climactically in an ear-drum breaking rendition of Pinball Wizard by the Who (OK at least one show tune, but a rock one at that!). In between the acts there was an auction. In this auction there were several signed memorabilia, but the one that went for the most was the autographed pencil sketch of Justin Guarini which went for a whopping $250.00. I guess the title “American Idol” comes with a reason. There’s nothing like a little autographed picture for the altar. But hey, that’s $250.00 AIDS research wouldn’t have if no one bought it. I guess it helped out too that Justin himself was bidding against the audience. (A lovely lady won against Justin! And received a kiss in the process.)
Soon after the intermission Christina Amphlett of the Divinyls sang her song “I Touch Myself” with all the passion that I would have ever dreamed of. When she looked right at me while she was singing, I felt transported back to the age of 15 and couldn’t help but flush with embarrassment. I later asked Sabrina if Christina did this at all her shows or if I was special. She said, “You’re special.” Nice to hear.
So, everything from the raise the
roof rendition of “If I Ain’t Got You”
sung by Schele Williams (Aida) to the
epileptic antics of Mickey Dolenz, to
Donnie’s original rock hits, Rockers on
Broadway was not one to be missed.
According to Donnie and Sabrina, “We do
a Rockers once every other month or so.”
So don’t
miss out. This last one gathered an
extra $5,000 towards fighting AIDS. It
may not seem like much in the grand
scheme of things but the more people
there are the better time one has. So
that means, that better time everyone
has, the more money is being made to
fight AIDS. Who would have thought
disease fighting could be so much fun?