Previewing tomorrow’s interview and updates on past guests
Coming Tomorrow: John Kinsner, Producer of Labyrinth: In Concert
Tomorrow’s interview guest is John Kinsner, founder and CEO of Black Ink Presents and producer of Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: In Concert, a touring production celebrating the film’s 40th anniversary. The show combines a screening of Labyrinth with a live band performing Trevor Jones’s score and Bowie’s songs in synchronization with the film, accompanied by Bowie’s original vocals. John and I discuss the technical challenges of bringing the film to the stage, its enduring appeal across generations, some of its less obvious details, and the audience participation that makes the production something more than a conventional movie screening. The tour is visiting 60 North American cities, including Albany on November 23, when I’ll be in the audience myself. For more information and tickets, visit labyrinthinconcert.com.
Speaking of live performances, I’ve recently seen and reviewed shows featuring three previous guests on Maggiore on Bowie. Since those reviews appeared, there have been some noteworthy developments worth sharing.
Donny McCaslin’s Lullaby for the Lost Up for Grammy Consideration
Earlier this month, I wrote about the extraordinary experience of seeing saxophonist Donny McCaslin, who led Bowie’s Blackstar band, perform his latest album, Lullaby for the Lost, at Public Records in Brooklyn. I described the intimate, high-energy performance as transcendent, a concert I felt as much as heard. Now Donny has announced that his music is on the Grammy ballot in four categories: Best Jazz Performance and Best Instrumental Composition for “Lullaby for the Lost,” Best Alternative Music Performance for “Blond Crush,” and Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for Lullaby for the Lost. Being on the ballot means the recordings are under consideration for nominations, not that they have been nominated yet, but it’s an exciting development for an artist whose work I’ve come to admire enormously. You can watch my interview with Donny below.
Joey Arias and Basil Twist in The New York Times
Another former guest, Joey Arias, is the subject of an extensive New York Times feature about the revival of Arias with a Twist, his extraordinary collaboration with master puppeteer Basil Twist. I recently saw the production at HERE Arts Center in New York and wrote about the experience. The Times explores the origins of the show, the creative relationship between Joey and Basil, and Joey’s recovery from addiction, which helped make the revival possible. The article also examines Joey’s resistance to being categorized as a drag performer, preferring to describe his artistry as a matter of “silhouette and soul.” In other good news, the production’s run has been extended from its originally scheduled November 1 closing date through December 20, giving audiences more opportunities to see it. For tickets and more information, visit HERE Arts Center’s website. Joey, who famously performed alongside Bowie and Klaus Nomi on Saturday Night Live in 1979, discussed that historic appearance and Arias with a Twist during our interview. You can watch my interview with Joey below.
The New York Times Weighs In on Sophia Anne Caruso’s Memoirs of Amorous Gentlemen
Another former guest, Sophia Anne Caruso, who originated the role of Girl in Bowie’s Lazarus, stars in Memoirs of Amorous Gentlemen, the new Off-Broadway musical featuring music and lyrics by the late Duncan Sheik. I recently saw the production and wrote an enthusiastic review, praising Sophia’s extraordinary voice and performance, the music, and the immersive staging. The New York Times was considerably less impressed, criticizing the production for failing to deliver on its erotic premise and for avoiding some of the complexities of sex work and human desire. I saw something different: a show that uses the relationship between prostitutes and their clients to challenge our assumptions about exploitation, respectability and morality. At least the Times and I agree that Sophia is a compelling performer, though I was considerably more enthusiastic about how the production showcases her talents. The show is scheduled to run through January 3, giving audiences an opportunity to judge for themselves. You can watch my two-part interview with Sophia below.