The vicissitudes of show business are brought into sharp focus in theatrical’s production of A Chorus Line. Under the keen eye of formidable director Zach and his assistant choreographer Larry, 24 dancers audition for an upcoming Broadway production. Two dozen are soon whittled down to 17. That is when, in between the dancing, Zach asks…
Ex Pilots began as Ethan Oliva’s solo project in 2015 with the release of Findlay, a compilation of demos from 2009. By 2019, the project evolved into a full band with the release of their excellent self-titled LP, which was remastered and reissued last year on Smoking Room. Now with a solid six-member lineup, Ex…
Life in all its messiness is played out in Lyric Opera’s chamber opera The Children’s Bach. With music by Andrew Schultz and libretto by Glenn Perry, it is based on a novella of the same name by Helen Garner. Set primarily in Melbourne in the 1990s, it centres on the fraught relationships in the Fox…
Formed in 2007, Sydney’s Straight Arrows have carved out a prominent spot in the Australian indie music landscape. Known for their energetic live shows, they have built a solid discography, including multiple singles, studio albums, and a live LP. Straight Arrows have played alongside The Black Keys, The Buzzcocks, and Thee Oh Sees, and have…
Horse Jumper of Love is a Boston-based trio composed of Dimitri Giannopoulos (vocals/guitar), John Margaris (bass), and James Doran (drums). Known for their intricate approach to indie rock, the band has gained recognition for their expressive compositions that explore both gentle and intense soundscapes. Since their formation, they have developed a reputation for introspective songwriting,…
One of the cleverest and funniest pieces of musical theatre I have had the good fortune to see, Murder for Two is a triumph of writing, performance and direction. It is an outrageous murder mystery, a comedic whodunit, with two actors filling 13 roles … and 12 those going to one of them. Mayhem, mirth…
Osees, led by frontman John Dwyer, have carved out a distinctive niche in the underground music scene. Known for their relentless touring and prolific output, the band has consistently evolved their sound over the years, incorporating elements of garage rock, punk, and experimental music. Their recent work reflects a commitment to pushing creative boundaries and…
Can one truly escape one’s past? Can true love win out? These are questions posed in Giacomo Puccini’s La Rondine (The Swallow). The three-act lyric opera set in Paris and on the French Riviera concerns the fate of a mistress. She – Magda – and her provider, the wealthy Rambaldo, are hosting a cocktail party…
Formed in Glasgow, Nightshift has been active for five years. The collective has experienced line-up changes and released two albums prior to Homosapien. Their 2021 album Zöe and a compilation tape, Made of the Earth, marked their previous outputs. The current lineup includes Chris White moving from drums to guitar, Eothen Stearn on vocals and…
SIX sizzles and girl power rules. It is a high-octane musical in every sense of those words. I speak of talent, production values, choreography, sound and lighting – the complete package. The concept is pitting the wives of King Henry VIII against each other in a show of strength about who was the most hard…
