Dakota Discography

by Ruth Milne

Technicolor is an understatement.

In Black Hills Community Theatre’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” the titular coat is constructed of men’s ties — including 6 color-themed panels with upwards of 40 ties each. And if you’ve ever been to the tie display at a second-hand store, you know just how vivid those things can be.

Talented costume designer Chris Lee came up with the garment, which is central to the plot. The story (clearly secondary to the spectacle) is the biblical tale of Joseph, played exuberantly by Adante Carter. Rough recap: his father gives Joseph an ostentatious coat, his brothers get jealous and sell him into slavery, and Joseph rises to power interpreting dreams for the pharaoh. All to some really peppy music.

The production features music by Andrew Lloyd Weber and lyrics by Tim Rice, the duo who also brought you “The Phantom of the Opera.” But this is nothing like “Phantom.” Directed by Mikal Kraklio, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” doesn’t take itself seriously at all; although based on the Bible, it is never overtly religious. It’s also not historically accurate: no matter who you ask, biblical-era people did not wear berets or cowboy hats, and they definitely did not wear ’60s-style polyester suits. But it’s fun, and at times laugh-out-loud funny.

As the cool, postmodern narrator, Michelle Martinson was front-and-center singing for virtually the entire production, and she filled the demanding role well.

Musical director Molly O. Dailey and choreographer Andrea Schaefer collaborated to make each song a blast, from the disco “Go Go Go Joseph” to the country-twanged “One More Angel in Heaven,” as well as other songs ranging from calypso to 1950s rock ‘n’ roll. Even the curtain call is an extended musical number. In the cast of 26 — that’s right, 26, all on that one little stage — it’s hard to stand out, but each member of the ensemble did a great job; in the lively musical numbers, each and every actor was constantly doing something interesting. It’s not only hard to single some out for praise, it’s actually impossible. Flip through the pages upon pages of cast bios in the program; they were well selected and well directed, and I salute them all.

The pharaoh — Stephen Faruggia as an over-the-top Elvis impersonator — was wildly entertaining; the only problem was that I didn’t take in any of the lyrics and had no idea what his song was actually about. Fortunately, that didn’t make a whit of difference. “Joseph” is straight-up entertainment for all ages, no mental investment required.

Exactly what I needed after a long day’s work.

“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” is the very definition of family-friendly entertainment, but surprisingly, the audience when I attended was nearly all adults — people who could have seen this musical when it first hit the stage in 1968. Perhaps the 7:30 p.m. start time was just too late for a school night. Still, the theater was packed, and everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy the musical.

After tonight’s Wacky Wednesday showing, performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, with the last performance October 4, at the Black Hills Community Theatre at the Rushmore Mall. The box office is open from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; stop by, call 394-1786 or go to www.bhct.org for tickets, which cost $18 adults, $16 senior/military, and $11 students.

by Ruth Milne

“Sundown” makes me want to be a hippie. Go barefoot, sit in the sunlight, eat brownies offered by Grateful Dead fans. Whatever.

It’s just a groovy song, you know? Plus he’s Canadian, which is awesome.

Gordon Lightfoot will probably sing “Sundown” at his concert this Saturday, October 3, in Rapid City. Showtime is at 8 p.m. at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center theater. Tickets are $35-$45 plus fees; go to www.gotmine.com to get yours.

It would be lovely to see those charming old hits in concert, but I haven’t bought a ticket yet. You see, Mr. Lightfoot is over 70 now — will the concert be nostalgic and sweet, or just terribly sad to see a great musician worn down with age and unable to sing and perform as he once did? When I saw Willie Nelson at the Civic Center a couple years ago, it was a mixture of both. Still, I’m glad I went.

How do you feel about aging musicians?

by Ruth Milne

The Black Hills Community Theatre box office opens at 7 p.m. tonight for the 7:30 p.m. performance of “Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat.” I recommend that you arrive early — the super-cheap Wacky Wednesday tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, and no reservations or season tickets will be accepted.

Admission is $10 all ages tonight to see the colorful, family-friendly musical, the first in BHCT’s 2009-10 season. Performances (and the box office) are at the BHCT theater space next to Radio Shack in the Rushmore Mall.

Go to www.bhct.org for more information.

The play continues at regular prices through October 4.

by Ruth Milne

If you’re really bored this weekend and looking for something loud, you can catch Blacklite District, After Autumn, and Source of Solace this Saturday at the Firehouse Saloon in Sturgis (not to be confused with the Firehouse Brewing Co. restaurant in Rapid City). It’s an all-ages show starting at 7 p.m., and admission is $5.

I’m not that bored.

by Ruth Milne

If you loved it as a movie, you just might love it even more with the sparkle and spectacle of live theater. “Mamma Mia!”, a musical tale of love, laughter and friendship on a Greek island set to the songs of Abba, comes to the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center this weekend.

Showtime for the first production in the 2009-10 Broadway Series is at at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26; and 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27.

Tickets are $59.50-$77 plus fees; go to gotmine.com or call 1-800-GOT-MINE.

by Ruth Milne

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of Empires, a hardcore metal band based in Rapid City. The band includes five young guys who play fast, complex music. They have an explosive style and a confident, professional stage presence. And they’re loud. Like I said, I’m a fan — so, like the rest of their ever-growing fan base, this flyer absolutely delighted me:

Presumably the brand-new, self-released demo will include the scorching new songs recently posted on Empires’ MySpace page. The tracks are a little rough, and certainly not as good as the band is in concert, but they’re solid and showcase the band’s potential. This will be the group’s last local gig for a little while; after the show Wednesday, Empires is heading out on their first tour — which includes opening for Converge in Gillette.

The other two bands on the lineup are Benicia (hardcore/metal from Rapid City) and headliner Molotov Solution (political deathcore from Las Vegas), and as the flyer indicates, this event will be held at the VFW in downtown Rapid City. Hope all goes smoothly — it would be nice to have a regular central location for shows.

by Ruth Milne

When I first heard Jason Mraz on the radio, I was shocked. Almost drove off the highway. Not because I loved the song — wasn’t really my style — but because the song didn’t sound exactly like the song before it, and didn’t sound exactly like the song after it. That’s just not the sort of thing one expects in 2009!

The laid-back singer-songwriter’s Gratitude Cafe Tour takes him through Rapid City next week, when he performs at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, in the Don Barnett Arena at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. All tickets are $39.50 plus fees.

Go to gotmine.com or call 1-800-GOT-MINE for details.

by Ruth Milne

Seventy-two years. That’s a long time — especially for an arts organization. But that’s just how long the Rapid City Concert Association has been putting on its annual concert series. This year’s lineup looks promising, bringing a variety of musical and arts performances — everything from Chinese acrobats to Big Band and swing music.

• Cantus — Monday, Sept. 21. An all-male vocal ensemble singing art songs, folk songs, and msuic ranging from spirituals to Sting.
• String Fever — Thursday, Oct. 1. A family of four world-class musicians with an original show featuring five and six stringed electric violins called violectras, a viola, and a cello.
• Boston Brass — Thursday, Nov. 19. Five-piece chamber brass performance ranging from exciting classical arrangements, to breakthrough vocal harmony, to burning jazz standards.
• New Shanghai Circus — Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010. Troupe of highly acclaimed Chinese athletes present of Chinese circus acts dating back to harvest festivals of more than 2,000 years ago.
• Riders in the Sky — Wednesday, April 7, 2010. Grammy-winning Western music group present favorites by such legendary cowboy singers as Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers.
• The Harry James Orchestra — Monday, April 26, 2010. Music from the golden age of swing by a band that has continued the tradition of the fine playing that first made it famous, now under the direction of Harry’s lead trumpet virtuoso, Fred Radke.

All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center theater. The concerts have open seating, so early arrival is advised.

Season memberships are still available for the six-concert series; cost is $60 adult, $25 student, and family packages at $70 and $130. Single-performance tickets cost $20 for adults, and $10 for students.

Go to www.rapidcityconcertassociation.com for more information.

by Ruth Milne

Black Hills Blues Society presents Eddie Turner in concert this Saturday, Sept. 19, in Rapid City.

Showtime is at 8:30 p.m. on the third floor of the Firehouse Brewing Co. restaurant in downtown Rapid City. (That door is just east of the restaurant door.) Admission is $10, or free if you’re a Blues Society member, which you’re really starting to consider if they keep bringing these amazing acts to town, right?

I’m not a man, not by a long shot, but I’m still digging this Turner track called “I’m a Man,” below:

Man. If I can scratch together $10, I’ll be there.

Eddie Turner’s website — and I’m not making this up — is www.eddiedevilboy.com, which he earned by beating the devil in one of those guitar-playing contests you see in movies from time to time.

by Ruth Milne

“Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat,” a Tony-nominated show from the same people who brought you “Jesus Christ Superstar,” retells the Old Testament story of Joseph and his colorful coat. The colorful, family-friendly musical with a cast of 26 stars Adante Carter as Joseph and Michelle Martinson as the narrator. Directed by Mikal Kraklio, with choreography by Andrea Schaefer, this play should be a blast. Last season Kraklio proved his talent for directing comedy, and Schaefer was part of the “Procedo” dance performance I enjoyed so much this summer.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sundays through October 4 at the Black Hills Community Theatre at the Rushmore Mall.

The box office at the mall is open from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; stop by, call 394-1786 or go to www.bhct.org for tickets, which cost $18 adults, $16 senior/military, and $11 students.