(Photo courtesy of Cheston Reisler)
Some would say that a convention allows one to be a kid at heart. I believe this to be true. Someone at the ReGeneration Who Convention (in Baltimore March 23-25 www.regenerationwho.com) even gave me a ribbon which quoted The Doctor Saying, “There’s no point in being grown up if you can’t be childish sometimes.”
The special pre-Frozen event on Valentine’s Day was beautifully decorative and creative. The tables were decorated with blue, pink and white balloons and snowflakes. Each place setting had a special Olaf hat to assemble and wear. These were also available at the performance with the purchase of a cotton candy. Everyone at the Opening Night VIP Party, both young and old was given crayons and a coloring book, as well as a Program.
The stage is set when a charming minstrel, (Nick Rashad Burroughs) graces the stage to set the scene to welcome us to the Renaissance in London, England. His funny exaggerated facial expressions are amplified when the entertaining ensemble joins in the welcome song to add enjoyable dance moves to amuse the audience. They sing about new modern things which makes the audience laugh, as they are old to us. The tone was set for comedy and the cast delivered.
Having enjoyed last years (Re) Generation Who Doctor Convention, I was eager to once again put my “con-noisseur” skills to work. This year’s convention occurred March 18-20, 2016 in Hunt Valley, MD. As an avid convention attendee, having attended many Doctor Who Conventions over the years including Awesome Con, Chicago TARDIS, Gallifrey One and Visions (Among others), I was eager to compare this years (Re) Generation Who to last years festive event. This year did not disappoint.
In 1957, painter, Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance) is shown to be a Russian spy who is caught by the CIA. This is a true story. Steven Spielberg who directs and produces the movie wonderfully depicts the Cold War from both the sides of the Americans and the Russians and Communism in East Germany. He shows the fear and distrust on both sides. The thoughts and back-story of what is happening at the time is very poignant. He depicts how American school children are taught to hide when the bombs come, and he shows the terror of the East Germans as the wall was built. The backstory is well told in order to set the mood of the film.
The hype had been mounting about the sensational “Newsies” soon coming to The National Theatre June 9 – 21st. Its arrival was indeed a hit. As Newsies was based on a 1992 Disney film, the crowd included many nicely dressed children who were excited to visit the theatre. If Disney Theatrical Sponsorship isn’t enough, it might be notable to mention that Newsies won a Tony on Broadway.
Anticipation has been mounting for the release of Spy directed by Paul Feig and starring Melissa McCarthy as Susan Cooper, a CIA agent who despite being at the top of her class, chooses to work with surveillance and computer equipment in a dingy basement in order to give advice via an ear piece to her unrequited love, agent Bradley Fine (played by Jude Law).
Memphis, the Tony Award winning musical rocked and rolled its way into the hearts of DC theatre lovers at the Warner Theatre May 1 & 2. Tony Awards in 2010 included Best Musical, book by Joe DiPietro, and original score by David Bryan. Although inspired by actual events, it tells the fictional story of Huey Calhoun, and the birth of Rock and Roll.
The show is set in the 1950’s where racial separation was abundant in the south. Scene one opens stereotypically showing a white radio station
Next, I visited the Dealers Room which had some amazing items. In addition to the usual t-shirts and BBC licensed souvenirs were some wonderful art pieces as well. My favorite was definitely the Doctor Who Leather Journals crafted by Danielle Gunter at Red Falcon. I was also very impressed by the artist Kelsey Wailes who created the beautiful drawing of Tom Baker (which was for sale with his autograph), along with one of the Convention t-shirts.
