Fanclub Dinner, Friday, May 24th in Philadelphia

From Maggi:
Hi Fans!  The location for our fanclub dinner on Friday, May 24th at 5:00, (plenty of time to make the 8:00 show) will be the same place as last year, only the name of the restaurant has changed to Square Peg, 929 Walnut at 10th,  just a block from the theater. (It used to be called Marathon Grill. We had a great little private area upstairs to have our party.) I am calling tomorrow to make reservations. All are welcome - just let me know if you would like to attend. Shhhh, we are celebrating Eric's birthday (don't tell him). But no gifts please.   Email me at maggiwun@yahoo.com 
 http://www.squarepegrestaurant.com/ 

"Grease" Moves to the Walnut!

Message from Eric:

"For all you 'North-easterners!'.... I am in Philly doing Grease to the end of July. If you want to join Maggi and the gang, or look into tickets, check out the info below. Its going to be a rockin good time!"

Buy Grease tickets here.

Photos by Maggi

Maggi's Grease Review

Riverside Theatre's production of Grease, directed by Bruce Lumpkin, is a delightfully campy romp through the 50's, filled with references that bring back fond memories for the largely senior audience. Founded over 30 years ago, with a recent $20 million renovation, the beautiful theater has one of the largest subscribing audiences in Florida. The lobby is filled with photos of its biggest benefactors and the program has an impressive seven page list of supporters.

This is no high school production. The cast is made up of seasoned professionals who work together as a well oiled unit. Their comic timing and enunciation is precise and the audience responded with enthusiastic laughter at the appropriate times. The characterizations are broadly drawn, almost in satire, as are the songs and musical numbers. While some songs are added from the movie (i.e. "Hopelessly Devoted") the stage production is more explicit in its adult themes.

As Danny and Sandy, Matthew Ragas and Laura Giknis have strong voices. Laura, as Sandy, was dressed and made up as such a little girl it made me wonder why Danny would be drawn to her. Kate Fahrner is impressive as Rizzo, effectively displaying a combination of outward toughness and inner vulnerability, especially in her heartfelt "There are Worse Things I Could Do".
Interestingly, Kate was "Ellen" in Walnut Street's "Miss Saigon" last season, opposite Eric's Chris. This production will move to Walnut Street in Philly in May.

Eric told me he is flying under the radar in this show, doing two cameo roles that are different enough from each other that the audience may not realize he is the same person. He doesn't appear onstage until the beginning of the second act, but his booming and snappy radio announcer voice can be heard a number of times throughout the first, coming through the transister radio. His unique voice is instantly recognizable and made me chuckle in delight. His character of Vince Fontaine is loosely based on a young Dick Clark and Eric certainly looks the part, in a well fitted trim suit, narrow tie and slick hair. He wasted no opportunity to come on to every female, young or old, including head mistress, Miss Lynch, delightfully played by Mary Martello. This was an entirely new side of Eric I have not seen before. A while ago I remember asking him if he could play "slimy" and he replied "I don't know". Well apparently he can. I'm convinced there is nothing he can't do.

When we see Eric again in "Beauty School Dropout" he is dressed in a blinding white suit with white tie and his pompadour is reminiscent of Frankie Avalon in the movie. He is breathtakingly good looking. A real teen idol. The song really showcases Eric's vocal abilities and the audience sits up and takes notice. It's evident he is having a blast with it, milking it for all it's worth, in keeping with the rest of the show. He takes his time building up the song, dazzling us with a gradual slide up to the final note, eliciting the loudest applause of the night.

I will see the show again on Saturday and may post again afterwards. The Vero Beach run is through May 4th. Tickets are still available at www.riversidetheatre.com.

Eric is Teen Angel in Riverside Theater's "Grease", Vero Beach, Florida

 April 11th-May 14th

Buy tickets here

At Walnut Street Theater, Philly, May 14-July 14th
Buy tickets here

From Maggi: This is a great photo from Eric's past!  Don't miss "Grease" in Vero Beach, FL opening today or in Philly in May.  (See details below.)

See Eric in "Grease"

 

April 11 - May 4, 2013

"Grease"
Riverside Theater, Vero Beach, FL

"Grease" opens April 11th at the Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach, Florida, in conjunction with the Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia (May 14- July 14th.) Riverside is the only professional producing theater on the Treasure Coast and is considered to be the largest in the country to exist in a town as small as Vero Beach. Last season, about 76,000 people attended its shows. Its budget for the 2012-13 season was $6.5 million. We are excited to see Eric interpret the roles of Vince Fontaine and Teen Angel in these productions.  Vince Fontaine – An egotistical, slimy radio disk jockey trying to relive his teenage years. Notable Vinces have included Edd Byrnes (film version). Eric will also do the role of Teen Angel – which includes the ironic comedy song, "Beauty School Dropout". Usual portrayed as a teen idol, featuring a guest star, notable Teen Angels have included Frankie Avalon (film version).

Tickets available: http://www.riversidetheatre.com/2013/Grease/show.php

This production will then move to:
May 14-July 14, 2013
Walnut Street Theater, Philadelphia, PA
http://www.walnutstreettheatre.org/season/grease.php

Brindlebeast Demo Review

From Maggi: Got this from Susan, one of our contest winners of the Brindlebeast demo CD. Thank you Susan!

 "My first impressions of Eric's "Brindlebeast" CD. 'Something There' reminds me of the feeling of 'Sunday In The Park With George' (couldn't help but visualize Eric doing the role of George:)So complex, hauntingly beautiful...rich lyrics. It's wonderful to hear Eric singing something original!!!  Read more here.

BWW Review: "Utah Symphony's 'Do You Hear the People Sing' is sublime"

From Maggi: Broadway World review of the Utah concert, "Do You Hear the People Sing" from which I took the following exerpts:

 "The other incredibly talented guest artists included Eric Kunze, who performed as Marius in Les Miserables and Chris in Miss Saigon on Broadway..."

and..."Other memorable moments included "I'm Martin Guerre" from Martin Guerre by Eric Kunze..."

 Read the full article here:

Hartford Memories

This message was sent to me by Susanne from Philly, who attended our fanclub dinner and the Evening with Eric Kunze in Hartford.  Her review of the evening perfectly recaps the night and I am sharing it with you here.  Thanks, Susanne!

"Saturday night (Feb. 23rd) marked another wonderful adventure with Eric. Before the cabaret show in Hartford, I was blessed to have dinner with seven other fan friends who traveled from all over of the country to see Eric perform. Maggi made all the arrangements for us to have a nice block of time sharing a meal together before the show and we were able to meet new friends and catch up with those we knew. We laughed and talked as if we had all been together for years and we swapped stories of the first time we saw Eric perform. As his fans know, once you have heard that voice, you never forget it!...  (read more here.)

Message from Eric

I want to say "thank you" to the group that came out to support Brindlebeast, and express how excited i am for the evolvement and progress the piece is making. This is a very special show that has a story that will not leave a dry eye in the theater. I am so thrilled to be part of it!

Utah TV Spot Promoting "Do You Hear the People Sing"

KSL 5 News Today spot with Eric and Jennifer Paz singing a bit of "Last Night of the World" from Miss Saigon.  They are at minute mark 2:39.

Channel 2 News in Utah

Eric, Jennifer Paz and Les Mis creator Claude Michele Schoenberg in a warm-up session before a TV 2 News interview in Utah before tonight's opening of "Do You Hear the People Sing" in Ogden.