Kris Allen: the 'Other Guy'

By M.K. Scott

With all the news of late centering on Adam Lambert, I had a rare opportunity to meet and interview the OFFICIAL American Idol, Kris Allen, backstage at the Idol Tour this past summer. Kris came into the backroom backstage at the Tacoma Dome wearing jeans and a tight, blue t-shirt. Allen, 24, was short and looked about 18. His cuteness was obvious.

MK: How does it feel to be the American Idol?
KA: It feels good, you know, it was good putting together the album, so that is obliviously a good thing and working on a lot of stuff.

MK: On the show, what was some of your Best Moments?
KA: Probably, the best moment would be, for me, was singing with Adam and Queen at the same time...I just loved that...I was just great time and will never forget that.

MK: Who was your favorite judge?
KA: Always, always the favorite judge question (Laughter…’Stay away from me!’), well we spent a lot of time with Paula, so she is really, really sweet and such a nice person, so I am not going to pick one, but she was really sweet and Kara was amazing and Simon is a nice guy behind the scenes and all that.

MK: So he really is nice?
KA: He’s nice, but he believes what he says on the show.

MK: So you and Adam get along really well?
KA: Oh my gosh, absolutely! (Smiling)

MK: With the recent passing of Michael Jackson, Was he an influence in your life?
KA: I don’t know anyone who is in music right now that Michael Jackson wasn’t an influence. He was the first person I really got into, I mean, my parents caught me dancing to his music as a kid. Trying to be like him, trying to moonwalk. (I wasn’t very good at that) and so he was the first tape I bought. (The ‘Dangerous’ tape) so yeah, I grew up with him and he was the number one influence in my life. Musically.

MK: Do you plan to release more albums?
KA: Oh my gosh, YES. This is just the beginning, hopefully.

MK: What previous American Idols do you hope to have the same success as?
KA: Kellie has done so well and Carrie, obviously has been amazing. Even someone like David Cook just kind of done his own thing and have played small shows for his tour, so even like him would be successful in his first year would be great.

MK: Best of Luck to you in your continued success.
KA: Thanks a lot!

Following up: Kris’ self titled-debut-album was released in mid-November and sold 80,000 copies placing him No. 11 on the charts. Adam Lambert’s controversial appearance on the AMA’s conveniently happened the night before his album was released and which debuted at No.3. Allison Iraheta’s album debuted the first week of December and the results were not available by press time: Season 9 of American Idol starts in January.

Kris' IDOL Audition

Betty Buckley with Seattle Men's Chorus: 'Memorable'!

When you think of Betty Buckley, you automatically think, ‘Memory’ from ‘CATS”. You can’t even picture her singing anything else, much less, Christmas carols!

When you think of the Seattle’s Men’s Chorus, you think large, very respected and GAY men’s chorus singing traditional with a twist of CAMP.

I had the pleasure of attending the opening night performance of Seattle Men’s Chorus’ ‘Santa Baby’ with Special Guest, Broadway Diva, Betty Buckley. Despite the fact that Buckley only appeared for the first 2 performances, the rest of the show’s multi-performances are worth seeing.

The show started with a rare backup of Benaroya Hall’s pipe organ, which I don’t remember being used at an SMC concert since 2000. The first 3 numbers (including a salute to Strauss, Wagner, Verdi and Tchaikovsky and Maurice Durufle’s ‘Gloria’ and ‘Sanctus’).

Then it moved to more Comtempory with Broadway’s ‘Downtown’ with new lyrics by Eric Lane Barnes with ‘Kidrow’ added in the place of ‘Skidrow’.

Longtime Music Director, Dennis Colemen introduced, Betty Buckley. Will she sing, ‘Memory’? No, she sang 2 Christmas carols, and left the stage.

The Act 1 finale was a showstopper with the Bollywood style,’ Bolly Jolly Holiday’.
Act 2 started with Christmas tributes to the Muppets, The Misers, Partridge Family and Star Wars created by Maddux and Barnes.

Another SMC tradition, a performance of "Silent Night" with all 250 singers signing the song.

The Act 2 Finale paid tribute to Michael Jackson with the Christmas themed ‘Thriller’.

It wasn’t over yet, National Drag sensation, Arnaldo! came out with 4 beefcake guys for a special solo performance.

Buckley, came out one last time to belt out the STRONG and EMOTIONAL, ‘Oh Holy Night’.

Just when, you thought there was no ‘Hope’, Buckley commented, “I heard I would be in trouble if I didn’t close with a particular song, She sang ‘Memory’ to a much appreciated audience. Click Here to see her perform 'Memory'

Sondheim: a Conversation with a Legend!

I was all prepared to Interview the legendary Broadway composer, Stephen Sondheim for OUTview’s radio blog, but since Sondheim, 79, rarely does interviews , it was a long shot. What I did get was a ticket to see an actual interview occur LIVE at Seattle’s Benaroya Hall this past Monday night being conducted by former NYT theater critic, Frank Rich.

The 100 minute Interview (Some was questions from the audience) jumped around a lot from hearing stories from GYSPY to COMPANY and Back to GYPSY. Then they ‘started from the beginning and a very good place to start’ by revealing the summer he spent being mentored by Oscar Hammerstein III by working as his assistant.

He called Jerry Robbins as the only genius he has ever known but also ruled by fear and harbored resentments that he unfairly took out on his cast. The only one who could stand up to him was Jule Stein,who wasn’t afraid of anybody.

Currently he fears that the French critics for an upcoming Paris production of “A Little Night Music” (with Leslie Caron and Kristen Scott-Thomas) will recognize Ravel’s heavy influence on his work.

The highlight was the story about the audition for ‘Little Night Music’ and the image of 75-year-old Hermione Gingold revealing her bald head to prove she was her right choice for the role.

RENT: The 'Phenomenal' TOUR!

PORTLAND, OR-Last summer, when I heard of a new tour of RENT, would be coming to Portland and it would headline the 2 original stars of Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp; I couldn’t wait til June 2009. So finally, when June was approaching I had exactly the same bit of excitement when Joel Grey was on tour with ‘Cabaret' in February 1989.

It is rare you get see a touring show with the original cast as well as appearing in the movie version. (i.e. . Joel Grey)

Just in case you don’t know, ‘RENT’ is modern day version of Puccini’s La Boheme about of group of artists in Early 90’s (known as the Bohemia years) and it has a big gay subtext with relationships between Gay men, a lesbian relationship, drag queens, and about 4 major characters living with HIV.

Most of the audience knew the show so well, that they applauded at the beginning of each song and REALLY applauded after each song this was very evident for the La Vie Boheme (the act 1 finale) and ‘What you own’ Anthony and Adam’s tour de force duet.

As I do every time I watch the movie, I always cry at the end of ‘No day Like Today’ when Angel, the character that dies from AIDS reappears in the last shot. It reminds me of the creator Jonathan Larson and how every time you hear his music his legend lives.

Johnathan Larson, who died tragically before the show's original debut, captures the electricity of this time and combines it with a score that features a number of ensemble pieces that are nothing short of outstanding. When I saw the original production of Rent on Broadway, the performers closely mirrored their characters: they were young and struggling to make a name for themselves. The original show snapped with a spark of energy that is unlike anything else I've ever seen on stage.

After the show, a huge crowd met the two at the stage door with a wave of camera flashes and screams. The two have become something akin to rock stars. I witnessed this en route to the Marriot for the Cast Party and Benefit for the Cascade AIDS Project.

At the party I ran into CAP director, Michael Kaplan with his partner Sean Sasser. Writers; Marc Acito and his partner Floyd Sklaver. I didn’t see Adam Pascal there, but did meet Anthony Rapp, to tell him I hope to have on the radio show soon. The tour is expected to conclude in February 2010!

IL Divo ‘Moves’ the crowd in the Pacific NW

By MK

EVERETT, WA – I could have seen this hunky foursome at the rose garden arena in Portland, OR on night 2 of their 2 night stop in the Pacific NW: So I opted to see them on the opening night show in all places, Everett, WA. Well, that worked cause they certainly brought some class to this small berg when they performed at the new Comcast arena, on this past Tuesday, June 2nd.

I looked at my ticket as soon as I received it and realized, ‘OK, 12th row’, It was when I actually got to my seat when I realized the stage went all the way behind the 10th row and for a good portion of the concert was in the 2nd row. AWESOME!

With mostly an older gay and straight crowd, I might be expecting a snooze. But what came next was a tour de-force of contemporary hits that have never been sung like this before, not even by the original artists!

Il Divo, (did I mention, the four hunky guys) opened the night with a Barbra Streisand-inspired version of "Somewhere."Il Divo combines comely good looks and tailored Armani suits; with a Euro style (They had 5 costume changes)!

That has translated to a brilliant success for Il Divo, which translates loosely to "the divine." That success sustained them Tuesday night with songs that brought the audience to their feet when they weren't swooning in their seats.When the sole American of the group, tenor David Miller, 35, unleashed his lung power, which led both the women and the gay men to let loose.

Il Divo's chart-topping success has been fueled with an exotic sizzle, a melting pot group of model-lovely singers representing several cultures. Besides American-born Miller, there's baritone Carlos Marin, 40, of Spain, pop singer Sebastien Izambard, 35, of France and tenor Urs Buhler, 37, of Switzerland.The foursome had only to strut across stage to elicit squeals.

But we didn't pay for just the catwalk, and these guys knew that.They delivered "Unbreak My Heart" and then "La Promesa," the title from their new album, "The Promise," and the reason for their world tour. Then came "Angelina," also from "The Promise" as the four singers sung to a swelling crowd.As promised the men shook hands with admirers while swaying in the stage's center circle and belting it out. These guys ‘Move’ a crowd.

A treat for the crowd was a song not recorded on any of their albums: "Bridge Over Troubled Water," with the stage an azure glow.There was an unfortunate break in the singing for a wardrobe change (which was made up with beautiful 3-d images that magically moved). Then Marin teased the crowd by asking if they missed him. They answered with hoots and hollers.

For Act Two, Il Divo walloped "Without You" out of the arena, melted hearts with "Every Time I Look at You," sang "Hallelujah," and wrapped up with "My Way."

After a long (but appreciated) wait, the guys came out wearing new suits and performed 3 encores. By the end, the whole main floor had moved toward the stage was able to reach for their hands and got much appreciation back. The (Older) crowd, moved.

Buoy LaRue will be a STAR!

By MK

I wasn't sure what to expect when I was invited to see Michael Hermann's group, Buoy LaRue, at Portland's Tiger Bar last month. I had seen Michael in a few musicals back in the mid-90's and knew he had star quality. I had no idea that he was such a musician, and has incorporated a great mix of classic rock and string quartet. I could understand why Buoy LaRue, is labeled as Beethoven meets Beck!

We are Back!

In February, I started a weekly streaming audio program on the now defunct, Q-radio, after a few short weeks of great ratings, the server blew and so went the the whole q-netwerk (Q-Portland, Q-Seattle, Q-Radio, etc) It is taking months to decide if it is worth saving. The answer is YES, but gradually. Since I created the OUTview brand and not Q-netwerk, I hope the Q's audience will stick with me during this process, I have set forth to rebuild the brand on blogspot, and while this is happening I can continue to do my show, and split the themes on different blogs. GLBT issues will go on Q-issues; Entertainment on Q-Entertainment, etc. My goal is to build up gradually my audience and perhaps a new home!