The Charleston Gazette - Reviews

Book review: Coonts hero battles terrorists on the high seas

(James E. Casto) — Sat, 18 May 2013 23:00:00 -0400

"Pirate Alley." By Stephen Coonts. St. Martins Press. 310 pages. $26.99. CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia native Stephen Coonts hit it big with his first novel, "Flight of the Intruder," published in 1986, and hes given hi...

Lewis Black lightens up the Clay Center

lynch@wvgazette.com (Bill Lynch) — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:52:35 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Thursday night, the Meier Performance Hall at the Clay Center howled with laugher as comedian, actor and writer Lewis Black held court for almost two hours. The comedian got a pretty good house, too, with only a few seats here and the...

Lots to love about Lyle Lovett in Charleston

lynch@wvgazette.com (Bill Lynch) — Fri, 10 May 2013 23:45:00 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Usually, about half of the performers who play the Clay Center make some polite remark about hoping to be invited back, but not every singer really deserves the invite. Friday night, Lyle Lovett and his very fine Acoustic Ba...

Review: Underwoods whirlwind of wail blows Civic Center audience away

(Victoria McCabe) — Wed, 08 May 2013 22:38:06 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Carrie Underwoods "Blown Away" tour roared through the Charleston Civic Center last night, leaving a wild and animated crowd in its wake. Grammy-nominated singer-guitarist Hunter Hayes kicked off the concert in fine ...

Book review: Voices called Billy Ray Cyrus to success

(James E. Casto) — Sat, 04 May 2013 23:00:00 -0400

"Hillbilly Heart." By Billy Ray Cyrus. New Harvest (Amazon Publishing/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt). 274 pages. $25. CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Like countless other teenage boys, a young Billy Ray Cyrus dreamed of becoming a professional baseb...

Light Opera Guild puts on somber but spectacular Evita

( ) — Fri, 03 May 2013 23:53:06 -0400

By Susan M. Gardner For the Saturday Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Charleston Light Opera Guilds production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rices "Evita" opened Friday night with somber song and dance in honor ...

Former Christ Church organist makes stylish return with W.Va. Symphony

(David Williams) — Fri, 03 May 2013 23:55:11 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Organist Peter DuBois made a stylish return to Charleston, where he served as organist at Christ Church United Methodist until 1991, in Francis Poulencs Concerto for Organ, Timpani and Strings in G Minor, Friday night...

‘A Delicate Balance for dedicated Albee fans only

(Autumn D. F. Hopkins) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 19:08:56 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The talented actors of the Alban Arts Center give a technically satisfying presentation of the lesser-known Edward Albee play, "A Delicate Balance." However, upon viewing this production and not just reading the piece...

Circus returns with thrills, chills, but few spills

lynch@wvgazette.com (Bill Lynch) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 23:55:59 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey returned to Charleston Wednesday night with a show full of thrills, chills and very few spills. A modest crowd turned out for opening night, but the first night of the circus in town has never been ...

Review: Experience the Beatles with Rain was a two-hour nostalgia fest

(Autumn D. F. Hopkins) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 23:03:28 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The second to last show of the Clay Centers Broadway in Charleston played Tuesday night to an almost packed house. "Experience the Beatles with Rain" was a two and a half hour trip back in time. While Rain -- a spot-on ...

Review: Saxtons Cornet band re-creates a bygone era

lynch@wvgazette.com (Bill Lynch) — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 21:14:25 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- At first blush, the notion of sitting through a two-hour concert of Civil War-era songs played by a 12-piece brass band using antique instruments would be a hard sell even if it wasnt a Charleston Community Music Association show. A r...

Book review: Author captures currents of Crapalachia

(Atlanta Journal-Constitution) — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 23:00:00 -0400

"Crapalachia: A Biography of a Place." By Scott McClanahan. Two Dollar Radio. $16. "The best way to do anything," writes Scott McClanahan in his new memoir, "is to get a bunch of poor people to do it." And "Cr...

The Farm is a post-apocalyptic thriller

flipside@wvgazette.com (Tessarae Thompson, Scott High School) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 17:00:12 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Emily McKays "The Farm" is set in a post-apocalyptic world. The time prior to the apocalypse is known as the Before. In the Before, vampires existed, but they did no...

Shadow Breakers an adventure of mystical proportions

flipside@wvgazette.com (Ronni Lynn Wood, Scott High School) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 17:02:59 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- What would you do if you had just moved to a new town only to discover that something wasnt right. What if the town you had moved to was a center for paranormal happenings. And what if you were told that you had to learn how to fight t...

Money Run is fast-paced and exciting

flipside@wvgazette.com (Ronni Lynn Wood, Scott High School) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 17:05:25 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The life of a teen thief sounds like a pretty interesting thing to read about to begin with, right. Well, throw in the biggest heist of the century, the countrys second-deadliest assassin and a few life-threatening circumstances -- all...

W.Va. Symphony does Broadway tunesmiths justice

(David Williams) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 23:47:21 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Broadway and, more recently, its London counterpart have been home to tunesmiths and melodic wizards from Berlin to Bernstein, Rodgers to Lloyd Webber. If Claude-Michel Schoenberg, composer of "Les Miserables," seemed a cut a...

Pattersons Murder Suspect a thrilling read

flipside@wvgazette.com (Tessarae Thompson, Scott High School) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 14:20:18 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Four siblings, two murders, one house. Who did it. That is the question Tandy Angel is trying to answer in James Pattersons "Confessions of a Murder Suspect." Wh...

Fleck trio, SteelDrivers light up Mountain Stage

( ) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 20:51:46 -0400

By Joseph C. Atkins

BUCKHANNON, W.Va. -- Anticipation was high as my wife and I walked into th...

Review: Capitol Steps are sometimes funny, often uncouth

(Autumn D. F. Hopkins) — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 22:28:41 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Capitol Steps, a comedy troupe based outside of Washington D.C., performed at the Clay Center on Sunday night and received mixed reactions from the crowd. Most of the show was offensive and shockingly vulgar and although parts of...

Evil Dead a fun, frightening flick

flipside@wvgazette.com (Nicholas Ransbottom, Home study) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 18:54:39 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Well folks, you can go ice skating with Satan, and you might see some pigs in the air because Hollywood has finally remade what is considered a classic and didnt screw it up at all. Who would have thought it possible.By todays horr...

The Host a winning blend of sci-fi, action and romance

flipside@wvgazette.com (Samira Shahbandy, George Washington High School) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 19:02:08 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- In the future, a species known as Souls comes to Earth. They find mankind to be a destructive, hateful species and seek to transform humans into beings they can control. Some Souls, called Seekers, capture people and put themselves int...

Ben Williams and the Sound Effect a jazz experience like no other

(Autumn D. F. Hopkins) — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 00:45:46 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Two-time Grammy nominee Ben Williams played at the Clay Center Saturday night in an intimate and casual performance. With seating onstage the audience was treated to an up-close and personal jazz experience. A graduate of Julliard, Wil...

Partners and Pairs ballet show is a crowd pleaser

(Autumn D. F. Hopkins) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 23:53:25 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Charleston Ballet presented "Partners and Pairs" and a four-part mixed bill of dance at the Charleston Civic Center Little Theater on Friday. The first portion of the show was "Majisimo," a Latin-inspired vign...

Third Day puts on a fantastic show

(Autumn D. F. Hopkins) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 23:55:12 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Third Day returned to the capital city Thursday night for their Miracle Tour at the Municipal Auditorium.

Opening for the band were singer-songwriters Josh Wilson a...

St. Patricks Day concert disjointed despite fine singing

(Autumn D. F. Hopkins) — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 18:55:50 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- From "Galway to Broadway" was the Charleston Music Associations St. Patricks Day offering. Although the music was lovely and Ciarán Sheehans voice was something otherworldly, the concert lacked continuity, was disjoint...

W.Va. orchestra takes flight with Cirque

(David Williams) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 23:20:31 -0400

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Orchestral performances dont take flight like "Cirque de la Symphonie," the West Virginia Symphonys pops concert at the Clay Center, did Friday evening. Usually, it is a soaring violin solo that draws that observation from ...

Review: Rogers keeps hits coming at Clay Center show

lynch@wvgazette.com (Bill Lynch) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 22:39:05 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Theres a line in the chorus of "The Gambler" about "knowing when to hold them, knowing when to fold them and knowing when to run." Wednesday night at the Clay Center, Kenny Rogers still seems a long way from foldi...

Review: Guy, Lang tear it up at the Clay Center

lynch@wvgazette.com (Bill Lynch) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 00:20:51 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Bluesman Jonny Lang, finishing up his powerhouse 90-minute set, said he had to get off the stage to let Buddy Guy come out, "and tear the roof off the place." And thats pretty much what the 76-year-old blues legend d...

Die Hard disaster

flipside@wvgazette.com (Katherine Burgess, Winfield High School) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 17:05:23 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- "A Good Day to Die Hard." More like a good day to fall short of everyones expectations. This is by far the worst of the "Die Hard" movies, and even if it werent part of the franchise, it still would not be a good mo...

Safe Haven another fabulous Nicholas Sparks adaptation

flipside@wvgazette.com (Samira Shahbandy, George Washington High School) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 17:10:40 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- "Safe Haven" is the latest film based on a Nicholas Sparks novel. Its a heart-wrenching romantic drama that will touch your heart and keep hold of it for days. When a mysterious, young woman desperately needs to get out of to...

Disney on Ice is entertaining for all ages

(Autumn D. F. Hopkins) — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 22:20:24 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Disney on Ice once again returned to the Charleston Civic Center, this time with "Worlds of Fantasy" providing entertainment for children of all ages, although granted, the target audience is probably under 10.I have ...

Review: Clay Center crowd loves Irish dance

lynch@wvgazette.com (Bill Lynch) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 23:36:10 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- At long last, the "Lord of the Dance" arrived in Charleston. Sooner or later, most major shows seem to find their way to the Clay Center and Michael Flatleys "Lord of the Dance" is one of the best known. Wednesda...

Review: Sleuth is not funny, and its far too long

(Autumn D. F. Hopkins) — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 23:43:45 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Kanawha Players "Sleuth" plods through two acts with 120 minutes of exhausting dialogue between only two actors. Large portions of the play were like sitting in a detective-fiction lecture series with a professor obsess...

Movies and music mix well for W.Va. Symphony

(David Williams) — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 00:00:29 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Music makes movies work. Imagine the opening of Spielbergs "Jaws" with the music from "Beaches," instead of John Williams menacing shark rumble and thump. Not quite so scary is it. The West Virginia Symphony wanted...

Review: Water Coolers are delightful, funny

For the % (Betty King) — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 23:05:45 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- At Sundays program by the Charleston Community Music Association, the Water Coolers provided a delightful afternoon of poking fun at corporate life. The advance stories didnt adequately prepare me for the amazing vocal talent and blend...

Review: Singer makes holiday show even more special

lynch@wvgazette.com (Bill Lynch) — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 23:25:24 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- After 20 years, Bob Thompsons "Joy to the World" holiday concert hasnt lost its glitter or shine. Thursday night, Charlestons gentle jazz giant, his band The Bob Thompson Unit and guest vocalist Catherine Russell helped ush...

Review: Cirque Dreams Holidaze thrills Clay Center audience

lynch@wvgazette.com (Bill Lynch) — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 22:48:41 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Christmas season is here. If there was any doubt, Sunday night the Clay Center doled out a heaping helping of holiday madness with "Cirque Dreams Holidaze," the latest show in the "Broadway in Charleston" series...

Symphony Christmas concert a pleaser once again

(Autumn D. F. Hopkins) — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 00:00:31 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The West Virginia Symphony Orchestras Christmas Pops Concert is a staple of Charlestons Christmas season. Without Maestro Grant Coopers elfin shoe change, I doubt Santa would realize it was almost time to deliver presents. This y...

End of Watch returns to Marquee for short run

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 20:08:49 -0500

"End of Watch" *** Rated R (strong violence, some disturbing images, pervasive language including sexual references and some drug use) DIRECTOR: David Ayer CAST: Jake Gyl...

Dishonored a real treat for gamers

flipside@wvgazette.com (Nicholas Ransbottom, Home study) — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:59:20 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Very rarely does a game come out where everything seems to work perfectly. The mechanics, the story, the setting, the art style -- they all work together smoothly and provide a gaming experience that nears perfection."Dishonor...

Resident Evil 6 more action than horror

flipside@wvgazette.com (Nicholas Ransbottom, Home study) — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 17:04:21 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- If theres one thing I can say about "Resident Evil 6," its that it tries. The ninth game in the core series, "RE6" tries to make itself stand out. It features four separate campaigns featuring different pairs of...

Magnuson channels glams Jobriath

gazette@wvgazette.com (Michael Lipton) — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 20:34:57 -0500

"The Jobriath Medley"

Ann Magnuson

http://annmagnus...

A new Dawn, but not a brighter day

(McClatchy Newspapers) — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 18:42:02 -0500

"Red Dawn" * 1/2
RATED PG-13 (sequences of intense war violence and action, and for language) DIRECTOR: Dan Bradley CAST: Chris Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson and Josh Pec...

Santa leads all-star team in winning Rise of the Guardians

(McClatchy Newspapers) — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 19:42:31 -0500

"Rise of the Guardians" *** RATED PG (thematic elements and some mildly scary action) DIRECTOR: Peter Ramsey VOICE CAST: Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman, Isla Fisher, Jude La...

Ang Lees Life of Pi is inspiring 3-D art

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 19:50:11 -0500

"Life of Pi" ***1/2 RATED PG (emotional thematic content throughout, and some scary action sequences and peril) DIRECTOR: Ang Lee CAST: Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan and Ra...