World-Renowned artist/tattooer Paul Booth has been announced as the Tattoo Headliner for the 2025 Inkcarceration Festival which is scheduled for July 18-20th at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, OH. Media Mikes Presents had the chance to speak with Paul recently about the upcoming appearance, his 30 plus years of tattooing and his newly released signature coffee blend “Devil’s Pact”.
Tampa Bay Comic Convention is August 1-3, 2025; Tickets are on sale now at https://tampabaycomicconvention.com/ –
TAMPA BAY – May 20, 2025 – As you wish! Fans asked for him, and now Cary Elwes, the actor best known for playing Westley in The Princess Bride is coming to Tampa Bay Comic Convention (https://tampabaycomicconvention.com/) on August 1-3, 2025.
Elwes has had a prolific film and TV career. In addition to The Princess Bride, he’s starred in Robin Hood: Men in Tights, the Saw series, Glory, Days of Thunder, Hot Shots!, Twister, Kiss the Girls, Liar Liar, and Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. His TV roles include The X-Files, Seinfeld, Psych, Stranger Things, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Over the course of his career, he’s been nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award and two Satellite Awards. In 2014, he published his memoir on The Princess Bride called As You Wish.
“Cary has starred in some of the biggest and most recognizable movies and is always one of the most requested guests we get and a fan favorite wherever he goes,” said Dan Farr, Tampa Bay Comic Convention Show Producer. “The Princess Bride has some of the most memorable quotes such as ‘Inconceivable!’ and ‘As you wish’ that are still quoted nearly 40 years after the movie came out and fans love to hear Cary say these quotes and the behind-the-scenes stories about filming The Princess Bride and the other movies and TV shows he’s been a part of.”
Tampa Bay Convention Center will feature the best in geek and pop culture, including movies, TV shows from network TV, streaming services and other online sources, cosplay, gaming, books, comic creators, artists, vendors and many more. Attendees can meet all their favorite celebrities, artists, authors and comic creators for pictures, autographs and panels where they can hear about their careers and current projects.
Tampa Bay Comic Convention has already announced a number of fan-favorite celebrity guests, including Chris Bartlett, John Ryhs Davies, Neil Newbon, Devora Wilde, Jennifer English, Aliona Baranova, Lou Ferrigno, Steve Burns, Susan Eisenberg, Nolan North, Cristina Vee, Doug Jones, Shameik Moore, Joey Fatone, Steven John Ward, Lou Diamond Phillips, Kim Rhodes, Abby Trott, Grey Delisle, Keith David, Kari Wahlgren, A.J. Beckles, David Mantranga, Mallorie Rodak, Bryce Papenbrook, Marty Grabstein, Greg Baldwin, Nicolas Roye, Linda Larkin and Landon McDonald.
More guests will be announced leading up to the convention in August, including guests from fan-favorite fandoms such as Marvel, DC, Disney, Star Wars, 90s Sitcoms, Cartoons, and many more. Indiana Comic Convention will also feature the best in geek and pop culture, including movies, TV shows, cosplay, gaming, books, comic creators, artists, and vendors.
To stay current on Tampa Bay Comic Convention 2025, visit the website, Tampa Bay Comic Convention Social Media, and subscribe to the Tampa Bay Comic Convention Newsletter for all the latest Tampa Bay Comic Convention 2025 Promotions and Guest Announcements.
For more information about Tampa Bay Comic Convention 2025 or to purchase tickets now, visit https://tampabaycomicconvention.com/.
ABOUT TAMPA BAY COMIC CONVENTION:
Tampa Bay Comic Convention is a comic pop culture convention located in Tampa, Florida. Tampa Bay Comic Convention is Tampa’s largest, true comic convention. Featured are exhibitors that cater to a wide-spectrum of interests including comic books, magazines, toys, games, Star Wars, Star Trek, anime, manga, cosplay, artwork, sketches and apparel. In addition, a roster of comic industry professionals, and comicdom-related celebrities are in attendance for attendees to meet and greet. As admission is kept reasonable for adults and FREE for children 10 and under, the Tampa Bay Comic Convention is a family-friendly convention. Find out more at: https://tampabaycomicconvention.com/.
THE AYKROYD FAMILY AND JUDY BELUSHI’S ESTATE ARE PASSING THE BRIEFCASE OF BLUES TO THE NEXT GENERATION WITH ANNOUNCEMENT OF FIRST GRAPHIC NOVEL VIA Z2
FEATURING A FOREWORD BY DAN AYKROYD
The beloved Blues Brothers universe will come roaring back to life over the next few years with forays into television, film, live events, music and much more with the first IP offering being a brand new original Graphic Novel: THE BLUES BROTHERS: THE ESCAPE OF JOLIET JAKE. Written by Stella Aykroyd, Luke Pisano and James Werner with artist Felipe Sobriero, The Blues Brothers: The Escape of Joliet Jake is both a love letter and sequel to the original Blues Brothers film. With editorial oversight by Dan Aykroyd, the utmost care has been taken to ensure this new chapter is true to the classic skits, legendary film, and iconic albums. The result is a wild and entertaining ride for both the longtime fans, and those new to the world of Jake and Elwood Blues. This project was originally conceived with the architect of The Blues Brothers, Judy Belushi Pisano, who sadly passed away during this book’s production.
Luke Pisano shares “The Blues Brothers weren’t just a SNL act or movie, they were real musicians, in awe of the legends who came before them. This book is a continuation of that labor of love. This book is dedicated to my mother, Judy Belushi Pisano – the widow of John Belushi and the fierce, loving steward of the Blues Brothers legacy for over 40 years. After John’s passing, she didn’t just preserve the story—she expanded it. With the team at Z2, and with the talents of Stella and James, we finally found the right partners to make that dream turn reality. I am proud—and humbled—to continue her work in expanding this world of fun, music, and mischievousness.”
“It makes complete sense to me that the new generation of Blues Brothers will begin in comic book form, where the possibilities for destroying police cars is infinite, physics have no bounds, and the potential for jam partners is off the charts.” James Werner points out. “The Blues Brothers universe is full of music and absurdity. Jake and Elwood are FINALLY reuniting , and I am forever grateful that Luke and Stella have asked me to join the band.”
Stella Aykroyd adds “Elwood and Jake are precious to me, in fact, one of them is actually my Dad. I’ve helped him sharpie ELWOOD onto his knuckles before Blues Brothers shows with ‘Brother Zee’, I’ve walked behind him as he’s made his way through a sea of fans dressed as Elwood and Jake all over the world and I’ve been his co-pilot on the road, where he’s explained to me the proper way to T-bone a car. Now, with Elwood, and the one and only ‘Sister Zee’, Judy Belushi’s blessing, Luke, James, and I take the wheel and swerve into the endless possibilities that Z2, Felipe Sobreiro, and the comic book world provide for Jake and Elwood. In many ways the antics we’ve seen from the Blues Brothers have always been perfectly suited for the comic strip; flying cars, supernatural nuns, dusting an entire apartment building worth of bricks off your shoulders, and now Felipe Sobreiro’s illustrations bring them to life once again. Our development process was guided and inspired by the stories and real life occurrences from the lives of Judy, John, and Dan and their process of conception of the Blues Brothers and using it not only for easter eggs but for plot points. I am so excited to share this whole new story with all our music loving anarchists.”
Lastly, Z2 President, Josh Bernstein adds “The Blues Brothers are comedy, pop-culture and musical royalty. Z2 is proud to expand the creative universe built by Dan Akyroyd, John and Judy Belushi-Pisano and welcome new band members: Luke, Stella and James. When you mix their story with the art of Brazilian Blues Brother, Felipe Sobreiro, fans of all ages will be delighted with the epic return of Jake & Elwood Blues. (We apologize in advance to the fine men and women of the Chicago Police Department.)”
THE BLUES BROTHERS: THE SCAPE OF JOLIET JAKE will be available for pre-order via Amazon, Barnes and Noble, as well as many other fine independent book, comic, and record stores.
Bank of America Broadway at The Straz
APR 29 – MAY 4, 2025
Great Scott! BACK TO THE FUTURE, the beloved, the Broadway musical, which premiered back in 2021 at the West End in London has its destination set for Tampa in this month. I had the pleasure of seeing this musical in London back in 2022 and 2023 and also on opening date on Broadway in 2024. I would have to say that it is one of my favorite musicals in the past few years. Still regardless having seen this show three times previously, The Straz Center delivered the goods for this touring production. The sets were fantastic, the sound was perfect and the acting was on par with previous stage adaptations. And most important the car flies (sort of)! This was an amazing experience and I highly recommend getting tickets while you still can to catch this amazing show at the Straz Center in Tampa, FL.
Winner of the 2022 Olivier Award for Best New Musical, four WhatsOnStage Awards, including Best New Musical, and the Broadway World Award for Best New Musical, BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL is adapted for the stage by the iconic film’s creators Bob Gale (Back to the Future trilogy) and Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump) and directed by the Tony Award®-winner John Rando with original music by multi-Grammy® winners Alan Silvestri (Avengers: Endgame) and Glen Ballard (Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror”), alongside hit songs from the movie including “The Power of Love,” “Johnny B. Goode,” “Earth Angel” and “Back in Time.”
Having seen BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL previously with original cast Olly Dobson, who played Marty McFly and Roger Bart, who perfectly became Doc Brown it was setting the bar high for Tampa, FL. Lucas Hallauer, who plays Marty honestly did a fantastic job. Haven seen the show three times with three different Martys, he fit right up there with the best of them. Don Stephenson, who plays Doc also delivered the good. My favorite is still Roger Bart but the guy originated the role so its hard to beat the best. Don did a solid job and hit all the right notes. Notable performances were Cartreze Tucker, who plays Goldie Wilson and Marvin Berry, he sang his heart out and delivered a fun performance. Also I thought that Ethan Rogers was a really solid Biff Tannen. He has the looks and the chops to go along with the role. Honestly highly recommend this touring cast overall.
After seeing this show in London and New York, I was a bit concerned about how they would do a few of the shows key moments and depict the sets. Well let me tell you we were blown away but the sets. They did an amazing job replicating taking you back to Hill Valley. And if you have seen the show you are probably wondering if the car flies…and it does in Tampa, FL. Not fully like in London and New York but it does what it can for a touring production and honestly let the audience in awe and us quite impressed with how things were handled. So I say, get out to Tampa, FL for this run of BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL before time runs out because you don’t want to miss this show!!
People often assume that musicals simply provide audiences an escape from the misery and gloom of the world outside the theater, but Parade is an example of a play that wrestles with a thorny incident in 1913 Atlanta that still haunts our nation.
Although Parade, first hit stages in 1998, it feels curiously more urgent in the current touring revival, which played at the Muriel Kaufman on January 28, felt less like a period drama and more like a stirring account of how the issues that played America 112 years ago are still with us.
Having a sincere recorded introduction from U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, who now represents Georgia, makes the play seem anything but a fossil. The book by Alfred Uhry (Driving Miss Daisy) and songs by Jason Robert Brown (The Bridges of Madison County) recount the murder of a 13-year-old pencil factory worker named Mary Phagan (Olivia Goosman). One of the few people to see her on the day she was killed was a manager named Leo Frank (Max Chernin).
Frank was working when Atlanta residents were celebrating Confederate Memorial Day, and the Texas native had moved there from New York. Being a Jew also made him seem suspicious to his neighbors.
Robert Knight and Ethan Riordan in the National Tour of PARADE, photo by Joan Marc
Parade recounts Frank’s trial and the sensational coverage news coverage that followed. While Frank was convicted, much of the evidence against him was circumstantial and seemed to be based on bad vibes and prejudice instead of hard evidence. Eventually, the governor commuted his sentence from death to life in prison, but Phagan’s murder wound up metastasizing into something far more horrific.
While happy endings aren’t going to happen in this situation, the current touring production of Parade is still consistently engrossing. It unfolds in an almost cinematic manner with dates and images of the real participants projected on the stage and lightning fast transitions between locales.
Chernin is terrific as Leo demonstrating both a stellar singing voice and an outsider persona that makes the ill-starred manager inherently sympathetic. Talia Suskauer is equally solid as Leo’s determined wife Lucille. Her quest to get Leo acquitted even after the trial gives the story a crucial momentum.
Even though you could look up the people and events in Wikipedia, Parade moves like a rocket and is buoyed by a dark humor that never feels like a history lesson. Because this is a musical, having the yellow journalists recount the crime with copious embellishments, seems even more fulsome and grandiose. Similarly, having the questionable police investigations sung instead of spoken makes that toxic folly feel even more real.
It’s easy to tell the tale is personal for Uhry because his great uncle owned the factory where the murder took place. The fact that he could fit a love story into the tale of a hate crime is remarkable. It’s little wonder that the 2023 revival won a Tony and that new tour is so rewarding.
Happy 21st Birthday, The Walking Dead!
Skybound & Image Debut Lineup of The Walking Dead Deluxe #100 Variant Covers
The Comic’s Historic 100th Issue Celebrated with Ten Covers, Skybound Store Exclusives
In celebration of the landmark comic series’ 21st anniversary today, Skybound and Image Comics revealed a stacked lineup of variant covers for The Walking Dead Deluxe, including Skybound.com exclusives. The covers for the monumental 100th issue will hit comic book shops on November 6, 2024.
These all-new covers will appear as variants to The Walking Dead Deluxe #100, with the issue presented in full color format for the first time from writer/creator Robert Kirkman, artist Charlie Adlard, and colorist Dave McCaig. Fans will also receive a new look at the worldwide pop culture phenomenon with pinups and exclusive “Cutting Room Floor” commentary by Kirkman, celebrating the secret history of the series.
In addition to the main cover by Adlard & McCaig and its wraparound variant, The Walking Dead Deluxe #100 will be released with seven additional covers by comics talent David Finch, Mattia De Iulis, Julian Totino Tedesco, Arthur Adams, Yasmine Putri, Simon Bisley, and Derek Hunter, as well as a blank sketch cover.
The “Something to Fear” arc continues here! This extra-sized chapter contains one of the darkest moments in Rick Grimes’ life, and one of the most violent and brutal things to happen within the pages of this series—finally in color!
“How many comic book series have had the honor of reaching issue 100? Now tell me how many have had the fortune to do that twice!” Said creator, Robert Kirkman. “Holy moly, I’m just blown away by the level of support our fans have gifted us with year after year. What an incredible ride this continues to be. If you’re not experiencing this deluxe presentation of the series, featuring glorious color from the master Dave McCaig, you’re really missing out.”
Also on November 6, Skybound will release an exclusive The Walking Dead Deluxe #100 variant cover that is an homage to the original Bloody Lucille Skybound Exclusive by series artist Charlie Adlard, released in 2012 (SRP: $30.00). The cover features a red spot foil logo and spot gloss on the bloodied Lucille. Preorders are open now on the Skybound store, and purchases are limited to two per order.
Preorders are also open now on Skybound.com for The Walking Dead Deluxe #100 Yesterday’s Slabs Cards (SRP: $20.00). Each Slabs card features one of the nine new TWDD #100 covers, and one in ten Slabs cards will be autographed by Charlie Adlard.
On October 8, 2003, The Walking Dead #1 debuted in comic shops and began a historic run from creator Robert Kirkman that would change the face of pop culture. For nearly sixteen years, The Walking Dead rewrote the rules of comic book storytelling, including its surprise ending at issue #193, and has since expanded to include special one-shots, graphic novels, video games and an unprecedented hit television franchise on the AMC network. The franchise continues to grow in new directions, from the Clementine YA graphic novels by superstar Tillie Walden to dynamic interactive experiences like The Walking Dead: The Last Mile and further expansion of AMC’s The Walking Dead universe.
The Walking Dead Deluxe #100 (Lunar Codes Below | SRP: $4.99) will be available comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.
The full list of covers is below:
The Walking Dead Deluxe #100 CVR A by David Finch (Lunar Code: 0924IM293)
The Walking Dead Deluxe #100 CVR B by Charlie Adlard & Dave McCaig (Lunar Code: 0924IM294)
The Walking Dead Deluxe #100 CVR C (Connecting) by Mattia De Iulis (Lunar Code: 0924IM295)
The Walking Dead Deluxe #100 CVR D by Julian Totino Tedesco (Lunar Code: 0924IM296)
The Walking Dead Deluxe #100 CVR E by Arthur Adams & Dave McCaig (Lunar Code: 0924IM297)
The Walking Dead Deluxe #100 CVR F (Wraparound) by Charlie Adlard & Dave McCaig (Lunar Code: 0924IM298)
The Walking Dead Deluxe #100 CVR G by Yasmine Putri (Lunar Code: 0924IM299)
The Walking Dead Deluxe #100 CVR H by Simon Bisley (Lunar Code: 0924IM300)
The Walking Dead Deluxe #100 CVR I by Derek Hunter (Lunar Code: 0924IM301)
The Walking Dead Deluxe #100 CVR J (Blank Sketch Cover) (Lunar Code: 0924IM302)
The Walking Dead Deluxe #100 CVR A by David Finch
The Walking Dead Deluxe #100 CVR B by Charlie Adlard & Dave McCaig
The Walking Dead Deluxe #99 CVR C by Mattia De Iulis
The Walking Dead Deluxe #100 CVR D by Julian Totino Tedesco
The Walking Dead Deluxe #100 CVR E by Arthur Adams & Dave McCaig
The Walking Dead Deluxe #100 CVR F (Wraparound) by Charlie Adlard & Dave McCaig
The Walking Dead Deluxe #100 CVR G by Yasmine Putri
The Walking Dead Deluxe #100 CVR H by Simon Bisley
The Walking Dead Deluxe #100 CVR I by Derek Hunter
The Walking Dead Deluxe #100 CVR J (Blank Sketch Cover)
The Walking Dead Deluxe #100 Bloody Lucille Skybound Exclusive (Foil) by Charlie Adlard
The Walking Dead Deluxe #100 Slabs Cards
“Peter Pan” needed more fairy dust
As the last show of Starlight Theatre’s Broadway season, “Peter Pan,” which is playing through Sunday, tries to take us on magical journey with a few pinches of fairy dust and some loud crowing. While the talented cast does their best to make it an unforgettable experience, “Peter Pan” the musical falls a little short of taking us back to Neverland.
It’s hard to believe how old the story is, but “Peter Pan” was first conceived as a play in 1904 by Scottish novelist and playwright, Sir James Matthew Barrie (1860-1937). In 1911, Barrie adapted it into novel form with the title “Peter and Wendy.” It was adapted as a musical several times including in 1950 with music and lyrics by legendary conductor, Leonard Bernstein. However, it was the 1954 Broadway adaptation with actress Mary Martin playing the title role that put it into the stratosphere, resulting in multiple television broadcasts which enabled generations across the country to see it.
The story of “Peter Pan” is well-documented so there is not a lot of need to delve into the storyline’s details. What is more important is a discussion of the touring production itself. On the plus side, Nolan Almeida as the title character and Hawa Kamara as Wendy displayed amazing vocals throughout the entire opening night performance. Cody Garcia as Captain Hook almost stole the show as the dastardly pirate villain. His red and gold costume also equally stood out and was perhaps the best of the production.
The dance sequences were largely in sync and some special effects, most notably a scene involving Pan interacting with his shadow, were captivating. Unfortunately, the set design was less than inspirational with little to no wow factor. The same was true for the costumes. The story itself was bland even though there are attempts to modernize some of the dialogue, which doesn’t suit the story all that well. While the cast did their best, “Peter Pan” was less than magical and needed a whole lot more fairy dust.
“Peter Pan” will run through September 22 at Starlight Theatre in Kansas City. For ticket information, CLICK HERE.
In “A Streetcar Named Desire,” Blanche Dubois famously stated, “ I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.” Now imagine there are 7,000 Blanche’s in a small Newfoundland town and you have the Tony nominated musical “Come From Away.”
Gander. A small town whose airport was once one of the world’s busiest. However, with the invention of newer and longer distance planes, it’s usually pretty quiet on Tuesday afternoons. But today, September 11, 2001, is not an ordinary Tuesday. Following the terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania, the government has closed all airspace. My current job at the time required me to drive directly past Kansas City International Airport and I remember thinking to myself how odd it was not to see, or hear, a plane taking off or landing overhead. Over two dozen planes are diverted to Gander and, curing the course of the show, we meet the passengers and the townspeople on whose kindness they will depend.
Nominated for seven Tony awards, “Come From Away” is an uplifting story about the human spirit and the ability for strangers to come together. We are introduced to several of the townspeople, including the Mayor, a worker at the local animal shelter and a news reporter on her first day on the job. It’s business as usual until news comes of the day’s tragedy. As if a switch has been flicked, problems that may have seemed major only hours earlier – school is about to start and the bus drivers are on strike – pale in comparison to how to feed, house and clothe 7,000 people. The passengers are an eclectic mix – a British businessman, an experienced pilot and a gay couple, both oddly named Kevin, are among the stranded, doing their best to stay sane while basically unsure as to what has happened. Once the word gets around, a lot of eyes are turned towards a passenger from the Middle East, and not sympathetically. As the days begin to build up we learn their back stories and, for some, their futures.
I had the great fortune of catching this show on Broadway in September 2021, right after the 20th Anniversary of 9/11. It was the time of COVID and it was eerie to stand in line, wearing a mask, waiting to show your vaccination card before you get go into the theater. But the show was amazing, as is this production.
The cast is outstanding. Many of the featured players portray more than one character, with only a slight change or clothing or location to help you differentiate them. That there was never a false moment in the show, or a “hey, that’s the guy that played Bubba” moment is a true testament to the talents of the cast.
The book is very well written, with humor added when needed, never gratuitously. Even in song the events of the day are treated respectfully. The big difference between Broadway and this production is that there is no intermission. Also, after the curtain call the audience was introduced to Kevin Tuerff, one of the real life “Kevins” featured in the show, who speaks to the audience and takes questions promoting his PayItForward 9.11 foundation.
Up against the juggernaut that was “Dear Evan Hansen,” the only Tony award “Come From Away” won was for it’s direction. Almost a decade later, “Come From Away” continues to resonate with audiences while “Dear Evan Hansen” has gone the way of many similar shows that caught fire then slowly faded. This is a show that not only entertains but informs. Don’t miss it.
On a scale of zero to five I give “Come From Away” ★★★★★
For more information on the PayItForward 9.11 foundation, click HERE.
“Come From Away” continues at the Starlight Theater in Kansas City through Sunday, August 11th. For tickets to this engagement or future shows please click HERE.
An unforgettable experience!
After more reviews of theatrical productions than I dare to count, I can say unequivocally that the current Broadway touring production of “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” is one of the best I have ever witnessed. Currently running at the Music Hall in downtown Kansas City, “Moulin Rouge!” has everything you would expect from a production that was once the recipient of 13 Tony nominations and 10 Tony awards including Best Musical. Based upon the Oscar nominated 2001 film by director Baz Luhrmann, starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor, “Moulin Rouge!” is simply a show you will never forget.
Inspired by the nearly 135-year-old Moulin Rouge club in Paris, France, the musical is set in the year 1899 when an aspiring songwriter named Christian (Christian Douglas) arrives from Ohio. He encounters a pair of Bohemians in Toulouse-Lautrec (Nick Rashad Burroughs) and Santiago (Danny Burgos) who, after recognizing his talent, convince the young American to go to the Moulin Rouge with them. There, they hope he can audition a song in front of Satine (Gabrielle McClinton), the star performer and most sought-after courtesan at Moulin Rouge. The trio believes if she is impressed then it will increase their chances to get it approved by its charismatic manager, Harold Zidler (Robert Petkoff). However, when the ruthless Duke of Monroth (Andrew Brewer) enters the picture with deep pockets then the trio’s plan and love affair that sprouts between Christian and Satine becomes a bit complicated.
“Moulin Rouge!” is nothing less than bedazzling with its superb set design, not to mention its wonderful costumes. Its choreography is thoroughly entertaining as well with music that will encourage to hum or sing along. Like what Luhrmann did with the original movie, “Moulin Rouge!” interweaves pop music songs, including ones released since 2001, to create a unique theatrical experience. It also goes without saying how incredibly talented the show’s cast is. Douglas and McClinton shared terrific onstage chemistry with one another, and the cast clearly had a good time performing the show. If you are going to see just one Broadway show in your lifetime then “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” must be the one.
On a scale of zero to five, “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” receives ★★★★★
“Moulin Rouge! The Musical” will run through August 4 at the Music Hall in Kansas City, Missouri. For ticket information, click HERE.
Enjoy big-time family fun at Monster Jam®, where the world’s best drivers and their 12,000-pound monster trucks tear up the dirt in intense competitions of speed and skill. Witness crazy skills and all-out racing in fierce head-to head battles for the Event Championship. You’ll be close to the action as the world’s most popular trucks like Grave Digger®, El Toro Loco®, Megalodon® and more push the limits in Freestyle, Skills, Donut and Racing competitions. Monster Jam also features breathtaking Freestyle Motocross exhibitions. Make memories to last a lifetime. Monster Jam. As Big As It Gets!™
Tickets: Ticketmaster.com
More info: MonsterJam.com
Kia Center
Saturday, August 3 Pit Party: 10:30am-12pm; Show 1pm
Show 7pm
Sunday, August 4 Pit Party: 10:30am-12pm; Show: 1pm
** Doors open one hour prior to show time.
** Any child who has reached their 2nd birthday needs a ticket.
The fun begins at the Monster Jam® Pit Party, where you can get up close to the massive trucks, enjoy family friendly activities, meet your favorite drivers, get autographs and take pictures. This fun-filled experience is the only place to get an insider’s look at how these 12,000-pound trucks are built to stand up to the competition. Family-fun activities vary by location. The Monster Jam Pit Party—there’s nothing like it. (Fans must have pit pass and same day 1pm show ticket to enter pit party.)
Special discount for fans of MediaMikes.com:
Save 20% on select seats when you use code 2MOM4 online at www.MonsterJam.com.
Enter code to unlock savings prior to seat selection. Offer valid on select price levels. No double discounts. Service charges, handling and facility fees may apply. Tickets are subject to market supply and demand. Offer expires 8/2/23.
It’s my second favorite film of all time. The story of a boxer and his million to one shot. So, when I first heard a few years ago that ROCKY was coming to Broadway, I was ecstatic. I never made it to NYC to see it, but a friend of mine sent me the Original Cast CD and I liked what I heard. So I was happy to see that the talented people at MTKC was staging the show locally.
November 1975. Club fighter Rocky Balboa (a well-cast Drew Starlin) is making his living as a “debt collector” by day and a club fighter by night. As he tells his manager, Mickey (Rick Averill), “it’s a living.” But he wants more. More includes Adrian (Jasmine Hall,” the shy sister of Rocky’s best friend, Paulie (Chris Clements). When the forementioned “million to one shot” lands in his lap, Rocky finds himself in the biggest fight of his career.
Based on the film script by Sylvester Stallone, with a book by Stallone and Thomas Meehan (the Broadway shows “Annie,” “The Producers,” “Hairspray”), ROCKY is a very faithful adaptation of the film, The actors on stage are accompanied by a pretty impressive multi-media background, giving even the simplest set a larger feel. This is most evident during the final fight between Rocky and Apollo Creed (Shane St. James).
The songs, by Stephen Flaherty (“Seussical” and Lyn Ahrens (“My Favorite Year,” “Ragtime”) capture the emotion of the situations unfolding onstage. The cast is strong, especially Mr. Starlin and Ms. Hall, who, rather then doing an impression of the original film’s actors, give the characters a sweetness and vulnerability that extends throughout the show. And a special shout-out to Mr. Clements, who truly captures the mixed emotions felt by Paulie.
A few technical glitches aside, the presentation was smooth and the audience I was in cheered at all the right places.
On a scale of zero to five, I give ROCKY ★★★★
ROCKY continues at MTKC on Friday, Saturday and Sundays through April 28th. For tickets and more information, click HERE.
Last week audiences at the Kaufman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City learned the answer to a mystery: Could the laughs from Jonathan Lynn’s 1985 movie adaptation of the game Clue work on stage?
It didn’t take Sherlock Holmes, Jessica Marple or even Beniot Blanc to know the answer was yes. Because Lynn’s movie had a single location and was set in roughly real time, it didn’t take much effort for Sandy Rustin, Hunter Foster and Eric Prince to make the tale work in another medium.
In many ways Clue is funnier live. Watching the cast scampering from a potential killer seems sillier on stage because there isn’t far for them to run. In addition, any fisticuffs that occur during the play seem amusingly innocuous. Greg Balla’s fight choreography ensures the struggles don’t stray into the sadistic or macabre.
Lynn’s storyline and much of his dialogue remains. A group of anonymous strangers have been lured to a mansion by a series for letters. Professor Plum (Jonathan Spivey), Mr. Green (John Shartzer), Miss Scarlet (Michelle Elaine), Mrs. White (Tari Kelly), Mrs. Peacock (Joanna Glushak) and Col. Mustard (Jon Treacy Egan) are not using their real names, and there is a good reason for it. All have managed to run afoul McCarthy-ite witch hunts in 1954 and have additional issues that would be golden for a blackmailer.
Their host, the butler Wadsworth (Mark Price), reveals that they are the victims of a blackmailer named Mr. Body (Alex Syiek). He appears and informs them his demands are going to increase. When the lights in the New England mansion go out, so does the chaos that ensues receives some help from Lee Savage’s sets, which morph into different rooms with interrupting the action. As a result the story leaps floors and covers more ground.
The original movie featured a dream team of character actors (Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn), but the current touring cast is up for the task as well. Shartzer and Elaine, in particular, seem to enjoy sinking their teeth into their roles and lead viewers to hope their characters aren’t the ones who made Mr. Body live up to his name. There are no intermissions in the current production, so the play is a test of the cast’s endurance, and they handle the demand of being “on” constantly effortlessly.
For fans of the game there are dozens of little nods to how a round of it would proceed. The weapons come straight for the box that Hasbro sells.
As of this writing, the current producing is in Cleveland, and audiences there are in for a treat. Clue manages to be a frothy delight despite the fact it involves fatalities. If the game Ais afoot in your city, you won’t have to be a Hasbro stockholder to enjoy the fiendish plot unraveling.
Jamie Lee Curtis, GWAR, R.L. Stine, Devon Sawa, Matthew Kiichi Heafy, and Jeffrey Reddick Will Appear in the Hit Horror Comic Book TRUE BELIEVERS
Bestselling Novelist Stephen Graham Jones, Acclaimed Writer Joshua Viola, and Artist Ben Matsuya Present A Cosplay Slasher Comic Book Set at the Colorado Festival of Horror
Some of the biggest names in horror — iconic actress Jamie Lee Curtis, the band GWAR, bestselling novelist R.L. Stine, screenwriter and film director Jeffrey Reddick (Final Destination), musician Matthew Kiichi Heafy, actor Devon Sawa, and the characters from the cult horror film Deathgasm — will make cameo appearances in TRUE BELIEVERS, a gripping and grisly new comic book mini-series co-written by bestselling Bram Stoker Award-winner Stephen Graham Jones and Denver Post bestselling writer Joshua Viola, featuring artwork by Ben Matsuya. The three-issue series, which delves into the world of cosplay and fan conventions, is set at the Colorado Festival of Horror. A Kickstarter campaign for the second issue features lettering by Jeremiah Lambert and variant covers by Matthew Therrien, Skinner, GWAR’s Matt Maguire, Luigi Scarcella of Half Sumo, and Ben Matsuya, as well as all-new, limited edition variant covers featuring Jamie Lee Curtis and R.L. Stine and Deathgasm by Therrien.
In TRUE BELIEVERS #2, a year has passed since the harrowing events of issue 1, which introduced readers to the bone-chilling slasher character, Killr™. Now a mysterious new figure emerges, adopting the enigmatic Killr™ persona—but is it just another obsessive fan or a new threat on the horizon? Brace yourself for a rollercoaster of suspense and humor with a fresh ensemble of characters. With new mysteries, hilarious gags, and an extra dose of blood, issue 2 promises a thrilling ride for both seasoned fans and newcomers alike.
“We’re incredibly honored to have iconic Scream Queen — Jamie Lee Curtis — featured in our slasher tale,” said Joshua Viola. “As a special treat for fans, we’re offering limited Jamie Lee Curtis variant covers by Matthew Therrien. But it’s more than just a cool cover. For every purchase of her variant, I will personally match that amount and donate it to the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, in support of Jamie’s charity, My Hand In Yours. Your contribution to the campaign will make a significant difference in the lives of critically ill & injured children.”
“Nothing better than being at a horror convention, and the Colorado Festival of Horror does it right,” Stephen Graham Jones says. “Only thing better might be . . . I don’t know. Maybe being there and feeling like you’re walking through the panels of a slasher comic book?”
Rewards for the project include a 30 minute original score crafted by lead vocalist and guitarist of the Grammy-nominated band Trivium, Matthew Kiichi Heafy (available in limited blood-red saw-blade vinyls and cassette tapes), a Friday the 13th-inspired samurai latex mask donned by Heafy in the comic, Killr™ prop shears by Oktober Studios, a signed Matt Heafy Les Paul™ custom guitar, signed GWAR skate deck and drumsticks, and more.
For updates, follow Hex Publishers on X and Facebook. To support the project, visit Kickstarter.
NO REMORSE: THE ILLUSTRATED TRUE STORIES
OF LEMMY KILMISTER AND MOTÖRHEAD
For Motörhead’s 50th anniversary, Z2 gathers over 50 Rockstar contributors including
Dave Grohl, Ozzy Osbourne, Slash, Triple H, Chrissie Hynde and Lars Ulrich to participate
in the oral history of the man and the legend, Lemmy Kilmister
PREORDER AVAILABLE FOR THE BOOK AND EXCLUSIVE VINYL 2 LP SET NOW ON Z2
In celebration of the upcoming 50th anniversary of the legendary Motörhead, Z2 has gathered a staggering line-up of icons to narrate their personal encounters with the man that came to define the sex, drugs, and Rock & Roll lifestyle, Lemmy Kilmister. NO REMORSE: THE ILLUSTRATED TRUE STORIES OF LEMMY KILMISTER AND MOTÖRHEAD kicks off this 176-page tribute with a deeply personal foreword by his dear friend Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters) and a truly touching afterword by his longtime friend and collaborator Ozzy Osbourne.
The book pairs 25 rockstar contributors with 25 acclaimed illustrators to tell the stories of their true and unbelievable personal encounters with the heralded founding father of Motörhead. Recounting their history with Lemmy over the span of his life and career are the greatest living musicians – Ozzy Osbourne, Lars Ulrich, Slash, Chrissie Hynde, Dee Snider, Dave Navarro plus world-class writers Neil Gaiman, Michael Moorcock, pro-wrestling giants Triple H, Corey Graves, TV & Film luminaries including Matt Pinfield, Penelope Spheeris, Riki Rachtman, as well as his bandmates Phil Campbell, Mikkey Dee, and Slim Jim Phantom.
With a gorgeous variety of visual approaches the artists of NO REMORSE: The Illustrated True Stories of Lemmy Kilmister and Motörhead; including Dave Chisholm, Bob Fingerman, Jay Jay Jackson, and Jim Mahfood capture the many facets of these incredible TRUE TALES of Lemmy Kilmister. The cover art is illustrated and designed by comic book legend Tim Bradstreet (Punisher, Hellblazer) and features the gleam of a holographic coating on Lemmy’s classic aviator specs!
“Anyone who ever crossed paths with Lemmy Kilmister left with a very unique experience and stories to share for a lifetime,” says Josh Bernstein, Z2 President and the book’s co-editor/designer. “The outpouring of those stories from his friends and family, paired with some of underground art’s greatest illustrators, brings Lemmy and Motörhead roaring back to life on every page.”
Like all Z2 collaborations, this book comes in a variety of highly-collectible editions, including the 1:5 “All-Access” Edition which features a framed AAA Artist Pass from Lemmy’s 70th birthday party at the Whisky A Go-Go; and the 1:25 “Backstage” Edition that comes with a framed original 2012-2013 Motorhead tour laminate. All of these artifacts are from the personal collection of Lemmy Kilmister. The “No Remorse” editions of the book will come with an exclusive white vinyl variant of the legendary Motörhead double LP, No Remorse, a poster triptych set by renowned designer Hydro74, and a three-card collectors set presented in a custom frame featuring the art of the iconic thrash-metal painter Ed Repka (Megadeth, Super7).
All collector editions will include the oversized deluxe volume of the NO REMORSE: The Illustrated True Stories of Lemmy Kilmister and Motörhead book contained in a metallic foil embossed slipcase, with die cuts that reveal the holographic coating on Lemmy’s classic aviator specs on the cover of the book. All editions available for PREORDER now!
From his early years, Lemmy gravitated to the live-fast attitude of rock & roll, starting out as a roadie for Jimi Hendrix, joining the seminal space-rock outfit Hawkwind and famously getting fired from the band for “doing the wrong drugs.” Forming Motörhead in 1975 after his dismissal, he set out to kick things up and create an aural assault, the likes of which had not been heard. Lemmy Kilmister became the unequaled standard for the Rock & Roll lifestyle.
Of their first meeting, Dave Grohl recounts, “until then I’d never met what I’d call a real rock ‘n’ roll hero before. Fuck Elvis and Keith Richards, Lemmy’s the king of rock ‘n’ roll. A living, breathing, drinking, snorting, fucking legend. No one else comes close.” It’s the life of a Rock & Roll legend, and NO REMORSE: The Illustrated True Stories of Lemmy Kilmister and Motörhead captures it all.
STORY CONTRIBUTORS: Sir Neil Warnock, Wayne Kramer, Michael Moorcock, Ozzy Osbourne, Phil Campbell, Chrissie Hynde, Kim McAuliffe, Slim Jim Phantom, Lars Ulrich, Neil Gaiman, Dee Snider, Slash, Steffan Chirazi, Lita Ford, Riki Rachtman, Penelope Spheeris, Dave Navarro, Mikkey Dee, Mikael Maglieri Jr., Todd Singerman, Lar Frederiksen, Dave Grohl, Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque, Matt Pinfield, Josh Bernstein, Steve Luna, Corey Graves
ARTIST CONTRIBUTORS: Piotr Kowalski, Pat Moriarity, John Bergin, Joe Simko, John Bivens, Chris Visions, Fred Harper, Bob Fingerman, Steve Chanks, Dave Chisholm, JayJay Jackson, Felipe Sobreiro, Gideon Kendall, Ron Joseph, Steve Kurth, Shane Patrick White, Jim Mahfood, Luke McGarry, Ryan Dunlavey, Koren Shadmi, Jeff McClelland, Jeff McComskey, Wes Hargis, Brent Engstrom, Erik Rodriguez, Sean Pryor, Josh Bernstein, Frank Powers, Tony Parker, Tim Bradstreet, Ed Repka, Hydro 74
NO REMORSE: The Illustrated True Stories of Lemmy Kilmister and Motörhead will be available in hardcover via Z2 (Simon & Schuster) for a list price of $35.00 (ISBN: 9798886561340) and at retailers everywhere this summer.
Borrowing a phrase from the classic Alka Seltzer commercial, “MAMMA MIA! That’s a spicy musical!”
What a totally enjoyable presentation for the 25th Anniversary Tour celebration of the London premier in 1999. The jukebox musical pulls you in from the opening notes and flows through the hits of ABBA one after another, and you know them all…of course you do, or you probably wouldn’t bother being in the audience.
The show presents the story of Sophie (Alisa Melendez) a young woman who has been raised by her single mother Donna (Christine Sherrill) on a Greek Island and who is planning her upcoming wedding. Sophie has a dilemma; she doesn’t know who her father is, and to make matters worse, neither does her mother!
Donna is an aging “wild child” of the 70’s who, along with her two besties, Tanya (Jalynn Steele) and Rosie (Carly Sakolove) were once Donna and the Dynamos. However Donna, after finding herself pregnant, has lived a quiet, reclusive life running a café’. Sophia sneaks into her mother’s diary and discovers entries that may point to who the father could be…. Harry, Bill or Sam, all of which Donna had “intimate moments” with 20 years ago. Sophie sends them invitations to her wedding without telling her mother…and as the guests begin to arrive for the wedding, all three men appear, and Sophie starts to deduce which one is her father. Hilarity ensues. All is well in the end and everyone finds what they were searching for. The acting woven throughout the musical numbers is done well, show stealers for me were the Dynamo Girls, and Bill from the “dads”.
Musical highlights: Dancing Queen, The Name of the Game, SOS, and of course Mama Mia. But the curtain call encore is a rousing party montage of Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen, and Waterloo, with full ABBA style costuming, choreography and invitation for participation, and the audience at this performance sure did.
On a scale of zero to five I give “Mamma Mia!” ★★★★1/2
“Mamma Mia!” continues at the Music Hall in Kansas City through March 10th. For tickets to this and upcoming shows on the tour please click HERE.
