Spring-Ford's 'Seussical' simply spectacular

Who doesn’t like Dr. Seuss? I always enjoyed reading the books to my kids when they were youngsters, especially “Hop on Pop” and “One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish.”
So it wouldn’t really be much of a stretch for me to enjoy last weekend’s performance of “Seussical” at Spring-Ford High School. That in and of itself would be good enough, but the fact that Younger Daughter was the stage manager for the production made it even sweeter.
I never underestimate the high school productions in this area. They are wonderful opportunities for young people to showcase their talents. While I’m more familiar with the Spring-Ford performances because I have a daughter who has been involved with them throughout her high school years, I’m sure other parents with children in other area schools feel the same as I do, as they should.
Under the direction of teacher Aimee Oblak, the kids did a fabulous job with “Seussical.” It looked to be a lot of hard work by everyone involved to stage this show. And the orchestra, led by musical director Joseph Perry, was absolutely stellar. I love seeing young people have the opportunity to explore their musical talents.
Of course, I’m biased because I have a daughter who was an integral part of the production. While I was impressed with all the performers, I have come to particularly like watching the work of Adam Speelhoffer, who played General Gengus Khan Schmitz in “Seussical.” He’s one of Younger Daughter’s pals, and seems like a decent kid on those times that I’ve met him, which probably explains why I like him. In addition, he is a fellow of size, like me, and he has a stage presence that I quite enjoy.
As you can see by the accompanying picture, Younger Daughter was quite pleased with Saturday evening’s performance. According to her, there were no glitches from the stage manager’s perspective. I’m so proud of my baby girl and I’m happy that she was happy with the production.

Crocodile rockin' at the movies

Garden gnomes. Hulk Hogan. Elton John’s music.
I never thought I’d use that series of words in the same paragraph. Elton John has never sung Hulk Hogan songs, Hulk Hogan has never rassled Elton John and garden gnomes, well, I think they’re kind of cool and have three of them in my front yard. When I see the tips of their red hats start to emerge from the snow, I know spring is at hand. But they really don’t have anything to do with those two pop culture icons.
Until now, thanks to the movie “Gnomeo and Juliet,” currently in theaters. My affinity for gnomes and Elton John music — I’ve seen him in concert at least once in each of the last four decades — attracted me to the flick, especially because it features a fabulously updated version of Sir Elton’s “Crocodile Rock,” which he sings with Nelly Furtado.
So along with Younger Daughter, a month removed from her 17th birthday, we finally coordinated schedules and were able to see the movie Sunday evening.
Throughout the previews and for the first several minutes of the movie, we were the only ones in the Oaks theater, which we determined would provide a great opportunity to get up and dance during “Crocodile Rock” without fear of embarrassment.
Unfortunately, four other people did enter the theater moments later, which is probably a good thing because Elton himself —executive producer of the movie — would have probably jumped through the screen to tell me to sit down and quit embarrassing myself.
The movie — based, of course, on Bill Shakespeare’s work — boasts the voices of some top-shelf acting talent like James McAvoy (Gnomeo), Emily Blunt (Juliet) Maggie Smith (Lady Blueberry, Gnomeo’s mom), Michael Caine (Lord Redbrick, Juliet’s dad) and of course Hulk Hogan, who plays the voice of a lawn mower called the “Terrafirminator” in all his growly rasslin’ fervor. (Those of you who refuse to put Hogan in the same category as those other actors and actresses obviously haven’t seen “Mr. Nanny.”)
Of course, the movie is wonderfully cute and sweet and the Elton John songs are, well, Elton John songs, and they’re just as good in the context of a kids’ film as they’ve ever been in any other context.
But the main takeaway was that my teenage daughter didn’t mind going to this film with her old man. Because I’m so old I remember when rock was young. And as it turned out, me and her, we had so much fun.

Bobblehead immortality

Whenever I get a hankering for some home cooking, I can usually count on my boyhood friend Greg Batton to help me out.
Greg and his partner Dan Diorio are morning radio personalities at 1470 WMBD radio in Peoria. I’ve had the pleasure of being on their show a few times over the years when I’m back in Illinois visiting family. And every once in a while — usually when it snows two feet at a time here in Philly — they’ll call me at some ridiculously early hour of the morning and put me on the air to tell the people of Peoria that, yes, it does indeed snow a whole bunch in Philly sometimes. I’m not sure how useful that information is to folks in central Illinois, but we yuk it up and have a good time with it.
One time a few years ago, Greg offered his listeners a “What Can I Do For You” campaign on his Facebook page. Essentially, he wanted to do something nice for someone. It was no surprise; he’s been a nice guy his entire life.
It so happened that the day after that Facebook posting, I was headed to Yankee Stadium for a ballgame, so I posted on his Facebook that evening, “You can buy me a hotdog tomorrow at Yankee Stadium.”
I knew that would get him. Greg loves a goofy challenge like that. Radio guys are that way when it comes to goofy stuff.
Well, the guy tried and tried, utilizing every connection he had between Peoria and New York, to get that hotdog to me, but to no avail. Not to be deterred, a few days later, a dozen hotdogs were delivered to my office from a restaurant in Fort Washington. They weren’t Yankee Stadium hotdogs, but they were even better because Greg had gone to such trouble from halfway across the country to fulfill my request.
Recently, I wanted something else that can only be found in Peoria — it’s called a gondola, which is sort of the central Illinois version of a hoagie, only better. It’s made at a Peoria eatery called Avanti’s and I’ve been going there since I was a kid for that sandwich.
And once again, Greg is on top of this request. But this time, I can do something for him in return.
The Peoria Chiefs, the Chicago Cubs’ Class A minor league baseball team, is running an online “media bobblehead contest.” Personalities from several different media in the Peoria area are involved. The one who gets the most online votes will eventually have his/her likeness on a bobblehead produced by the team.
How cool is that?
Greg says that if he and Dan win the promotion and end up being immortalized with their own bobblehead, (since they are a team, they have to “share” one head of the bobble, and I’m not sure how that’s going to work) then he’ll make good on my Avanti’s gondolas request.
I don’t know how he’ll get them out here to Philly in edible condition, but believe me when I say these sammiches are good enough for this kind of effort, and I’m confident that he’ll find a way.
So I’m calling for Philly for be the difference maker here by voting for Greg and Dan to win this promotion and for me to get my gondolas. Go to www.peoriachiefs.com/mediabobblehead and vote often.
If the gondolas do actually make their way to Philly, I’ll invite a handful of you over to share a taste of the Midwest.
They really are that good.

Mutlu, surprise guest, rock WCL

One of the many pleasures of the vibrant Philadelphia music scene is that occasionally there are some surprises. Such was the case Friday night at World Café Live.



Among our favorite Philly musicians is singer-songwriter Mutlu (www.myspace.com/mutlusounds). The next generation of Philly soul, Mutlu has an absolutely wonderful voice. The Blonde Accountant and I first saw him a few years ago opening for Daryl Hall at the Keswick Theater in Glenside. He’s opened for John Oates at the Sellersville Theater and he’s done several gigs opening for Hall & Oates across the county as well as headlined his own shows at several local venues.
Currently, Mutlu both opens and sings backup for another Philly singer-songwriter, Amos Lee (www.amoslee.com), whose newest album, “Mission Bell,” recently hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts.
Mutlu was the headliner Friday at World Café Live, another of the many great venues in our area. Openers included Deep River and Kuf Knotz.
Toward the end of Mutlu’s set, a special guest walked up on stage to join in, and it was none other than Amos Lee, who hung for a few songs. The crowd was already amped for Mutlu, and the unexpected appearance by Amos only heightened the concert experience.
It was a great evening of music in a great city for music. Growing up in the Midwest, we just didn’t have these types of entertainment options in Peoria.