Africa Comes to Memphis

Memphis, a city known for its place in the world of arts via music. But music is not the only art to thrive in this evergrowing city. All of the arts flourish here. The first arts excursion I went on when I got here two weeks ago was seeing a powerful and interesting art show at Marshall Arts Gallery. This show was curated by Sir John Weeden. I was particuclarly impressed by a collection of paintings depicting sushi in obscure shapes and colors. Sushi is one of my favorite foods to eat and it was just so fascinating to see how a food can be played with and worked with creatively in a work of art. Wow now I am hungry I think it is time to go to Sekisui.

Living in New York I am fortunate to see a ton of Broadway plays, however, much to my disappointment I never have seen The Lion King on Broadway. Last week, I had the tremendous fortune and opportunity to go and see the national tour of this Broadway blockbuster in Memphis. After nearly ten years on Broadway The Lion King is still running strong and performs to a soldout audience almost every night. I know this is gonna sound kind of pathetic but I am a HUGE HUGE HUGE Disney fanatic (I have been to Disney world four times in the past five years) and to see this masterpiece of a work of art was a huge deal for me. From the moment the curtain opened wide my heart began to thump with tremendous joy and excitement. The song Circle of Life literally touched every single audience member sitting in the Orpheum. Whether it was via the costumes, the choreography, the lyrics, or the authoritative voice of the character Rafiki pierced through my soul, not a single attendee could deny the exhilaration they felt on that stage. We all know the story of The Lion King and despite a few changes here and there from the movie the story was nearly identical. The power in this show was in the costumes, choreography, and scenery. To see how the Orpheum theatre could be morphed into an African plains land was unbelievable. Oh I just can't wait to see king again!!!!

I have also been doing a lot lot lot of rehersing with Rhodes Singers (in anticipation of our trip to Russia SO EXCITED :) :) and Master Singers.