Playing a lot

Actors doing their theater thing at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Courtesy: HollywoodChicago.com


Random theater knowledge...engage.

Terry Teachout wrote in The Wall Street Journal recently about the 11 shows produced most frequently on American theater stages in the last decade.

Since I'm a sucker for a good list, and since western Kentucky performs its fair share of fine theater, I'll reprint it below. Paducah's Market House Theatre put on the second-most produced show on the list in 2008.

1. "Proof," by David Auburn (54 productions).
2. "Doubt," by John Patrick Shanley (48).
3. "Art," by Yasmina Reza (45).
4. "The Drawer Boy," by Michael Healey (36).
5. "Rabbit Hole," by David Lindsay-Abaire (33).
6. "Wit," by Margaret Edson (29).
7. "I Am My Own Wife," by Doug Wright (26).
8. "Crowns," by Regina Taylor (26).
9. Inimate Apparel," by Lynn Nottage (25).
10. (A tie.) "The Glass Menagerie," by Tennessee Williams, and "The Laramie Project," by Moises Kaufman and the Tectonic Theater Project (23 productions each).

Interesting notes from Teachout: only one of the plays is considered a classic ("The Glass Menagerie"), none are musicals, and all but three ("Crowns," "Wit" and "The Laramie Project") call for no more than four actors.

For similar theater lists that go back to 1994-95, visit http://tcg.org/publications/at/attopten.cfm.

Johnny and Avett Brothers rejoice

Some news blasts have layers of awesomeness.

For example.

1. Johnny Cash's last recordings as part of the "American Recording Series" is due out Feb. 26.

2. It features one of the last songs Cash ever wrote, "I Corinthians: 15:55," and acoustic covers.

3. Scott and Seth Avett of The Avett Brothers are featured on the album's title track, "Ain't No Grave."


Scott, left, and Seth Avett


4. I repeat: the biological Avett brothers are on a track with Cash.

Just one of these news items is enough to get me amped up.

The Avett Brothers blew me away in Murray a few months ago, and I've worn out their latest album "I and Love and You."

They have a fantastic Web site that lets you stream all of their new songs: www.theavettbrothers.com.

And Johnny Cash will be one of the few artists I'm sure I'll still enjoy when I'm 80, if I get there.

So how in the world could this union go wrong? How could it not be a country head banging good time?


Scott again.


That's right. It can't fail. Enjoy.

The deal

So this was me last night, except I was smiling and laughing with joy.

Sulli's Steakhouse/Russell's Bar and Grill at 900 N. 32nd St. in Paducah has a redunkulous deal going on every Monday night. A spaghetti dinner for 99 cents. Seriously. And it's not microwaved, soggy noddle, bowel-churning sauce spaghetti either.

It's high-quality stuff made even better by the price. There's really no catch.

The dollar plate does have you pay 50 cents more for each of several add-ons such as extra meatballs, cheesy bread, mushrooms, etc. But look at it this way: I downed spaghetti with four meatballs, mushrooms, cheesy bread and it all cost less than the couple of adult beverages that also found their way on my tab.

Bartendress Jody Suhrheinrich said the deal is good indefinitely every Monday night. So you know where to find me every Monday night from now on.

For more information call the restaurant at 270-444-9700.

(Warning: shameless plug about to drop)

And for more news to know, use and possibly laugh about read my column in Current in Thursday's Sun.

Grandmaster Flash-ing some leg

It's photos like these that make me love and fear the Internet.

Hip hop guru Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five had no idea that in late 2009 the masses would have easy access to such an embarrassing, clearly redunkulous photo of themselves.

I have to say though, to an entertainment reporter it's a highlight of an otherwise stressful day.

It's like a good book, keep revisiting it and it keeps peeling back layers of meaning and points of interest.

From the mustard-loving Lone Ranger to the left, to the Troy Polamalu-esque Bud Light commercial in the middle, all the way to the overly generous portions of bare thighs and yellow undies to the right, this pic embodies the power of photography — both for good and evil.

Special credit to Paducah-based musician Tony Foo Yong for posting the photo on this Twitter account.

Back in the saddle

Just in time for a New Year's resolution, though I swear I was meaning to make a promise to myself before, it's time to get back to blogging.

I know, I know. It's been months. Cyberspace, please keep your cheers to a minimum (we don't want you to drown out the Tiger Woods hate and hubbub for the latest celebrity sex tape). And yes, I put a pic of Woods on this post in an effort to guarantee at least a few people will come across my blog.

For Paducah Sun readers, thanks for reading and I promise you three posts a week beginning today.

For non Paducah Sun subscribers, thanks for reading the blog and I've got a fantastic link you should try out here

As proof of my new-found dedication I will immediately follow this post with another. That'll guarantee I won't fall into a four-month posting lapse...right?

Mayfield man on "America's Got Talent"

Two reactions to this video.

1. Congratulations to Kevin Skinner, 35, of Mayfield. You made your hometown proud, and could definitely win it all. Keep up the singing, and I for one will be rooting for you.

2. When will national networks learn that ridiculing Southern people really sticks in our craws? I'll save most of my venom for a column, but I'm about ready to fillet the three twit hosts, and NBC's "America's Got Talent" producers for thinking entertainment means laughing at anything rural, agricultural and Southern.

Just one quick note: aside from hamming it up each week on this show, I'm sure the judges (Sharon Osbourne, David Hasselhoff and second rate Simon Cowell on the end, a.k.a. Piers Morgan) are semi-respectful people. So I'm going to assume their laughs, head shakes and arrogant, baiting questions about chicken catching aimed at Skinner in this video was an attempt to ham it up for the network.

Maybe they thought, "We'll play up the 'we don't respect this guy' attitude so we can later be in awe of his singing ability, and make the viewers at home feel like Kevin really stuck it to us good tonight."

Well I say cram it. Had Skinner spoke in a British accent, would Osbourne have laughed at him the moment he opened his mouth?

Would Hasselhoff had smirked at Skinner's job had it been some bottom feeder, mindless office gig?

Would any of the judges have taken Skinner more seriously had the Mayfield man spoke in a Northern accent?

And don't get me started with their little country instrumental as Skinner walked on stage.

I don't want any of this to take away from what Skinner is accomplishing. But the show hosts and producers shouldn't have taken so much away from Skinner from the start.

"Away We Go" at MAC

Maya Rudolph and John Krasinski play in "Away We Go" coming to the Maiden Alley Cinema July 17. Photo credit: Associate Press



The Maiden Alley Cinema lands another first-run film this month by showing "Away We Go."

For two weeks beginning July 17, the film with John Krasinski ("The Office") and Maya Rudolph ("Saturday Night Live") is set to play at the local independent theater.

Released June 5, the movie opened in select cities, and garnered fans for its quirky, funny-but-serious attitude.

Personally, I'd just enjoy seeing Jim from "The Office" (Krasinksi) and an SNL funny woman work in different roles than we'd expect to seem them play.

The plot has the two as an expectant couple in their early 30s travel the U.S. in search of a place to put down roots, and raise their family. Misadventures with relatives, and old friends, lead to a quirky tale about finding yourself, and beginning a family.

If I had to guess I'd equate it to "Juno" + "Parenthood."

Check out the trailer.



For that matter, check out the trailer of "Parenthood." Who doesn't love this movie?



I'm equally as pumped about "Moon," starring Sam Rockwell, coming to MAC in August. Landee Bryant, MAC director, said more details on show dates are to come for this one.

Again, trailer for your viewing pleasure.



Good bye and good movie watching.