US – Tuesday, February 9
The Grid
The week's releases
Metro staff reviews the latest CDs, DVDs and books for your reading pleasure.
 
The Word
Stern: I’d do ‘Idol’ for $100M
Howard Stern took to his radio show yesterday to address the rumors that he’s a possible replacement for Simon Cowell for the next season of “American Idol.” To sum it up? He’s not going for it.
 
New York Arts
Dancing while the skinny lady sings
You’ve heard of the jukebox musical? David Parsons and singers AnnMarie Milazzo and Tyley Ross of the East Village Opera Co. offer a jukebox opera, playing nightly at the Joyce. Eleven Parsons dancers share the stage with Milazzo and Ross, who clutch microphones cranked to 11 and stroll through the action. On the recorded soundtrack, three drummers create a wall of sound so loud you — well, I — want to hide under the seat. Digital video of abstract patterns, natural landscapes and stunning architecture change for each song.
 
My Books
The facets of Anne Frank and her diary
Generations of schoolchildren have read and recognized their own experiences in the words of Anne Frank, finding surprising commonalities with this young girl despite the passage of generations and the unique horror of  her situation. But according to Francine Prose’s fascinating new account of the writing of Frank’s diary, our veneration of her outpourings has eclipsed a proper assessment of Anne Frank — conscientious author.

 
Movies
Channing Tatum on love and war
Channing Tatum has worked in his fair share of genres, from indie films (“A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints”) to dance flicks (“Step Up”) to blockbusters (“G.I. Joe”). In his latest, “Dear John,” the Alabama native takes on a heavy Nicholas Sparks love story about a soldier in love while at war. He talks with us about true love and blowing stuff up.
 
Updated 22:19, July the 24th, 2007
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Edwards-Suarez, right, with Lindsey McWhorter as a fairy.  Edwards-Suarez, right, with Lindsey McWhorter as a fairy.  
 

Yankees’ Puck

NYC actor returns for fourth Shakespeare on the Common

INTERVIEW. It’s time for the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s annual foray onto the Boston Common for what is becoming one of the city’s greatest summer traditions, free Shakespeare under the stars. This year the Bard’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will be presented at the Parkman Bandstand. New York-based Antonio Edwards-Suarez is returning for his fourth season with CSC.

Is this really that good of a gig?
I went to the ART and graduated in 2000. [Director] Steve [Maler] gave me my first equity gig, so anything he wants I’ll gladly do. He really takes care of us. He knows how to run this ship. I’m having a blast doing it. It’s a dream role and the audience is really so supportive. To look out every night and just see thousands of people enjoying your work really gets the adrenaline going.

Do you ever feel like you’re dying up there from the heat?
Sometimes it’s initially a little humid but when the sun comes down and it gets cool out the temperature is not a problem at all. It may get hot but it’s never like I want to stop. It’s never been like I can’t do this. It’s summer, we’re on the Common and everyone’s there to have a good time. So 100 or 50 [degrees], we’re going to bring it to them. We just love doing it.

You’ve got a great role this year.
Puck is great. He brings the couples together, a matchmaker, like eharmony or something. But he messes up at first and then it’s back to the drawing board. He’s not malicious but he has fun with the mismatches. I think if he had a dating site it’d be Puck.com.

Who would you hook up on puck.com?
I think I’d want to hook up Hillary and Obama.

Ick.
I don’t know where that came from it just came into my head. I didn’t say it was anything sexy. Puck gets it wrong at first too. I can fix it but it’s probably what the world would be like on Puck.com, a lot of mismatched couples. Like all of us, I think Puck and Oberon are just trying to make the world right for love to happen.

So your Puck is a bit of a romantic?
Actually, my Puck has some dark qualities. He can sometimes be flighty but he can also be mean and vindictive. …He can be a little devil sometimes, and an angel too. I’m hoping there’s equal balance but it may lean towards the devil, not malicious, just devilish. It’s got to be fun for everyone.

Why’s that?
Shakespeare on the Common is the first exposure a lot of people have to Shakespeare, so it’s got to be enjoyable and easy to understand and certainly a good time. I mean they come out with their blankets at 5:30 and have a picnic. When you come on stage you see this sea of people unlike anything else anywhere and they’re routing for you. …To come from New York to do this is like a dream.

Better than Shakespeare in Central Park?
In New York it’s more contained. They have more performances but there’s not this huge sea of people every night that make you want to give it to them like this. It’s a great show and it’s going to be a lot of fun.

Shakespeare on the Common: ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’
Tonight, 8
Boston Common
Parkman Bandstand, Boston
MBTA: Red or Green Line to Park
Free, 617-532-1212
www.freeshakespeare.org

 
 
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Music
MMMpod
The February MMMpod features conversation from Ozzy Osbourne. Michael Emerson from "Lost" tells us about his days enjoying punk rock in Boston. We also dig up an old interview from the late great Howard Zinn. We have a song from Delta Spirit and The Soft Pack, who tell us where they got their name.

 
 
 
Metro Life Panel
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