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 01:05, October the 17th, 2008
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Raymund and Villar Raymund and Villar
 

‘Disenchanted’ enchanting

Huntington Theatre Company’s ‘Boleros’ hits all the right notes

REVIEW. Boleros are essentially love songs brimming with passion and driven by melodic lyrics that sing the praises of romance. In “Boleros for the Disenchanted,” playwright José Rivera has penned a charming, heartfelt ode to true love that could easily be called a theatrical bolero.

In the hands of the Huntington Theatre Company, Rivera’s love song completely embodies the essence of the bolero in an enchanting production that sizzles with passion, romance and a happy ending that is steeped in reality rather than artistic imaginings.

It’s 1950s Puerto Rico and Monica Raymund’s Flora  seems to be living the dream life. She’s a beautiful young woman engaged to Manuelo, (Juan Javier Cardenas) the sexiest young man in town. After hearing Manuelo explain why he’s been having sex with other women rather than waiting for marriage, Flora dumps him and quickly flees to the big city for a visit with her cousin.

Soon after meeting Eusebio (Elliot Villar), Flora finds herself making life-altering decisions that include marriage and abandoning life on the “Enchanted Island” for a shot at the American dream.

Act II opens nearly 40 years later when Flora and Eusebio are living the fallout from their dream in an apartment in Alabama. And though it may seem schmaltzy, the love that sustains the couple throughout their failed dreams and designs is what makes this story so magical and yet so real.

The impeccably cast ensemble and stellar production values all contribute to that far-too-rare yet delightful experience of being entirely lost in the moment. Who cares to comment on execution, direction or underlying meaning when your heart is being tugged so completely that you wouldn’t notice a flaw if there was one?

All of the actors must have hit all of their cues and all of the craftsmen must have nailed the delivery of director Chay Yew’s vision because of all the pieces seem to have fallen so nicely into place that there’s nothing to do but sit back, relax and enjoy this journey.

‘Boleros for the Disenchanted’
Through Nov. 15
Calderwood Pavilion
527 Tremont St., Boston
MBTA: Orange Line to Back Bay
$20-$60, 617 266-0800
www.huntingtontheatre.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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