Thursday, November 24, 2011

Things that make me happy... Stick Fly - The Play



Things that make me happy... Stick Fly - The Play



Kenny Leon, the talented director of plays like Fences, Mountaintop, and A Raisin in the Sun, is on directing is latest broadway play, Stick Fly. I am quickly becoming a loyal fan of his work because he tells stories that covers topics that I care about and tells these stories that anyone living in modern times can relate. Stick Fly stars Dule Hill (West Wing, Psych), Mekhi Phifer (ER, 8 mile), Ruben Santiago Hudson (Seven Guitars, Jelly's Last Jam, Lackawanna Blues), Tracie Thoms (Rent, The Exonerated "The Devil Wears Prada"), Condola Rashad (Ruined, "The Good Wife") and Rosie Benton (Temporal Powers).

This talented group of actors display great chemistry on stage as they depict a weekend family gathering in the family home in Martha's Vineyard.  The story revolves around the family dynamics of a well to do family as they face modern issues of race, expectation, responsibility, and love.  The play is witty, and fast moving with quick dialogue and great soundtrack created by Alicia Keys who happens to be the producer of the this play as well.

In the past plays catering to a black audience typically were filled with over the top chitlen-type clownish characters.  This play respects the intelligence of the audience and delivers humor with clever lines and nuanced performances by the actors.  All the while evoking real emotions as the family members deal with complicated issues that creates a tension that anyone would recognized if you ever were the guest at a significant other family gathering for the first time... in Martha's Vineyard. 

Pros:
Actors - Great casts with great performances.
Music - R&B inspired music by Alicia Keys
The script - Tight writing and good plot that keeps the audience engaged.

Cons
None... really but its a play and not a musical for those expecting singing and dancing
There is tension throughout the play. There are no real obvious villians or heroes, just people trying there best to live their lives.
There is a slight depictions of "man bashing" in parts of the play, but tastefully done.  Women are called on there "ish" a little, but the men take the brunt.

All in all, another great play to see with your girlfriends and homeys which can lead to healthy discussion in dinner and drinks afterwards.






Alicia Keys - Producer & Composer

Kenny Leon - Director
Lydia Diamon - Playwright

Dule Hill
Tracie Thoms

Ruben Santiago-Hudson
Rosie Benton

Mekhi Phifer

So who knows what a Stick Fly is? Check the play out and find out...

SF Guru

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Things that make me happy... Steve Jobs' Apple Bite Graphic

Things that make me happy... Steve Jobs' Apple Bite Graphic

A young Hong Kong design student, named Jonathan Mak, came up with this simple but powerful redesigned logo for Apple. What makes this image impactful is that incorporates the Apple signature brand but the negative image of Jobs profile shows the gap that is left with his lost.  I don't know if I seen a graphic that captures the thought behind the image so accurately.

First the image overall is somber and forbearing but still has the Apple logo front and clear. Second, Jobs looking down to capture the sense of loss to the company and the world.  It appears to show his own sadness about what will happen to Apple without him.  Third, the negative image imprint that replaces the bite shows that the loss of the famous and prophetic leader. And lastly, the profile of the head in the image shows him as a leading "brain" behind the company innovative success. So many ways to view one image and all have elements of truth.

What make me happy is that this work of art is already a classic and a beautiful tribute to the man that changed the world at least 4 times. Changed computing, music, movies, and, the phone. Not bad for one lifetimes worth of work.

S.F. Guru

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Things that make me happy... Greatest Father & Daughter Dance Ever!!

Things that make me happy today... Greatest Father& Daughter Dance Medley Ever!!


Father & Daugther Wedding Dance Medley

 
So what's happen in online media today... This has got to be the best Father & Daughter Wedding Dance Medley I've ever seen. Period!! Make sure you watch the entire thing. This medley of songs. Amazing!! And the daughter... beautifully and very happy. And the Father... on his game!!


Kudos to this family!! And way to represent for you baby girl dad...

S.F. Guru