Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Striking 12: The new GrooveLily Musical


Like every year, I was looking for something to do on New Year's Eve (on the 30th mind you) when I came across a playbill.com article that mentioned that it would be returning for a special holiday engagment at the Zipper Theatre. So I figured that seeing a play on New Year's Eve would be a lot of fun. And it was called Striking 12, so I figured it would be New Year's themed...
The first time I heard of Striking 12, was when Amazon.com "recommended" it to me as I was shopping. And it always pops up as a "recommended item."

I've been very cautious of blind recommendations from websites or other media, when I had the weird experience of going through some extras of the Cabaret DVD where I was told "If you loved Cabaret, you'll love Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me"

Of course the same movie company just happened to own both properties, and Michael York is featured in both, but when one thinks of Cabaret, Austin Powers is no where to be found.

But I gave Striking 12 a chance since I wanted something to do on New Year's Eve and Amazon was so insistent.

I knew nothing of it except that it was some sort of retelling of "The Little Matchgirl" by Hans Christian Anderson and was written by a New York area band called GrooveLily.

Amazon was right.

The story is simple, on the last day of the year, a grumpy office worker (Brendan Milburn) wants to be left alone on New Years Eve when a young girl (Valerie Vigoda) selling "extra bright holiday bulbs that are designed to cheer people up" shows up at her door. When he starts to shut the door on her, she tells him that people have been rude to her and yell "get out of here little light bulb girl." Which he explains to her is a literary reference to "The Little Matchgirl."

Not needing any lights, the man closes the door on her still, then decides to read "The Little Matchgirl." and the story has a profound effect on him and makes him reconsider his life in the upcoming new year.

The simple story of "The Little Matchgirl" takes over and packs a heavy emotional punch when GrooveLily's music is added.

The play is half concert and half theatre piece. It is performed by the three member band as they simoaltaniously play the keyboard (Milburn), electric violin (Vigoda) and drums (Gene Lewin).

The show seamlessly switches back and forth between the present day and the story of "The Little Matchgirl".

It was a great show and I had a great time. I managed to laugh and (almost) cry which I think is essential to a great night out (what is a night out with out some drama!!! it can't be all laughs)

Striking 12 really struck a chord with me and I went home and immediatly bought the CD on iTunes. (Sorry amazon, I couldn't wait for shipping.)

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