V5 / Is2
A CONVERSATION WITH
C. THOMAS HOWELL Known for his roles in The Outsiders and shows like Southland and Criminal Minds, C. Thomas Howell shares with New Mexico Entertainment Magazine his joy of new roles later in life and reflections on the past.
Motown The Musical
A FREE Publication
1I
Martin Kove
New Mexico Entertainment • February 2017
Jeff Dunham FEBRUARY 2017
www.NMEntertains.com
SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING AT AAPAC DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH February - AAPAC Exhibit Hall The Black Artist's Guild presents "ReEmergence II" Exhibition February 4 - Concert: "A Journey Through Black Music" Featuring: Wamba Drummers, Shiloh Baptist Church, Tracey Whitney, Zenobia, Raven Rutherford, and Trey “Vision” Pickett 7:00 p.m. | Tickets $10.00 February 9 - Film Festival (30's & 40's) Featuring Paradise in Harlem and King for a Day 7:00 p.m. | Tickets $5.00
February 10 - Film Festival (30's & 40's) Featuring Bronze Buckaroo 7:00 p.m. | Tickets $5.00
February 14 - Valentine's Day w/ Toni Morgan and Andrew Cooper 8:00 p.m. | Tickets $20.00 February 16 - Film Festival Featuring - Shaft 7:00 p.m. | Tickets $5.00 February 16 - An Evening with a Storyteller Featuring Tiffany D. Caesar 6:00 p.m. | Free February 17 - Film Festival Featuring Maya Angelou "And Still I Rise" 7:00 p.m. | Tickets $5.00
February 18 - Isshin Ryu Club Inc, and AAPAC Fashion Show, Soul Food and Jazz with Tracey Whitney, Calvin Appleberry, Stephen Williams and Tommy Jewell 6:00 p.m. | Tickets $25.00 Children under 12 - $5.00 For Tickets: (505) 764-1721 For more information, please call: (505) 222-0785 or visit our website at: www.aapacnm.org
3I
New Mexico Entertainment • February 2017
TABLE OF CONTENTS PG 10
COVER STORY
A Conversation with C. Thomas Howell
Known for his roles in The Outsiders and shows like Southland and Criminal Minds, C. Thomas Howell shares with New Mexico Entertainment Magazine his joy of new roles later in life and reflections on the past.
PG 6
PG 8
Motown the Musical
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
LET US ENTERTAIN YOU
The magic of Motown comes to life in this musical stage production at Popejoy Hall.
TURN IT UP
The band brings their infectious grooves to Santa Fe.
PG 9
PG 14
Jeff Dunham
Martin Kove
MAKE ‘EM LAUGH Dunham makes his way back to Albuquerque during his Perfectly Unbalanced Tour.
THE 5
The ballsy sensai from The Karate Kid took time out to talk new projects and his legacy.
PG 16
EXTRAS OVO
Cirque du Soleil’s latest show makes a stop at Santa Ana Star Casino
PG 17 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 4I
PG 18 SIGHTSEEING
New Mexico Entertainment • February 2017
www.NMEntertains.com
NME STAFF Teresa Robinson-Ewers Publisher/Editor-in-Chief NMEntertains@gmail.com Ariel Bisbee Photography & Mulitmedia Director Jan Baca Copy Editor CONTRIBUTORS Winter Elise Michael Radcon Sonja Dewing NME Board Teresa Ewers Ariel Bisbee Darlene Esquibel Winter Elise Eddie Robinson SUBSCRIPTIONS New Mexico Entertainment magazine is $24 a year within the Continental United States. Please place your order online at www.NMEntertains.com. Please note the first issue will take 4-6 weeks. All events submissions can be placed at NMEntEvents@gmail.com
4200 Silver Avenue SE, Suite C Albuquerque, NM 87108 505.450.4706
5I
New Mexico Entertainment • February 2017
LET US ENTERTAIN YOU: MOTOWN THE MUSICAL
T
he musical genius of Motown is taking the Popejoy stage in Motown the Musical on February 28 through March 5. Directed by Charles RandolphWright, Motown the Musical is the true American dream story of Motown founder Berry Gordy’s journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, and so many more.* Randolph-Wright’s love for Motown—one he’s had since childhood—is fully realized in this musical. “It’s not just music to me, it’s a movement. It was the emotional door to civil rights. Obviously, I wanted to be Michael Jackson like everybody. But I also, as a kid, idolized Berry Gordy because here was this man of color who had his own company, and he made the rules and called the shots. You knew that as a kid, that there were very few
Black men doing that. He had such an impact on me because I thought this one person changed the world and that was very influential.”* The musical features over 40 classic hits, including “My Girl” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” The story centers around Diana, Smokey, Berry, and the whole Motown family working to create a name for themselves and their music while creating a soundtrack of change in America. The music that came through Motown shaped our lives, the political climate, and the music industry. Motown features choreography by Patricia Wilcox (A Night with Janis Joplin) and Warren Adams (Toy Story the Musical). Tickets for Motown the Musical are available at UNM Bookstore and Pit ticket offices, online at unmtickets. com, and over the phone at (505) 925-5858. NME
- Teresa Ewers *Provided by Popejoy Hall
© Joan Marcus, 2017 6I
New Mexico Entertainment • February 2017
7I
New Mexico Entertainment • February 2017
TURN IT UP: TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE
T
he Lensic proudly presents New Orleans icon Trombone Shorty and his jazz/funk/rock/hiphop band Orleans Avenue, on Friday, March 3, 2017, at 7:30 pm. Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue have toured the world, performing with legendary artists like Lenny Kravtiz and Hall & Oates. The group has also performed for President Obama and made appearances on television shows such as The Late Show with David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and Conan. In 2017, they will tour with funk-rock band The Red Hot Chili Peppers, taking a break to visit the Southwest and bring their infectious grooves to Santa Fe. New Orleans native Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews began his career as a bandleader at the tender age of six and toured internationally for the first time at age 12, before joining Lenny Kravitz’s horn section at the age of 19 for a world tour. He is the bandleader and frontman of Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, a hard-edged funk band that employs hip-hop beats, rock dynamics, and improvisation in a jazz
8I
tradition. His third album for Verve Records, Say That To Say This, co-produced by Shorty and R&B titan Raphael Saadiq, was released in September 2013. In 2010, Trombone Shorty released the Grammy-nominated Backatown, followed in 2011 by the album For True, which topped Billboard Magazine’s Contemporary Jazz Chart for 12 weeks. Shorty also played himself in a recurring role on the hit HBO series Treme. In 2012, he performed at the White House in honor of Black History Month with music royalty such as B.B. King, Mick Jagger, Jeff Beck, Booker T. Jones, Susan Tedeschi, and Derek Trucks, and Gary Clark Jr. Later that same year, he received the President’s Medal from Tulane University in recognition of his charitable work with his own Trombone Shorty Foundation, which preserves the unique musical culture of New Orleans by passing down its traditions to future generations of musicians. Tickets start at $39 (Lensic.org or TicketsSantaFe. org). NME *Provided by The Lensic
New Mexico Entertainment • February 2017
MAKE ‘EM LAUGH: JEFF DUNHAM
“...whatever audience is giving me the biggest laughs, THAT’S my favorite place to perform.”
C
omedian Jeff Dunham makes his way back to Albuquerque during his second leg of the Perfectly Unbalanced Tour. For over 46 years, Dunham has created some world famous characters, including Walter, Achmed, Bubba J, Peanut, and Jose Jalapeño. He also the Guinness World Record® holder for the Most Tickets Sold for a Stand-Up Comedy Tour along with setting the record for viewership on Comedy Central®. With more than 7 million DVDs worldwide and nearly a billion views on YouTube, Durham has made his mark in the comedy world. He sat down with New Mexico Entertainment to answer a few questions about this tour and what specials are on the way. This is your second leg of the Perfectly Unbalanced Tour. What is it about this show that audiences are going crazy for? I think the simple answer is that the little guys and I are presenting a show that appeals to a large number of people because the folks find it entertaining and funny. The multiple and varied characters and their specific personalities in the act add to the appeal, plus I feel that what goes on between us on stage is a bit of a sitcom; there are jokes, but there’s also conflict and tension between personalities, and all that makes for good comedy. People bring family and friends over and over to see it all and experience the craziness and fun, and that’s why the numbers keep growing. It’s my job to make sure that every time someone comes to a show, they want to come back again the next time I’m in town.
9I
Photo © Todd Rosenberg
How long does it take for you to plan a production of this magnitude? I actually never plan an entire production at one time. My show is constantly morphing as I bring in new material and bits and characters, then phase the older pieces out. That way, after a year or two, I have an entirely new show. We then tape a special, put it on the air, and then the process keeps moving. The real crunch time happens after a special is taped, because I have only a couple of months before it airs to make sure there’s enough brand new material in the live show that won’t be seen in the special when it airs. You have been all over the world - favorite place to perform and why? My favorite place to perform is always determined by the audience. I don’t care if I’m standing on a wooden crate in a cornfield or at Carnegie Hall in NYC…. Whatever audience is giving me the biggest laughs, THAT’S my favorite place to perform. Can we look forward to more specials? What do you have coming down the pipeline? The next special is always in the works. I never walk on stage and hit PLAY. Every show has new jokes that I’ve worked on that day or earlier that week, plus I always leave myself the time to ad-lib and develop new bits and jokes in that manner. The labor isn’t the performing; the work is inserting in the new material and building and morphing the live show into the next special. Asfor the actual next special, I’m taping in May for a Fall release! Details to follow SOON! NME -Teresa Ewers
New Mexico Entertainment • February 2017
“I’m really enjoying this stage of my life right now.”
COVER STORY: C. THOMAS HOWELL
A Conversation with
C. Thomas Howell Insert: Howell in Soul Man; in Southland
10 I
New Mexico Entertainment • February 2017
T
hroughout his 40-year history in the entertainment industry, C. Thomas Howell has created many memorable characters, but during this interview, NME discovered that at least one character may have caused him regret. As I prepared for Howell’s appearance at Albuquerque Comic Con in January, I was excited to talk to him about one film I look back at fondly, unaware of its surrounding controversy, Soul Man. But before we entered that topic, we started with how he began in the business. Howell didn’t plan to have a career in acting. With a stuntman for a father, he thought he would enter the family business. “I didn’t expect to become an actor. My father was a stuntman for years and I thought I was going to be a part of the family business. It wasn’t until I did The Hitcher that I decided I would pursue acting.” Many are happy he did. In addition to Howell’s appearance in Albuquerque, Ralph Macchio also attended the con, creating something of an Outsider’s reunion. With over 200 projects under Howells’s belt, including roles in E.T. and Red Dawn, just to name a couple, the role of Outsider’s Ponyboy Curtis stands out strongest for some fans. Howell spoke fondly about his time on set. “It was an amazing experience. The cast and crew work well together, and it felt like a family on set.” This is where the conversation took a turn. At the age of 10, I watched the movie Soul Man, the story of a young man, Mark (played by Howell), who takes advantage of a college scholarship 11 I
by darkening his skin and applying as an African-American male. Mark finds out that the choices he made were not what they were cracked up to be, as he briefly experiences what Blacks in this country have to deal with on a daily basis. I was so excited to ask him what it was like working on the film with James Earl Jones and Rae Dawn Chong, but the response I received, rather quickly, when I mentioned the name of the film, caught me off guard. “We thought we were doing something good, making a good movie with a great message. We didn’t mean to hurt people. Could we do it today? No. If I had the choice would I do it again— don’t know.” Howell thought that Soul Man was a creative, comedic way of addressing an issue in this country. He never thought a movie he did would land, 30 years later, on a list of the most racist films ever made. He shared that his son, Liam, found a copy of the film and has expressed that it’s one of the best films his dad made.Howell has had mixed responses from fans. “It really depends on who I’m talking with. I’ve had people express how much they love the film and others share how they felt it wasn’t appropriate. It’s difficult at times and shows the world we are living in today.” Howell is now a veteran of both film and television projects. When it comes to which one he enjoys more, Howell share benefits of both. “I will say I’ve enjoyed both film and television. I’ve really enjoyed the roles I’ve been receiving later in life. The characters have been interesting and bold.” The characters Howell
New Mexico Entertainment • February 2017
has played in Southland, Criminal Minds, and Grimm, alone, have showcased a full range of his skills. In some instances, he thought particular roles would last longer. “My character [Agent Weston Steward on Grimm] was hopefully going to be more developed, but the producers felt that my character would be the thing that escalates Nick’s storyline, so it didn’t last as long.” Howell, with years of wisdom and lessons learned over the course of his career, has been enjoying the more recent roles that have been coming his way over the past few years. He noted that the moneydriven (versus the artistic) aspect of Hollywood has ballooned, often negatively affecting the quality of roles he sees. However, he feels fortunate, lately, in that respect. “I’m really enjoying this stage of my life right now. The roles I’ve been receiving have been some of the greatest roles of my career.” Attempts to get upcoming projects out of Howell, including an anticipated Marvel® release, 12 I
were like cracking a safe. “I have a new show airing on Cinemax in June—it’s called Outcast—and a new Marvel® project that I can’t get into or Stan Lee will come and beat me!” Over 40 years in the business— Howell has seen and learned a lot. His excitement over what the future holds for him tells me that he is not going anywhere anytime soon. But I had to ask, if it was all to end tomorrow, what he would like his legacy to be. The response was simple. “I want people to remember me as an actor who loved his work and his family.” In an alternate reality, Christopher Thomas Howell could have been jumping out of buildings or performing stunts with horses. Lucky for us, he got bit by the entertainment bug and embraced his love for acting. Howell’s roles—complex, iconic, controversial—continue to be memorable for his fans and make us excited for the next one to come. NME - Teresa Ewers
New Mexico Entertainment • February 2017
13 I
New Mexico Entertainment • February 2017
THE 5: MARTIN KOVE
T
he man has been in film for 40+ years, but will be remembered for the brass, bully sensai that told Johnny, “Sweep the leg,” in The Karate Kid. Martin Kove has been blessed with his time in the entertainment industry. During a stop in Albuquerque, he took a moment to talk with Teresa Ewers of New Mexico Entertainment about his favorite movie genre, his time as John Kresse, and upcoming projects. Did you expect The Karate Kid to become the cult classic it has become? No. No one knew that it would become the icon that it has. But the real star of that picture was Robert Kamen, the writer...30 years later you’re saying, “Wax on, wax off,” “No Mercy,” “Sweep the Leg,” and it was because it was so appropriately written for every age group—it’s hard to do with a script...the writing was so rich and so identifiable for so many people. Action seems to be your middle name. Was it always in your wheelhouse? I came out of New York—Lincoln Center and repertory companies—and moved to California. In the beginning you don’t get a lot of big parts, so you get the action stuff, and you overdo the action stuff...they’re so over the top and so overdone. But you felt the adrenaline and you felt as a young actor you’re gonna do this because you weren’t going to have a big enough part, so you made yourself useful as an action character...so you did a variety of movies like Rambo or Steele Justice....They were fun—they were a lot of fun….Today I would much rather do a play.
fruitful. I love theater. I did a play on Broadway called Beyond Therapy where I played this crazy psychiatrist... it’s a comedy with a crazy amount of dialogue. You’re right there, and there’s no retakes. It’s a wonderful piece written by a man named Christopher Durang...I’ve done Of Mice and Men and a variety of plays with Ed Harris and Holly Hunter....It’s kind of harder because you can’t push your agent for theatrical drama—they don’t make any money. Doing a play, I think, is the foundation of acting. Are you particular about the roles that you play? I’ve made the mistake in my career many times of reading a script, especially after The Karate Kid—the role was good, but the movie is not good, and you begin to think, “Well, with my performance I can enhance this picture,” and nine out of ten times, you’re not gonna do too well, it didn’t work, but you con yourself into that…. You’re sorry that you did that you and the movie didn’t go anywhere. So I’m very careful now and do things t h a t make
What do you find more challenging theater or movies? There isn’t anything easier, but more 14 I New Mexico Entertainment • February 2017
some noise. I just did The Goldbergs, and it was very funny. They rewrote the role of the sensei, John Kresse...he’s a loving guy, and he treats everyone as a brother, and he gives them a hug. What upcoming projects do you have coming down the line? I just finished a sci-fi, and The Goldbergs comes on in a couple of weeks, and I’m doing a film...called Gunpowder and Garlic. Then I’m doing a real exciting pilot presentation, very much like HBO’s True Detective, with my son, Jesse...and it’s called Bloodlines (working title).
death right now—I’m about to have a grandson or [grand]daughter. I think about that stuff as a grandfather. You see a lot of good constituents, a lot of associates, passing away. Every time you see the Academy® Awards—the memorium last year—a lot more actors that you work with are on that list and it gets kind of scary. But life goes on. There’s a theater upstairs. NME -Teresa Ewers
What would you like your legacy to be? I hope one can relate to enjoying my career as much as I did. My daughter just fell pregnant last week and there’s a lot of considerations of life and
15 I
New Mexico Entertainment • February 2017
EXTRAS: OVO
cirque de soliel presents ovo
C
irque du Soleil returns to Rio Rancho in March 2017 with OVO, its newest touring show in arenas. The production will be presented at Santa Ana Star Center from March 1-5, 2017, for seven performances only, as part of a global tour in arenas around North America. Thrilling more than 4.5 million people worldwide since the show premiered in Montreal in 2009 as a Big Top show, OVO will embark on a new journey, performing the same captivating production, but now in arenas, giving more people the opportunity to enjoy a Cirque du Soleil show in their own town. OVO, meaning “egg” in Portuguese, is a headlong rush into a colorful ecosystem teeming with life, where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight, and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy and movement. When a mysterious egg appears in their midst, the insects are awestruck and intensely 16 I
curious about this iconic object that represents the enigma and cycles of their lives. It is love at first sight when a gawky, quirky insect arrives in this bustling community and a fabulous ladybug catches his eye—and the feeling is mutual. The cast of OVO comprises 50 performing artists from 12 countries specializing in many acrobatic acts. One highlight of OVO is the stunning Flying Act, in which a group of scarabs soar high above the stage, from both edges to the middle, landing on a platform. Tickets for the general public will be available starting 10:00 AM Friday, November 18, 2016, by calling (888) 694.4849, online at SantaAnaStarCenter. com, or in person at Don Chalmers Ford Box Office at Santa Ana Star Center. Tickets start at $30 for adults (subject to change) and $25 for children. Senior, military, student discounts, and family 4-packs are available. NME - Provided by Santa Ana Star Center
New Mexico Entertainment • February 2017
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
February 24, 2017
SHAOLIN WARRIORS: THE LEGEND CONTINUES Popejoy Hall www.popejoypresents.com
UNTIL February 12, 2017 OLD TIMES The Cell Theatre 700 1st St NW Albuquerque, NM 87102 http://www.fusionnm.org/box-officefusion-season-subscriptions.html February 1, 2017 6TH ANNUAL NM BLACK HISTORY FESTIVAL The entire month of February is dedicated to programming that highlights the history and accomplishments of African Americans in New Mexico and throughout the United States. Each event serves to engage New Mexicans through arts, culture, cuisine, health, and education http://nmblackhistorymonth.com/ February 10, 2017 WILD PARTY POEM - LIVE READING & DANCING, 1920’S BAR, LIVE MUSIC! Kimo Theatre 423 Central Ave SW Albuquerque, NM 87102 http://www.kimotickets.com/ event/273781 February 19, 2017 THE WORLD FAMOUS GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA Popejoy Hall 203 Cornell Dr Albuquerque, NM 87131 http://popejoypresents.com/2016-2017season/the-world-famous-glenn-millerorchestra/the-world-famous-glennmiller-orchestra
February 24, 2017 GONZO OPERA PRESENTS TOO MUCH COFFEE MAN OPERA The Cell Theatre 700 1st St NW Albuquerque, NM 87102 http://www.fusionnm.org/box-officetoo-much-coffee-man-opera.html February 24, 2017 SHAOLIN WARRIORS: THE LEGEND CONTINUES Popejoy Hall 203 Cornell Dr Albuquerque, NM 87131 www. popejoypresents.com February 25, 2017 CONSUMED BY DESIGN: EXHIBIT OPENING WITH MARLA ALLISON Indian Pueblo Cultural Center 2401 12th St NW Albuquerque, NM 87104 http://www.fusionnm.org/box-officetoo-much-coffee-man-opera.html February 26, 2017 DIANNE REEVES Lensic Performing Arts Center 211 W San Francisco St Santa Fe, NM 87501 www. TicketsSantaFe.org
Submit events to NMEntEvents@gmail.com • View full calendar at NMEntertains.com 17 I
New Mexico Entertainment • February 2017
SIGHTSEEING New Mexico Entertainment witnessed a lot of events in January. Here are photos from the opening of Flix Brewhouse, our screening of Galaxy Quest, The 2017 Albuquerque Comic Con and The Women’s March.
18 I
New Mexico Entertainment • February 2017
Get your show on the road
XFINITY INTERNET Performance Starter
39
$
99
for 12 months No term agreement
Not available in all areas, varies by location.
Call Today and Pay Less! 844-316-8988 TV + Voice + Internet Starter Triple Play
89
$
99
for a FULL TWO YEARS with 2-year agreement
Not available in all areas, varies by location.
Disclaimer: Offer ends 6/21/17. Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. New residential customers only. Limited to Performance Internet service. Equipment, installation, taxes and fees, including regulatory recovery fees, Broadcast TV Fee (up to $6.50/mo.), Regional Sports Fee (up to $4.50/mo.) and other applicable charges extra, and subject to change during and after the promo. After promo, or if any service is cancelled or downgraded, regular rates apply. Comcast's service charge for Performance Internet Service ranges based on area, from $59.95/mo. to $61.95/mo. (subject to change). TV and Internet Service limited to a single outlet. May not be combined with other offers. TV: Limited Basic Service subscription required to receive other levels of service. Internet: Wi-Fi claim based on the March 2016 study by Allion Test Labs. Actual speeds vary and are not guaranteed. XFINITY hotpots are included with Performance Internet and above only. Available in select areas. Requires compatible Wi-Fi hotspots enabled laptop or mobile device. 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee applies to one month's recurring service charge and standard installation up to $500. Call for restrictions and complete details. Š2017 Comcast. All rights reserved. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
19 I
New Mexico Entertainment • February 2017
20 I
New Mexico Entertainment • February 2017