Andrea's Restaurant, Rhode Island

Anchored in College Hill, RI is Andrea's, a welcoming, Greek-American Restaurant.

Andrea's is surrounded by lively activity including Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design. Donald, our server, was very professional and attentive as well as quite knowledgeable of the selections.

The menu features dinners to satisfy everyone's palate, and I chose the swordfish fillet on a bed of rice pilaf. It was perfectly cooked and seasoned, and I was able to cut it with my fork.

Donald recommended an Italian white wine that complemented the meal to my satisfaction.

For a warm summer evening, my dessert was a Key Lime Pie, fortunately larger-portioned than most restaurants. All of the plates at Andrea's are generous.

Please visit andreasri.com for further information,
and then please visit Andreas's on 268 Thayer Street, Providence, RI.

andreasri.com

SINGIN' IN THE RAIN @ NSMT

It doesn't matter what type of week, day, or hour you had leading up to you seeing SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, the latest musical at North Shore Music Theatre. All of your worries will be literally washed away instantly.

This is because Director/Choreographer Richard Stafford has created an easy-going production as light and refreshing as a summer rain. Everything happens so effortlessly, and the audience is invited right away to the party.

North Shore audiences will embrace Mark Evans, direct form the West End in England. His Don Lockwood is handsome and charming, but he knows how to handle physical humor as well. His mugging in the films is hilarious, and he and Sean McGibbon as Cosmo Brown work brilliantly together.

McGibbon plays the slapstick humor and wise remarks in an off-the-cuff manner. His "Make 'Em Laugh" is organic and spontaneous, which is what makes it funny.

The beautiful Emily Stockdale perfectly sustains Lina Lamont's infamous voice for over two hours. There are not many places in the Book for an audience to find empathy for the character, but she is such a gifted actress that she finds them on her own. Most Linas are portrayed as a runaway train, but thankfully not here. Stockdale gargles "What's Wrong With Me" until the answer is clear.

Tessa Grady is a lovely, gorgeous Kathy Selden who takes audience's breaths away during "Lucky Star" and "Would You?" She portrays the character with grace and finesse.

Credit must also be given to Kristyn Pope, the "Girl in the Green Dress," a part immortalized in the movie by Cyd Charisse. Kristyn's legs rival those of Cyd's, an accomplishment that should make her proud, and her sexy, sultry dance is joyous.

The lighting and set designs perfectly capture the feel of the 1920s as do the exquisite costumes.

Stafford's graceful, elegant choreography reminds one of Fred and Ginger.

This is a case where making less of a "splash" creates a more stylized, effective experience. Audiences will walk away from an incredibly impressive production with smiles on their faces.


nsmt.org

35 Years of BELLA DONNA!

   

     BELLA DONNA by Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks is as perfect as it gets when it comes to a debut solo record.

     Anyone who remembers Stevie's arrival six years prior with the intense "Rhiannon (Will You Ever Win)," might be surprised here as she is remarkably mellow. However, time will tell that Stevie has always found intensity in the quieter moments of life. This is where her real passion lies. Past hits such as "Landslide" and "Sara" with her band confirm this.

     The title track introduces fans to Stevie's love for finding structure with Stream-of-Consciousness.
She eloquently beckons "come in . . . out of the darkness."

     Her strong talents for storytelling are emphasized in "The Highwayman" and "After The Glitter Fades," which reached #32 on the Billboard Chart.

     She showcases her mystical, magical side in "Kind of Woman" and "How Still My Love," a concert favorite in the early years.

     "Think About It" is the soft ballad dedicated to "Christine" where she instructs her to "take on the situation but not the torment/now you know it's not as bad as it seems."

     "Outside the Rain" allows Stevie to be optimistically melancholy as only she can be.

     The first single is "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around," a #3 rock hit with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Her love of duets is evident here, and she is quite comfortable with herself.

     The other duet is the beautiful, country flavored "Leather and Lace" (#6) with Don Henley (the Eagles) who also provides harmonies on "The Highwayman."

    Bella Donna is not complete unless we mention the powerhouse "Edge of Seventeen (Just Like the White Winged Dove)." It peaked at #11 and is a staple at all of her shows. This is where she demonstrates her passionate intensity in a rock song where Waddy Wachtel's famous guitar riff kicks in immediately and never lets up.

     This album also introduces Stevie's backing vocalists Lori Perry and Sharon Celani who still record and tour with her.

     Subsequent solo albums will reveal further layers of Stevie Nicks, but for now, we are in love with, and we are ready to sail.

     "It's just a feeling. Sort of captures your soul."

     Stevie Nicks has captured ours.