By: Franciney Horodyski

According to Wikipedia, Amaluna is said to have been loosely inspired by William Shakespeare's, The Tempest. The story takes place on an island governed by goddesses. During a storm, a group of men are washed upon shore. The queen's daughter falls for one of the young men, and the trials of their love are the elements composing this production.

This is the fourth Cirque Du Soleil I have been to. From past events, I knew that this would be good; I just did not know how good. 

We were situated in a tent on the grounds of The New York Mets home, Citifield. The parking cost was $22, which was a fair price for this venue. It was raining and cold, but upon entering, the temperature inside the tent was just right.  Some people were complaining that the rain was seeping through, but the attendants were very kind, and accommodated them accordingly.

I first noticed the scenery; very simplistic, but beautiful and natural.  There were lighting fixtures hanging from the ceiling, created by piping and paper maché flowers.  On the stage there was bamboo, and a cylindrical apparatus with water.  Soft lighting helped to create a very subtle, two-dimensional mood. After sometime, the actors started to wander through the crowd, with serious glances. Their costumes were truly amazing.  There were peacocks, warrior princesses, and a lizard who playfully engaged the audience by sitting in the rafters and throwing popcorn. This helped to create the atmosphere and allow the audience to be into the show. A few minutes before show time, a soft roar of rock music filled the air performed by a live band. 

The first act: Icarians and Water Meteors, with Xinyue Chen, Zhao Qian, Gaoyun Zhao Yanling Zheng, Min Zhuang, Yulun Wang, Lei Fu and Sijiang Liu.  This was the most jaw-dropping, astounding performances I have ever seen.  I was amazed and stupefied.  I could not take my eyes off the stage, and neither could the audience as they clapped and “woo-hooed” the whole time.  It really was such an inexplicable performance.  This was followed by some beautiful couple acts; which transformed the ideas of the whole performance.

Another act I was transfixed by was Water Bowl, performed by Iuliia Mykhailova.  This young woman showed her flexibility and outstanding movement in and out of the water; A very talented, young lady.  The whole performance was very surreal and mesmerizing. 

Afterward there was a highly original uneven bars act created by some very skilled females, followed by an all-male teeter board act.  As if we had not seen enough astonishment, Lili Chao graced us with her balancing act.  When I say balancing, it is not something you can even imagine.  This was done with such grace, panache, and an astounding level of confidence and beauty.  You could not hear a pin drop.  The audience stayed quiet as Ms. Chao placed her pieces together, and slowly rotated.  We wanted her to succeed. 

One of the main characters, Edouard Doye, who played the love-stricken male, did a gorgeous pole dance.  It was at times scary, but elegant and done with passion.  And if I say juggling, you may think of clowns and innocence, but the next act was not innocent at all.  Viktor Kee did an amazing act of juggling balls that came from the sky, and he even juggled a ball on fire. 

Every performer showed just how much time and effort they put into their roles and acts.  Even the so-called clown act for the event was done with love.  They added some adult humor as well; but nothing too racy. 

This was definitely my favorite Cirque Du Soleil by far.  I hope that the elegance of this show becomes more main stream.  I would recommend anyone to go see this with their family.  

Photos By: Franciney Horodyski

Photos By: Franciney Horodyski

What Should the Mets Do with Jordany Valdespin?

Written By Tim Horodyski

With the disappointed 2012 season behind them, Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson and his brain trust have a big job ahead of them.  They are in charge of remaking a team that played well in the first half and collapsed the second half.  As they ponder the future of the club one question they will have to answer is what to do with Jordany Valdespin?

 Valdespin has shown he can come off the bench and provide clutch hits.  His first Major League hit was a pinch hit three-run homerun off of Philadelphia Phillies Closer Jonathan Papelbon.  He now holds the Mets record for pinch hit home runs, and he has done it in less than half a season.  "I've always thought one of the things he {Valdespin} always has created, by putting him in the game at certain times, he has the chance to do some damage, and he's done that," said Mets Manager Terry Collins in a mets.com report.  Talking about Valdespin’s pinch hits success, Collins said, “He’s aggressive, takes a big swing, he’s got it squared-up pretty good.” Though Valdespin has succeeded off the bench for the Mets, Valdespin has much more talent than to just be used as a pinch hit specialist. 

 “Valdespin has a world of talent, his skills are off the chart” Collins said.  Valdespin has shown to have some power, some speed, he has shown to be fearless, and he has shown be very aggressive at the plate.  Baseball America ranked him eleventh among Mets prospects coming into the season.  Valdespin’s natural position is second base; however he has also played all three outfield positions.  “… Valdespin even caught a bullpen…” said Collins.

With less than 200 at bats at the Major League level it’s hard to make any judgment on the young Valdespin.  With 191 at bats he hit .241 with 8 homeruns and 46 hits.   With questions if Andres Torres will be back with the team, may open up a position for Valdespin in Centerfield.  With Jason Bay no longer with the Mets, leftfield is open to Valdespin. Another option could be in the infield. Valdespin’s fate may lay with Daniel Murphy.  If the Mets give the starting job at second to Murphy then the only spot for Valdespin is the bench or the minor leagues.  One direction the Mets may take is to have Murphy and Valdespin battle for the second baseman’s job during Spring Training.

The Mets have Valdespin playing second base and right field in the Dominican Winter League. On Sunday November 4^th Valdespin left a game with a foot injury he suffered on a double play.  Reports from Winter League indicates that Valdespin become more patient at the plate.  The 24-year old had clearly worked hard on seeing more pitches; he has ten walks through 16 games.

Alderson and company have many questions to answer including what to do with Valdespin.  The team’s plans may become clearer as the winter meeting began December 3 in Nashville Tennessee.    

Snooki at the Mets Game

Photos taken by: Franciney Horodyski

Spider-man, Turn Off the Dark
By: Franciney Horodyski

I honestly was not sure what to expect from this Broadway show; I mean, comic book, Spiderman, with music from U2 brought to a live stage. What’s next, Twilight, the musical?  I read some mixed reviews. I had to see for myself.

The first thing you notice when you walk into the theater is that they obviously go with the more comic book feel than the movie, with the scenery, so if you are expecting to see the movie live, you are going to be disappointed.  The backdrop is very simple, with cartoon drawings.  Then, out comes Peter Parker (Reeve Carney), and his explanation of Arachne, played by Katrina Lenk (Arachne was a young weaver, who was highly skilled at weaving tapestries. Her boasts soon reached Mt. Olympus, where Athena challenged her to a sewing competition. Arachne won, but Athena was unhappy. Athena told Arachne to punish herself. Before Arachne commited suicide, Athena turned her into a spider, to show the gods' powers. Arachne helps Peter Parker when the Green Goblin and the Sinister Six are destroying New York), along with high school students ragging on Peter.  The set design is cartoon-like, but fits the bill for the comics.  There is some dancing and singing and Peter and Mary Jane Watson (Jennifer Damiano) are faced with the same dilemma that they do not like their life. 

We see Dr. Norman Osborn (Patrick Page; Husband of Paige Davis) and his lovely wife engaging in song as they introduce the students from the high school on their field trip of the lab.  Peter is then bitten by the spider.  Next we see Peter literally jumping off the walls as he is hooked up to an apparatus that allows him to fly and jump freely in his room.  He then fights a blow up doll to get money for his new car, and this is where we see that Uncle Ben dies.

When Osborn finds out about Spiderman, he wants to indulge in the benefits of being super-human, hence the arrival of The Green Goblin. Green Goblin brings about destruction to New York City with the help of the Sinister Six, and Spiderman faces his quandary of being Spidey or being human and loving Mary Jane.  Obviously Peter chooses Spiderman and he wins. Everyone is happy, happy.

The singing was superb as the cast followed the music of U2.  The costumes were great, and the flying was spectacular.  Patrick Page did a fantastic job as the Green Goblin, adding humor and sarcasm to his character.  Reeve Carney and Jennifer Damiano were wonderfully in tune with each other, and their singing was right on key. 

If you love Broadway shows, comic books, and have children who are into Spiderman, I would definitely recommend seeing the show.  The children were dazzled by the high flying acts and the “spider webs” that fell upon their heads.  It is worth taking the trip to NYC.  

FOXWOODS THEATRE

213 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036

For tickets:

http://spidermanonbroadway.marvel.com/ticket

http://www.broadway.com/shows/spider-man-turn-off-the-dark/

Photo by: Annie Leibovitz I honestly was not sure what to expect from this Broadway show; I mean, comic book, Spiderman, with music from U2 brought to a live stage. What’s next, Twilight, the musical?  I read some mixed reviews. I had to see for myself.I honestly was not sure what to expect from this Broadway show; I mean, comic book, Spiderman, with music from U2 brought to a live stage. What’s next, Twilight, the musical?  I read some mixed reviews. I had to see for myse

Zarkana…A World of Bizzarre and Amazing
By: Franciney Horodyski

I was not quite sure what to expect from Zarkana.  I had seen previews on television, and I had previously been to Michael Jackson, the Immortal World Tour, and I had found that to be unbelievable, so I figured that Zarkana would not be too far behind as far as satisfaction.

I was right! From the moment you arrive, the actors are trying to interact with you, and are not shy about posing for pictures.  You might compare it to a circus, but it is kicked up about ten notches.  There are clowns, whom are quite funny, I might add.  They add a little humor for all ages.  Some say it was cheesy, I personally thought it was brilliant and fun. 

Director-writer, Francois Girard, did a good job of combining a story line to the more common acrobatics of an original circus.  Zark is a magician who lost his magic and his love.  The acrobatics and actors are there to distract him from fulfilling his mission.  It is combined with music, which makes it more like an opera. This I believe adds to the enthusiasm and class of the show. 

The show begins with dancing from odd characters.  Then out comes a juggler.  Yes she may not be juggling chainsaws, but the tennis balls that she juggles are just as astounding.  She adds whim and vigor to her act, while creating an allure of visual amazement.  Then the acrobatics begin.  Exhilarating is all I can say; a balancing act with a ladder balanced on a man’s head, while his female counterpart moves gracefully atop.  Furthermore, a group of flag throwers; not your typical color guard, and a solo male contortionist gives our eyes a treat. 

The singing was not understandable for me, but again, it enhanced the show, and the props were a little weird, but the overall acts fit in nicely with the acrobatics. 

I would recommend this show to anyone.  It is visually stunning and a lot of fun.  For more information, please visit… http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/zarkana/default.aspx.

Venue: Radio City Music Hall, New York (Through Oct. 8)
Director-writer: Francois Girard
Artistic guides: Guy Laliberte, Gilles Ste-Croix
Cast: Garou, Cassiopee, Maria Choodu, Anastasia Dvoretskaya, Victoria Dvoretskaya, Dmitry Dvoretskiy, Di Wu, Jun Guo, Frederico Pisapia, Giuseppe Schiavo, Vincenzo Schiavo, Marco Senatore, Carole Demers, Johnny Gasser, Yuri Kreer, Ray Navas Velez, Rony Navas Velez, Roberto Navas Yovany, Erika Chen, Anatoly Zalevskiy
Direction of creation: Line Tremblay
Set and props designer: Stephane Roy
Costume designer: Alan Hranitelj
Lighting designer: Alain Lortie
Music: Nick Littlemore
Choreographers: Debra Brown, Jean-Jacques Pillet
Image content designer: Raymond St-Jean
Acrobatic performance designer: Florence Pot

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