Good Times (in la Gran Manzana) uno, dos y tres

Israel López Cachao’s recent weeklong gig at the Blue Note provided several memorable nights of great Cuban classics as well as some entertaining onstage antics by El Maestro and his croonies. El Maestro Cachao, the inventor of the mambo, is still going strong in his eighth decade on the planet. What a show!

Also in the audience to see and hear Cachao was Dr. Benjamín Lapidus, a Master tres and cuatro player who shared his latest CD entitled Sonido Isleño: Vive Jazz! with LTTM.



Listen up Ben, mi amigo - at the after-show party at Wes Broadway's Tribeca penthouse your CD sparked a joyously impromptu Latino jam session with Ol' Wes himself shaking the maracas like ripe mangoes - Careful, Wes! - and it was a delightful way to end an already memorable evening. Thanks for the great CD - and Exito with your music!

Check Ben out at: www.sonidoisleno.com

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The little Monkey Moo is an adventurous fella, and his adventure, even though uproariously funny, is ultimately a tragic one, a poignant reminder of the loss of innocence.




The Monkey Moo, a modern variation of the Japanese puppeteering techniques, follows the peculiar character and tells a simple story of an impossible love, yet walks the edge between the sharp social commentary and breakthrough on stage experimentation, carefuly weighted against ancient artistic expressions and revered theater traditions.

Yoko Myoi commands praise for her performance as the innocent Moo, at large in the early 20's city of Shanghai. Her powerful, yet charming stage persona carries the whole story with ease and lots of physical humor.

Never before have I witness a more creative and effective use for a piece of rope or encountered a doll more endearing than the "female lead" of this wonderful project, played by talented Uruguayan puppeteer and prop designer, our dear friend, Karen Elizaga.

A collective artistic endeavor, the play was also created and performed by puppeteer Andrei Drooz and James Dellatacoma, Ralph Gould and Stephen Quaranta of the "melodic noise trio" Zelda Pinwheel, all under the direction of Kanako Hiyama.

The Monkey Moo is a presentation of Great World Amusement Center as part of this year's FringeNYC theater festival and is held at The Studio @ Cherry Lane Theatre (www.cherrylanetheatre.org)

Showtimes are:

Tue 8/14 @5pm
Thur 8/16 @9:30pm
Sat 8/18 @ 12:30pm
Fri 8/24 @ 7 pm

Don't miss it!

For more info go to: http://www.myspace.com/themonkeymoo