{"id":33200,"date":"2023-02-16T09:16:00","date_gmt":"2023-02-16T14:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/?p=33200"},"modified":"2023-02-16T09:16:03","modified_gmt":"2023-02-16T14:16:03","slug":"on-stage-wolf-makes-philly-debut-at-the-foundry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/?p=33200","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Wolf makes Philly debut at The Foundry"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"

Julia Wolf<\/p><\/div>\n

In this era of cookie-cutter copy-cat modern pop, finding an original artist is a rarity. Finding something that makes the ears perk up and the brain smile is like buying a lottery scratch-off with a six-figure payoff.<\/p>\n

Thankfully, every once in a while, a singer comes along who doesn\u2019t follow the pack.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, 2023 is a year when there is a lone wolf who is willing to shun the pack. That lone wolf is Julia Wolf.<\/p>\n

The New York-based singer-songwriter-virtual artist who just released her debut album, \u201cGood Thing We Stayed\u201d on BMG Records, will make her Philadelphia debut on February when she headlines a show at the Foundry (1100 Canal Street, Philadelphia, www.thefillmorephilly.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Wolf\u2019s music spans genres and defies simple categorization. It has been described as trap pop.<\/p>\n

Wolf elaborated.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrap pop? \u2013 the simplest way to describe my music is trap indie pop,\u201d said Wolf, during a phone interview last week from her home in New York. \u201cDrums with 808s (Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer). The voice is indie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Like many musicians, Wolf\u2019s introduction to music was innocuous.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started really young with piano and fell in love with it,\u201d said Wolf. \u201cIn high school I was too shy to talk with people. I\u2019d grab lunch and head to the music room.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith songwriting, I was always too embarrassed to write a song. One of my teachers in high school thought I had the talent to write a good song.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wrote a song for my best friend. I was a graduating senior, and she was staying in school for another year. It was a song about never changing.<\/p>\n

Writing songs opened up new avenues of communication for Wolf.<\/p>\n

\u201cSongwriting was the only way I could speak what was going on in my mind,\u201d said Wolf.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of songs were about my family. My younger sister and I are very close with our parents \u2013 and our grandparents who came off the boat from Italy.\u201d<\/p>\n

After a while, Wolf entered the world of Spotify.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first song I ever put out was me singing over beats,\u201d said Wolf. \u201cPeople who heard it liked it and told me to put it on Spotify.”<\/p>\n

Wisely, she took their advice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up in an Italian-American household in Astoria, Queens,\u201d said Wolf. \u201cI graduated from North Shore High School (Glen Head, New York). For college, I went to Long Island University originally.\u201d<\/p>\n

Later, Wolf opted to study at the SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music with a concentration on music composition.<\/p>\n

The next big step came when Wolf hooked up musically with Jackson Foote, a highly regarded producer and one half of the standout pop duo Loote. The early part of their journey featured songs like \u201cCaptions,\u201d \u201cChlorine\u201d, \u201cPlay It Safe\u201d, and \u201cImmortale.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJackson has been in everything I do,\u201d said Wolf. \u201cHe\u2019s believed in me since Day One. I\u2019ll write and then he\u2019ll come in and do his work. He lives in L.A., and we get together as much as we can.\u201d<\/p>\n

The multi-talented artist got out of the blocks quickly and continued to create catchy melodic songs featuring powerful, poignant and sometimes very raw lyrics.<\/p>\n

Wolf also expanded her music with visual art and captivating digital designs.<\/p>\n

\u201cMusic and digital art go hand-in-hand,\u201d said Wolf. \u201cArt helps me with expression. I enjoy doing photoshop to enhance what I want to say. I\u2019ve always done the art by myself. It\u2019s another form of self-expression.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wolf\u2019s songs deal with self-expression, empowerment and standing up for your own interests.<\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up shy \u2013 avoiding people all through high school and college,\u201d said Wolf. \u201cI never spoke until about three years ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause of that, I let a lot of people walk over me all of the time. It was very toxic.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Wolf\u2019s music and message have universal appeal for young people, it is aimed at and received best by young women.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy music is geared for females \u2013 by default,\u201d said Wolf. \u201cThe message is \u2013 you do matter and you do have a voice. I hope young girls feel motivated by it.\u201d<\/p>\n

2023 will be a busy year for Wolf.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy first album just came out and I\u2019m going to be out on tour for a while,\u201d said Wolf. \u201cI\u2019m always writing but I can\u2019t get in the studio until after the tour.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be touring with a drummer and a guitarist, and I\u2019ll be on keys.\u201d<\/p>\n

The shows will feature beat-heavy trap music delivered melodically, impressive digitized art to complement the songs and, most importantly, her message.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m making music for girls who are afraid to speak their mind,\u201d said Wolf \u2013 a wolf who definitely isn\u2019t part of the pack.<\/p>\n

Video link for Julia Wolf — https:\/\/youtu.be\/Lt87CQtKNeI<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at The Foundry on February 18 will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $16.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at The Foundry are Zolita on February 19, Inayah on February 20, Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows on February 21 and Adore Delano on February 22.<\/p>\n

Plays can be light and airy, heavy and dramatic, silly and comedic, musical with dance numbers, or featuring stories driven by local and world history.<\/p>\n

Right now, two plays are running in the area which focus on history \u2013 \u201c1776:The Musical\u201d and \u201cThe Mountaintop.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"

1776: The Musical<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201c1776: The Musical,\u201d which is co-produced with the Kimmel Cultural Campus and the Shubert Organization, is having its Philadelphia premiere with a two-week run at the Forrest Theatre (1114 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, www.kimmelculturalcampus.org<\/a>) from now through February 14.<\/p>\n

Following its premiere engagements, the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University and on Broadway at Roundabout Theatre Company,\u00a0the tour of\u00a0\u201c1776: The Musical\u201d\u00a0will make limited engagement stops at major cities across North America, starting in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n

A glorious multiracial cast of female, transgender, and nonbinary actors portrays the fiery founders of this country, putting history in the hands of the humans who were left out the first time around. This Tony Award-winning Best Musical is tuneful, witty, and constantly surprising, especially in this \u201cbold and exuberant\u201d (Variety) new production from directors Jeffrey L. Page (Philadelphia Theatre Company; Broadway\u2019s\u00a0Violet)\u00a0and Diane Paulus\u00a0(Waitress).<\/p>\n

\u201c1776\u201d\u00a0features music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and a book by Peter Stone. It is based on a concept by Sherman Edwards. Tony Award-winning director Diane Paulus (Jagged Little Pill, Waitress, Pippin) and MTV Music Video Award-winning\u00a0choreographer (and Philadelphia Theatre Company resident artist) Jeffrey L. Page (Beyonc\u00e9\u2019s \u201cRun the World (Girls)\u201d video,\u00a0Memphis\u00a0in Tokyo; Violet\u00a0starring Sutton Foster at Roundabout Theatre Company) direct the production.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0show\u2019s design team includes Tony Award-winning Scenic Designer Scott Pask (Waitress,\u00a0Finding Neverland,\u00a0Pippin); Tony Award-nominated Costume Designer Emilio Sosa (The Gershwins\u2019 Porgy and Bess); Lighting Designer Jennifer Schriever (In the Body of the World\u00a0at A.R.T.\/New York City Center; Fingersmith\u00a0at A.R.T.); Tony Award-nominated Sound Designer Jonathan Deans (Jagged Little Pill,\u00a0Waitress,\u00a0Finding Neverland\u00a0at A.R.T.\/Broadway;\u00a0Pippin\u00a0on Broadway); and Drama Desk Award-nominated Projection Designer David Bengali (We Live in Cairo\u00a0at A.R.T., Associate Designer of\u00a0Witness Uganda\u00a0at A.R.T.\/Invisible Thread\u00a0at Second Stage).<\/p>\n

The\u00a0\u201c1776\u201d\u00a0music team is comprised of Music Supervisor David Chase (Finding Neverland); Tony Award nominated Orchestrator John Clancy (Fun Home; Mean Girls); Vocal Designer AnnMarie Milazzo (Finding Neverland); Music Consultant and Co-Music Director Nadia DiGiallonardo (Waitress); and Co-Music Director Ryan Cantwell (Pippin).<\/p>\n

The year 1776 is a pivotal year in the history of the United States of America. So much so, that the story has been made into a book, a film (which came out in 1972) and a stage musical.<\/p>\n

Now the classic tale has been re-imagined with different actors taking on the role of our founding fathers, new musical arrangements, new looks for the stage in terms of lighting, but the same old words and text that made the show famous in the first place.<\/p>\n

The story spans a three-week period leading up to July 4th where members of congress debate on how to break away from the British Empire, with topics ranging from prosperity to slavery to religion. It features historical figures such as Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and the Continental Congress\u2019 custodian, Andrew McNair.<\/p>\n

This \u201c1776\u201d takes place primarily in the Chamber of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia as these colonial representatives argue about breaking ties with England and constructing what would eventually be a clearly imperfect union.<\/p>\n

The show has a large roster of America\u2019s historical figures including John Adams, Abigail Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Martha Jefferson, and John Hancock. Delaware is represented by John Dickinson, George Read and Caesar Rodney.<\/p>\n

There are historical connections inside and outside the show.<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst, there is the fact that we\u2019re opening in Philadelphia,\u201d said Nancy Anderson (who plays Thomas Jefferson) during a recent phone interview from her home in Charlottesville, Virginia. \u201cThen, we\u2019ll be in Washington, D.C. over the Fourth of July holiday.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause our production has multiracial cast of female, gender fluid, transgender, and nonbinary actors instead of white men, we don\u2019t like Jefferson, Franklin and the rest. We have an obligation to honor them. We\u2019re looking at the story through the lens of people not usually looked at.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need people to be interested in diversity. The cast has all races and all identities. It adds a dimension to the American story.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Declaration of Independence is a living document. We are constantly in conversation about the Founding Fathers in 1776.\u201d<\/p>\n

The original show premiered on\u00a0Broadway\u00a0in 1969, earning warm reviews, and ran for 1,217 performances. The production won three Tony Awards, including\u00a0Best Musical. In 1972, it was made into\u00a0a film adaptation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe show was written in 1969 during an era of social upheaval,\u201d said Anderson. \u201cAnd w we\u2019re still wrestling with the same issues as 1969 and 1776.<\/p>\n

\u201cDiversity in casting is so important. It lends a dimension to this conversation. By casting it this ay, we are inviting all Americans eo see themselves as part of the original story of the United States.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for \u201c1776: The Musical\u201d — https:\/\/youtu.be\/Kb1jOtaxz14<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201c1776: The Musical\u201d will run now through February 26 at the Forrest Theatre. Ticket prices start at $58.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re in the middle of Black History Month and Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 North High Street, West Chester, www.uptownwestchester.org<\/a>) is celebrating Black History Month in style with a stage performance focusing on one of America\u2019s most important Civil Rights leaders.<\/p>\n

Now through February 19, the Uptown! Knauer is presenting \u201cThe Mountaintop,\u201d which looks at Martin Luther King\u2019s activities on the evening before his assassination.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Mountaintop\u201d\u00a0is a drama by American playwright\u00a0Katori Hall. It is a fictional depiction of\u00a0Martin Luther King Jr.\u2019s last night on earth.<\/p>\n

King was in\u00a0Memphis\u00a0to speak out on the behalf of the\u00a0Memphis sanitation workers\u00a0who went on strike regarding the death of two workers crushed by a malfunctioning truck. The workers dealt with continuous mistreatment and denial of their civil rights.<\/p>\n

A week before his assassination, King led a demonstration through downtown Memphis which resulted in the death of one reporter as well as a multitude of injuries and property damages. The poor work conditions and pay the sanitation workers suffered angered the black community and encouraged them to speak out on the behalf of other issues concerning civil rights.<\/p>\n

On April 3, the night before his assassination, King gave his speech,\u00a0\u201cI\u2019ve Been to the Mountaintop,\u201d, where he declared, \u201cWe\u2019ve got to give ourselves to this struggle until the end. Nothing would be more tragic than to stop at this point in Memphis. We’ve got to see it through.\u201d<\/p>\n

King was nothing but supportive, even saying that he did not want to leave Memphis until his work was done. King along with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference produced the idea of the\u00a0Poor People’s Campaign, a campaign that demanded economic and human rights for poor Americans of diverse backgrounds.<\/p>\n

Before he could finalize his ideas and plans however, he was assassinated on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel on April 4 at 6:01\u00a0pm. King was rushed to\u00a0St. Joseph\u2019s Hospital<\/a>\u00a0for surgery, but was later pronounced dead an hour later.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Mountaintop\u201d\u00a0is a two-person drama about the last day of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The entire play is set in a room at the Lorraine Hotel room. King is alone \u2013 trying to write yet another powerful speech.<\/p>\n

When he orders a cup of coffee from room service, a mysterious woman arrives, bringing much more than a late-night beverage. What follows is a reflective, often funny, often touching conversation in which Dr. King examines\u00a0his achievements<\/a>, his failures, and his unfinished dreams.<\/p>\n

On February 16, there will be a free event at Uptown at 5:30 p.m. with\u00a0Rev. Dr. Wayne E. Croft, Sr., Pastor of St. Paul\u2019s Baptist Church in West Chester. Dr. Croft will present\u00a0\u201cThe Three Dimensions of a Complete Life,\u201d a conversation on Dr. Martin King\u2019s sermon. The presentation will be in Uptown\u2019s Univest Cabaret space on the second floor.<\/p>\n

Dr. Croft is a pastor, writer and scholar, having earned an Associate degree from Pinebrook Jr. College and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Trinity College earning a Bachelor of Arts. He received the Master of Divinity degree from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (now Palmer Theological Seminary), Master of Theology degree from Princeton Theological Seminary and graduated with distinction from Drew University in Madison, New Jersey earning a Doctor of Ministry degree.<\/p>\n

He also earned a Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy degree from Drew. He is the first person to earn both a Doctor of Ministry and Doctor of Philosophy from Drew University and received an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Villanova University in May 2018.<\/p>\n

First come, first seated. Space is limited.<\/p>\n

Video link for \u201cThe Mountaintop\u201d — https:\/\/youtu.be\/aYawH1crGTY<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Mountaintop\u201d is running now through February 19. The run time is 90 minutes with no intermission. Ticket prices start at $30.<\/p>\n

Philadelphia Theatre Company (www.philatheatreco.org<\/a>) continues its season with a Philadelphia premiere of \u201cEmpathitrax,\u201d an eerie and comical exploration of the consequences of one pharmacological breakthrough in the romantic life of one couple. The play is written by East Falls native Ana Nogueria, whose play \u201cWhich Way to the Stage\u201d recently opened to critical acclaim Off-Broadway, and has also appeared as an actress on The CW’s \u201cThe Vampire Diaries.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEmpathitrax,\u201d which is being presented at PTC\u2019s home at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (480 South Broad Street, Philadelphia), marks Nogueria\u2019s Philadelphia debut and is brought to life by a team of Philadelphia artists and creatives.<\/p>\n

The production is directed by Nell Bang-Jensen, the Artistic Director of Theatre Horizon, who previously directed PTC\u2019s well-received virtual production of \u201cThe Wolves.\u201d It is running now through March 5.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmpathitrax\u201d is a fascinating, funny, and deeply human play that asks universal questions about romance and companionship,
\nThe futuristic play is a searing, darkly funny sci-fi story of a young couple who turn to a breakthrough in pharmacology to save their fractured relationship.<\/p>\n

The couple at the center of the story, known as Her and Him, are played by Claire Inie-Richards and Makoto Hirano. They are joined by Matteo Scammell as pharmaceutical sales rep Joe and Him\u2019s bro-ish friend Matty D.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmpathitrax\u201d will run from February 10-March 5. Ticket prices start at $25.<\/p>\n

The Candlelight Theatre (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware,\u00a0302- 475-2313,\u00a0www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org<\/a>) is in the penultimate weekend of the run of its new mainstage production \u2013 \u201cSister Act.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSister Act\u201d\u00a0is a\u00a0musical\u00a0based on the hit\u00a01992 film of the same name\u00a0with music by\u00a0Alan Menken, lyrics by\u00a0Glenn Slater, book by\u00a0Bill and Cheri Steinkellner, and additional material by\u00a0Douglas Carter Beane. After having a regional premiere in 2006 in\u00a0Pasadena, California,\u00a0the original\u00a0West End\u00a0production opened on June 2, 2009, at the\u00a0London Palladium, starring\u00a0Patina Miller\u00a0and produced by\u00a0Stage Entertainment\u00a0and\u00a0Whoopi Goldberg.\u00a0Subsequent productions have been seen on\u00a0Broadway\u00a0and in many countries around the world.<\/p>\n

The show, which runs each week from Friday through Sunday, will run through February 26.<\/p>\n

Tickets, which include dinner, dessert, beverages and free parking, are $69.<\/p>\n

The Candlelight Theatre is busier than usual this weekend with its monthly edition of Candlelight Comedy Club scheduled for February 16.<\/p>\n

The evening\u2019s lineup features headliner Julia Scotti, feature Ashley Gutermuth, emcee Justin\u00a0Gonzalez with host Jason Pollock.<\/p>\n

Scotti\u00a0is a nationally headlining comedian, author, speaker, former teacher, and woman of transgendered experience. She was a quarterfinalist and fan favorite on Season 11 of \u201cAmerica\u2019s Got Talent\u201d on NBC in 2016. She currently has a comedy special on SHOWTIME called \u201cMore Funny Women of a Certain Age.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to performing standup at venues all over the country, she is currently starring in the critically acclaimed documentary, \u201cJulia Scotti: Funny That Way.\u201d\u00a0After a very successful film festival tour, it is now streaming on digital platforms.<\/p>\n

Scotti had a cameo in the 2022 groundbreaking film \u201cBro\u2019s\u201d starring Billy Eichner. She has also starred in a short film entitled \u201cRelatable Joy\u201d — playing the role of a comedian. Also on tap, is a\u00a0Dry Bar Comedy\u00a0special, which was recorded earlier this year. She also has released her second album, \u201cPrimal Cuts,” following the huge success of her first album, \u201cHello Boys, I\u2019m Back!\u201d .<\/p>\n

Scotti\u2019s brand of comedy is fierce, honest, and fearless. She has been described as a \u201cforce of nature\u201d and a \u201ccross between Sam Kinison and Mrs. Doubtfire.\u201d Her performances have been likened to a \u201cchainsaw flying through the room.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJanuary was slow \u2013 but it\u2019s always slow,\u201d said\u00a0Scotti, during a phone interview last week from her home in Toms River, New Jersey.<\/p>\n

\u201cFebruary is better. We\u2019re aiming for better venues like the Candlelight and some theater shows. I\u2019ve also been doing Double Trouble shows with Anita Wise. I love working with her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve played Candlelight a lot over the years. Candlelight was where I reunited with Kevin Meaney. We toured together until he passed away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Originally from Fairview, New Jersey, for the first 48 years she was better known as comedian Rick\u00a0Scotti.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had always wanted to get into comedy as a kid,\u201d said\u00a0Scotti. \u201cInstead, I was a drummer in a band. I did that for quite a while. I got my start in comedy in 1980.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw an ad for a comedian for The Jade Fountain in Paramus (NJ). I auditioned with five minutes of material and got hired. From there, I got put on a show with Jackie \u201cThe Joke Man\u201d Martling. The lineup also featured Gilbert Gottfried, Jerry Seinfeld and Eddie Murphy \u2013 all of whom were \u201cunknowns\u201d at the time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Beginning at the Original Improv in New York,\u00a0Scotti\u00a0toured most of her career as Rick\u00a0Scotti, headlining clubs in the United States and Canada. She has appeared on Comedy Central and was a finalist on Showtime\u2019s \u201cThe Funniest Person in America\u201d contest for the state of New Jersey (she lost to Ellen DeGeneres).<\/p>\n

\u201cI was headlining all over the country in the late 1980s and 1990s,\u201d said\u00a0Scotti. \u201cIn 2000, I was tired career-wise so I went back to college. I went to Georgian Court University in Lakewood, New Jersey, It was a Catholic all-girls college that was co-ed at night.\u201d<\/p>\n

Georgian Court University is a private Roman Catholic university in Lakewood Township, New Jersey. Founded in 1908 by the Sisters of Mercy, the university has more than 1,500 undergraduates and nearly 600 graduate students. Since transforming from an institution with only women’s\u00a0dormitories\u00a0to a fully coed university in 2013, about 24 percent of\u00a0Georgian Court’s\u00a0student body is now comprised of men.<\/p>\n

\u201cI majored in Education and English,\u201d said\u00a0Scotti. \u201cThen, I taught sixth grade language and arts at Freehold Borough Intermediate School.\u201d<\/p>\n

In 2000,\u00a0Scotti\u00a0also left stand-up as she began a life altering transition.<\/p>\n

Rick\u00a0Scotti\u00a0was performing in comedy clubs across the country when he came to the realization that he was living a false and painful life.<\/p>\n

At a time when the words gender dysphoria and gender reassignment surgery were rarely heard, Rick\u2019s awakening led him down the challenging road to a new identity as Julia\u00a0Scotti. The consequences of her transition left Julia deserted by her family, friends, and comedy world colleagues.<\/p>\n

At age 47, she reinvented herself, went back to college, and became a junior high school teacher. Several years ago, she impulsively stepped back on the stage at a small comedy club.<\/p>\n

\u201cI loved teaching, but I couldn\u2019t take administration anymore,\u201d said\u00a0Scotti. \u201cChris Rich, an old comedian friend, and I got together. She said \u2013 when are you coming back to comedy? I said \u2013 I\u2019m 60 years old and transgender \u2013 but she didn\u2019t take that as an excuse.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe got me to come back. I did a show at the Comedy Spot in Bristol, Pennsylvania. Then, I had a weekly cabaret thing in Philly at a club near Second and South. From there, I got publicity on Philly and work started coming in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scotti\u00a0was the first transgender comedian and finalist in the \u201cLadies of Laughter\u201d competition held in New York City. She has also been named by the Advocate as one of the \u201cTop 5 Hottest Transgender Comedians of 2013\u201d.<\/p>\n

The comedian whose humor transcends ages, sex and genres had a breakthrough a few years ago with her appearances on \u201cAmerica\u2019s Got Talent.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018America\u2019s Got Talent\u2019 sent me an e-mail asking if I wanted to audition,\u201d said\u00a0Scotti. \u201cI was hesitant at first. To my surprise, I got it. Two reasons I got it were because I\u2019m transgender and because I\u2019m funny.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scotti\u00a0made the panel of Howie Mandel, Mel B., Heidi Klum and Simon Cowell laugh with her irreverent and seriously funny routines. She was a judges\u2019 favorite with Cowell saying \u201cyou genuinely made me laugh\u201d and Mandel quoted as saying \u201cyou have so much to offer, you are a joy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHowie Mandel was really nice,\u201d said\u00a0Scotti. \u201cActually, all the judges were nice to me. I enjoyed my time with them. Making Simon laugh was my goal.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018America\u2019s Got Talent\u2019 put me out there. The show has 13 million viewers, and I was on three episodes. After that, I heard from people all over the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scotti\u00a0has appeared at major venues all over the country including Dolby\u00a0Theater (Hollywood, CA), Planet Hollywood, Sin City (Las Vegas, NV), Borgata (Atlantic City, NJ), Arts Quest at Steel Stacks (Bethlehem, PA), The Friars Club (Manhattan, NY), Hard Rock Caf\u00e9 (Cleveland, OH), Throckmorton Theater (Mill Valley, CA), Edgewater Casino (Laughlin, NV) and Williamsburg Comedy Club (Williamsburg, VA).<\/p>\n

Scotti\u2019s humor is personal rather than political.<\/p>\n

\u201cI deal with topics such as getting old, being trans, friendship and my love life \u2013 or lack of it,\u201d said\u00a0Scotti. \u201cI always write about what is going on in my life. I don\u2019t write joke jokes. Everything comes out of situation.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy inspiration is just life. I\u2019m always writing new stuff \u2013 adding new stuff. But I also stay with the older stuff. If you go out to see a band, you want to hear their hits.<\/p>\n

Video link for Julia\u00a0Scotti\u00a0—\u00a0https:\/\/youtu.be\/tcXi0eNFtAo<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Gonzalez, who is a stand-up comedian and magician, is also an independent musician based in Philadelphia who travels throughout the Tri-State area and beyond.<\/p>\n

Gonzalez, who began performing professionally at the age of 11, now performs with a repertoire that includes classical, big band, Broadway and opera. Most recently, he added a new genre when he assumed the role of lead vocalist for \u201c33 1\/3 LIVE\u2019s Killer Queen Experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m originally from Northeast Philly,\u201d said\u00a0Gonzalez. \u201cI went to school in South Philly at GAMP.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Girard Academic Music Program (GAMP) is a college preparatory school for students in grades 5 through 12 that provides a unique educational environment, focusing on college and career readiness, while allowing all students to pursue music as a major subject.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was at GAMP for eight years,\u201d said\u00a0Gonzalez. \u201cI studied voice and instruments starting with lower brass. Voice was a large chunk of it. I got my first professional performance in Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the age of 13,\u00a0Gonzalez\u00a0was asked to join a chorus as a soloist on its two-week tour of Germany and France. On that trip, he had the opportunity to perform in many castles, mansions, and historic houses of worship. The most memorable moment for him was singing in the Cathedral Notre Dame in Paris, France.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was amazing,\u201d said\u00a0Gonzalez. \u201cI was 13 and I was singing at the Cathedral Notre Dame. I was just a poor Puerto Rican kid from North Philly, and I was singing in places like a castle in Germany and a cathedral in Berlin.\u201d<\/p>\n

After years of laying the groundwork for a promising career as an opera singer,\u00a0Gonzalez\u00a0was diagnosed at the age of 18 with Multiple Sclerosis, an autoimmune disease. One of the symptoms of MS is memory loss. His opera career was over just as quickly as it began.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt affected my brain\u2019s ability to memorize,\u201d said\u00a0Gonzalez. \u201cI still sing classically at venues around the East Coast and on Broadway.\u201d<\/p>\n

Today, 20 years since that first tour,\u00a0Gonzalez\u00a0is still a sought-after classical music soloist. He is also a practitioner of the American Song Book and the music of Broadway. He uses all of this music to entertain, educate, and share his story.<\/p>\n

\u201cI also have several music projects,\u201d said\u00a0Gonzalez. \u201cThere is the Little Big Band Lounge Revival, which does\u00a0lounge and popular standards along with classic love songs, and the Justin\u00a0Gonzalez\u00a0Jazz Trio, which is a pop trio that uses classical instruments. There is also \u201833 1\/3 LIVE\u2019s Killer Queen Experience.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

The comedy aspect is the most recent.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout eight years ago, I was doing a weekly cabaret show with Julia Scotti \u2013 \u2018Julia Scotti\u2019s Comedy Test Kitchen,\u2019\u201d said\u00a0Gonzalez. \u201cShe said I should tell my stories when performing. That allowed me to just be funny.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Justin\u00a0Gonzalez\u00a0\u2014\u00a0https:\/\/youtu.be\/kNtcF4Z5aqQ<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at the Candlelight Theater will start at 7:30 p.m. on February 16. Tickets, which are $30, include complimentary light fare and free parking.<\/p>\n

On February 18, Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295,\u00a0http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/a>) will present its February Singer-Songwriter Showcase featuring:\u00a0Sara Chodak (Vassal),\u00a0Sarah Henya, Lisa Jeanette,\u00a0and\u00a0Julieann Ott.<\/p>\n

Lisa Jeanette is a native Philadelphian and performing singer-songwriter who writes acoustic\/Americana music. She has recently released her second album,\u00a0\u201cJellyfish on the Moon,\u201d\u00a0which charted at #4 on the FAI Folk DJ Chart for March 2021. Her single, \u201cMrs. Claus,\u201d charted at #1 in December 2020.<\/p>\n

Sara\u00a0Henya\u00a0is a singer-songwriter and harpist based in Philadelphia. Her music can best be described as shoegaze or dream pop, combining the fun of pop music and the ethereal sound of the harp. Sara incorporates imaginative, fairy fashions and visuals that allow her audience to feel completely immersed in her colorful fantasy world.<\/p>\n

Sara Chodak is Vassal. She is a 20-year-old Philadelphia-based songwriter who is driven by emotion and the world around her. Her music is an eclectic mix of grungy punk, traditional folk, and rebellious rock. She ties her music together with just an acoustic guitar and raw lyrics. The stories woven throughout her songs derive from inspiration from the people she sees, the places she\u2019s been, and all of the unembellished emotions she has felt.<\/p>\n

Julieann Ott describes her style as rootsy pop, jumping styles with a sincerity that honors her influences — Patty Griffin, Aimee Mann, Suzanne Vega. She creates vivid imagery, song-stories that evoke introspective singer-songwriter\/folk\/Americana, taking unexpected turns that melodically hook you in. She will be accompanied by New Jersey\u2019s Rob Lincoln on violin.<\/p>\n

The show on Saturday night will start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 with a $5 BYOB fee.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times In this era of cookie-cutter copy-cat modern pop, finding an original artist is a rarity. Finding something that makes the ears perk up and the brain smile is like buying a lottery scratch-off with a six-figure payoff. Thankfully, every once in a while, a singer comes along who […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":33198,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5166],"tags":[11841,3912,11840],"class_list":["post-33200","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-1776-the-musical","tag-featured","tag-julia-wolf"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33200","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=33200"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33200\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33201,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33200\/revisions\/33201"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/33198"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=33200"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=33200"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=33200"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}