Lisa Biales: HOME
A Note From Scott Morfee (Producer, Barrow Street Theatre, NY).
This January, Lisa Hill Biales performed her endearing “Yellow Shoes” at “Barrow Street Fortnight,” a two week festival celebrating the very best in spoken word, music, short plays, sketch comedy, and other genres. More than 30 shows played over 12 days at the Barrow Street Theatre, a 200-seater that I operate in New York ’s West Village . We scheduled Yellow Shoes at 11am on the first Saturday and Sunday as our only real family or kid’s show, and audience reaction, including my own, was both overwhelming and enlightening. I say enlightening because, having never presented family entertainment, I learned a couple of very valuable lessons.
Perhaps most interesting was the fact that I learned that the show needn’t be pegged solely as a kid’s show, primarily because Lisa’s musical vocabulary and talent are exceptional and varied enough to entertain any age group; and though some of her show was tailored specifically to the younger members of our audience, I sensed – and later found it to be true – that she can adapt as she goes, and to me that translates into a show for any time of day and any type of audience. Revelations aside, the show that I attended mixed music, with storytelling, sing-alongs, and other participatory moments, that converged into a really lovely 60 minutes for all involved. We invited Lisa to return to New York this spring to develop our relationship with her as performing artist, and to further our new-found commitment to family-oriented programming.
Lisa displayed an incredible range of material that was gentle and accessible, surprisingly mature yet never condescending. As a producer of so-called serious dramatic works, and having no kids of my own, I can happily report that I did play the kazoo, I did singalong (when asked), and I had fun. I was also beyond charmed when a few of the youngsters joined her on stage – one of whom proved that she could, indeed, play the harmonica and perform an entire song (as duo) without prior experience. She then bowed, nervously. (And returned after the show to pose onstage with Lisa, for a photo opp -- a keepsake that is, no doubt, destined for the refrigerator, and perhaps one day for a photo album or diary.)
As an aside, I ran out for a moment because there was a construction crew rambling around in the lobby, and I went to find out what the commotion was about. As it turns out, they heard Lisa singing and were trying to figure out a way to sneak a peek…and so, I grabbed them and led them to my secret re-entry up in the mezzanine, and there they sat, transfixed with me, for the last 25 minutes of the show. It was one of the great moments of our fortnight, and, along with what is mentioned above, should demonstrate why there is little wonder that Lisa will join us in New York this season.
Sincerely yours,
Scott Morfee
. . . and
A Note From Caroline Croswell (Executive Director, Oxford Community Arts Center)
Lisa Biales has performed at OCAC a number of times in the last several years, always to a full house and enthusiastic crowd. Her most recent appearances include the debut performance of her latest album of original music “Come to Me” and the debut performance of “Yellow Shoes” which went on to play off Broadway in New York City at the Barrow Street Theatre during the Barrow Street Fortnight Festival . I was so charmed by “Yellow Shoes” I followed her to New York to see the production again.
Lisa’s versatility and professionalism as a performer are unsurpassed. Her albums are wonderful but they can’t compete with a live performance. She consistently delivers her unique style of entertainment complete with humor, soul and personality in a sweet, strong and bluesy voice. It is our hope that Lisa Biales will return to perform at the Community Arts Center again and again.
Sincerely,
Caroline Croswell
