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Discover More from This Author: James Kent
‘Wicked’ arrives in theaters this weekend
November 20, 2024
The smash Broadway musical “Wicked” makes its long-awaited film debut in movie theaters this weekend. The film, which stars Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, premieres in two local area cinemas. The Woodstock Town Hall Theater begins showing “Wicked” on Saturday, Nov 23., with a special 11:30 a.m. show, including a costume…
The VSO Jukebox Quartet delights with a show curated by fans
November 20, 2024
By James Kent RUTLAND—On Saturday evening, Nov. 16, the place to be was at The Paramount Theatre. For those in attendance at the sold-out performance of the VSO’s Jukebox Quartet, the vibe was one of a secret club that you felt honored to be a part of, for this was no ordinary concert, not even…
The VSO Jukebox series brings intimacy and accessibility to classical music
November 13, 2024
By James Kent There is such an excitement and enthusiasm to Matt LaRocca’s voice that after speaking with him for a few minutes, one can’t escape the feeling that they know him, have been friends for years, and can’t wait to hang out and talk again. LaRocca curates The Vermont Symphony Orchestra’s (VSO) Jukebox series,…
‘Anora’ deconstructs the Cinderella narrative
November 13, 2024
By James Kent Anora is an exotic dancer at a Manhattan strip club. She dabbles in sex work on the side if the money’s right, and she’s interested enough in the man. At the club, she meets a young, immature son of a Russian oligarch. Anora, who goes by Ani, gets the assignment because she…
Nurse union plans day of action in Rutland, Nov. 14
November 13, 2024
By James Kent A day of action is planned to support nurses at Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC). The Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 6, which represents the nurses, has stated that it’s in contract negotiations with the hospital nurses ahead of their ongoing negotiations with RRMC. The event will be held…
Seventh Heaven Salon & Boutique reflects on past year, success in Killington
November 13, 2024
By James Kent Hair stylist and manager Katelyn Stewart and owner Peggy Campney moved their thriving hair salon and boutique from Ludlow to Killington last year after the July 2023 floods made it impossible for their business to continue in their current location. When the opportunity presented itself to Stewart and Campney, they exchanged one…
‘The Apprentice’ is a half-brilliant take on DJT, the early years
November 6, 2024
There is a moment that comes in the second half of Iranian film director Ali Abbasi’s film, “The Apprentice,” or as I call it, “Trump: The Prequel,” where Donald Trump, played by actor Sebastian Stan, has his manhood called into question by his wife Ivana, played by Maria Bakalova. The Don, hopped up on too…
Nurse Blake proves that laughter is the best medicine
November 6, 2024
By James Kent By the time comedian Nurse Blake arrives in Rutland for his Nov. 21 performance at the Paramount Theatre, he’ll have performed nearly 180 shows of his “Shock Advised Comedy Tour.” The tour, which began in 2023 and has taken Nurse Blake around the country and to places as far away as Australia…
‘Lee’ offers snapshots instead of a complete picture
October 30, 2024
Ellen Kuras’ film reminds that someone higher up holds the strings to freedom of the press. This past week, two billionaires, who also own two of the most influential newspapers in the United States, showed that money can buy many things, but it can’t buy courage. The Washington Post’s motto is “Democracy Dies in the…
Vince Vaughn provides a good time in ‘Bad Monkey’
October 17, 2024
Fans of Vince Vaughn who’ve been waiting to see him flex his rapid-fire comedic muscles in a worthwhile venture can rejoice. The Vaughn we’ve longed to see, from his breakout role in “Swingers” to his scene-stealing role in “Wedding Crashers,” is on full display in Apple +’s new series, “Bad Monkey.” In this hopefully not…
The quest to taste the finest butter in America
October 16, 2024
By James Kent My family are devoted fans of FX/Hulu’s “The Bear.” It’s one of the few shows the four of us watch together. My 16 and 12-year-old don’t share much in common, but they love “The Bear.” So, as you might imagine, we were all ready to binge season 3 when it premiered this…
Screens & Streams: Joker Duex is everything but a crowd-pleaser
October 9, 2024
Arthur Fleck is all out of jokes in Todd Phillip’s dark but brilliant follow-up to 2019’s smash hit
Even in failure, Coppola dreams big
October 3, 2024
By James Kent On Sept. 25, the Rutland area received word that its derelict and defunct anachronism of a retail mecca, the Diamond Run Mall, will soon receive its long-awaited transformation into something more purposeful. In Rutland’s future, the decision-makers and innovators of progress decided on — a Super Walmart. Not exactly the stuff to…