Steve Penhollow
Whatzup Features Writer
Articles
Young singer grows up (a lot) in the spotlight
Singer Jackie Evancho grew up in the spotlight, so it wouldn’t be surprising to learn that she has developed a highly polished media persona and a well-rehearsed line of self-promotional […]
TV singing contest works for young star
Winners and finalists in TV singing contests are not guaranteed success in the music business. In fact, most contestants have a rough time capitalizing on the national exposure they get […]
Fire & Light is Tolkien about The Hobbit
There are several stage adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, but only one that was approved by the author himself. It was published in 1967 by dramaturge Patricia Gray. Tolkien […]
Perfect touches of sweetness and sentiment season Civic’s holiday musical
Playwright and composer Meredith Willson created four musicals in his lifetime. Two were hits (The Music Man and The Unsinkable Molly Brown), one wasn’t, and one (about Christopher Columbus) never […]
Torchbearers of SoCal rock see Buffett as their goal
Dirty Heads have been described as “the torchbearers of SoCal rock” and the band’s members came by their torches honestly. “I was born in Sunset Beach, Calif. … Born right […]
Rare art of listening the heart of improv
Not only can anyone learn how be an improv comic, everyone should learn to be an improv comic. This advice comes from one of the best-known improv comics working today, […]
Band stays fresh even with decades in the business
Big Head Todd and the Monsters have been in existence for more than three decades. During that time, the band has built a considerable and career-sustaining following and has released […]
Shirts off for portly comic on new tour
It all started with a Rolling Stone article. In 1997, a reporter from the magazine set out to find the top partier at what Princeton Review had designated the top […]
Cult comedy with obscure references brings mockery of movies to Embassy
One of the joys of repeated viewings of Mystery Science Theater 3000 (aka MST3K) is delayed comprehension of jokes. The show’s writers have never shied away from obscure references: from […]