Bloody Andrew Jackson, Broadway Rock Star; Hair Star on TV
The big sensation on Broadway right now? Benjamin Walker, star of “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson.” Imagine if you Green Day explaining post war of 1812 politics to their fans. That is this very unique punk rock musical. Walker brings his Andrew Jackson from off Broadway along with a talented cast who bring to life–for better or worse–such heralded folk heroes as Presidents Monroe and Madison, Martin van Buren, and John C. Calhoun.
Jackson, you know, was a hero to some and a villain to others–like the Indians, now known as Native Americans, whom he killed viciously and by the thousands. It’s all in the show, warts and all.
John Quincy Adams, the George W. Bush of his day, stole Jackson’s first election–Jackson got the popular vote, Adams the electoral–so the play is topical and timely. Walker has all the makings of star quality. You can see why he was the first choice for “X Men: First Class.” But sticking with this show will do more for him than an “X Men” movie. We’ll see him in films soon enough…PS “Glee” should do an “Andrew Jackson” cross over. It’s perfect for them…
HAIR RAISING REALITY
About a year ago I met Amoy Pitters by accident. She was checking out space for her new beauty salon on the Upper East Side. Now, of course, she has her own reality show on Oxygen and it’s a hit. “House of Glam” runs on Tuesday nights. Amoy’s clientele includes, most recently, Alexa Ray Joel. (She liked Amoy so much she promised to send mom Christie Brinkley in, as well.) But she’s also got everyone from Alicia Keys to Naomi Campbell to Kelly Rutherford of “Gossip Girl.” Amoy and her team — called the B Lynn Group–B. Lynn Group— Brandi, Crystal, Atiba, Groovey, Mike, Michiko, and Shaun; travel the red carpet circuit making everyone look better. I wish I had enough hair to require their help. But they’re a hit in the increasingly eclectic world of entrepreneurs turned TV stars…
John Quincy Adams didn’t “steal” the 1824 election. Then again, Bush didn’t “steal” the 2000 election as multiple Media recounts showed. (The Florida legislature was always going to give the state’s electoral votes to Bush.) Henry Clay hated Jackson and would never have supported him for president over anyone; and he was the most qualified man to be Secretary of State, which Adams named him.
There’s no more evidence of a “corrupt bargain” between Clay and Adams today than there was 185 years ago — which is to say none. In any case, Jackson was all wrong about Adams, who far from betraying him over the invasion of Florida, actually was the only one in Monroe’s cabinet to stand up for the then-general.
If that’s the kind of pseudo, history-as-modern-hit piece this play is, I’ll skip it. I notice none of the reviews saying how supposedly fantastic this play is cite what it’s really about.