Grigware Talks Theatre

After Party for LA's Next Great Stage Star 2012 at the Federal

2012-02-12T17:39:00.000-08:00

Two dancers: Tony Award winner Sammy Williams chats with Emrhys Cooper at the Federal following the contest finale. Word has it that this may be the new home for Michael Sterling and Tony Monsour's club- Sterling's Upstairs @ The Federal-April 1? Stay tuned! Also congrats to Sammy on his upcoming role at the Ahmanson in Follies in May!

Justin Squigs Robertson

2012-02-12T01:52:00.000-08:00

Justin did the caricature of me that appears on my website and he's a terrific actor as well, appearing as Sancho in MTW's Man of La Mancha.

Composer Richard M. Sherman Guests at Kritzerland

2012-02-06T09:40:00.000-08:00

(photo credit: Daniel G. Lam)

Peter Mac Opens New Showroom at the French Quarter

2012-01-27T23:45:00.000-08:00

What an evening at Cirque du Soleil!

2012-01-21T18:02:00.000-08:00

Tyson Pyles a Knockout @ Sterling's LA's Next Great Stage Star 2012

2012-01-17T11:39:00.000-08:00

Return to Iris

2012-01-05T23:27:00.000-08:00

athertons in one of their disguises

the atherton twins

jim spada was amazed!
My Spectacle Show for 2011 is still A SPECTACLE!

Grigware Picks The Eddon Awards 2011: The Best in LA Theatre

2011-12-15T18:55:00.000-08:00

The Best in LA Theatre for 2011
(alphabetical listings)
(artists performing outside LA may be included in performance categories)

(this post will be on the main page of my website in January 2012!)

TOP PRODUCTIONS

Bakersfield Mist - Fountain Theatre

Cabaret - Reprise Theatre Co

Caught - Zephyr Theatre

The Cripple of Inishman - Kirk Douglas Theatre

Danny and the Deep Blue Sea- Crown City Theatre

Entertaining Mr. Sloane - The Actors Company

Falsettos - Third Street Theatre

Fela - Ahmanson Theatre

God of Carnage - Ahmanson Theatre

Hairspray - MTW (Musical Theatre West)

Having It All - NoHo Arts Center

I Never Sang For My Father - The New American Theatre

Peace in Our Time - Antaeus Company

Pursued by Happiness - Road Theatre Company

Year Zero - Colony Theatre

MOST PROMISING NEW MUSICAL

My Fairytale - PCPA Theatrefest, Solvang

MOST PROMISING NEW PLAY

The Color of Rose - Theatre 40

BEST ENSEMBLE CASTS: PLAY
The Cripple of Inishman - Kirk Douglas Theatre
Entertaining Mr. Sloane - The Actors Company
God of Carnage - Ahmanson Theatre
Poor Behavior - Mark Taper Forum
Peace in Our Time - Antaeus Company

BEST ENSEMBLE CASTS: MUSICAL
Falsettos - Third Street Theatre
Hairspray - MTW
Having It All - NoHo Arts Center
I'm Just Wild About Harry - Crown City Theatre

having it all

BEST LEAD PERFORMANCES

Sam Anderson/Corryn Cummins - Blackbird @ Rogue Machine

Philip Baker Hall/Anne Gee Byrd - I Never Sang For My Father @ The New American Theatre

Judith Chapman - Vivien @ Rogue Machine

Gary Cole/Edi Gathegi - Superior Donuts @ Geffen
Playhouse
Emrhys Cooper/Olivia d'Abo - Entertaining Mr. Sloane @ The Actors Company

Alaman Diadhiou - Twist @ Pasadena Playhouse
Rebekah Dunn - Don't Hug Me I'm Pregnant @ Secret Rose Theatre

Jane Fonda - 33 Variations @ Ahmanson Theatre
Marcia Gay Harden - God of Carnage @ Ahmanson Theatre

Juliet Landau/Matthew J. Williamson- Danny and the Deep Blue Sea @ Crown City Theatre

Hal Linden - On Golden Pond @ Colony Theatre

Lesli Margherita/Tom Hewitt - Kiss Me Kate @ Reprise Theatre Company

Sandy Martin - A House Not Meant To Stand @ Fountain Theatre

Tadhg Murphy - The Cripple of Inishman @ Kirk Douglas Theatre

Sahr Ngaujah - Fela @ Ahmanson Theatre

Jenny O'Hara/Nick Ullett - Bakersfield Mist @ Fountain Theatre

Lisa O'Hare/Bryce Ryness - Cabaret @ Reprise Theatre Company

Annie Potts - AfterMath @ Matrix Theatre

Jenny Powers - A Dangerous Beauty @ Pasadena Playhouse

Deborah Puette - Caught @ Zephyr Theatre

Ignacio Serricchio/Curt Bonnem - Kowalski @ Two Roads Theatre

Gwen Van Dam - The Trip to Bountiful @ Group rep

gwen van dam in trip to bountiful

BEST FEATURED PERFORMANCES

Meredith Bishop/Daniel Taylor - AfterMath @ Matrix Theatre
Larry Cedar/Sybyl Walker - Travels with My Aunt @ Colony Theatre
Bert Emmett - Don't Hug Me I'm Pregnant @ Secret Rose Theatre
Coby Getzug - Spring Awakening @ Pantages Theatre
Mary Gordon-Murray - Cabaret @ Reprise Theatre Company
Sasha Higgins - Kowalski @ Two Roads Theatre
Richard Jenik/Amanda Kaschak - Caught @ Zephyr Theatre
Carl Johnson - Wonderlust @ Theatre of Note
Danielle Kennedy - Day Drinkers @ Odyssey Theatre
Alice Lunsford - Hollywood Arms @ Kentwood Players
Virginia Newcomb/Lisa Richards - A House Not Meant To Stand @ Fountain Theatre
Kelli Provart/Jenna Koker-Jones - The Wedding Singer @ MTW
Bryce Ryness/Megan McGinnis - A Dangerous Beauty @ Pasadena Playhouse
Tom Sloan/Dee Ann Newkirk - I Never Sang For My Father @ The New American Theatre
Erik Stein/Sam Zeller - My Fairytale @ PCPA Theatrefest, Solvang
Amy Tolsky - Spider's Web @ Theatre 40 & I Love Lucy @ Greenway Court Theatre
Carole Ita White - The Prisoner of Second Avenue @ El Portal Mainstage
Adam Wylie - The Robber Bridegroom @ ICT (International City Theatre), Long Beach
Gina Yates - The Trip to Bountiful @ Group rep

w amy tolsky

UNFORGETTABLE COMEDY DUO PERFORMANCES

Jason Alexander and Gina Hecht in The Prisoner of Second Avenue @ El Portal Mainstage

Geoff Elliott and Deborah Strang in The Chairs @ A Noise Within, Glendale

Joseph Fuqua and Jamie Torcellini in The Mystery of Irma Vep @ Rubicon Theatre, Ventura

Paul C. Vogt and Kevin Blake in Laurel and Hardy @ Falcon Theatre

BEST SOLO SHOW: MALE

John Leguizamo - Ghetto Klown - The Montalban

BEST SOLO SHOWS: FEMALE
Spider Saloff - The Roar of the Butterfly @ Celebration Theatre
Jennifer Leigh Warren - Diamonds Are Forever: The Songs of Dame Shirley Bassey @ The Renberg Theatre

w chicago's hot spider saloff

BEST CABARET ARTISTS: MALE
Steven Brinberg - Simply Barbra @ M Bar
Jason Graae - Perfect Hermany @ Sterling's Upstairs @ Vitello's
Peter Mac - Becoming Judy @ The Gardenia

BEST CABARET ARTISTS: FEMALE
Ann Hampton Callaway @ Catalina Jazz Club
Dangerous Curves ( Lisa Smith, Karen Michaels, Margaret Menzies) @ Sterling's
Maxine Lapiduss @ Sterling's
Freda Payne @ Catalina Jazz Club

MOST UNIQUE CABARET/VARIETY SHOW
Melodyland - Melody Hollis @ Sterling's

melody hollis

photo: daniel g. lam

BEST SEASONAL SHOWS
A Christmas WestSide Story - The Troubadour Theatre Co @ The Falcon Theatre

The Gayest Christmas Pageant Ever @ Avery Schreiber Theatre

Mrs. Scrooge The Musical @ Highways, Santa Monica

SPECTACLE
Iris - Cirque du Soleil's unique show for Hollywood @ Kodak Theatre

SPECIAL NOD TO A THEATRE
Glendale Centre Theatre for
1776
Seven Brides For Seven Brothers

STAR-MAKING PERFORMERS
Emrhys Cooper
Juliet Landau
Peter Mac

w emrhys cooper

BEST CDs
from Kritzerland:
Perfect Hermany
Melodyland
The People in the Picture
&
from Rhino:
Seasons Greetings
A Jersey Boys Christmas

Thea Gill Offers Body and Soul @ Sterling's Upstairs at Vitello's

2011-12-11T21:36:00.000-08:00

Beth Kennedy Did Not Cut Her Hair for the Little Brother

2011-12-09T23:24:00.001-08:00

matt walker confirms it!

Original Turkey Lurkey Gals Perform at Kritzerland

2011-12-08T08:58:00.000-08:00

Photo credit: Daniel G. Lam

Dangerous Curves Turn Super Thrillingly

2011-12-04T21:14:00.000-08:00

Lyn Stanley Makes Cabaret Debut @ Sterling's

2011-11-27T21:22:00.000-08:00

Walk a Mile in My Pradas

2011-11-24T11:17:00.000-08:00

emrhys cooper executive produces and costars in this new holiday film.
visit my film blog:
http://grigwareonmovies.blogspot.com/2011/11/press-screening-of-walk-mile-in-my.html

Matthew Lillard a Unique and Interesting Actor Onstage

2011-11-17T23:21:00.000-08:00

Juliet Landau a Dream Actress

2011-11-09T18:21:00.000-08:00

Watch for Interview Friday November 18!

Jerry Sharell & Randall Phillips Together Again

2011-10-30T22:06:00.001-07:00

Superb Triple Threat Adam Wylie

2011-10-23T23:45:00.000-07:00

OMG ... It's Judy Garland

2011-10-22T00:40:00.001-07:00

Hollywood Revisited in Bellflower

2011-10-09T23:12:00.000-07:00

(above, top, left to right: Julie Burke, author James Spada, Elisa Surmont, Joshua Finkel, Don G, and producer Greg Schreiner)
(bottom: Don with Schreiner and Spada after a performance of Hollywood Revisited)
Cast included: Finkel, Burke and Surmont, directed & choreographed by Finkel; entire show conceived and accompanied on piano by Schreiner.
(photo credit: Maria Niemela)

Bryce Ryness Says Wilkommen, Bienvenue, Welcome

2011-09-15T00:34:00.000-07:00

Peter Mac Becomes Judy

2011-09-11T01:41:00.000-07:00

Spider Saloff Unforgettable Singer/Performer

2011-08-30T17:31:00.000-07:00

One of Chicago's finest!
check her out:
www.spidersaloff.com

Stephanie Zimbalist Resplendent in Steel Magnolias

2011-08-29T14:19:00.000-07:00

Tilly Sisters

2011-08-21T22:55:00.000-07:00

Jennifer appeared at The Broad in Celebrity Autobiography; Meg played Martha in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at the Blue Ridge Repertory in Victoria, British Columbia in July to acclaim.

Spider Saloff Weaves a Web of Joy

2011-08-20T22:19:00.000-07:00

Judith Chapman a Knockout as Vivien Leigh

2011-08-15T18:51:00.000-07:00

Melody Hollis Melodious in Melodyland

2011-08-10T21:53:00.000-07:00

Jeanne Page Brings Back the Standards to Sterling's

2011-08-07T23:21:00.000-07:00

comic mel kohl, singer jeanne page and moi

Let's Hear It For Peter Mac

2011-08-05T23:23:00.000-07:00

Hollywood Bowl Offers a Cool Breeze and Lots of Hairspray

2011-08-05T17:07:00.000-07:00

Tony Award-winning actor/dancer Sammy Williams and I shared a smile, a hug and croissants at the dress rehearsal of Hairspray on Friday morning August 5. It's going to be a fab show. Has lots of great choreography and slick direction from original Tony winning choreographer Jerry Mitchell.

Ann Hampton Callaway - a Singer's Singer

2011-07-31T22:36:00.000-07:00

Dee Wallace Shines with Inner Beauty

2011-07-27T09:04:00.000-07:00

I Left My Heart Cast a Tight Trio

2011-07-23T20:26:00.000-07:00

Shannon Warne Knocks Maria in Cabrillo's Sound of Music Out of the Park

2011-07-23T10:39:00.000-07:00

Freda Payne One Hot Mama, Singing Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald...and more

2011-07-18T09:39:00.000-07:00

(photo credit: Stan Mazin)

Jamie Rose & Denise Crosby Go Wildfire

2011-07-15T22:29:00.000-07:00

Kritzerland Does Kander and Ebb

2011-07-07T08:33:00.000-07:00

Special guest: Gregory Harrison.

13 year-old Melody Hollis and Marsha Kramer who played Wendy in Sandy Duncan's Peter Pan.

Don't Miss Les Mis!

2011-06-28T15:11:00.000-07:00

Twins Renee and Debby

2011-06-23T17:08:00.000-07:00

Resemble each other? Renee Gorsey and Debby Boone.
(photo credit: Josh Carr)

Jennifer Leigh Warren Sings Shirley Bassey

2011-06-18T16:27:00.000-07:00

(Photos by

Tony DiMaio.)

Director Richard Jay-Alexander and producer Chris Isaacson join me in congratulating Jennifer Leigh Warren on opening night June 16, 2011.

Annie Potts a Winner in AfterMath

2011-05-21T23:36:00.000-07:00

iGhost Ensemble Shines

2011-05-21T00:31:00.000-07:00

(l to r: DG, Rebecca Johnson, Bonnie Snyder, Peter Welkin and Zachary Ford)

Vicki Lawrence & Mama Captivate Welk Audience

2011-05-19T20:52:00.000-07:00

Tom Hewitt Tames Lesli Margherita - Onstage That Is!

2011-05-13T10:03:00.000-07:00

Glenn Casale Does It Again

2011-04-24T00:14:00.000-07:00

Another splendid direction, this time for The Prisoner of Second Avenue @ the El Portal.

S.T.A.G.E. Photo Compilation -Original Cast 2 - Saturday, April 2

2011-04-06T22:02:00.000-07:00

Vicki Lewis, Patrick Cassidy, Jonelle Allen
(photo by Gil Kaan)

Robert Morse
(Chris Kane Photography)

Rita Moreno, David Galligan, Tyne Daly
(photo by Gil Kaan)

Jonelle Allen, Obba Babatunde
(Chris Kane Photography)

Carol Channing
(Chris Kane Photography)

Valarie Pettiford, Bill Hutton, Dale Kristien
(photo by Gil Kaan)

Carole Cook, Lee Roy Reams, Tyne Daly
(photo: Gil Kaan)

Patricia Morison
(Chris Kane Photography)

Rita Moreno
(Chris Kane Photography)

Tyne Daly
(Chris Kane Photography)

S.T.A.G.E. Benefit in Honor of Betty Garrett - Original Cast 2

2011-04-03T16:13:00.000-07:00

Congratulating Funny Girl Vicki Lewis

Everybody Loves Carole Cook
(photo credit: Cindy White)

Kevin Odekirk

2011-03-23T10:42:00.000-07:00

Tenor Kevin Odekirk appeared @ Sterling's Upstairs @ Vitello's Sunday March 20 with Demaree Alexander and blew me away with his magnificent vocal instrument. I hope he returns to Sterling's with his own show.

David Engel & Larry Raben Fully Committed to CoyoteStageWorks

2011-03-18T12:46:00.000-07:00

(photo credit: Dawn Wilson)

Now This Is Barbra!!!

2011-03-05T10:34:00.000-08:00

(photo of Steven Brinberg by Stan Mazin)

Rita "The Merm" McKenzie

2011-02-18T12:01:00.000-08:00

(photo credit: leigh ann rahn)

Dylan Vox Says Hi!

2011-02-12T13:19:00.000-08:00

In Boomermania's energetic, frenetic cast! Dylan's portrayal of a military dad is a hoot!

A Ladies and A Gentlemen...The Lovely Lennon Sisters

2011-02-02T17:43:00.000-08:00

Still singing a wonnerful, a wonnerful after 55 years!!!!!

Fellow Road Member Gwen Van Dam Stars @ Group rep

2011-01-29T01:50:00.000-08:00

First Annual Eddon Awards

2011-01-20T11:54:00.000-08:00

Performers and productions listed on Grigwaretalkstheatre's The Best in LA Theatre for 2010 are the first recipients of the following Award of Excellence.

Grigware Talks Theatre

Presents

The Annual Eddon Awards for

Excellence in the Theatre

2010

DG At PS Follies Forever 2011

2011-01-11T21:34:00.000-08:00

Hellooooooooo!

2010-12-21T11:16:00.000-08:00

Grigware Picks

The Best in LA Theatre for 2010
(alphabetical listings)
(artists performing outside LA may be included in performance categories)

(this post is now on the main page of my website!)

Top Productions
Black Coffee - Theatre 40
The Clean House - Odyssey Theatre Ensemble
Cousin Bette - The Antaeus Company
Fascinating Rhythms - Rubicon Theatre, Ventura
Four Places - Rogue Machine Theatre
Funny Girl - Music Circus, Sacramento
Hoboken to Hollywood - Edgemar Center for the Arts, Santa Monica
Opus - Fountain Theatre
South Pacific - Ahmanson
State of the Union - Interact Theatre Company
Sweeney Todd - Musical Theatre West (MTW)
The 39 Steps - Ahmanson

Most Promising New Musical

Robin and the 7 Hoods - The Old Globe, San Diego

Most Promising New Play

Elevator - Macha Theatre

Other Worthy Revivals

Merrily We Roll Along - Actors co-op
Miss Saigon - Moonlight Amphitheatre, Vista
Stage Door - Open Fist Theatre

Best Ensemble: Play (tie)
Four Places - Rogue Machine
The Glass Menagerie - Mark Taper Forum

Best Ensemble: Musical (tie)

Chess - Musical Theatre of Los Angeles @ The Met
Funny Girl - Music Circus, Sacramento

Best Lead Performances
Stephanie J. Block - They're Playing Our Song - Reprise Theatre Company
Anne G. Byrd - Four Places - Rogue Machine
Raul Esparza - Leap of Faith - Ahmanson
Beth Grant - Grace & Glorie - Colony Theatre
Hector Hank - The City - Group rep
Judith Ivey - The Glass Menagerie - Mark Taper Forum
Gary Lamb, Matthew J. Williamson - A Prayer For My Daughter - Crown City Theatre
Norman Large, Debbie Prutsman - Sweeney Todd - MTW
Vicki Lewis - Funny Girl - Music Circus, Sacramento
Megan McGinnis - Daddy Long Legs - The Broad, Santa Monica
Alice Ripley - Next to Normal - Ahmanson
Matt Walker - A Wither's Tale - Falcon Theatre
Alicia Wollerton - Cousin Bette - Antaeus

Best Featured Performances
Quincy Tyler Bernstine - Ruined - Geffen Playhouse
Patch Darragh - The Glass Menagerie - Mark Taper Forum
D. J. Harner - The Clean House - Odyssey
David Huynh - Mysterious Skin - East West Players
Marvin Kaplan - The Price - Theatre West
Erica Katzin - Elevator - Macha
Alix Korey - Funny Girl - Music Circus, Sacramento
Casey Kramer - Grapes and Nuts - Victory Theatre
Susan Leslie, Kristen McCullough - Yellow - Coast Playhouse
Michael Paternostro - Annie - MTW & Funny Girl - Music Circus, Sacramento
Keala Settle - South Pacific - Ahmanson
Jeanne Syquia - Siddhe - The Road
Derek Webster, Leith Burke - Neighbors - Matrix Theatre

Best Solo Show (tie)
A Conversation with Edith Head - Susan Claassen - El Portal Forum Theatre
Remembering the Ladies - Toni Morrell - El Portal Forum Theatre
Sweet Mama String Bean - ValLimar Jansen - Fremont Centre Theatre, Pasadena

Best Cabaret Artist: Male (tie)
David Campbell - Catalina Jazz Club

Blake McGiver Ewing - Sterling's Upstairs @ Vitello's
Lee Lessack - Chanteur - Gardenia

Best Cabaret Artist: Female (tie)
Callie Carson - Sterling's Upstairs @ Vitello's
Rosalyn Kind - Catalina Jazz Club
Natalie Toro - Inner Circle, Magic Castle

Most Unique Cabaret/Variety Show
All Hail the Queen! - Lesli Margherita - Level 3

Best Seasonal Shows (tie)
A Chicago Christmas Carol - Crown City Theatre
Comfort & Joy - GMCLA (Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles) - Alex Theatre

Star-Making Performances
Emily Bridges - Acting: The First Six Lessons - Theatre West &
Luca Ellis - Hoboken to Hollywood - Edgemar

Up and Coming Performers
Derek Klena - Happy Days the Musical; Cinderella - Cabrillo Music Theatre &
Janet Krupin - Bark! The Musical - CLOSBC, Redondo Beach; Bring It On (early 2011 - opening in Atlanta)

Renaissance Man of the Year
Lin-Manuel Miranda - composer, actor, singer, dancer - In the Heights

Best CDs
On Broadway - David Campbell
Winter Wonderettes

Eventful GMCLA Comfort and Joy Concert

2010-12-19T18:15:00.000-08:00

LeeAnn Rimes As Friendly As She Can be

Composer Jeff Marx - Avenue Q - and member of GMCLA, attended as a fan this time around.

ValLimar Sings Ethel Waters Splendidly

2010-12-18T23:36:00.000-08:00

Return Visit to Hoboken to Hollywood

2010-12-18T23:33:00.000-08:00

One of the best shows of 2010 and Luca Ellis gives one of the best performances!

Leslie Jordan Scores in Deck Them Halls

2010-12-16T22:01:00.000-08:00

Antony Field/Chip Smith

2010-12-14T21:58:00.000-08:00

CD You and Me on Christmas Eve

Christmas Spectacular Is ... Spectacular!

2010-12-09T20:37:00.000-08:00

Friends Gary Warmee and Nora Feldman agree with me.

Dazzling Toni Morrell

2010-12-04T23:31:00.000-08:00

Santasia in Its Eleventh Year

2010-12-03T23:02:00.000-08:00

Freddie Stroma of Harry Potter Fame Prince Charming in Panto Cinderella

2010-11-28T22:34:00.000-08:00

(photo: Stan Mazin)

Christine Ebersole Gracious After Concert @ The Broad

2010-11-22T18:55:00.000-08:00

(Photo credit: Joe Barnaba)

Always Terrif To See Mary Jo Catlett Onstage

2010-10-23T23:29:00.000-07:00

Appearing as Aunt Queenie @ the Colony in Bell, Book and Candle thru November 21!

Wayland Pickard & Deborah Johnson @ Group rep in Legendary Duets Gala

2010-10-22T00:39:00.000-07:00

Salome Jens Talks About Anne Sexton

2010-10-20T05:57:00.000-07:00

Serious and fun, Salome Jens is the best! Watch for our interview next week!

Red Hot Mama Sharon McKnight

2010-10-10T22:50:00.000-07:00

(photo credit: Brian Putnam)

Suz Claassen A Fabulous Edith Head

2010-10-05T15:04:00.000-07:00

Don't Miss A Conversation with Edith Head at the El Portal Forum Theatre through October 24. This actress and play are rich in every detail - the best!

Erich Bergen's CD Concert @ Inner Circle of the Magic Castle

2010-09-16T01:10:00.001-07:00

(Photos by: Brian Putnam)

Taper's Glass Menagerie After Party @ Ciudad

2010-09-13T00:27:00.000-07:00

Cast members (top, Judith Ivey with Theda Reichman and DG) and (bottom, Patch Darragh with DG and Theda R) enjoy each other's company.

(Center, The Reichmans: Richard and wife Theda, fellow critic for Warner Center News)

Doug Carpenter After Miss Saigon Performance

2010-09-12T02:03:00.000-07:00

Robert Marra Poses with His Chess Cast @ the Met

2010-08-20T09:31:00.001-07:00

RED HOT CDs Too HOT To Handle

2010-08-10T13:27:00.000-07:00

Singer/musician extraordinaire Corky Hale plays a heavenly harp and also sings and plays piano along with guest artists Sally Kellerman ("Ive Got a Crush on You"), Freda Payne (a divine "Alfie"), Tricia Tahara ("My Romance"), Ariana Savalas, and Brenna Whitaker on Corky Hale and friends...I'm Glad There Is You. Hale sounds like a young Ella Fitzgerald ("The More I See You") and all six women work magically on some truly great standards. OK, it's mellow... it's oh so pretty...it's easy listening... it's one terrific album!

Chris Pendleton and her funny fiddle are simply HI...larious! Reigning from South Carolina, this gal is about as downhome as you can get...think a southern Roseanne with fried chicken and grits...and sparks will fly! She jokes about southern hospitality including August humidity, the single life, about the incompatibility of two people in marriage, about kids...and she plays the violin...beautifully...and sings too! Maybe she's the female Jack Benny? Lovely renditions of "Silverwells/Ashakan Farewell", "Bluegrass in the Backwoods", "Calypso Reel" and an entire comedy segment of Songs You Don't Want to Hear Played on Violin - like "Wipeout" and all those crazy TV themes + a screamingly funny takeoff of "Yesterday" bemoaning weight gain, that most everyone can relate to. It's one-of-a-kind fun that you should add to your collection.

visit: http://www.funnyfiddle.com/

Fans of Broadway stage and TV comic actress Vicki Lewis will be amazed at her tremendous range in her latest solo album East of Midnight. Mostly original compositions from Lewis take you on a dark journey of the mind with the very personal "Tender Andy", the strangely melodic "Gold In Them There Hills", "For the Love of Esme" and Aretha Franklin's tortured "Baby, Baby, Baby". Lewis sings these torchy ballads with a rich velvety delivery reminiscent of Bette Midler - a truly great sound. This is but another strong facet of this lady's talent that you do not want to miss!

Also RECOMMENDED:

Ray Jessel - senior-aged comedy songwriting genius - Naughty or Nice

Danny Guerrero - solo piano & jazz ballads - 'Round Midnight

Matt Zarley - hot popular original love ballads from one hot singer/composer - Here I Am

Most of the above CDs are available for purchase at

amazon.com

cdbaby.com

or at the performer's own website. Google them and order now!

Momma & James Gray Present 1st Firecracker Follies

2010-07-04T00:56:00.000-07:00

What a way to spend the 4th of July!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Lounge @ Maggiano's Rocks with Gregg Marx

2010-07-02T23:02:00.001-07:00

Great dining. Great music. Fine singing. The Lounge @ Maggiano's @ The Grove.
Gregg Marx: the first Friday of every month - next engagement: August 6.

In the Heights

2010-06-25T14:22:00.001-07:00

The sensational star and creator of the Tony winning musical Lin-ManuelMiranda greeted everyone gratefully on opening night.

Matt Zarley Zealous Pop Vocalist

2010-06-12T22:53:00.000-07:00

All Hail Two Queens

2010-06-09T07:29:00.000-07:00

HRH Lesli Margherita and Runner-Up Jason Graae.

Carpenter & Wynn a Winning Team

2010-06-01T11:24:00.000-07:00

Doug Carpenter & Jessica Keenan Wynn sang spectacularly at Sterling's Upstairs @ Vitello's Sunday May 30.

Now each should concentrate on a solo show.

James Denton Chats

2010-05-23T11:18:00.001-07:00

Watch for our interview real soon @ Grigware Interviews and @ http://www.broadwayworld.com/los angeles

I'm in a new blog space!

2010-04-27T18:26:00.001-07:00

Although I will write here from time to time, this new space will pretty much be an archive of my reviews through 2009.
Thanks as always for visiting.
Visit my website @
www.grigwaretalkstheatre.com
my interviews @
www.grigwaretalkstheatre.blogspot.com
my newest reviews (January 2010 onward) @
www.grigware.blogspot.com

Golden Gays Return

2010-01-17T11:42:00.000-08:00

(left to right clockwise: David Romano as Sophia, John Downey III as Blanche, Robert Glenn Decker as Rose, seated: writer John Patrick Trapper and John W. McClaughlin as Dorothy)
Revamped acclaimed show plays this time @ the META Theatre on Melrose January 22 - 31 only and tickets are selling like hotcakes. Golden Gays then tours to Palm Springs and on to Florida in February. YEAH, so brush up your GG!!!!!!

January 3, 2010-WINNER of LA's Next Great Stage Star!!!!

2010-01-03T09:16:00.001-08:00

Janet Krupin is LA's Next Great Stage Star 2010. The top five finalists include (left to right): Raquel Sandler (4th place), Taylor Tracey (3rd place), winner Janet Krupin, Derek Klena (tied for 4th place) and Domonique Paton (2nd place).
It was a very exciting Finale for LA's Next Great Stage Star 2010 competition on Sunday, January 3 at Sterling's Upstairs @ Vitello's.

18 participants, competing 6 weeks since November 22, performed round one for the 10 judges present. Highlights included: Derek Klena, "Movin' Too Fast", Elizabeth O'Malley, "I'm Not Afraid of Anything", Nicole Ligerman with an off-the-wall "Screw Loose" from Cry Baby, Matthew Claiborne with a lovely "Music of the Night" from Phantom, Janet Krupin, with a soaring "Out of the Blue" from Lippa's The Wild Party, Aletta Mannix, "Maybe I Like It This Way", Raquel Sandler repeting her outstanding interpretation of "I Won't Mind" from The Other Franklin, Domonique Paton, with a heartfelt "Home" from The Wiz, Taylor Tracey, with another heart-tugging number "It Hurts To be Strong" from the Broadway musical Carrie, Luke Yellin "Epiphany" from Altar Boyz, Bobby Bennett rendering a vocally strong "Being Alive" from Company and Kristen Heitman with a great "Alto's Lament".

Some tough decision making! The audience voted and 13 participants were eliminated. The top five finalists announced were: Derek Klena, Taylor Tracey, Raquel Sandler, Domonique Paton, and Janet Krupin. After a brief interlude, the five finalists performed a second round. The five performances were all astounding! Klena with "Farewell to the Hills of Home" from Parade, Paton with her wonderful "Disneyland" from Smile, Tracey "I'm Not Alone" also from Carrie, Sandler, succeeding big time 360 degrees away from the serious "I Won't Mind" with the perky, sexy, funny "Taylor the Latte Boy" and Janet Krupin, a tour-de-force with "How Lucky Can You Get" from Funny Lady.

Another interlude with audience voting... and... Janet Krupin was named winner of LA's Next Great Stage Star 2010, with Klena and Sandler sharing fourth place, Tracey in third and Paton in second. You had to be there, but Krupin's reaction was priceless. She uttered onstage "I have to call my mom!" Pulling out her cell phone, she called her mom in Oregon and when she told her "Mom, I won!", the response came back "Oh my God... I'll call you back!" Funny, funny... what priority hold fame and glory in our ultra-fast technological world! As I said before, you had to be there to hear it firsthand.

Intermission entertainment during the two voting sessions was incredible. Musical director James Lent, virtuoso pianist, saluted guest celebrity judge Bill Hutton with an instrumental medley from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Hutton originated the title role on Broadway and was Tony nominated for it) and to honor second guest celebrity judge Alexis Gershwin, Lent played a wonderful "Rhapsody in Blue" (Gershwin, being the niece of the composers George and Ira Gershwin). Janene Lovullo, making a stunning return to the musical stage with this performance after a self-imposed 10 year absence to bring up her children, essayed a beautiful "Golden Rainbow" and next a Rodgers and Hammerstein medley culminating with "I Have Dreamed", accompanied on the piano by its arranger Christopher Marlowe. Also, Paul Stroili performed an hysterical 10-minute standup in which he roasted Michael Sterling, as "he with the cashmere vocal chords", calling him the "white... no, olive-skinned James Earl Jones". Funny stuff!

This was a long but exhilarating and very entertaining afternoon. We can look forward to all five finalists when they each headline Sterling's Upstairs @ Vitello's sometime between now and late May. All five also get top auditions with local casting directors and musical theaters such as Cabrillo Music Theatre and Musical Theatre West. Krupin, as the winner, gets all of the above and $1000 cash.

I eagerly await La's Next Great Stage Star 2011!

2010 book review - Stephanie Hutchinson

2010-01-02T20:55:00.001-08:00

Brentwood award-winning playwright/music composer/lyricist Stephanie Hutchinson has two of her short plays More Precious than Diamonds and Super 8 versus Bacara Resort and Spa published in a new anthology entitled The Best 10-Minute Plays for 2 or More Actors (2009) edited by Lawrence Harbison and with publishers SK, A Smith and Kraus Book. Hutchinson has a very keen eye for diverse characterizations and with it an infectious sense of humor. Julie in Diamonds and Lulabelle in Super 8 are as different as day and night, but they both want love and know how to get what they want. The comedy is real, down-to-earth humor, emanating from the people themselves - totally believable, not superficial. They are both a fun read.

When I was first introduced to Miss Hutchinson, she had turned her More Precious than Diamonds into a musical, composing her own music and lyrics. It was performed in a festival of mini-musicals last June, 2009 at the Secret Rose Theatre in NoHo. The following is my review of the play, first printed here in June, 2009:

Winner of the annual Mini Musical Fest @ The Secret Rose Theatre in my book is More Precious Than Diamonds by Stephanie Hutchinson. The play revolves around Julie (Fay Gauthier) and friend Michelle (Deborah Png) , window shopping a diamond ring in a Tiffany's store. Julie has always wanted a ring and is fed up with waiting for the right man to come along & buy one for her. Stewart, the salesman (Marco Antonio Aguilar), who assists Julie, not only shows her an $84, 900 ring, but ends up giving her much, much more. The mini play, with book, music and lyrics by Stephanie Hutchinson, is a sweet, fresh take on love at first sight. Jonathan Levit ably directs the mini play with Steve Walby also in the ensemble as a tough store security guard. The plot is simple and clear, the songs fresh and pretty, and the actors do a truly first-rate job in acting and singing their roles.

To purchase the book, autographed by Stephanie Hutchinson, of 10-Minute Plays:

Please send a check for $31.65 (including tax, shipping/handling) to:

Stephanie Hutchinson

P.O. Box 492464

Los Angeles, CA 90049

CDs (plus synopsis) of MORE PRECIOUS THAN DIAMONDS, the Musical are also available for $8.50 (to the same address).

2010 CD review - Franny McCartney - As Is

2010-01-01T19:26:00.001-08:00

Performing as a Harlette with Bette Midler in Divine Madness (above), Franny McCartney learned a lot about singing in the background, but now it's her turn, as she just released her very own CD As Is (below). (Linda Hart and Paulette McWilliams are the other two Harlettes above from left.)

If you like a smooth singer, one to listen to when you cuddle up with that extra special person by the fireside, then there is no one better than Franny McCartney. Her low-key, velvety tones can be both serious or playful as she runs the gamut of emotions from A-Z in her new jazz/pop/blues CD entitled As Is.

What a variety of songs! There's a sensually passionate "Besame Mucho", a very sultry & evocative "Something Cool", and then lighter, more tongue-in-cheek humor in "White Girls Get the Blues Too" and the toe-tapping, upbeat "Grass Is Always Greener". Accompanying and sometimes singing with McCartney is Howlett "Smitty" Smith, who can bring out the magic in just about any blues song. Also on tap are my personal favorites "Put a Little Love In Your Heart" and the always make me feel good "It's a Good Day". Then, there's plenty of seasonal lunacy with "Strawberry Spring", "Wintertime", "For One Whole Spring" or "Midnight Sun".

This is an album treasury that will brighten any mood, that will definitely raise your spirits...and one that you will want to play over and over again. Whenever you need that lift, McCartney has the gift! As Is keeps giving pleasure.

Goldie Productions

Visit Franny McCartney @

http://www.frannymccartney.com/

www.myspace.com/frannymccartneymusic

http://www.thestaggeringharlettes.com/

review - House of Besarab

2009-12-27T10:07:00.000-08:00

RECOMMENDED

House of Besarab

conceived and written by Terance Duddy & Theodore Ott

produced and directed by Terance Duddy

The Hollywood American Legion Theater

through January 17, 2010 (possibly beyond) (Since I am reviewing this production late in the run and because of its extension into 2010, it will be in consideration for my year-end list of Bests for 2010.)

Not since the ultra successful Tamara, which played the American Legion for a record 11 years (Duddy was one of its producers), has an environmental play been so well received. Certainly the House of Besarab is an exciting concept: to visit Dracula's castle in Transylvania, to move around from room to room, peeking in on what's going on, whilst the atmosphere of the dark, musty place plays enticingly upon one's senses. In the Great Hall, where much of the exposition takes place, it was so cold the night I was there. "How perfect!" I thought. Would I expect to be warm in the home of the undead? Every creak, every rustling of fire or paper affected my eyes and ears, as I attempted to listen to the characters and get caught up in the satanic plot.

The ensemble, headed by Michael Hegedus as Dracula, is superb. Hegedus is attractive, suave, charming and seductive all in one breath. Chase McKenna as Mina is simply divine. Under the spell of Count Dracula, her Mina is the ultimate victim, thoroughly intense in her trance-like state, emotionally evocative and lovely to behold. Dane Bowman makes a dutiful Jonathan Harker and is especially effective in his fight scene with Slava, a newly trained servant of Dracula. Travis Michael Holder uses chilling restraint in his portrayal of Dr. Van Helsing. It is easy to go over the top with this role, as Van Helsing is Dracula's foremost enemy, but Holder maintains a perfect balance of strength and fright. Equally convincing is Terra Shelman as Dr. Seward, who has more reaction than dialogue, and as a focused reactor, she is right on target. Sara Spink and Megan Harwick are the vixens of the castle - Dracula's human mistresses - Riva and Cruza respectively. Playtoys for Dracula, these creatures play quite heavily into the Count's demonic plan for the future. Two understudies performed on the night I attended: Adam T. Rosencrance as Slava (normally played by Jason Parsons) and Terance M. Duddy as Renfield (usually played by David Himes). Because of following certain characters - which is expected of the audience, I missed Slava's first scene, so can only comment on his skill in the duel, but Duddy as Renfield, for me, lacked a certain psychotic craze which I prefer to see in Renfield. Duddy played him more of a scared, impish knave.

As to the overall script, it's engaging, but could use more fleshing out. Rather than be told that I could not follow Renfield, as he only serves the master, I think it might be fun to catch him in his quarters...say, eating insects or in some perplexed state of bewilderment over his misplaced loyalty. As we are restricted to the foyer, the guest bedroom and the Great Hall - all on one floor - it might be more intriguing to move, for example. to the grand entryway as Van Helsing and Seward make their first entrance and then follow them to the bedroom, if we choose. Give the audience more options! As is, the assistant stage manager Austin Grehan was more than accomodating in leading us to and from the different locales. It would take a few more warm bodies to assist in moving audience around to various other places on different levels - and that's quite a lot to expect of an Equity waiver play.

Another constructive criticism I heard from some audience patrons was that it might help to include more exposition in every scene about what happened previously - elsewhere, so the audience does not have to guess about elements of the plot they were not physically privy to. In Act II, I missed Riva's miracle in the foyer, but heard little about it from the characters after they entered the Great Hall for the finale. And, of course, there's always the part about the amusing, campy side of Dracula, which seems to be lacking in this version.

Overall, a wonderfully exciting piece of theatre, beautifully acted and executed. Praise also to David Gibson for his low key music and sound design, to Sara Spink for affecting period costume design and to Miliza Milo who as the Gypsy Woman cautions us to accept rosary beads to save our souls, as we enter the stark and startlingly awesome House of Besarab.

4 out of 5 stars

LA's Next Great Stage STAR!

2009-12-22T06:08:00.000-08:00

Sterling's Upstairs at Vitello's is presenting its annual LA's Next Great Stage STAR! What a terrific event! Not unlike TV's American Idol, talented artists compete before judges and a live audience. At Sterling's they go head to head for 6 Sundays: the first was November 29 with the finale to take place on January 3, 2010 at 12pm. At that time 13/18 contestants will be eliminated and the 5 remaining contestants will go on to compete once more. From these 5 the winner will be announced. The winner will receive $1000 in cash as well as a paid headlining engagement at Sterling's, and a variety of auditions for local musical theatres such as the outstanding Musical Theatre West and Cabrillo Music Theatre. The 4 runners up will also get headlining engagements at Sterling's and various private auditions as well.
One feature that makes the competitive show pleasurable is producer Michael Sterling himself presenting each of the contestants onstage. He is such a charming gentleman! Four judges (there are 12 in total) voice their comments after each performance, giving the contestants fine constructive criticisms. Judges on Sunday, December 20 were: Rey O'Day, producing artistic director of Performance Riverside, Steven Dry, West Coast Senior Theatre Agent at Schiowitz Connor Ankrum Wolf, Daniel Solis, Disney casting director and Eric Stevens, owner of Rainbow High Entertainment Talent Agency. They were all encouraging, but I particularly liked O'Day, as she critiqued every aspect of appearance including choice of clothes and jewelry, attitude and posture, as well as vocal ability.
Of the 18 contestants who performed, several blew me away with their talent, raw guts and nerve. My favorites were: the so well-acted "I Won't Mind" from Raquel Sandler, the very smooth Barry Manilow-sounding Bobby Bennett singing "Somewhere Down the Road", Janet Krupin with a stunning rendition of "If I Loved You" (photo top left), Matthew Claiborne with a dynamic "This Is the Moment", Luke Yellin utilizing great body language in Jason Robert Brown's "Shiksa Godess", Sam Ayoub opening big with "Giants in the Sky", Domonique Paton pouring every ounce of herself into a splendiferous "Disneyland", Nicole Ligerman with "I Have Everything I Want" and Taylor Tracey with an affecting "Get Out and Stay Out" from 9 to 5: The Musical.
Producers Michael Sterling and Tony Monsour may be exceedingly proud of the event which has been SRO for all 6 weeks. Vitello's serves a delicious luncheon and there is continuous beverage service throughout the 3 hour contest. The winner will be announced January 3, 2010 - I can't wait! - but, win or lose, all of these immensely talented ladies and gentlemen are truly winning performers.

Jay Johnson The Winner

2009-12-21T16:24:00.001-08:00

Grigware Says: BEST SOLO SHOW 2009. See list below!!

Grigware's Best in So Cal Theatre for 2009

2009-12-14T09:44:00.000-08:00

The Best in LA Theatre for 2009(alphabetical listings)
(artists performing outside LA may be included in performance categories)

Top Productions

Anita Bryant Died For Your Sins - West Coast Ensemble

The Apple Tree - Crown City Theatre

August Osage County - Ahmanson Theatre

Cabaret - Met Theatre

Farragut North - Geffen Playhouse

F*cking Men - Celebration Theatre

Life Could Be a Dream - Hudson Mainstage

Meet Me in St. Louis - Musical Theatre West @ The Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts, Long Beach

Parade - Mark Taper Forum

Voice Lessons - Zephyr Theatre

Most Promising New Musical

Bonnie & Clyde - La Jolla Playhouse

Most Promising New Play

Anita Bryant Died For Your Sins - West Coast Ensemble

Best Revival (tie)

The Light in the Piazza

@ El Portal Secondstage

Pippin

@ Mark Taper Forum

Best Ensemble: Play (3 cast split)

Anita Bryant Died For Your Sins
@ WCE

Carved in Stone @ Theatre Asylum

F*cking Men
@ Celebration

Best Ensemble: Musical (tie)

Life Could Be a Dream
@ Hudson

Parade
@ Mark Taper Forum

Best Lead Performance

Sam Anderson The Bird and Mr. Banks @The Road

Eduardo Enrikez Cabaret @ The Met

Stephanie Fredericks The Apple Tree @ Crown City Theatre

Laurie Metcalf Voice Lessons @ Zephyr

Megan Mullally The Receptionist @ Odyssey Theatre

Laura Osnes/Stark Sands Bonnie & Clyde @ La Jolla

Estelle Parsons August Osage County @ Ahmanson

Chris Pine Farragut North @ Geffen

Bill Pullman/Julia Stiles Oleanna @ Mark Taper Forum

Leslie Uggams Stormy Weather @ Pasadena Playhouse

Best Featured Performance

Ray Abruzzo Mauritius @ Pasadena Playhouse

Shannon Cochran August Osage County @ Ahmanson

Rachel Dratch Minsky’s @ Ahmanson

Annalisa Erickson Cabaret @ Met

Sam Harris The First Wives Club @ Old Globe, San Diego

Dee Hoty/ Nikki Crawford Stormy Weather @ Pasadena Playhouse

David McBean Twist @ Diversionary Theatre, San Diego

John W. McLaughlin The Golden Gays @ Cavern Club, Casita del Campo, Silverlake

Julia Migenes Man of La Mancha @ Reprise!, Freud Playhouse

Kimberly Van Luin Wonder of the World @ Victory Theatre

Mare Winningham Bonnie & Clyde La Jolla Playhouse

Best Solo Show

The Two & Only
Jay Johnson @ The Colony

Best Cabaret Artist: Male

Alan Cumming
I Bought a Blue Car Today
@ Geffen

Best Cabaret Artist: Female

Alexandra Billings
Everybody’s Girl
@ Sterling’s Upstairs @ Vitello’s

Best Seasonal Show (tie)

Wicked Summer Nights: Upright Cabaret
@ Ford Amphitheatre

Winter Wonderettes
@ Laguna Playhouse

Best CD

this place I know
stephanie j. block

Mini-Reviews of Nutcracker, Dr. Frankincense & White Christmas

2009-12-14T09:42:00.001-08:00

White Christmas
( Dr. Frankincense)

Moscow Ballet's thrilling Great Russian Nutcracker, seen at La Mirada Performing Arts Center one nite only on December 23, Cabrillo Music Theatre's White Christmas, playing but 7 performances from December 26-29 in Thousand Oaks...and an over-the-top silly one-act entitled Dr. Frankincense and the Christmas Monster guesting at Write Act Rep in Hollywood.

Firstly, The Nutcracker has always been my favorite ballet; Tchaikovsky's music is so dreamlike and exhilarating that it overpowers me. The dance, however, is another story. I have seen local companies ruin its beauty with their amateurish moves, and so, despite the glorious sounds, the sights have left much to be desired. Not so, I am pleased to say with the Moscow Ballet under the outstanding direction of Anatoliy Emelianov, who also dances the role of the Balletmaster. Every skilled move was to be relished. And... the gorgeously colorful hand-painted sets and costumes were all breathtaking. This was a Nutcracker to remember! Kudos as well to Evgeni Poclitari as the Nutcracker, Ekaterina Bortykova as Masha and Akzhol Mussakhanov as the Prince and the rest of the excellent company for their brilliant artistry. The story is somewhat different in this version; it does not begin at the Drosselmeyer's home but rather in the studio where the Balletmaster leads the freshly come-to-life dolls to the Christmas Eve soiree. In Act II the "Land of Peace and Harmony" in which Arabian, Chinese, Moore, French, Spanish and Russian folk are represented is nothing short of exotic, and the oversized animal dolls are thrilling to watch, whether dancing or just hamming it up. Great stuff!!

White Christmas is one treat of a film and even brighter on stage. The touring and original Broadway productions, which played Los Angeles only once at the Pantages, in 2005 - please bring it back next season! - were gloriously directed by Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Randy Skinner, who turns the second act opener "I Love a Piano" into one of the most inventive & lively tap sequences ever! Cabrillo Music Theatre mounted the show this year for 7 performances only, and under Todd Nielsen's meticulous direction, a sturdy acting company made this production a sublimely frothy confection. David Engel (Bob), Roger Rogel (Phil), Jennifer Mathews (Betty) and Cassie Silva (Judy) gave diliriously energizing performances and with Michael Catlin (Sheldrake), Ron Rezac (the General), and Karla J. Franco (Martha) et al offering consistently steady support, the ensemble was top-notch. Melissa Giattino was faithful to Skinner's original choreography - "...Piano" had its own special zing. Darryl Archibald served marvelously as musical director, with the entire orchestra visible on stage. Mounted like a Reprise! production, the show lacked nothing; it was a delightfully generous post-holiday offering to its SRO audiences.

Lastly - and a huge surprise for me - was Sean Abley's silly one-act Dr. Frankincense and the Christmas Monster which played in tandem with the more readily dismissed short one-act Yardsale at Write Act Rep prior to Christmas. Akin to a Mel Brooks parody, the play, set in Christmas Village, featured such characters as Santa and Mrs. Claus, Rudolph, Frosty, Sugarplum Fairy, Ms. Tinsel, Jack Frost, the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Noels, the Evergreens and Myrrh, spastic assistant to Dr. Frankincense.

Why Frankincense created the monster and how it eventually affected the townsfolk are treated with an abundance of sick one-liners and over-the-top acting, but it proved far more saitsfying than I anticipated. Praise to the ever reliable Alexandra Billings as the neglected Mrs. Noel ("I am important"), who brings zest to any role she plays, to Dylan Vox as a hilariously overbearing mess of an assistant Myrrh and to Tchia Casselle who makes the drunken Ghost extra funny. Adapted from Ray Kampf's "The Horrible Account of Dr. Frankincense", Abley's play needs some of its repetitiousness pruned and certain kinks need smoothening, but the piece has definite promise and is hardly forgettable.

Happy New Year 2010!!!!

James Barbour Holiday Concert to Play Colony Theatre

2009-12-14T09:37:00.000-08:00

James Barbour brought his holiday concert straight from New York to the Colony Theatre in Burbank for one performance only Monday December 21 at 7pm. The benefit for the Colony co-starred rock/jazz singer Michelle Wolf with husband, brilliant musician Peter Wolf accompanying. Barbour referred to him as "Chopin at the piano!"
The hour and a half set gave singer par excellence Barbour a chance to show his lighter side - he is one helluva funny storyteller - as he engaged the audience in an interactive "12 Days of Christmas", the Hawaiian "Mele Kalikimaka" and the "Dreidel Song" ("Growing up in New Jersey, mine was the only house that had Christmas lights."). On a more serious note, Barbour performed stunning renditions of "O Holy Night" (his late mom's favorite), Frank Wildhorn's "Measure of a Man", "Believe" and "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year".

Michelle Wolf, from a completely different musical background than Barbour, blends quite amazingly with him, which was apparent in fine renditions of "Silent Night", "White Christmas" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas". Solo, she soared with "Away in a Manger", a breathtaking Leonard Cohen song "Hallelujah", the plaintive "Everything Must Change" and with an entrancingly different sound on "Ave Maria".

Not unlike Andy Williams or Bing Crosby, James Barbour has a laid-back quality that really came alive in this Christmas show. His boyish charm and good looks, along with his awesome

voice, make him one of the hottest Broadway stars to grace a contemporary stage. Those, however, who have only seen him in A Tale of Two Cities cannot appreciate what a deliciously loony mind he has!

Peter Wolf arranged "O Holy Night" for Barbour which is on a new 2 track CD called A Gift of Christmas. Available at iTunes, it also includes a reading by Barbour of "Twas the Night Before Christmas", fully scored by Wolf.

Michelle Wolf has her own Christmas CD entitled Angel of Christmas.

GMCLA's HOLIDAY NUTCRACKER

2009-12-14T09:26:00.000-08:00

The Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles presented their annual holiday concert extravaganza at the Alex Theatre in Glendale on Saturday, December 19 @ 3pm and 8pm and again on Sunday, December 20 @ 3pm. What you can always expect is something truly different, and this year was no exception. Entitled Nutcracker, a Choral Fantasy, this may not have been my absolute favorite, but it certainly bristled with warmth, joy and diversity.

Traditional Christmas tunes like Jerry Herman's "We Need a Little Christmas", "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" Lynn Ahrens' and Alan Menken's gorgeous "A Place Called Home" and Polar Express' "Believe" were interspersed with Tchaikovsky's "Sugar Plum Fairy", "Waltz of the Flowers" "Trepak" and "Dance of the Toy Flutes". There were tiny tots playing sheep, a lovely tap number, plenty of men in women's clothing, a seductive Nutcracker doll, but all done in the utmost of good taste with the great chorus surrounding.

Another feather in GMCLA's cap, this ambitious staging is one more happy memory in a treasure chest of sparkling holiday concerts.

Beth Kennedy Beaming after Frosty Opening

2009-12-11T23:33:00.000-08:00

I love Beth Kennedy's work. What an actress of AMAZING comic genius! Wait 'til you see her on stilts!!!!!!!!!!!!!

review - A Rubicon Family Christmas

2009-12-10T14:30:00.001-08:00

CRITIC'S PICK

An evening of holiday music and frolic for the entire family at Ventura's Rubicon Theatre.

through December 27

There's an old adage that "the show must go on!" Saturday evening December 12 the sound board at the Rubicon Theatre in Ventura got drenched from the downpour of rain that day and went out, causing the director Brian McDonald and cast of Family Christmas to do some pretty fast decision-making. Because of the intricacies of many of the arrangements of the musical selections, they decided to cancel the show, allowing audience to reschedule their tix for another performance...but to go on to perform a half dozen tunes as an enticement.

"Welcome to our living room!" began McDonald, and then the glowing 6 member cast performed practically a dozen songs, so the evening became extra special...and in theatre, as we all know, anything can happen. It's the unexpected that makes it all worthwhile. Gerry Sternbach at the piano as musical director - always a great choice! - accompanied beautifully diverse arrangements of "Winter Wonderland", "Christmas Time Is Here", "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and "The First Noel" in medley, "Oh, Holy Night", "Silent Night", joined by all the kids in the cast, "River", "A Place Called Home", "Joy to the World" and "Chanukah"/"Shine On". Teri Bibb, Dina Bennett, Joan Almedilla, Anthony Manough, Trey Ellett, and Brian Sutherland sans costumes gave it their all - unmiked, unplugged so-to-speak - enchanting the intimate audience. Set design by director McDonald is especially appealing, lending a sense of a chilling outdoors scenario with starry sky, wreathed lamp-posts, snow and overall winter zeal.

From this little 40 minute presentation, I can truthfully declare that this is terrifically jolly fare for the whole family! Highly recommended!

5 out of 5 stars

Julia Migenes' Holiday Concert at Upright Cabaret

2009-12-10T13:52:00.001-08:00

The unequalled Julia Migenes brought her holiday show Julia Migenes' Holiday Magic from Bach to Pop! to the Upright Cabaret on Vermont St in Hollywood Sunday December 20; this diva could sing the phone book and I'd show up! Dressed in black velvet and quoting from Stephen Nissenbaum's book The Battle for Christmas (1997), Migenes was nothing less than enchanting on both sophisticated and pure entertainment levels, as she made her way through close to 25 tunes from Mozart's "Laudate Dominum" to Mel Torme's "The Christmas Song".

She made the evening seem like a friendly sojourn in her living room, with chat, mirth and song. She filled the one hour set with interesting cultural tidbits of how Christmas, as we know it, came to be, stories about her impoverished childhood Christmas and her daughter's more opulent one years later in Vienna - and of course, the glorious music into which she passionately immerses herself, like Mozart's "Ave Verum", Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring", "Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprungen" ("Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming"), and German versions of "O' Tannenbaum" and "Silent Night". Victoria Kirsh accompanied Migenes in the first half hour and David Herrera in the second, which took on a much lighter, more frivolous tone. Yes, there were some carols like "The First Noel", "We Three Kings" and "Deck the Halls", but then mama Migenes really got down with "How Shall I Send Thee?" a la Tina Turner, "The 12 Days of Christmas" and the piece de resistance, a meticulously sultry "Santa Baby" that would make even Eartha Kitt sit up and take notice. There is no funnier image than Migenes in angel attire replete with wings and halo nor the puny, bare Christmas bush onstage that she claims to reuse every year, stating "Freud would find it curious!"

The beautiful part of Julia Migenes, apart from her musical passion and her tremendous range - she can do it all- is her uncanny warmth with an audience. She simply glows ...and possesses that rare quality of being able to transform even the most sceptical to a better appreciation of the classics.

This was one Christmas concert for the books, certainly a stretch for Upright Cabaret: totally diverse, enlightening, uplifting and unforgettable. Julia Migenes is a knockout in every musical venue.