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Dec 08 2012
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BUZZIN LEE SUGGESTS:

By Lee Hartgrave

HEADLINES: ‘Starlet” – “North Star Texas” (movies) – “Slugs and Kicks” and “Pal Joey” – Live Theatre

FIRST OFF – LETS START WITH THIS: “STARLET” is not what you might think – it’s a cute little doggie. That’s who the Star really is.

The beginning of the movie is rather boring story about drugged out girls who live together. Oh, and there is also a souped up guy – who plans to make some bucks off the girls. They are already connected with a big Daddy that puts the girls in Porno movies. Oh hum—it’s basically the same old thing.

But, like magic – one of the girl’s wrangles herself in an old ladies house. She hangs around the poor old soul – who is barely holding on to her house. But Lo and behold – they seem to be attracted to each other like magnets. Except for this- the Girl takes money away from the sweet old women. If it were not for the super acting – I would have left the Theater.

Just keep in mind that the film is really for Adults only. There is much nudity as the men do everything possible to the girls during the filming. Everything shows – and everyone is bouncing around with everybody.

The ending of the film is rather strange. It involves the older woman. She wants to see her husband’s grave before leaving for Paris with the young girl. Something strange goes on between the Blonde girl and two gravesites. Now, I don’t know what that means, but it looks to me like the girl who is alive, may actually be the daughter of the deceased girl.

The movie does take off near the end – but bores in the beginning. The Actors are good –

They do a great job of looking and sounding good, but some moviegoers may avoid it – however – right now it is playing in San Francisco. You won’t be able to forget the Doggie (Starlet) – that’s the actor that should win an academy award.  RATING: Three Boxes of Popcorn!!! – trademarked-

NORTH STAR TEXAS: THIS IS A NON-VIOLENT STORY ABOUT TWO BOYS AND THEIR FIRST CRUSH. What the wonder is that neither boy gets bullied or bashed. That’s unique!

It’s 1970’s and Pim, a fourteen-year old boy, lives with his mother on the Belgian coast. Pim falls in love with a seventeen-year-old. He is Gino. Both boys develop a sexual relationship. Most don’t last very long.

Gino’s mother tells Pim that Gino has found a girlfriend. Pim is crushed. Gino and the girl move to Dunkirk. There was much pain and angst in between time – but Gino still has deep feeling for Pim. And they do get back together.

EXCELLENT MOVIE ABOUT YOUNG LOVE. Now Playing in San Francisco and other Landmark Theatres.  RATING: Four Boxes of Popcorn: – (highest rating) –trademarked-

A NEW PLAY BY JOHN FISHER: SLUGS AND KICKS (Live Performance )

It’s the 1980’s. They are all young and they all want to learn all about acting. Rory, one of the College students is not sure of his sexual identity. He really is emotionally twisted. Then there is the over stated flamboyant (Zachary Isen) who is gay, is a Bitch, and drinks too much. This director of the play is way over the top. Zachary’s role in this twisted story is almost taken from the pages of La Gage Aux Follies. The performers are really quite good though – it’s the material that doesn’t stick to the frying pan.

The Good part is the tidbits of music throughout the play. The Actors even sing a little. The Group sing” Edelweiss” in the play, and they have great talents to show. It’s Gay and the story has a good backbone – but unfortunately the meat doesn’t stick to the ribs. I was looking forward to a story that would knock us out. But hold on. There are definitely remarkable moments in the show. I think that with some tinkering “Slugs and Kicks” would be a certifiable crowd-pleaser.

Altogether the show is tangled, but it does wave over the stage with an authentic atmosphere. Here are a few words to remember – Rory says: “I don’t touch my Penis!” O.K. – we’ll accept that. This is nice also: “I’m a person who likes your knee!” Now you can figure that out when you see the play at the Thick House on 18th Street and Arkansas.

The Great Actors are: Ben Calabrese (Rory) – Assail Echols (Cynthia) – John Fisher (Writer/Director) – Zachary Isen (Jerry) – Alexandra Izdebski (Anis) and Robert Kittler (Marty).  RATING: Three Glasses of Champagne!!!

42nd STREET MOON PRESENTS MUSICAL ‘PAL JOEY’

Pal Joey the Stage Play is bright and charming in this revival. And it’s the feel good stage play right now. It’s humorous and Funny’ – and it sure as heck is laugh-out-loud charming.

At the beginning the play may have had some slow moments in the beginning, but the Rodgers and Hart Musical has become a world-wild entertainment that is still brilliant. It sure is great fun to hear the old songs again – especially with the talented cast now playing at the Eureka Theatre.

Here are a few of some of the wonderful songs from Pal Joey: “I Could Write a Book!’” – “Bewitched”. Love this little Ditty – “”Plant You Now, Dig You Later” and this cute one – “In Our Little Den of Iniquity”. There are plenty more to keep you interested in this perfect fall production.

Right from the beginning, you get the thrill of live theatre. This show is so cool to watch and absorb, and is lovingly constructed. The music continues to teem with authentic atmosphere. I became thoroughly enchanted.

The Actors are perfectly wonderful. Would love to sing along with the show – but, we can’t. It’s almost cinematic. They sure are ready for their Close-Up!

The Phenomenal actors are: Michelle Cabinian – Chloe Condon – Deborah Del Mastro – Ryan Drummond – Courtney Hatcher – Bryn Laux – Ashley Rae – Brendon North – Johny Grenberg – Tony Panighetti – Becky Saunders and Alex Shafer. So much is going on that you think that you are watching “A cast of thousands.”

MORE APPLAUSE TO: Greg MacKellan (Artistic Director) and Stephanie Rhoads (Producing Director)  RATING: Three Glasses of Champagne!!!

(Lee Hartgrave has contributed many articles to the San Francisco Chronicle Sunday Datebook – and he produced a long running Arts Segment on PBS KQED)

 

Dec 08 2012
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Hendrix 70 Live at Woodstock — Film Review

By Joe Cillo

Hendrix 70 Live at Woodstock

Directed by Michael Wadleigh and Bob Smeaton

 

This was a one-time showing of Jimi Hendrix’s concert at Woodstock in August of 1969 at the Embarcadero Center Cinema in San Francisco, December 4, 2012. We arrived a few minutes late and the film was already in progress. It was my fault. Sorry. We missed some of the introductory interviews with fellow band members and promoters that explained how Jimi Hendrix was recruited to play at Woodstock, but we didn’t miss any of the concert, which was mesmerizing. Jimi Hendrix had a powerful physical charisma that naturally drew everyone’s eyes toward him. But, of course, it was his guitar playing and his singing that kept people spellbound. I love the way he sings a song. He had a natural feel for how to use his voice to let the song speak through him. He was casual, yet precise. His sound is chaos. It is the sound of a battlefield. It is agonized. There are screeches and sirens, explosions and clamor, bombs going off. It can be relentless and tries to crush you. And yet it can subside into captivating, soul searching lyricism. His voice rides above this tumult smooth and steady. He doesn’t scream or shout. He sings even though underneath there is a seething cauldron.

Someone who knew him once told me that Jimi Hendrix cared about three things: music, drugs, and sex — not necessarily in that order. In my case, I would say it is the arts, ideas, and sex. The order depends on circumstance and inspiration. But I have a natural affinity for Jimi Hendrix. Rock and roll guys tend to be relaxed and easy going, but underneath there is a driving sexual energy that is combative, defiant, and even reckless. The music helps to channel it and give it some structure, but in Hendrix’s case the disorder and recklessness is right on the surface. The chaos is palpable to the point of being overwhelming.

The concert included many of his standard favorites like Fire, Foxy Lady, and Red House, but my personal favorite was his version of the Star Spangled Banner which then morphed into Purple Haze. His version of the Star Spangled Banner is a different view of America than they play at NFL football games. His version is harsh, abrasive, and violent. When the rockets red glare and the bombs burst in air, you can actually hear the rockets blaring and the bombs exploding. It is not a sanitized, romanticized America that makes you stand and put your hand on your heart. It is the violent, rapacious America of slavery, the extermination of the Indians, the pillaging and despoiling of the natural environment, the unnecessary wars, the millions incarcerated, the violence between the sexes, the fear of walking the streets at night, crumbling schools, declining wages, the disillusioned and angry. It is all there in Hendrix’s Star Spangled Banner. I remember being taken with it the first time I heard it around age 16 or 17. I remember many people being offended by it. Hendrix’s Star Spangled Banner is America with the gloves off. He then segues into Purple Haze, which is another of my all time favorites. Missing from the show was All Along the Watchtower, which I was hoping he would do. Altogether it was a magnificent concert, and I am so glad I was able to see it. If it comes around again or they put it out on DVD, by all means try to catch it. Very unfortunate his early death.

Dec 06 2012
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Helping Keep Cabaret Alive and Well in San Francisco

By Woody Weingarten

 

Cabaret producer Marilyn Levinson has lived in Larkspur a dozen years. But her work has thrived in San Francisco, with its impact felt throughout the Bay Area.

We share muffins in a casual breakfast chat at Corte Madera’s Il Fornaio restaurant. She laughs freely — and often.

Her eyes and conversation sparkle almost as brightly as her tasteful diamond earrings.

She charms me with her first few sentences.

Clearly, she explains, cabaret “can be much more than a show in a tiny dark cavern by a stereotypically aging ex-Broadway songstress in a tight gown dripping with sequins.”

Sooooo much more.

I’m there to glean details about the performances she’s generating at the Venetian Room of San Francisco’s Fairmont Hotel.

But I also get intriguing onstage, backstage and off-the-record stories about artists she encountered since she swapped lawyering for coordinating Cabaret Marin, which morphed into Bay Area Cabaret.

The nonprofit’s ninth season opened Oct. 28 with “the quintessential cabaret singer, Mary Wilson, in an intimate act that talks about her life after The Supremes,” then continued Nov. 11 with Tommy Tune. Another schedule highlight was a Dec. 9 encore  by movie-TV-Broadway star Peter Gallagher, who prompted one female fan to write, “When he left the stage, I was ready to see his show all over again — and have his baby.”

Levinson finds it impossible to pick only one favorite local cabaret star or moment.

But she did enjoy Tony-winner Lillias White spontaneously yanking off her sharp-pointed high-heels and saying, ‘I’d like to see how you’d feel if you had to wear these shoes.’

Laura Benanti also delighted her by pulling out a uke and confessing “that when

she was a girl, she thought Marilyn Monroe was so sexy when she played ukulele in ‘Some Like It Hot,’ then later realized that the ukulele wasn’t what made her so sexy.”

This six-show season, her ninth, will end with a tribute by Oscar-winning lyricists Alan and Marilyn Bergman to the late Marvin Hamlisch, on the composer’s June 2 birthday. Hamlisch had been the star when the Venetian Room reopened after being dark for 21 years.

Such offerings are a long way from Levinson’s first Marin productions, which spotlighted an opera singer, Sondheim music and dog stories.

Today, she says, “we try to mix it up, to aim things at difference audiences — like those of ‘Rent,’ Teen Idol and the older-crowd Chita Rivera appeals to.”

The producer’s moment of truth occurred when the last Mabel Mercer Cabaret Convention at the Herbst “was not too well attended despite the great performances. Because it was sad to see the audience dwindling, I thought it important to educate the audience or potential audience to an expanding definition of cabaret.”

Levinson’s introduction to the genre actually came at a little black-box theater in West Village in Manhattan, where she was living at the time. The singer, she remembers, “made me feel she was in dialogue with me in my living room, revealing herself. I just loved that.”

Her intro to show biz goes further back than that, however.

As executive coordinator of the precursor to the San Francisco Civic Light Opera, her mom invited stars such as Bing Crosby, Don Ameche and Mary Martin to their home.

Levinson herself volunteered at the American Conservatory Theatre as a teen, later founded a jazz dance company, worked for Joseph Papp’s Public Theatre, Broadway producer Arthur Cantor and became Yul Brynner’s road manager for his final national tour of “The King and I.”

And then she went to Stanford Law School, becoming an entertainment and intellectual-property lawyer. She wed, had two sons, and cocooned in Larkspur.

The most difficult part of her work now, she discloses, “is the booking process, which begins in New York in the coldest month of the year and can go on for a full nine months after that.”

What makes it particularly tough, she says, “is having to compete for talent with venues three or four times our size.”

As for her biggest reward, that’s seeing what top-notch cabaret artists she can snare.

In that regard, filling out this season will be Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley, a Valentine’s Day offering Feb. 17; Elaine Paige, March 1; and Nellie McKay paired with Chanticleer, March 23.

Levinson started her cabaret business, she tells me, because she had experienced so much good cabaret in New York and didn’t want to see the genre die.

Obviously, she’s succeeding.

So all I can add is, “Viva cabaret!”

The Bay Area Cabaret series will be held at the Fairmont’s Venetian Room, 950 Mason St., atop Nob Hill, San Francisco, from Oct. 28 through June 2. Tickets: $40-$75 per show, (415) 392-4400 or www.bayareacabaret.org

Dec 04 2012
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Rhinoceros’ Slugs and Kicks Goes Behind the Scenes of College Drama

By Guest Review

Rhinoceros’ Slugs and Kicks Goes Behind the Scenes of College Drama

John Fisher’s comedy about college drama students rehearsing a play mixes personal intrigues with play rehearsals. Student actor Rory intermittingly narrates his role in a current college play along with his reactions to his house mate Anis, stage director Jerry, and other characters. Fisher’s youthful cast offers an irresistible freshness and spirited character interpretations that entice spectators into becoming accomplices to their decisions and actions…We empathize with a naïve Rory (Ben Calabrese), fearful of unlashing his emotions and sensual desires and unable to choose either a male or a female partner but rather subtly submitting to a kind and considerate Marty who understands and cares for him. We feel for Anis (Alexandra Izdebski) in her plaintive attempts to attract Rory, and even sympathize with stage director Jerry ( Zachary Isen) and his tough demands on his actors, with Marty (Robert Kittler) and his sophisticated indifference, and with Cynthia,(Asali Echols) and her flirtatious sensuality. The slugs and kicks that these characters provide for one another make for a delightful potpourri of youthful traits that quickly win over the audience.

Fisher’s Slugs and Kicks vividly evokes souvenirs of one’s college days in school plays.intermixed with personal drama as we,too, once sought to find ourselves through artistic expression..

Scenic Design (John Fisher and Anthony Powers) is minimal. An empty well lit stage, except for a stone like piece that resembles a long bench down stage works well for group movement and change of locale. Excellent stage movement and bodily expression enhances the verbal expression throughout.

Slugs and Kicks plays until December 9th. For information for this play and for the Rhino New Year’s Eve Spectacular starring Lea

DeLaria and Tennessee William’s Something, Cloudy Something Clear in January call 800-838-3006 or visit www.The Rhino.org.

 

Dec 04 2012
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Hillbarn’s ‘Joseph’ shows why show is popular

By Judy Richter

“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” is a popular choice for community theaters because it has a large cast, including a children’s chorus, and some catchy music — all surefire draws for an audience. Hillbarn Theatre capitalizes on these assets for its production, then adds some more of its own in the form of lots of good singing and dancing.

“Joseph” was the first publicly performed musical collaboration between composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice, who began work on it in 1968 and recorded it as a concept album in 1969. It underwent various changes until its West End premiere in 1973. In the meantime, the two created the successful “Jesus Christ Superstar” in 1970 and in 1976 went on to create “Evita,” their best work. Even though “Joseph” is a musical mashup of styles ranging from rock to calypso and country, one can hear some of Lloyd Webber’s signature riffs.

The large Hillbarn cast, skillfully directed by Nancy Fitzgerald-Metzler, is led by Noel Anthony in the title role of Joseph, one of 12 sons of Jacob (Bob Fitzgerald) in this Old Testament story. Because Joseph was Jacob’s favorite, the other brothers were so jealous that they sold Joseph into slavery and destroyed the colorful coat that Jacob had given him. Joseph then underwent numerous travails before gaining favor with Egypt’s Pharaoh (Michael D. Reed in an Elvis-like role) by interpreting his dreams. Eventually all turned out well, of course.

The story is mainly told by the Narrator, played by Lindsay Stark, who sings well and has a charismatic stage presence. Anthony also has good stage presence as Joseph, but he has some pitch problems in his higher range.

Choreography by Brandy Mieszkowski is one of the show’s highlights. The choral singing also is good, as overseen by musical director Greg Sudmeier. The singers are accompanied by recorded music.

The playground set designed by Steve Nyberg helps set the tone for this mostly playful show. It also serves as a good place for the 18-member children’s chorus to perch. The costumes, a mix of modern and quasi-biblical, are by Carolann Towe. Don Coluzzi’s lighting is busy in spots, especially near the end, while Alan Chang’s sound design is too loud.

Overall, though, it’s a fun show, one that has stood the test of time. It will continue at Hillbarn Theatre, 1285 E. Hillsdale Blvd., Foster City, through Dec. 23. For tickets and information, call (650) 349-6411 or visit www.hillbarntheatre.org.

Dec 03 2012
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Chasing Ice: a movie you ought to see. . . .

By David Hirzel

Chasing Ice, a documentary, follows the tracks of photographer James Balog and his crew as they set out to create time-lapse motion pictures of the retreat of glaciers. The idea is to set cameras in place with timers so that each will record one still photograph of a single scene from a single viewpoint, once in twenty-four hours. The cameras will be left untouched, and the film record retrieved every six months, to be assembled into motion pictures of glaciers in motion.

In 2005 this had never been done before, and requires whole new sets of technology, cameras, timers and voltage regulators, and a team of mountaineering adventurers to place them in some pretty daunting mountainsides. The locales are at the melting ends of glaciers in Iceland, Greenland, Alaska, and Montana. The results are stunning, in more ways than one.

The glaciers under observation are in a state of accelerated collapse and retreat that, now that it can be seen as a movie, is more horrifying than any pop-culture genre film you will see. Such films are fiction; this one is just scientific record, undeniably true even for those who still doubt the existence of climate change. Some of the statistics, presented graphically, recall those of Al Gore’s movie. Chasing Ice presents a clear picture of science and photographic record, unmistakable and beyond argument, but it carries no taint of politics or posturing.

We follow James Balog and his technical and field team from the germ of the idea in 2005 to the present, as he presents the results to astounded audiences. These glaciers are as he calls them “the canary in the coal mine,” the sensitive warning system of impending doom. One glacier is shown retreating in ten years a greater distance than (as the record shows) it had in the previous hundred years, to a haunting piano score that serves to emphasize the unfolding tragedy. We are witness to the cataclysmic collapse of another glacier, the calving of an iceberg the size of lower Manhattan. On the crest of Greenland’s icecap, deep canyons of white ice show blue rivers descending into the bottomless pit. There is no end in sight. The water is going to lubricate the underside of the icecap, to speed it ever faster to its demise. At one point Balog, briefly overcome by the magnitude of destruction that he is now recording, pauses to remind us: “You go out over the horizon—and sometimes you don’t come back.”

There is some hauntingly beautiful still photography also, of ice forms and weird lights, of the aurora borealis, that helps us understand the passion that polar explorers have always shared for these extremes. But what is more haunting is the thought that these images tell us only the beginning of a story that is unfolding now, that has already begun. We don’t know exactly how it will end, but the scientific evidence keeps coming in that the earth’s atmospheric temperature has risen, sea levels have risen, the predictions of extreme weather patterns are being proven.

I’m not writing this to convince you of anything. This movie will be able to do that, and if it succeeds with you, then the best thing you can do is recommend it to everyone you know.

The canary is singing, louder every day. Can you hear it?

Now playing at the Rafael:   http://www.cafilm.org/   Also at select theaters in the Bay Area and nationwide, but not for long

Website: http://www.chasingice.com/

Dec 02 2012
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It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play at MTC

By Flora Lynn Isaacson


Gabriel Marin as George and Sarah Overman as Mary in MTC’s It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play

The Frank Capra film classic takes on a different twist at Marin Theatre Company in Joe Landry’s adaptation with five actors playing radio actors voicing dozens of characters and creating all the sound effects as if performing in a radio drama in front of a studio audience.  Jon Tracy directs this famous tale of George Bailey’s crisis of faith and his lovable guardian angel, Clarence.

The intimate space of MTC is transformed into the 1940’s radio studio of New York Station A at WMTC. The audience is whisked back in time as they watch five wonderful actors create all the characters who populate the magical world of Bedford Falls.

Gabriel Marin plays Jake Laurents who plays a sincere and earnest George Bailey.  Sarah Overman is Sally Applewhite who plays a sunny and delightful Mary who becomes George’s wife.  Michael Gene Sullivan plays the announcer for WMTC as well as the voices of the villainous old miser, Mr. Potter, Uncle Billy, Mr. Gower (the druggist) and bartender, Martini.  Carrie Paff plays Lana Sherwood who lends her versatile voice and acting skills to every other female in the play, ranging from a small child to a senior citizen and from the town’s siren, Violet to George Bailey’s mom.  Rounding out the cast is Patrick Kelly Jones who plays Harry “Jazzbo” Heywood who brings to life the saving angel Clarence, Harry Bailey (George’s father), Sam Wainwright, Harry’s close friend and others.

This charming MTC production sets it all in an elegant, warmly lit studio.  Scenery by Eric Sinkkonen achieves some holiday effects with a lovely tree and a view through a high window of falling snow.  Lighting by Michael Palumbo adds a special glow.  The actors are costumed by Callie Floor in attractive period suits and dresses. The ladies hairstyles even look right.

Michael Gene Sullivan does a warm up with the audience at the beginning of the show to get them to applaud when the applause light goes on. Director Jon Tracy lets the actors open up to one another by having them memorize their lines. They only make use of their scripts as a prop.

Rekindle your holiday spirit with this delightful, family-friendly celebration with this special holiday gift from Marin Theatre Company.

It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio plays runs November 23-December 16, 2012 at  MTC. Performances are Tuesday and Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m.; Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m. Matinees are every Sunday at 2 p.m. and also, Saturday, December 15 at 2 p.m. as well as Thursday, December 6 at 1 p.m.

Marin Theater Company is located at 397 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley.  For tickets, call 415-388-5208 or go to www.marintheatre.org. Coming up next at MTC will be Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett, directed by Jasson Minadakis, January 24-February 17, 2013.

Flora Lynn Isaacson

 

 

 

Dec 01 2012
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HOLIDAY GOSSIP by Buzzin Lee Hartgrave

By Lee Hartgrave

Defender of the truth, the American way, and the right to gossip.

THE REALLY FAMOUS DO NOT DIE – They just make other arrangements: For instance, you can attend a Cyril Magnin cheap matinee at A.C.T. for a Christmas Carol. Ooops – they don’t call it the Magnin matinee anymore – it’s just a “Matinee”. How quickly they forget.

SOME WRITERS LIVE ON COFFEE – OTHERS GO OUT! Celeb watching has never been better, than at the Posh Rrazz Room. Everybody who is

Sharon McNight–Head Shot

anybody shows up to have a buffo time. Attitudes are dropped outside the door. Color the place FUN! Especially Sharon McNight in a xmas treat.

FEEL LIKE SEEING A CLASSIC ROMANTIC COMEDY? Well – “Bell, Book and Candle” is just perfect Holiday Entertainment. You will be bewitched, bothered and bewildered. Hey, what do you expect when you fall in love with a witch. She really has some good Witchy things about her, but when she falls in love she might lose her magical powers forever. Remember – The movie version starred Kim Novak and James Stewart. It won a Golden Globe in 1959. I promise that you won’t be bewildered – you’ll just be gassed at the stage play at the San Francisco Playhouse (450 Post Street) above the Farallon Restaurant. Sounds like another Smash hit to me.

NUDE IS GOOD! Well, that’s not exactly true. S.F. wants them to at least put on a fig leaf. The nudies hanging out on Castro Benches (and elsewhere) notice that they are being photographed from the waist down. This really is a “Full Monty” treat. What will Diane “F” think? “Some like it Not!”

On Dec. 10th is another wonderful “Help is on the way” at the Marines Memorial Theatre. The program will feature stars from “Book of Mormon” and “The Lion King”. There will be Stars Galore and music to send you on a Baz Lehrmann evening. He has the power to haunt us forever. No, it won’t be there – but I can imagine that he will be.

FUNNY, SEXY, ENGROSSING! Who Dat? Oh, that would be Sharon McNight. She almost knocks us out of the chairs at the Rrazz Room. And what can she do this Xmas? Well, lets see – Oh, I know – How about hanging some Balls. She has plenty of them. Ha, Ha. No, that was not Santa. Oh, and by the way – electrical devices (self pleasuring) are strictly prohibited during the performance. You know – it’s a Xmas show.

If I were to predict – I would say that the best shows in town are — These movies: “Lincoln”, “Anna Karenina” (Intoxicating Love story) – and “A Royal Affair” (vibrant and hypnotic! – Best bets on the stage are “Bell, Book and Candle” (Sf Playhouse) – “Sharon McKnight at the Rrazz” – Theatre Rhino is presenting a new John Fisher play at ‘Thick House’. The show is “Slugs and Kicks” – It’s being called “Vibrant and Uplifting!” I’ll be checking it out on Dec. 2nd.

AN ACTRESS is planning to quit show Biz to end world hunger! And how will she do this? Drag her refrigerator around the world? We know who it is, but we won’t tell.

Celebs wanna know – will the Golden Gate Theatre ever open again? And then there is this person of Market Street said: “Light up the Damn Sign (Golden Gate Sign). It would help that corner come to life again. What’s a couple of bucks to the high and mighty?” – (Request by angered reader that prefers to remain anonymous.) You know – like Shakespeare.

THE SWACKAT is a new clothing look for men. The Turtle Neck is back…so are the Cargo Pants. Oh, and don’t forget The Shacket. It’s a sport coat that looks like a Jacket. And for real new old treat – take a look at the new rage: “Denim Shirt”.

Virgo guys are really stuck on themselves. They are perfectionists and very detail-oriented. Virgo also means that they have big hands, big feet and – well, two out of three ain’t bad!” Ooops…Too much info. We were hoping for three out of three!

It’s Phone Buzz Time. Start the sexting.

 

 

Dec 01 2012
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‘Wonderful Life’ in a new light

By Judy Richter

By Judy Richter

If you’re like many people, watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” on TV is probably one of your favorite holiday traditions. Even if you’ve seen it umpteen times, you never get tired of this story about the triumph of good over evil, the emphasis on what’s truly important and the far-reaching impact that one person’s actions can have.

Marin Theatre Company dramatizes these simple truths in its production of “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play.” Adapted by Joe Landry from director Frank Capra’s now-classic film, this version takes place in a New York City radio studio on Christmas Eve, 1946. Five actors portray actors who create all of the beloved characters as well as the sound effects and commercials in front of a live studio (theater) audience.

In this production well-directed by Jon Tracy, Gabriel Marin stars as George Bailey, the character so memorably created by James Stewart in the 1946 film. His wife, Mary, the Donna Reed role, is played by Sarah Overman. Carrie Paff plays all of the other female characters, while Patrick Kelly Jones and Michael Gene Sullivan portray the other male characters. Sullivan also serves as the emcee, warming up the audience before the show starts.

Set in the small town of Bedford Falls shortly after the end of World War II, the story revolves around the night that George, discouraged that his bank is about to go under, considers committing suicide. Instead, he’s distracted by his guardian angel, Clarence (Jones), who’s dispatched from heaven to earn his wings by saving George. He does so by showing George all the bad things that would have happened if he’d never been born. In short, many people would be a lot worse off, and Bedford Falls would have been taken over by the greedy, heartless Mr. Potter (Sullivan). But before Clarence descends to Earth, he learns about George’s early life, his dreams and the reality of how he came so close to ending it all.

While Marin and Overman play only one role each, the other three actors have a chance to display their versatility, which they do commendably. Since we first meet Paff as Violet, the town flirt, costume designer Callie Floor has outfitted her in a flattering, form-fitting dress. Nevertheless, it serves her well as Paff portrays little girls as well as older women, all convincingly.

Jones is especially notable as Clarence, the low-key guardian angel, while Sullivan appears as some of the older men, including Mr. Potter and befuddled Uncle Billy. Overman is sweetly appealing as Mary. Marin does a credible job as George, but he can become too loud and overwrought, especially near the end.

Besides acting and creating sound effects, the actors sing music by composer and sound designer Chris Houston. Eric Sinkkonen’s set, complemented by Michael Palumbo’s lighting, is a suitably cluttered radio studio complete with “Applause” and “On the Air” signs. Seren Helday, credited as properties designer, apparently was responsible for the items needed to create realistic sound effects for a radio audience.

This two-act, 105-minute production is a great way to see a holiday favorite in a new light and to enjoy watching some of the Bay Area’s best actors. It continues at Marin Theatre Company, 397 Miller Ave., Mill Valley, through Dec. 16. For tickets and information, call (415) 388-5208 or visit www.marintheatare.org.

Nov 30 2012
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BUZZIN AROUND WITH LEE HARTGRAVE

By Lee Hartgrave

DEFENDER OF THE TRUTH, THE AMERICAN WAY, AND THE RIGHT TO GOSSIP 

BUZZIN AROUND WITH LEE HARTGRAVE 

THE REALLY FAMOUS DO NOT DIE – They just make other arrangements: For instance, you can attend a Cyril Magnin cheap matinee at A.C.T. for a Christmas Carol. Ooops – they don’t call it the Magnin matinee anymore – it’s just a “Matinee”. How quickly they forget.

SOME WRITERS LIVE ON COFFEE – OTHERS GO OUT! Celeb watching has never been better, than at the Posh Rrazz Room. Everybody who is anybody shows up to have a buffo time. Attitudes are dropped outside the door. Color the place FUN! Especially Sharon McNight in a xmas treat.

FEEL LIKE SEEING A CLASSIC ROMANTIC COMEDY? Well – “Bell, Book and Candle” is just perfect Holiday Entertainment. You will be bewitched, bothered and bewildered. Hey, what do you expect when you fall in love with a witch. She really has some good Witchy things about her, but when she falls in love she might lose her magical powers forever. Remember – The movie version starred Kim Novak and James Stewart. It won a Golden Globe in 1959. I promise that you won’t be bewildered – you’ll just be gassed at the stage play at the San Francisco Playhouse (450 Post Street) above the Farallon Restaurant. Sounds like another Smash hit to me.

NUDE IS GOOD! Well, that’s not exactly true. S.F. wants them to at least put on a fig leaf. The nudies hanging out on Castro Benches (and elsewhere) notice that they are being photographed from the waist down. This really is a “Full Monty” treat. What will Diane “F” think? “Some like it Not!”

On Dec. 10th is another wonderful “Help is on the way” at the Marines Memorial Theatre. The program will feature stars from “Book of Mormon” and “The Lion King”. There will be Stars Galore and music to send you on a Baz Lehrmann evening. He has the power to haunt us forever. No, it won’t be there – but I can imagine that he will be.

FUNNY, SEXY, ENGROSSING! Who Dat? Oh, that would be Sharon McNight. She almost knocks us out of the chairs at the Rrazz Room. And what can she do this Xmas? Well, lets see – Oh, I know – How about hanging some Balls. She has plenty of them. Ha, Ha. No, that was not Santa. Oh, and by the way – electrical devices (self pleasuring) are strictly prohibited during the performance. You know – it’s a Xmas show.

If I were to predict – I would say that the best shows in town are — These movies:  “Lincoln”, “Anna Karenina” (Intoxicating Love story) – and “A Royal Affair” (vibrant and hypnotic! – Best bets on the stage are “Bell, Book and Candle” (Sf Playhouse) – “Sharon McKnight at the Rrazz” – Theatre Rhino is presenting a new John Fisher play at ‘Thick House’. The show is “Slugs and Kicks” – It’s being called “Vibrant and Uplifting!” I’ll be checking it out on Dec. 2nd.

AN ACTRESS is planning to quit show Biz to end world hunger! And how will she do this? Drag her refrigerator around the world? We know who it is, but we won’t tell.

Celebs wanna know – will the Golden Gate Theatre ever open again? And then there is this person of Market Street said:  “Light up the Damn Sign (Golden Gate Sign). It would help that corner come to life again. What’s a couple of bucks to the high and mighty?” – (Request by angered reader that prefers to remain anonymous.) You know – like Shakespeare.

THE SWACKAT is a new clothing look for men. The Turtle Neck is back…so are the Cargo Pants. Oh, and don’t forget The Shacket. It’s a sport coat that looks like a Jacket. And for real new old treat – take a look at the new rage: “Denim Shirt”.

Virgo guys are really stuck on themselves. They are perfectionists and very detail-oriented. Virgo also means that they have big hands, big feet and – well, two out of three ain’t bad!” Ooops…Too much info. We were hoping for three out of three!

It’s Phone Buzz Time. Start the Sexting.

(((Lee Hartgrave has contributed many articles to the San Francisco Sunday Datebook and he produced a long-running Arts Segment on PBS KQED)))