Don Grigware - Page 68

There have been many theatrical re-imaginings of fairy tales, but hardly a more enchanting one than Stephen Schwartz's new musical My Fairytale now receiving its US premiere in Solvang. A PCPA production which first previewed in Santa Maria, My Fairytale is charming, brilliantly creative fare brought to life by a wildly exciting production team that includes Flemming Enevold, who originally conceived it.

If you love the theatre, the circus and all things extraordinary, you must read Where's My Wand? Wand is the funny and touching autobiography of Fox Broadcasting's Eric Poole. But let's get one thing perfectly clear from the start. Wand is not a story for gays about being gay; it's actually a tale for everyone about growing up and finding your place in the world. From the very first page, Where's My Wand? will take you on a wild and zany ride guaranteed to put your spirits in high gear.

'Great art is the only truth', proclaims fake buster Lionel Percy (Nick Ullett) to Maude Gutman (Jenny O'Hara) in Stephen Sachs' exquisite world premiere Bakersfield Mist, now extended once more at the Fountain Theatre until September 3. Maude's initial truth of thinking her painting a Jackson Pollack original is denied by Percy. But Percy's truth/opinion does not hold water after Maude attempts to make a person out of him. Either of them could be accurate as to the painting's authenticity leaving the above statement the most revered truth of the play.

Bryce Ryness appeared on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning revival of Hair (Woof, Drama Desk nom) and Legally Blonde(Aaron, Emmett u/s). Other credits include the NY premiere of Drama Desk-award winning See Rock City... (Jess/Cutter), Crossing Brooklyn (AJ, Transport Group) and the national tour of Rent (Roger). Los Angeles musical theatre credits include the world premieres of Dangerous Beauty at the Pasadena Playhouse and Leap of Faith at the Ahmanson Theatre, as well as the Los Angeles premiere of Floyd Collins. Bryce fronts a rock band called Ryness and has sung backup for Roger Daltrey, Sarah Brightman, Frankie Valli, Marin Mazzie, and Josh Groban.

Let me say right up front that I am a teacher, have been for thirty+ years, and so any play having to do with education definitely strikes my fancy. Such was the case with Sex and Education. Biology, however, was never my strong point, but I can certainly appreciate the efforts of a new science teacher who motivates his students by getting them to relate life and love. Cody Henderson's new play Wonderlust is a viable endeavor on a couple of levels and may be one of the best plays I have seen in 2011. Now on stage at Theatre of Note in Hollywood, Wonderlust has a superb cast and equally excellent direction from Amber Skalski.

After three decades, Robert Harling's Steel Magnolias remains a treasure, a cherished tale of the endurance of female friendship. Now on stage at the Rubicon Theatre in Ventura, Magnolias has slick and sturdy direction from Jenny Sullivan and a magnanimous cast, and above all, it stands the test of time.

Witnessing a Justin Tanner play is kind of like watching a soap opera; at one moment you cannot believe what you are hearing and seeing and in the next you'll exclaim, 'I know them!' Whereas Del Shores gives us Southern white trash, Tanner keeps his trash more local; both playwrights have something else in common: a terrific stock company of actors who brilliantly deliver the goods. Tanner's latest play Day Drinkers, now on stage at the Odyssey, is another hysterically zany slice-of-life dramedy that makes us sit up and think about our actions.

On Sunday August 28, actor/singer David Fairchild debuted his show Heart of a Man @ Sterling's Upstairs @ Vitello's. Cabaret is a first for him. It is admirable to make a new start at any age, especially in show biz in LA, so I give Fairchild a hearty round of applause. 'It's never too late' is a motto to be taken seriously, as Fairchild forges ahead not only with the show but also his first CD.

Chuck Faerber's world premiere Counter Men, now onstage at the Whitefire Theatre, is peculiarly intriguing with a 14-character cast and just about as many plotlines. On the plus side, it's entertaining - to a point - with a mostly wonderful ensemble. On the negative side, its big picture gets bogged down by too many unnecessary stories. It can work in a soap on TV, but not on a tiny stage.The setting? The rump section of a diner-like restaurant in Glendale - great realistic set design by Davis Campbell - where an odd assortment of men hang out daily: an actor, a screenwriter, and a musician are among the brood. This is a suburb of Hollywood, after all, so it's not unusual for show biz folks to find a second home where they can dish the dirt, kind of like Dupars in Studio City. There are a couple of waitresses who know the men quite well, so, for the most part, what we see is a big extended family, except of course, for those making quick entrances/exits to and from the restroom, one of whom is branded a terrorist. A couple of the men are vets and have conflicting opinions with the younger guys about the war in Iraq. Mackie (Paul Haitkin) has a macho streak and brags about picking up women and videotaping his sexual trysts with them. Carl (Bart Braverman) has some serious issues with cancer. Joyelle (Marion Ramsey), the older and motherly waitress, has a son in Iraq and is in a constant state of anxiety for his safety. Ludy (Vanessa Herrera), the younger waitress, with a black eye and bruises on her arms, is clearly having some problems at home. Teo, a homeless filipino musician, who uses one of the booths to sleep in as well as a studio in which to compose, is attracted to Sackie (Naila Browne), a gal from Glendale's Water and Power, but he's timid about taking the first step to meet her. One of Mackie's conquests, Sheila, a real estate tycoon, gives up the business and eventually becomes a nun (Anna Nicholas). The stories go on and on, endlessly.

Ennio design and direction by Ennio Marchetto and Sosthen Hennekam Pasadena Playhouse through Sunday August 28 only

Actress/singer Spider Saloff defies description. She has the voice of an angel and an actor look perfectly suited to character. Often compared to Tracy Ullman, it's time she was set apart. Spider Saloff is her very own special creation: a magnificent singer, delightfully versatile actress and warm human being whose inner glow shines through every moment of her one-woman tour-de-force The Roar of the Butterfly.

'I've created a monster!' proclaims Sarah Goldman (Alison Robertson) in James Sherman's audience-pleasing comedy Beau Jest, currently receiving a first-class production at the Glendale Centre Theatre. With fast one-line zingers, the farce is the perfect summer stock vehicle and boasts a sparkling cast under Martin Lang's quickly-paced direction.

Actor/playwright Doug Haverty's latest world premiere play is a slice of life drama about the inner workings of a bank centering around the tellers who comprise the banking team. Entitled Next Window Please, the piece, despite its commendable message during our troubled economic times and its excellent cast and direction, now onstage at the GROUP rep in NoHo, never catches fire theatrically.

David Harrower's spellbinding Blackbird is taut from first line to last, and gives its audience an unexpected emotional ride that is characteristic of only really great theatre. Expertly cast and directed, Blackbird is in another extension at the Rogue Machine, now through September 18.

Fans of Vivien Leigh will not want to miss Rick Foster's Vivien starring beautiful Judith Chapman at the Rogue Machine through September 4. It's passionate, theatrical and thoroughly engaging as Chapman and Leigh connect on more than one plateau.

On Wednesday August 10 thirteen year-old triple threat performer Melody Hollis debuted her one-woman show Melodyland @ Sterling's Upstairs @ Vitello's to a packed house of enthusiastic fans. Produced and directed by Bruce Kimmel, Melodyland is perhaps the only cabaret show for a talented young lady ... that young. However, it's a great idea for such an amazing talent. Hollis can not only sing, dance and patter with the best of them, but she has a certain savoir faire and wisdom that go far beyond her years. And she understands the meaning behind the lyrics of the songs she sings. Not easy, considering she sang Stephen Sondheim's 'Children Will Listen' - has a child ever sung this before? - and an expert rendition of Kander & Ebb's 'A Quiet Thing'. Usually reserved for older people, who have had more experience with love and life, these songs require a rich understanding and interpretation, which, somehow, Hollis was able to supply. Her voice with time will be richer and more beautiful, so I can only imagine how dreamlike these will sound then. It doesn't hurt that your musical director is also your father - the wonderful Steve Hollis, giving the impression that Melody has been superbly trained and nurtured for seven years in the world of musical theatre.

'Great art is the only truth', proclaims fake buster Lionel Percy (Nick Ullett) to Maude Gutman (Jenny O'Hara) in Stephen Sachs' exquisite world premiere Bakersfield Mist, now extended once more at the Fountain Theatre until September 3. Maude's initial truth of thinking her painting a Jackson Pollack original is denied by Percy. But Percy's truth/opinion does not hold water after Maude attempts to make a person out of him. Either of them could be accurate as to the painting's authenticity leaving the above statement the most revered truth of the play.

On Sunday August 7 Jeanne Page made a stylish return to Sterling's Upstairs @ Vitello's for a marvelous evening of standards done her way. This lady has a unique brand of humor that is intoxicating and infuses every song she sings with the true colors they deserve.

Chuck Faerber's world premiere Counter Men, now onstage at the Whitefire Theatre, is peculiarly intriguing with a 14-character cast and just about as many plotlines. On the plus side, it's entertaining - to a point - with a mostly wonderful ensemble. On the negative side, its big picture gets bogged down by too many unnecessary stories. It can work in a soap on TV, but not on a tiny stage.The setting? The rump section of a diner-like restaurant in Glendale - great realistic set design by Davis Campbell - where an odd assortment of men hang out daily: an actor, a screenwriter, and a musician are among the brood. This is a suburb of Hollywood, after all, so it's not unusual for show biz folks to find a second home where they can dish the dirt, kind of like Dupars in Studio City. There are a couple of waitresses who know the men quite well, so, for the most part, what we see is a big extended family, except of course, for those making quick entrances/exits to and from the restroom, one of whom is branded a terrorist. A couple of the men are vets and have conflicting opinions with the younger guys about the war in Iraq. Mackie (Paul Haitkin) has a macho streak and brags about picking up women and videotaping his sexual trysts with them. Carl (Bart Braverman) has some serious issues with cancer. Joyelle (Marion Ramsey), the older and motherly waitress, has a son in Iraq and is in a constant state of anxiety for his safety. Ludy (Vanessa Herrera), the younger waitress, with a black eye and bruises on her arms, is clearly having some problems at home. Teo, a homeless filipino musician, who uses one of the booths to sleep in as well as a studio in which to compose, is attracted to Sackie (Naila Browne), a gal from Glendale's Water and Power, but he's timid about taking the first step to meet her. One of Mackie's conquests, Sheila, a real estate tycoon, gives up the business and eventually becomes a nun (Anna Nicholas). The stories go on and on, endlessly.