David Green - Page 25

The Annenberg Theatre kicked off its' starry 2014-2015 Cabaret Season with four of Broadway's most celebrated leading ladies - Donna McKechnie, Andrea McArdle, Maureen McGovern and Randy Graff - in an unforgettable evening of song and story to a "standing room only" crowd dotted with several other Broadway luminaries including Carol Channing, Kaye Ballard and composer David Zippel. Under the masterful musical direction of John McDaniel, this quintessential quartet delivered well beyond my already high expectations and to say the evening was "memorable" would be nothing short of an understatement.

The self described "Love Goddess" and "Aphrodite Of The Accordion", Judy Tenuta, brings her no-holds-barred comedy to The Copa Palm Springs for two "sure to sell out" performances, November 21 and 22 at 8:00 pm. Tenuta has made hundreds of guest and co-hosting appearances on such popular television shows as "The View," "Late Night With David Letterman," "Larry King Live," "Entertainment Tonight," and "Comics Unleashed." Her stand-up specials have aired on Showtime, HBO, and Lifetime. Judy was featured as the national spokesperson for a series of Diet Dr. Pepper commercials. She is a two-time Grammy Award Nominee, was the first female stand-up comic to win "Best Female Comedian" at the American Comedy Awards, and has appeared in theatrical productions ranging from "The Vagina Monologues" to "Menopause The Musical." I had the chance to chat with Ms. Tenuta about her upcoming "Birthday Bash" at The Copa and more … and I couldn't stop laughing for my thirty minutes or so with this brilliant and delightful lady … here are a few excerpts from that conversation:

The McCallum Theatre presents 'The New Christy Minstrels', with special guest star Barry McGuire for one very special performance, Sunday, November 16, at 3:00pm, Founded by Randy Sparks in 1961, the group's 1962 debut album, 'Presenting the New Christy Minstrels', won a Grammy, remained on the Billboard charts for two years, and scored a hit with 'This Land Is Your Land'. Their 1963 album 'Ramblin' was highlighted by the single 'Green, Green' which climbed the charts and became a hit single. In 2006, the California State Legislature honored The New Christy Minstrels with resolutions from both the Senate and Assembly. Randy Sparks was recognized for his fifty years in the recording industry, and the group was honored for their contributions to the music industry. In 2009, a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars was dedicated to Randy Sparks and The New Christy Minstrels. I had the chance to chat with founder, Randy Sparks, about their upcoming return to The McCallum Theatre and a bit for the history of The New Christy Minstrels. Here are a few excerpts from that conversation:

You'll get no argument from me: Cheyenne Jackson is a powerhouse vocalist and his charismatic quotient is off the charts. It is easy to gush about his vocal prowess, his versatility as a singer and his movie star magnetism. He is a consummate crooner with a vocal ease that is equally adept at the Broadway, standard and pop/contemporary songbooks. So, why did his recent performance at The McCallum Theatre seem so uneven and why did it leave me and, upon eavesdropping on 'after-show lobby conversations', a myriad of other patrons feeling lukewarm?

The McCallum Theatre presents BalletBoyz - the TALENT, for one incredible performance, tonight ar 8:00 pm. BalletBoyz has established itself as one of the most original and innovative forces in modern dance: revolutionizing traditional programming formats, commissioning new work, collaborating with a wide range of cutting-edge talents and building a big following through their work on BBC television. Founded by Michael Nunn and William Trevitt, BalletBoyz has won numerous awards and nominations including an Olivier Award, two South Bank Show nominations as well as a Rose d'Or, International Emmy and Golden Prague Grand Prix for their television work. The company has performed throughout the UK and internationally and has in its repertoire approximately 35 works, of which more than 30 are original commissions. I had the opportunity to steal company member Marc Galvez away from rehearsal for a brief chat - here are a few excerpts from that conversation.

Del Shores has established himself as one of America's top playwrights and screenwriters with a string of critical and cult hits including the award winning plays 'Daddy's Dyin' (Who's Got The Will)' - a subsequent hit film version starred Beau Bridges and Beverly D'Angelo - 'The Trials And Tribulations Of A Trailer Trash Housewife', 'Southern Baptist Sissies' and the critically acclaimed 'Yellow'. He is best known for his play 'Sordid Lives' which has spawned over 300 additional stage productions, a feature film, and a successful television series for LOGO which starred Olivia Newton John, Rue McClanahan and Leslie Jordan. The Los Angeles Times has called him 'a master of Texas comedy'. Shores brings the most recent iteration of his one-man-show, MY SORDID BEST, to The Copa Palm Springs for two performances, tonight and tomorrow night, at 7:30 pm. I had the chance to chat with Mr. Shores about his upcoming Palm Springs show and, well, his Sordid Life in general. Here are a few excerpts from that conversation.

Grammy-winning Chanteuse and Comedienne, Lady Rizo, appears for one 'standing room only' performance at The Copa palm Springs on November 1 at 8:00 pm. The cult entertainer New York magazine hails as a 'Cabaret Superstar' has made her mark creating vintage arrangements & theatrical explorations of pop songs from every decade. Lady Rizo (nee Amelia Zirin-Brown) co-created the cult caburlesque spectacular Lady Rizo & the Assettes in 2005.In January 2010 she won her first Grammy on a duet with acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma that was released on a Holiday album featuring Diana Krall, James Taylor and Alison Krauss among others. She also sings and records with multi-platnum recording artist Moby and was nominated for an MVPA for the choreography the video for the single New York, New York featuring Debbie Harry. I had the cahncr to chat with Lady Rizo about her upcoming performance at The Copa and more. Here are a few highlights form that conversation:

It is always great when a theatrical event meets your expectations. It is even better when it exceeds them. TOP ROCK at The Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs did just that. Live It Up Production's TOP ROCK rivals the best production show on the Las Vegas strip with a tremendously talented and charismatic cast of triple threats, expert staging, superb vocal arrangements and strong production values at every turn. TOP ROCK runs every Friday and Saturday through September at 8:00 pm and is a definitive 'must see' for your Palm Springs weekend.

The Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre (CVRep) will follow up LOVE, LAUGHTER AND LUNACY with another exciting cabaret offering - HE LOVES AND SHE LOVES, starring Erica and Brent Schindele, this weekend, August 9 and 10.

The COPA PALM SPRINGS presents Chicago, music and comedy legends Amy Armstrong and Freddy Allen for two performances, July 18 and 19 at 8:00 pm. Amy and Freddy have graced the stages coast-to-coast, both large and small, and in over 20 countries with their one-of-a-kind wit and musical prowess. They have had the pleasure of opening and sharing the spotlight with some familiar (and some not so familiar) names including Kathy Griffin, Mary Wilson and the Supremes, Phyllis Diller, Bea Arthur, Jennifer Holiday and Judy Gold to name a few. In 2009, Amy & Freddy were featured on national television on Entertainment Tonight as part of their work with the NBC reality show "America's Got Talent. They are also the proud multi-recipients of both the Gay Chicago Magazine "After Dark" and Chicago Free Press "Pressie" awards. I had the chance to chat with Amy and Freddy about their upcoming engagement at THE COPA and more - here are a few excerpts from that conversation:

The Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre (CVRep) will follow up LOVE, LAUGHTER AND LUNACY with two more exciting cabaret offerings - BUBBLEGUM's ANONYMOUS - CHEW ON THIS!, a tribute to the music of the 50's, 60's and 70's starring Gilmore Rixxo, this weekend, July 18-20, and HE LOVES AND SHE LOVES, starring Erica and Brent Schindele, August 9 and 10.

Stand-up comedian and best-selling author Jen Kirkman brings her irreverent wit to Copa Palm Springs for one very special performance on June 28 at 8 pm. Jen is currently a writer and regular round table guest on 'Chelsea Lately', one of the stars of the hit-spin-off 'mockumentary' show 'After Lately', .and the author of the book, 'I Can Barely Take Care of Myself,' which became an instant New York Times Bestseller when it was released in April 2013.

The Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre (CVRep) will follow up LOVE, LAUGHTER AND LUNACY, which stars Broadway Veterans Alix Korey, Janene Lovullo and Sal Mistretta and runs June 27-29, with two more exciting cabaret offerings - BUBBLEGUM's ANONYMOUS - CHEW ON THIS!, a tribute to the music of the 50's, 60's and 70's starring Gilbert Rixxo, July 18-20, and HE LOVES AND SHE LOVES, starring Erica and Brent Schindele, August 9 and 10.

Internationally renowned recording artist, music icon, actress and humanitarian, Sarah Brightman, is forced to cancel her August 10 appearance at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage. Brightman is the world's biggest selling soprano, an international superstar as beloved for her staggering vocal range (over three full octaves) as for her impassioned film and stage performances. Over a three-decade career, she's sold over thirty million records worldwide, is the first artist to have been invited twice to perform the theme songs at the Olympic Games, and is frequently credited with pioneering the Classical Crossover genre, allowing music once reserved for conservatories and concert halls to seep onto the pop charts.

The Palm Springs International Film Society's Short Fest will debut a new documentary - 'Hollywood In The Desert Sky; A Conversation With Photographer Michael Childers' today, June 18 at 2:00 pm at The Camelot Theatres in Palm Springs. 'All my life I've been photographing some of the great artists of my time,' says Childers. Internationally renowned for his portraits of pop culture icons, Childers spent a lifetime of collecting art with the late John Schlesinger, Oscar-winning director of 'Midnight Cowboy' and many other films of note including 'Marathon Man' and 'The Falcon and the Snowman.' They were partners for 37 years and that life culminated in an art collection that filled their Rancho Mirage home.

The Coachella Valley Repertory Theater (CV Rep) will continue entertaining local desert audiences through the summer with three musical cabaret productions slated for June, July and August 2014. The first of the three-part CV Rep Cabaret Series is a "toe tapping, madcap musical revue" entitled LAUGHTER, LOVE AND LUNACY starring Broadway and cabaret favorites Alix Korey, Janene Lovullo and Sal Mistretta. will run at the CV Rep Theatre in Rancho Mirage on Friday, June 27 and Today, June 28 at 7 PM and Sunday, June 29th at 2 PM.

The Desert Rose Playhouse, the Valley's live stage company serving the LGBT community, will present THE STOPS, a new musical by Eric Lane Barnes, opening Today, June 13, 2014 for a six-week run. Performances are Todays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 2 PM. In this very unique, original, and funny show, three members of the North American Lady Organists Guild (NALOG) spread their Gospel as 'The Stops,' an Andrews Sisters-esque trio of different faiths united in their love of song. 'Ginny', 'Euglena', and 'Rose' perform a benefit concert for their mentor Dale Meadows, a church music director and songwriter recently ousted from his tabernacle because of his sexuality (he's gay!)

Beginning Saturday, June 28th, Camelot Theatres in Palm Springs will begin a new “Dinner and a Movie” Film Series - bringing some of the biggest blockbuster movies ever to hit the Big Screen back to the BIG Screen! “We plan to present a favorite blockbuster movie every Saturday night,” said Camelot Theatres Manager Matt Christensen. “Most of these films are available on DVD, but let's face it. These films were made to be seen on the big screen and there's just nothing quite like seeing them that way. Even better, they've all been digitally remastered, and feature full theatre quality sound, so the experience is going to be really magical.”??

The Desert Rose Playhouse, the Valley's live stage company serving the LGBT community, will present THE STOPS, a new musical by Eric Lane Barnes, opening Friday, June 13, 2014 for a six-week run. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 2 PM. In this very unique, original, and funny show, three members of the North American Lady Organists Guild (NALOG) spread their Gospel as 'The Stops,' an Andrews Sisters-esque trio of different faiths united in their love of song. 'Ginny', 'Euglena', and 'Rose' perform a benefit concert for their mentor Dale Meadows, a church music director and songwriter recently ousted from his tabernacle because of his sexuality (he's gay!)

The Coachella Valley Repertory Theater (CV Rep) will continue entertaining local desert audiences through the summer with three musical cabaret productions slated for June, July and August 2014. The first of the three-part CV Rep Cabaret Series is a 'toe tapping, madcap musical revue' entitled LAUGHTER, LOVE AND LUNACY starring Broadway and cabaret favorites Alix Korey, Janene Lovullo and Sal Mistretta. will run at the CV Rep Theatre in Rancho Mirage on Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28 at 7 PM and Sunday, June 29th at 2 PM.