David Green - Page 31

"CLARENCE DARROW TONIGHT!", starring renowned actor and Emmy Award winner, Laurence Luckinbill, is set to be the first presentation in Coyote StageWorks' new free community outreach series, "Play Dates". Luckinbill, who has written and performed in a number of solo plays about such notables as Lyndon Johnson, Teddy Roosevelt and Ernest Hemingway, will read CLARENCE DARROW TONIGHT! at the Annenberg Theater on Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 2pm.

Michael Feinstein's SINATRA PROJECT at The McCallum Theatre was 'Night And Day' above the theatrical offering I had seen the night before. (See my review of 'Prince Poppycock and Frenchie Davis' if you want to know what I am talking about). It was everything a concert should be and he was everything a showman should be - slick, stylish and produced to perfection. Feinstein payed tribute to 'the greatest singer of the 20th century, and beyond', backed by a seventeen-piece big band, and wowed the sold out crowd with tune after tune and tale after tale. He was born to sing this music and the notes and lyrics fall from his lips as if they were written just for him to sing. It may have been an homage to Sinatra, but even as he paid tribute to one of his greatest influences and role models he made the music his own and left everyone wanting more - MORE FEINSTEIN!

For those who are fans of reality television - in particular 'reality competition' television - last night was a 'must see' evening in the theatre that featured finalists from three of prime time's most popular shows - American Idol, America's Got Talent and, the one I actually, personally, enjoy - The Voice. For me, this 'dose of Reality' was more than a little disappointing. Despite the high quality of the performers, it felt more like a 'high school talent show' than a professional production - and, in fact, I have seen a few high school talent shows that had a more slick and professional flair. It was weak form both a technical and directorial perspective and might as well have been produced at a county fair than in the beautiful McCallum - or, in fact, any other professional theatre. I think at a county fair I would have been more forgiving because the barre would have been set low enough that they might have had a chance of reaching it.

Cabaret Icon Michael Feinstein returns to the McCallum Theatre with 'The Sinatra Project,' for two performances - tonight, March 1 and Saturday, March 2 -- dedicated to the great Frank Sinatra. Michael reflects Sinatra's sensibility by interpreting the songs in conceptually different styles from Sinatra's own renditions. The results are fascinatingly unique and memorably beautiful. Billed 'The Sinatra Project', the concert is presented in two parts on these consecutive evenings. In the second concert, Michael reinterprets songs by such greats as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peggy Lee, and more. 'The second volume is really about Sinatra and his friends,' says Michael. 'It's about the people he influenced and who influenced him.'

Singer, recording artist and popular radio personality Joey English stars as Norma Desmond in The Palm Canyon Theatre's "Sunset Boulevard" March 8-24, as part of the PCT's 16th season. The production is directed by Judith Chapman, star of television's "The Young And The Restless". I sat down with Ms. English in her beautiful Palm Springs home to chat about her career, the upcoming production and "all things Joey". Here are a few highlights from that conversation:

Broadway's "Golden Couple", Marin Mazzie and Jason Daniely, brought their newest Concert-Cabaret to The Annenberg Theatre last Saturday night to a near-sold-out, highly appreciative crowd and for ninety-plus minutes recounted their personal love story in anecdote and song. ("We've been married for 16 years - which is like 60 years in Show Business") I have to say I was neither overwhelmed nor under-whelmed by the performance - it never really moved me emotionally and was, at best, lukewarm - but I wouldn't say it was completely unsatisfying either.

The highlight of The McCallum Theatre's 25th Anniversary Season thus far is, hands down, the incredible rock-opera concert put on by Australia's favorite singing frat boys, The Ten Tenors, who nearly blew the roof off of the theatre last weekend with their 'off the charts' vocals, irresistible charisma and uncontainable high energy. Back by popular demand - truly, because after their sold out run just eighteen months ago the McCallum's management office was literally flooded with calls begging for s return engagement -- the ten multi-talented vocalists had the audience on their feet over and over again, resulting in three encores.

The incredible Elaine Page brings her one woman concert to the McCallum Theatre tonight for a one-night-only, intimate look into her life and her career, singing the songs and recreating the magical moments from her many hit shows on Broadway and the West End. I had the opportunity to catch up with Ms. Paige as she was preparing for her concert this evening at The McCallum Theatre. Here are a few highlights from that conversation.

Elaine Paige celebrates her love of jazz classics and contemporary songs in her own unique style in a one-night-only headline performance tonight, February 27, at 8:00pm at McCallum Theatre. Paige is famous for her countless successes on both sides of the Atlantic, from originating the role of Grizabella in Cats to her Broadway debut in Sunset Boulevard. She is an actress, recording artist, producer and broadcaster and has made a major contribution to the modern musical which ensures her own chapter in the entertainment world and justifies the title 'The First Lady of Musical Theatre'.

Broadway's 'Golden Couple', husband and wife team Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley, will bring their newese show He Said/She Said to The Annenberg Theatre for one very special performance tonight, February 23 at 8:00 pm.

Famed concert. cabaret and Broadway singer, Linda Eder, returns to The McCallum Theatre on April 2 at 8:00 pm with her newest concert, rescheduling her appearance which was cancelled -- rather stopped mid show -- due to illness.. Based on her most recent CD 'Now' featuring the music of Frank Wildhorn. Eder is said to possess one of the greatest contemporary voices of our time. She is possibly most widely known for her Drama Desk Award winning performance as Lucy in the original Broadway production of 'Jekyll And Hyde' but her career also includes televised specials on Bravo and PBS and sold out concerts at The Greek Theatre, Radio City Music Hall, The Palace Theatre and Carnegie Hall. I had the opportunity to chat with Ms. Eder about her upcoming concert at The McCallum. Here are a few highlights from that interview.

The tour of the smash hit Broadway revival of West Side Story is coming to the McCallum Theatre for five performances, Thursday, March 7, through Sunday, March 10. This production is part of the Rabobank Broadway Blockbuster series. Tony Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents' Broadway direction is recreated for the tour by David Saint, the Associate Director on Broadway. The original Jerome Robbins choreography is reproduced by Tony Award-nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz and The Life).

Famed concert. cabaret and Broadway singer, Linda Eder, returns to The McCallum Theatre on February 17 at 8:00 pm with her newest concert. Based on her most recent CD "Now" featuring the music of Frank Wildhorn. Eder is said to possess one of the greatest contemporary voices of our time. She is possibly most widely known for her Drama Desk Award winning performance as Lucy in the original Broadway production of "Jekyll And Hyde" but her career also includes televised specials on Bravo and PBS and sold out concerts at The Greek Theatre, Radio City Music Hall, The Palace Theatre and Carnegie Hall. I had the opportunity to chat with Ms. Eder about her upcoming concert at The McCallum. Here are a few highlights from that interview.

Elaine Paige celebrates her love of jazz classics and contemporary songs in her own unique style in a one-night-only headline performance on Wednesday, February 27, at 8:00pm at McCallum Theatre. Paige is famous for her countless successes on both sides of the Atlantic, from originating the role of Grizabella in Cats to her Broadway debut in Sunset Boulevard. She is an actress, recording artist, producer and broadcaster and has made a major contribution to the modern musical which ensures her own chapter in the entertainment world and justifies the title "The First Lady of Musical Theatre".

Cabaret Icon Michael Feinstein returns to the McCallum Theatre with 'The Sinatra Project,' for two performances - Friday, March 1 and Saturday, March 2 -- dedicated to the great Frank Sinatra. Michael reflects Sinatra's sensibility by interpreting the songs in conceptually different styles from Sinatra's own renditions. The results are fascinatingly unique and memorably beautiful. Billed 'The Sinatra Project', the concert is presented in two parts on these consecutive evenings. In the second concert, Michael reinterprets songs by such greats as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peggy Lee, and more. 'The second volume is really about Sinatra and his friends,' says Michael. 'It's about the people he influenced and who influenced him.'

I had the pleasure of attending the Teatro Lirico D'Europa MADAMA BUTTERFLY last evening at The McCallum Theatre and was once again swept away in Puccini's exquisite score and timeless love story. The vocalists were stellar; every one - everything else in the production was a little sub-par. Even though the singers were truly thrilling, their characters were cold and distant and it was difficult to find any empathy for them - except what was inherent in the score itself. But, even with its deficits, it was a wonderful way to spend an evening in the theatre.

This was not my first venture into the world of "Plaid" - I have seen the show over a dozen times over the past two decades, have directed it on multiple occasions and have the book and score pretty well etched on my brain. However, I will say that it was one of the best PLAID productions I have ever seen and, if you are in the vicinity of Palm Desert and The McCallum Theatre, it is not to be missed. FOREVER PLAID is really a near-perfect little musical with a wonderful score of 50's standards and clever dialogue and comedic bits that never grow old, if executed well. This incarnation of PLAIDS - Roger Befelor, Stan Chandler, David Engel and David Humphrey did just that. (Both Chandler and Engel starred in the original Off-Broadway production). The program gave no credit to a director, only that it was originally directed and choreographed by Stuart Ross, but whomever was at the helm delivered a spot on production!

The McCallum Theatre, in partnership with Break-Away Tours, has announced its 2013 Springtime Theatre Tours to New York and London. The New York trip will include three Broadway productions -- Lucky Guy, Orphans and Matilda the Musical --- while London theatregoers will enjoy four productions including The Audience, Peter & Alice, Once and a fourth show yet to be announced.

Last night I spent what was my hands-down favorite evening in the theatre in the past several months thanks to the talents of David Zippel, Jason Graae, Christiane Noll, Lillias White, Karen Ziemba and the marvelous melodies of Marvin Hamlisch. Not to mention special guest star Lucie Arnaz. HOORAY for The McCallum Theatre and CEO Mitch Gershenfeld - generally a presenting house - for producing such a warm and wonderful evening in tribute to one of popular and theatre music's greatest, yet often overlooked, composers.

Broadway's "Golden Couple", husband and wife team Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley, will bring their newest show 'He Said/She Said' to The Annenberg Theatre for one very special performance on February 23 at 8:00 pm. He Said/She Said is a musical conversation that features brand new arrangements by many of the Great American Songbook's leading composers including Fats Waller, Johnny Mercer, Cole Porter, Harold Arlen and Sammy Cahn. Program highlights will be ballads such as 'Something's Gotta Give,' 'Too Close for Comfort,' 'Come Back to Me,' and 'Love Me or Leave Me.' The couple most recently performed together on Broadway in the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical NEXT TO NORMAL.