David Green - Page 4

The greatest French songs of the post-war years will be in the spotlight at the McCallum Theatre at 8:00pm, Friday, March 20, in Paris! The Show, made possible through the generosity of Charles and Nancy Nevil. After the success of Piaf! The Show, starring the internationally acclaimed Anne Carrere, producer and creator Gil Marsalla created a brand-new show, also starring Carrere, highlighting the best French music. This spectacular evening is a vibrant tribute to the greatest French songs of the post-war era, capturing the charm and essence of Paris.

Michael Childers' presents One Night Only benefitting the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center. a?oeThe Way We Were: Songs of the '70'sa?? features the best of Broadway and pop music from that era, for one performance only on April 22 at 6:30 pm, at The McCallum Theatre. With Direction & Choreography by Scott Coulter and Music Direction by Todd Schroeder, the cast features the best of Broadway and Hollywood performers. I had the chance to catch up with director, Scott Coulter, as he was preparing the production for rehearsal. Here are a few excerpts from that conversation:

Sometimes an evening in the theatre can be provocative, emotionally stirring, highly uplifting, mind-altering, eye-opening or even life-changing. Sometimes an evening in the theatre can bring you such immense joy or elation by the power of the story or the incredible performances that your very soul is set on fire and the a?oehigha?? lingers far beyond the final curtain. Sometimes you feel that your life would be just a little emptier, or that you would have really missed out on                something very special, had you not spent that evening in the theatre. BEAUTIFUL is none of these. But it's a nice evening, all the same.

The McCallum Theatre welcomes the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players to Palm Desert for a performance of the company's all-new, critically acclaimed production of The Mikado, at 7:00pm, Monday, March 9. The Mikado sets the real-life characters of Victorian London's D'Oyly Carte Opera Company within the imagined Japanese town of Titipu. Audiences will meet Messrs. Gilbert, Sullivan, and D'Oyly Carte themselves, and join them on a fantastic voyage to a land where the timeless libretto, beautiful music, and a fantastical cast of characters await.

Pink Martini, a McCallum favorite, is returning for six shows, from Wednesday, March 4, through Sunday, March 8. It all started in 1994, in Thomas Lauderdale's hometown of Portland, Ore. Trained as a pianist, he was working in politics, with the intention of eventually running for office. He went to numerous political fundraisers, but was dismayed to find the music at these events underwhelming, lackluster, loud and un-neighborly. Drawing inspiration from music from all over the world, crossing genres of classical, jazz and old-fashioned pop, and hoping to appeal to conservatives and liberals alike, he founded the a?oelittle orchestraa?? Pink Martini in 1994 to provide beautiful and inclusive music for political fundraisers for progressive causes such as civil rights, the environment and affordable housing.

Direct from the Apollo Theater, A Celebration of Ella Fitzgerald will bring singing greats Patti Austin, Kurt Elling, Monica Mancini, Wé McDonald and Ledisi to the McCallum Theatre for a fantastic night of music by one of the most revered vocalists of our time, at 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 29. Each performer embodies a different era of the jazz legend's life, intertwined with stories from her debut as a teenager at New York's Apollo Theater to the peak of her fame. The music highlights Ella's greatest hits, including a?oeA Tisket a Tasket,a?? 'Blues in the Night,a?? a?oeMiss Otis Regrets,a?? a?oeYou'll Have to Swing Ita?? and more. The show features the Ella All-Star Band with Shelly Berg, Nathan East, Brian Nova and Gregg Field.

Michael Feinsteina?"one of today's greatest promoters and presenters of the Great American Songbook, and a McCallum Theatre favoritea?"is returning for a special evening of songs made famous by Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Judy Garland, Peggy Lee and others, at 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 28. From recordings that have earned him five Grammy Award nominations to his Emmy-nominated PBS specials, his acclaimed NPR series and concerts spanning the globea?"in addition to his appearances at iconic venues such as the White House, Buckingham Palace, Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall and Sydney Opera Housea?"his work as an educator and archivist defines Feinstein as one of the most important musical forces of our time.

Legends in Concert is the longest-running show in Las Vegas history, and after 35 years is still voted the No. 1 tribute show in the city. The internationally acclaimed and award-winning production is known as the pioneer of live tribute shows, and possesses the greatest collection of live tribute artists in the world. These incredible artists have pitch-perfect live vocals, signature choreography, and stunningly similar appearances to the legends they portray. The McCallum Theatre presents Legends in Concerta?"The Divas, featuring tributes to Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin, for two shows: at 3:00pm and 8:00pm, Thursday, Feb. 27.

In the 1960s, Collins evoked both the idealism and steely determination of a generation united against social and environmental injustices. Five decades later, her luminescent presence shines brightly as new generations bask in the glow of her iconic 55-album body of worka?"and heed inspiration from her spiritual discipline to thrive in the music industry for half a century. The McCallum Theatre will welcome folk-music legend Judy Collins, with special guest Kirsten Maxwell, at 8:00pm, Tuesday, Feb. 25.

Michael Griffiths, Australia's king of one-man cabaret shows, is returning to the McCallum Theatre at 7:00pm., Sunday, Feb. 16, bringing back Cole, his one-man tribute to the great Cole Porter. How insanely talented is Michael Griffiths? Cole will be taking place just hours before he takes the McCallum stage for an evening performance of In Vogue: Songs by Madonna.

The most popular act in the history of the McCallum Theatre, The TEN Tenors, will return to Palm Desert for six shows, from Wednesday, Feb. 19, through Sunday, Feb. 23.The TEN Tenors are one of Australia's greatest entertainment success stories, with more than 90 million people worldwide witnessing their unmistakable charm, camaraderie and vocal power. Following 20 years of sell-out performances across the globe, including more than 2,500 headline concerts, The TEN Tenors have cemented their place as Australia's premier classical-crossover group.

FRANKa?"The Man a?? The Music honors the musical legacy of Frank Sinatra and his tremendous contribution to the Great American Songbook. Throughout these shows, fans will be able to experience Frank and his music at the peak of his career. The event stars Bob Anderson, a singer and actor who is the No. 1 singing impressionist in the world. This captivating production will appear at the McCallum Theater for three showsa?" Friday, Feb. 14 at 8:00 pm, and Saturday, Feb. 15 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm.

Hotel, a musical acrobatic adventure from the renowned Montreal company Cirque Eloize, will arrive at the McCallum Theatre on Thursday, Feb. 13, at 8:00 pm. Cirque Eloize, with its 12 onstage musicians and acrobats, will welcome you into this timeless art deco hotel, a place where strangers of all walks of life meet. Hotel is the story of a place ... but it is mainly a place full of stories. This is the place where we mingle with strangers for a moment. From the overwhelmed maître d', to the mischievous maid, to the devoted handyman and his inseparable dog, Carpette, the hotel's staff is like each of usa?"the privileged witnesses to the lives of colorful individuals.

In 2013, President Obama awarded Renée with America's highest honor for an artist, the National Medal of Arts. She brought her voice to a vast new audience in 2014, as the only classical artist ever to sing a?oeThe Star-Spangled Bannera?? at the Super Bowl. Winner of the 2013 Grammy Award (her fourth) for Best Classical Vocal Solo, Renée has sung for momentous occasions, from the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony to the Diamond Jubilee Concert for Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. In 2008, Renée became the first woman in the 125-year history of the Metropolitan Opera to solo headline an opening night gala.The McCallum Theatre presents Renée Fleming, one of the most acclaimed singers of our time, in recital with pianist Gerald Martin Moore, on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 8:00 pm.

The McCallum Theatre welcomes back the hilarious and talented MozART Group on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 8:00 pm. The four gentlemen of the MozART Group are well-educated instrumentalists who graduated from prestigious music academies in Polanda?"and decided to play classical music in a humorous way. MozART Group created a worldwide unique musical cabaret, combining classical music and comedy into a unique experience for young and old.

Long before she was Carole King, chart-topping music legend, she was Carol Klein, Brooklyn girl with passion and chutzpah. She fought her way into the record business as a teenager and, by the time she reached her 20s, had the husband of her dreams and a flourishing career writing hits for the biggest acts in rock 'n' roll. But it wasn't until her personal life began to crack that she finally managed to find her true voice. The Tony and Grammy Award-winning Broadway hit Beautifula?"The Carole King Musical, about the early life and career of the legendary and groundbreaking singer/songwriter, will make its Coachella Valley premiere at the McCallum Theatre for five shows on Friday, Feb. 7, through Sunday, Feb. 9.

Shoshana Beana?"fresh off of playing the lead role in Waitress on Broadwaya?"will bring in her nine-piece big band for a glamorous night at the McCallum Theatre on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 8:00 pm. Shoshana Bean's four independent solo releases have topped iTunes charts in the United States and the United Kingdoma?"and her latest release, Spectrum, landed at No. 1 on the Billboard Jazz Charts.

 The Play That Goes Wrong, the hilarious Tony Award-winning hit Broadway comedy, will make its McCallum Theatre debut at 8:00pm, Tuesday, Jan. 21; and 2 and 8pm, Wednesday, Jan. 22. The evening performance on Wednesday, Jan. 22, is made possible through the generosity of Henry and Carol Levy. Co-written by Mischief Theatre company members Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, The Play That Goes Wrong is a riotous comedy about the theatre. The play introduces The 'Cornley University Drama Society,' which is attempting to put on a 1920s murder mystery, but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong a?? does, as the accident-prone thespians battle on against all odds to get to their final curtain call.

The McCallum Theatre welcomes back the legendary Itzhak Perlman, performing with longtime pianist Rohan De Silva, for An Evening With Itzhak Perlman at 7:00pm., Monday, January 20. The show is made possible through the generosity of Barbara Arnstein. In this 2019-20 season, Perlman is embarking on a debut tour of a new program entitled An Evening With Itzhak Perlman, which captures highlights of his career through narrative and multimedia elements, intertwined with performance. In addition to the McCallum, tour stops have included or will include Penn State, UC Santa Barbara, UC Davis the Mesa Arts Center, Artis-Naples and the State Theatre in New Jersey. 

The Peking Acrobats is a troupe of China's most gifted tumblers, contortionists, jugglers, cyclists, and gymnasts, complemented by live musicians playing traditional Chinese instruments. The McCallum Theatre is proud to welcome back The Peking Acrobats for a performance on Sunday, January 19, at 3:00 pm. Since their debut in 1986, The Peking Acrobats have redefined the perceptions of Chinese acrobatics with their amazing contortion, flexibility, and control.