Don Grigware - Page 80

Pre-millenium American dreams got quickly dashed on 9/11/01, but even long before that, back to before the 80s when Howard Korder wrote Boys' Life, hopes/dreams never really sustained teenagers or college-age youth. There has always been confusion about identity - what constitutes happiness as a man and as a woman, and young men, in particular, have sought the escape hatch so as not to confront the issue of growing up. Korder really digs into the pysche of three guys who have been lifelong friends in this play which is given a superlative representation at Crown City Theatre.

Popular KNBC meteorologist/funny man Fritz Coleman brings his new show An Evening with Fritz Coleman/On the Fritz to the El Portal Theatre in NoHo August 19-22 only. Coleman certainly needs no introduction to Angelenos as he has been reporting the weather three times daily in his own inimitable style for the past 27 years on Channel 4. In our talk, he discusses the new show, his roots, his favorite comics and even explains a little about the whys of the fantastic summer weather we've been experiencing.

Based on the rat pack film of the 60s of the same title with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Peter Lawford, Robin & the 7 Hoods is now a classy, sassy, jazzy musical, set in the early 60s... with all the glorious old standards by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen, and helmed by the ingenious Casey Nicholaw, whose staging and choreography send it soaring. There is something to please everyone: an engagingly upbeat gangster storyline, that includes not one but two love scenarios, the aforementioned sensational music and dance, and a fabulous dream cast that infuse the whole proceedings with a winning team spirit.

At first glance, this Walk is a heavily dramatic discussion between a savvy Russian diplomat Andrey (Larry Eisenberg) and a novice, yet sharp American negotiator John (Fox Carney), who meet in Switzerland to develop a treaty for nuclear disarmament. Seemingly heavy drama! However, as the piece progresses, during the course of their walk in the woods - to break the monotony of the indoor table talks - the beauty of the outdoors, the clean air, and the less stressful ambiance lead toward an unexpected alliance between the two men. A sort of friendship develops, as it were, that, as in life, plays out in gamelike fashion with a conflicting mix of ups and downs. No room for boredom here, as a fair amount of levity ensues.

There's only one mystery writer, in my book, who has managed to capture and enthrall the hearts of millions through the past century, the one and only Agatha Christie. Her plays, like the longest running play on the West End The Mousetrap as well as this early hit Black Coffee, not only keep audience on the edge of their seats, guessing whodunit, but are as entertaining and fun as all get out, particularly when led by the devilishly fun Miss Marple, or in this case, the unparalleled Hercule Poirot. Theatre 4o's handsome production of Black Coffee is a real treat with a stellar ensemble.

I revert to childhood when I see a Mel Brooks movie or show. The sillier the better: the sight gags, the double entendres, the more the merrier. The New Mel Brooks Musical, Young Frankenstein is a real rip-roaring hoot of a show from start to finish with a great cast and zippy fast-paced direction from Susan Stroman.

Del Shores' plays are unusual, and simultaneously funny and heartbreaking. Yellow has been extended again at the Coast Playhouse through September. In our chat he talks about the genesis of his plays including Yellow and a bit about the sad demise of the Logo Series Sordid Lives.

Michele Lee brought her acclaimed night club act Catch the Light to the California International Theatre Festival @ Founder's Hall in Calabasas for one night only Saturday July 24. Although suffering from a bout of laryngitis, Lee proved the consummate trouper, doing about half of her show and substituting a few other songs to suit the lower registers of her voice. Lending a helping hand was Festival Director actress/singer Linda Purl who sang 2 sets of tunes, thus giving Lee some rest time in the wings. Ah, the unpredictability of live theatre! Sometimes it's wondrous.

Once upon a time...Rodgers and Hammerstein took a simple fairytale and made it into a captivating musical. Cabrillo Music Theatre's lovely production of their now classic Cinderella has all the right ingredients to enthrall audiences of all ages that can truthfully answer the question 'Do You Love Me Because I'm Beautiful?' with a resounding YES!

Described as a mix of Cirque and French cabaret, Beyond has music -songs and a lot of dance, aerial acts, a contortionist, beautiful girls, well-toned handsome boys and many added surprises to please the senses. Conceived by Aurelien Roulin as an international type of variety cabaret, its prime goal is to entertain - and that it does quite copiously.

Some shows I can see again and again, especially if they're composed by Jerry Herman. Hello Dolly is one of those extra-special feel-good musicals and 3D Theatricals' production now in Santa Ana @ The OC Pavilion is wondrously delectable.

Brave, gutsy, passionate to volcanic proportions, singer/actress extraordinaire Natalie Toro brought her new cabaret show The Broken Road to the Inner Circle of the Magic Castle on Monday July 12 for one night only. She captured the focus of the wall-to-wall audience with her opening number 'Life of the Party' from Andrew Lippa's 'The Wild Party' and never lost control. Fiercely funny and fearless in her entire approach, Toro covered her career on the road - cruel and lonely - with an infectious sense of humor. Any actress who can share her negative reviews - actually read them aloud - has my respect and adoration. That takes courage with a capital C and Toro has it in spades.

There's only one mystery writer, in my book, who has managed to capture and enthrall the hearts of millions through the past century, the one and only Agatha Christie. Her plays, like the longest running play on the West End The Mousetrap as well as this early hit Black Coffee, not only keep audience on the edge of their seats, guessing whodunit, but are as entertaining and fun as all get out, particularly when led by the devilishly fun Miss Marple, or in this case, the unparalleled Hercule Poirot. Theatre 4o's handsome production of Black Coffee is a real treat with a stellar ensemble.

Raquel_Sandler_a_Hit_Sterlings_20010101 One of the top five finalists in LA's Next Great Stage Star 2010 Raquel Sandler successfully premiered her cabaret gig @ Sterling's Upstairs @ Vitello's Sunday July 11 to a packed house. This outstanding singer/character actress picked tunes that not only show off her tremendous range as a vocalist but as comic actress as well.

Cumming's impish charm is undiminished. The show was 15 minutes shorter, with 12 songs instead of 15. The best anecdotes are still in, like Ann Miller's obscene comment about Eyes Wide Shut, and there are a few new ones, like about his 45th birthday tupperware party and the hilarious saga of his participation in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2009, but the banter is still fresh and spontaneous and typically Cumming-esque. 7 songs remain from the CD I Bought a Blue Car Today and a couple of new songs have been added. I especially loved the medley of Bacharach and Sondheim - 'I Still Have That Other Girl'/'Losing My Mind' that do work beautifully together, the original song 'I Want To See You' - take away all that plastic surgery! - written by Cumming and Lance Horne, and Horne's satirical tune about what it means to be 'American'. Cumming with a G, not Cummings with an S - is as precious as ever. I overheard someone say 'I just want to take him home with me!' I can just imagine how his deliciously quick-witted brain would react to that comment! He's one unique individual that makes a show forever fascinating, always gutsy and real and totally entertaining!

Life Could Be a Dream @ the Laguna Playhouse, which opened Saturday July 10 with its original cast in tact and the very same creative dream team, is even stronger on a bigger stage. Opening it up for the Moulton Theatre in Laguna has not diminished one grain of its vibrant electricity. In fact, it's readier than ever for the lights of New York! Doug Carpenter, Daniel Tatar, Jessica Keenan Wynn, Jim Holdridge and Ryan Castellino are simply sensational with Roger Bean's stellar direction and Lee Martino's brilliant choreography that make it rock. One song 'The Great Pretender' has been cut and instead of 'Unchained Melody' reprised at the finale, it's now 'Life Could Be a Dream', which, as the show's title, makes much more sense! Bravo! Brava!

Thurgood /by George Stevens, Jr./ directed by Leonard Foglia /Geffen Playhouse /through August 8

Actor, producer, director Aurelien Roulin is an opinionated Frenchman, to be sure, but also a very talented one. His Beyond plays the El Portal mainstage through August 1. In our interview, he tells us how it all came into being. He also shares his thoughts about certain aspects of American versus French culture.