Review: Pink Lady Brings MAGICAL MUSICAL MATINEES to the Whitefire

On Thursday April 21, Prime Time Players presented their second of three Magical Musical Matinees at the Whitefire Theatre. It was a delightful show full of talented people 60 years young or older. There was dancing, singing and comedy all wrapped up with a pink bow in the name of Jackie Goldberg, the Pink Lady. Goldberg stands for Senior Star Power "Get Up, Get Out and Get a Life!" The talent in this show are prime examples of people who are still vital and full of performing glee.

"Pink" introduced Derrel Maury, a fine actor, singer and dancer himself, who served as MC. He introduced each act with panache and even managed to throw in a few jokes here and there. First up, and making two additional appearances were the Razzmatappers, a lively group of five women and one man, who proceeded to tap their behinds off to the music of "Puttin' On the Ritz" and "That's Entertainment". The group includes: Sandy Barry, Lee Olsen, Christine Fellinger, Linda Modell, BH Tagliani and Bob Kindseth. They were delightful and made two colorful costume changes. Most performers changed clothes when they reappeared. To me, this is a sign of true professionalism. Other highlights included: the dancing team of Susie Ewing and Joe Giamalva, who scored with "C'Mon and Dance with Me" and the contemp upbeat "Bang, bang!" Susie did a solo with "If They Could See Me Now" from Sweet Charity and Joe tapped to "42nd Street". They are both at the top of their form. What style and class!

Sandy Mack, who won last year's Senior Star Power Competition blew us away with her dynamic singing renditions of "On a Clear Day", "The Way We Were" and "Summertime". Her range is incredible! Another standout singer Butch Du Barri is known for his 'country' style and his own compositions. He entertained us with "Darlin', Let's Dance" and two other of his beautiful originals. What about a tenor for the bill? Nick Pietroforte scored with "Granada". Richard Fox, originally from the other side of the pond, performed a rousing combo of "The Best Is Yet to Come" and "Just In Time".

We always need a few laughs. Las Vegas entertainer Barbara Brighton after singing "This Could Be the Start of Something Big" came back to do a whole Joan Rivers segment which was hi...larious! She was right on target with Rivers' sharp wit and pungent jabs at sex and everything else that walks or crawls. The piece de resistance of the day was the appearance of comedian Steve Mittleman, known for his gigs at the Comedy Store as well as several appearances on both The Johnny Carson Tonight Show and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Of course, Mittleman attacks Jews and rabbis ferociously and does a great impersonation of Jack Benny. One of his best jokes was about a Hebrew school taught by nuns. What did they sing? "Oy Vey Maria". So not to confuse Easter with Passover, he pushed his love of the chocolate covered Rabbi! Brighton told a great little joke worth repeating about sex and social security. "Seniors get a little every month, but not enough to live on!" It was that kind of afternoon, with Derrel Maury winning with a handful of penis jokes.

Next show? Thursday May 19: Around the World in 90 Minutes. Make early reservations, as these shows sell out fast: call 310-617-2933 or email: pinklady7@earthlink.net