Geoffrey Going, Confused but Promising at Vitello's

By: James Sims Nov. 10, 2008

REVIEW CONTRIBUTED BY: CAROLINE COBRIN

The fall season at Sterling's Upstairs at Vitello's heated up this past Saturday with a charismatic performance by Geoffrey Going.

Going guided us through a personal montage of moments from his father's birthday, who was sitting in the front row, to his "grandmother the Scorpio" who didn't come out for the show. Though poignant at moments, his monologue felt confused as he jumped from his own stories to convoluted examples of acting class pimp rings, and twisted family histories.

Goings song choices ranged from popular Broadway shows such as Avenue Q, Annie, and West Side Story to Buddy DeSylva and Frank Sinatra. He brought up a guest star, Colette Peters for the "Song That Goes Like This" a humorous duet from Monty Python's Spamalot, With Peters captivating energy the full house at Sterling's was delighted by the tangible camaraderie that the two shared.

Used to playing to large theatres Going seemed to struggle in toning down his voice to suit the intimate dinner club setting that is Sterling's Upstairs. The strength in his performance came through in his quiet and heartfelt songs such as "All The Way", "What More Can I Say", and "Everybody Says Don't". It was in these songs that the true strength of his voice came through in its subtle control and smooth sound. The most poignant moment of the night was Goings short a capella version of "Children Will Listen" from Into The Woods which he sang directly to his father. It was that moment that left me wishing he had done the entire show in that state of mind and sound.

Vitello's is located at 4349 Tujunga Ave. Studio City, CA 91604. Valet Parking is available. For additional information on Sterling's Upstairs, please visit the club's web site at: www.myspace.com/sterlingsupstairs. And for more information on Going, visit www.geoffreygoing.com.

Photo by Shandon Youngclaus.

Academy Award nominated actress, writer, director and producer Renée Taylor brings her award-winning autobiographical comedy MY LIFE ON A DIET, to Palm Springs’ PLAZA THEATRE on March 18th where she looks back on a life full of memorable roles in Hollywood and on Broadway, and just as many fad diets. A self-described “diet junkie” who used to think that if she ate like a star, she just might look and live like one, Renée dishes out juicy anecdotes and weight loss tips from Hollywood legends such as Joan Crawford, Marilyn Monroe, Barbra Streisand, and Grace Kelly. She also shares hilarious and poignant stories about Joseph Bologna, her partner in work and life for 52 years. I had the opportunity to catch up with Ms. Taylor to talk about her life and her upcoming Palm Springs outing. Here are a few excerpts from that conversation.

LOS ANGELES WOMEN'S THEATRE FESTIVAL Returns For 33rd Annual Event

The 33rd Annual Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival will take place March 26 through March 29 under the theme “The Strength We Carry.” The festival, which has presented nearly 700 multicultural and multidisciplinary solo performers since its founding, remains the longest-running annual solo festival for women in Los Angeles.

Videos


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		Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler The Old Globe (2/07-3/08)
		The Meowing Nuns Whitmore-Lindley Theatre Center (3/06-3/14) PHOTOS
		Ballybunion Backs Bill! Broadwater Main Stage (2/26-3/15) PHOTOS
		Failsafe The Broadwater (3/20-3/22) PHOTOS
		Shooting Star: A Rock and Roll Journey Through Cancer The Actors Company - Other Space Theater (2/26-3/08) PHOTOS
		Millennials Are Killing Musicals The Colony Theatre (4/30-5/17)
		Poe: Pulse and Pendulum The Counts Den (3/20-4/12) PHOTOS VIDEOS
		Brokentalkers, Bellow The Nimoy (3/20-3/21)
		Luciana Souza and Marcel Camargo, New Moon The Nimoy (4/25-4/25)
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