Monday, March 30, 2015

NTC brings Tevye’s village To Life with stellar cast and production

TEVYE CELEBRATES HIS 50 YEARS
WITH THE FIDDLER IN NOVATO CA.

September 22nd 2014 marked the 50th anniversary of the Broadway opening of Fiddler on the Roof at the Imperial Theatre.  Producer Hal Prince helped to bring out the best of Joseph Stein who wrote the book, Sheldon Harnick who wrote the lyrics, and Jerry Bock who composed the music.  Together, they helped to create one of the greatest musicals of our time.
Now playing through April 26, 2015, at Novato Theater Company, director Pat Nims challenges the audience to experience this iconic musical in a smaller space for such a large talented cast.
Jerome Robbins, who directed of the original 1964 Broadway production,  called upon his writing team, and playwright to add an opening song to introduce Tevye, his daughters, their suitor, the village of Anatevka, and the Russians under whose rule they lived. But it wasn’t just these people who were introduced in the context of “Tradition,” it was also the rudiments of Judaism.
Michael Walraven plays a satisfying Tevye by singing well, adapting to Pat Nims direction, and putting a sincere effort into surely one of the great musical roles. Walraven is close to his audience in this space and Tevye actually walks into the aisles for the iconic  “If I Were A Rich Man”.  Nims also keeps the Fiddler on stage for many of the main numbers - so well performed by Ashley Kimball.
One of the more successful performances comes from James Gregory as Motel Kamzoil, the tailor who is in love with Tzeitel, Tevye oldest daughter.  Mr. Gregory manages to be endearing, vulnerable, and yet captivating.  Tzeitel, played by Bouket Fingerhut also gives an authentic, terrific acting performance.  They brought a tear to my eye as they bubbled over with love during “Miracle of Miracles.”  Fiddler is a great show for young leads - the four love interests all for the most part have solos - Ben Knoll and Gena Madory as Perchick the young student and Hodel second eldest daughter, work well together.
The amazing Paula Gianetti, her self an Italian mom - is wonderful as the jewish mom and Tevye’s wife Golde. The enduring “Do You Love Me” is very well performed. Yente is well played by Amy Dietz and can be annoying yet still lovable.  All the classic songs from this 50 year old classic are all easy to recall and this company performed them all very well on such a small stage. “Tradition”, “To Life” and the wedding celebration all keep the spirit of larger productions. Yet at times Kate Kenyon choreography was a bit clumsy on such a small stage. When Nims expands the cast to fill the small house at the NTC - and the villagers fill the aisles - it's a powerful move to bring the show into the entire space.    
The most memorable part of the production happens during “The Dream.”  This song which tells the story of Tevye’s spooky nightmare really allows for costume designer Janice Deneau, set designer Mark Clark, and lighting designer Brigid Tillotson to get creative.  There are details in some of the costumes for this song that I noticed that add special meaning.
The orchestra, off stage, lead by music director Carl Oser and his five members including the Fiddler, are excellent.  Some other smaller roles I would like to mention include Patrick Barr as Lazar Wolf the butcher, John Griffin as Mordcha the innkeeper, Rhett Martino the Rabbi son, Sandi Rubay as Grandma Tzeitel and Nick Moore as the Russian Fyedka.
For fifty years Fiddler on the Roof has earned respect as one of the greatest musicals of all time.  Songs like “Sunrise, Sunset,” “Matchmaker,” and “If I Were a Rich Man,” will always be a “Tradition” in the American musical theatre. This production at NTC will sell fast so be sure to get your seats soon.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
Fridays and Saturdays: 8:00pm; Sundays: 2:00pm, March 27th - April 26
Adults $25, Seniors & Students $22, Youth $12, Members $19 -

online ticketing at www.novatotheatercompany.org;

call (415) 883-4498 for questions/information. Open Seating • Free Parking
Running Time: 2 hours 20 minutes with Intermission.
Photo’s by Mark Clark



Saturday, March 28, 2015

CONCERT VERSION OF "THE LAST FIVE YEARS" VISITS ACT GEARY STAGE

A FIVE YEAR RELATIONSHIP
WITH CATHY AND JAMIE


Adam Kantor and Betsy Wolfe, are the stars of the off-Broadway revival of Tony winner Jason Robert Brown's The Last Five Years, now at ACT - But as you read this the show has moved on - It was only here for three performances. The two leads  reunited for a concert presentation of the musical at the Geary stage. Performances were the weekend of March 28.
Kantor and Wolfe took on the roles of Jamie and Cathy in Jason Robert Brown's muscial back in 2013 at New York's Second Stage Theatre. The story follows the couple through their five-year relationship, with each character moving through time in opposite directions. The musical received its first off-Broadway production in 2002, featuring Norbert Leo Butz and Sherie Rene Scott and the film, with Jeremy Jordan and Anna Kendrick, was released in February 2015 and is easy to see on line.


I wish I could have felt that love on stage but “The Last Five Years” doesn't capture me as it does with most. Its a series nice emo show tunes that don’t add up to a satisfying stage experience. I think one needs more story about the original musical when is was a fresh experience back in 2002.
Cathy and Jamie musical arc traces their five years backwards. Its not easy to track unless we are aware of the relationship.  I did expect more duets, but there's only one in the middle of the story when they both pledge their love. The two then part ways speaking for much of the show on their own.
Mr. Brown’s songs move from light jazz to even Sondheim ish for a comic number about a Jewish tailor that Jamie sings to cheer up Cathy one Christmas.  One of the show’s most appealing passages is a series of scenes in which Cathy auditions — and auditions and auditions — for roles that she fails to get.
Because the two leads rarely  interact onstage, the musical takes on a he-said, she-said quality that can be frustrating.  The cast album and amateur and professional productions over the years the show has become a cult favorite for aspiring musical-theater performers, and many YouTube actors love to post song vids.


This concert version is very sparse - a small set of musicians on stage under the direction of James Sampliner. Mic stands and stools for the two leads. Between songs the two drink bottled water and hot tea. Betsy and Adam are very talented - and easily win over the fans of this musical.

The Last Five Years

Music & Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown
A musical in concert, starring Adam Kantor and Betsy Wolfe
Three performances only!
March 27, 8 p.m. & March 28, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
A.C.T.'s Geary Theater

Friday, March 27, 2015

JEWELS OF PARIS - The THRILLPEDDLERS Spring Fling

THE FAMILY JEWELS COME OUT - THRILLPEDDLERS NEW ROMP

IS A BLACK BOX GEM

“Jewels of Paris” is the new cabaret event extravaganza created and written by
Scrumbly Koldewyn and Russell Blackwood. Thrillpeddlers Company located under a downtown SF freeway, invokes poetic, comic and the dirty days of 1900s Paris. Yet its easy to see the subtext of the same era of the Barbary Coast here in San Francisco.

Thrillpeddlers has been reviving Cockettes musicals since 2009. Koldewyn was part of the original 60’s Cockettes company. This was my first visit to this hidden SF gem, its a bit eerie but a colorful black box.The space includes its own small boxed balcony and themed seating.  


The space brings you back to early Paris but also the Summer of Love and Alan Ginsberg. The glam-rock is classic and the talented cast brings Scrumbly songs to life. Director Russell Blackwood greets you at the door and remains your host through most of the two hours. The short songs and scenes are written by Rob Keefe, Alex Kinney, Scrumbly and Andy Wenger.

Bearded ladies and men, mix it up with the Paris celebs of that era, Gertrude Stein, Picasso and Hugo. The opening number “Everyone's a Genius in Paree today” says it all and sets the tone for the evening. The musical scenes are all well done and fun and the ballads strong. Yet no one in this company stands out as a great singer, they still bring a strong passion and comic fun to the show.  The nudity is more open in the second act and done well and both the male and female cast fit the roles.
Each sketch leads into each other as Pierrot the icon clown of French performance is the emcee. Played by the man of many hats Birdie-Bob who works closely with Scrumbly in creating these shows.

I can’t promise you that each of these sketches is funny, this is not SNL, or Heklina’s Golden Girls, but the glamor beads - brash in your face nudity, straps, chains, wiggs, hairspray, heels and cock rings is fresh and fun. Well I can’t say always fresh, if one thing is very parisian, its the scent of bodies slipping out of their leather and beads, and the mix of fresh popcorn.  Yes fresh popcorn at wine bar that greets you in the hallway cafe.
A favorite sketch of the night is CUPIDS FIRST FLIGHT written by Alex Kinney. It was very Cockettes, naughty yet innocent. Also the fun number “Come Eat Me, Eat Me, Eat Me” is better than a night at Trannyshack.
SCRUMBLY KOLDEWYN AND RUSSELL BLACKWOOD
Its great to see Scrumbly on the piano and as he climbs to his perch to play the synthesizer. The closing number is a highlight as the whole company, mostly nude, sings the closing “Genius - Finale” - The Jewels are out, this show is a perfect romp and a true San Francisco Gem.


THRILLPEDDLERS PRESENTS

“Jewels of Paris: A Revolutionary New Musical Revue”
At The Hypnodrome through
May 2nd, 2015. Thursday, Friday and Saturdays at 8pm
For further information, click here.
____________________________
presented by Thrillpeddlers. VIDEO CLIP FROM SHOW https://youtu.be/DBeD-UpL-uY
Original Music & Lyrics: Scrumbly Koldewyn. Additional Lyrics: Rob Keefe, Martin Worman, Alex Kinney.  Sketches: Rob Keefe, Alex Kinney, Scrumbly Koldewyn & Andy Wegner. Director: Russell Blackwood. Musical Direction: Scrumbly Koldewyn. Choreography: Noah Haydon. Scene Designer: James Blackwood. Costume Design: Tina Sogliuzzo & Birdie-Bob Watt. Lighting: Nicholas Torre.
Performers: Lisa McHenry, Christine Kim, Kim Larsen, Roxanne Redmeat, Bruna Palmeiro, Hayley Nystrom, Dee Nathaniel, Andrew Darling, Steven Satyricon, Michael Soldier, Andy Wegner, J Iness, Birdie-Bob Watt, Noah Haydon, Jack Crow, Scrumbly Koldewyn (accompanist), Russell Blackwood.




Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Shotgun Players opens their 24th season with the Brilliant Antigonick


Antigonick: A poetic slam of 

Sophocles' Antigone

Shotgun Players opens their 24th season with poet Anne Carson translation of ANTIGONICK. Her book is in an art book form, and Directors Mark Jackson and Hope Mohr - bring this Slam to life with a moving sound design by Theodore Hulsker, and physical dance movement by Mohr.




Carson's “slam” version of the story, gets a twist in Jackson and Mohrs’  staging, which goes through a very powerful movement experience and performance. There is a shoutout to Beckett  and repeated references to Hegel, and Virginia Woolf in Carson's script early on.

The set elegantly designed by Nina Ball. Parker also the dance captain of this cast, creates an amazing movement of story and subtext to Carson's work,  he is on stage as the audience enters and for most of the play which ultimately looks like a dossier of victims in a crime drama.

Antigone played by Rami Margron, is excellent - Both actors are double cast as the blind Teiresias and Eurydike and keep the outbursts, movement and sleek shine of the play at its best.  

Nina Balls set design is sparse. The lighting by Steve Buchner uses some defined projections that are spot on - always bright and moody. Most impressive is the sound design created by Hulsker - its ominous beat plows and steampunks the event on stage. The dance explodes with emotion and passion of Mohrs choreography.
The costuming designed by Christine Crook set a disjunctive mood of Antigonick.


Shotgun players opening for their 24th season in Berkeley Ca. is a sure hit and its a must that you try to get any remaining tickets left. This play pre sold well before it even opened.


ANTIGONICK!!!
Co-Directed by Mark Jackson and Hope Mohr.
Shotgun Players Production.
March 26th  - April 19, 2015
Tickets 5.00 to 30.00
Tickets >>https://shotgunplayers.org
Photos by Pak Han 

Saturday, March 21, 2015

DAME EDNA - "Farewell Final" Tour at SHN for six days only

AT 81 BARRY HUMPHRIE STILL ROCKS AS DAME EDNA
Barry is back as Edna, and at 81 he still commands his stage and loves those women in the front rows.  But possums Dame Edna calls this tour her final “last” tour as she has mentioned back in 2012. But as Cher and Streisand, she is back at SHN just a few days for this visit.
Dame Edna started her US career here in San Francisco after her friend Joan Rivers suggested to Humphries to take the show abroad. After a small tour first opening in SF - her first tour ended on Broadway and won her a Tony.
Barry Humphries created his alter ego in the 60’s and kept Edna on the go all these years, basically doing the same bit from TV talk show host
to Broadway fame.
This final bow is not much different from her past visits. She still loves to compare notes with the older little women in the front rows of her audience. Same topics “what kind of home do you own dear”, somehow that same question has lasted close to 40 years. It always makes for some good flow to keep her first act funny and mean. Edna still loves to bully her balcony audience for not spending more to see her show, it is always funny and yes mean.
If the Dame insults your attire to her show, that's worth gold for some who do their best to sit up front for the 15 seconds of Edna fame. But her format remains the same - she picks 4 women and 1 senior who she suggests “thinks he is on a senior cruise right now”.  She keeps up the conversation with all of them.

In act II she brings on stage an odd couple she creates and marries them, hoping their calls to home live on stage make for good shtick and it does. I have yet to see a night when someone doesn’t answer the phone. But if no answer Edna launches an amazing voice mail that includes the audience approval.
Dame Edna is worth a visit if you haven’t seen her show, and for those who have since the new bits only created by her enthusiastic audience is
worth the price.

Dame Edna’s Glorious Goodbye: The Farewell Tour
continues through Sunday, March 22 at the Orpheum Theatre, 1192 Market St., San Francisco. Tickets are $40-$210. 
Call 888-746-1799 or

Monday, March 16, 2015

Broadway by the Bay Celebrates its 50th with LES MISERABLES

Jean Valjean and Cosette
OPEN BBB's 50th SEASON
Its Grande - Impressive 
and not to be missed

The weekend of March 15th marked the 5th time in the past six months that I have had the pleasure to see a Bay Area Production of “Les Miserables”. All of them have been well produced and featured some of the SF Bay’s best talent.
Broadway by the Bay’s current production of “Les Miserables”  is the best version I have seen since seeing the national tour over 20 years ago. BBB celebrating its 50th year brings Victor Hugo’s epic tale to its Fox Theatre Venue in Redwood City. It is a superior space to present this musical and director Jasen Jeffrey brings some subtle class to this iconic story that you don’t see in other productions.
The cast is excellent. Adam S. Campbell as Jean Valjean has perfect tenor tones that bring tears to your eyes even before the first act ends. His nemesis Javert played by the powerful Anthony Bernal sets the tone from his first appearance that makes this 40 year chase breath-taken.
Jeffrey’s direction captures moments of this musical I have never noticed in the past. He also brings many new visual subtext to the story including using this three story set to bring many characters into view that the original staging did not feature. Watching the young Cosette, Allayna Slate, see her mothers death was very powerful. The other young actors in the show are well placed and its enjoyable to watch a crew of street kids follow Gavroche from scene to scene played so well by William Lipton.
Set designer, Kelly James Tigne, created a three story maze of texture for the 35 member cast to work within. - Paris of 1832 is highlighted with Erik Scanlons projections. The costumes are full of character an age by Kate Schroeder. The roaming moody lighting deep and is spot on by Michael Ramsaur. Sean Kana's musical direction and a keen orchestra recreates Claude-Michel Schonberg's score that never out stages the actors. Devon Larussa did the choreography, there is not much dancing in this musical, but the Innkeeper scene is very busy, and the iconic march in “One Day More” will make any LeMiz fan stand and cheer.
Since I have reviewed this musical a few times I don’t think I need to recap this classic tale.  I do want to single out many outstanding performances from this cast. Eponine, played by Erin Ashe, creates amazing passion in this role. Jason Rehklau as Marius makes a perfect lover for Cosette, played by Samantha Rose Cardenas. The young revolutionaries played by Matthew Thomas Provencal, Nate Rothrock, Dan Pias, Efrian Ibarra, Jesse Cortez, Dan Rubio and Lewis Rawlinson are all well cast and powerful singers. “The People’s Song” was a highlight.
All the classic banner songs were done very well, memorable are “On My Own”, “Who Am I” and the show stopping “One Day More”. Thenardier the innkeeper played by Joseph Hudelson and his wife played by Melissa Reinertson are excellent in “Master of the House”.  Jasen keeps this number busy with so much happening it is hard to focus on the number, but this part of the show is the first time the audience gets to laugh during the almost three hours of hard core pain and sorrow.
The barricades of the second act and the fight for freedom that is created by the death of so many, is very powerful and as the show ends its an overwhelming pleasure to see this cast all on stage for the close. The instant standing ovation I am sure is a standard for the BBB performances.
Since this was a first time for me at this venue, I want to recommend  Redwood City downtown is a perfect spot for dinner and a musical. Plenty of parking, Caltrain is a block away and the diners and restaurants are abundant and all look tasty.
The late posting of this review only gives the hearty Valjean fans one more weekend to see this event. Some tickets remain for the final performances. The show relocates to their Monterey Ca location on March 28th. Congrats to the entire production team and cast. Your nightly standing O’s are well deserved.
"Les Miserables" 
Fox Theatre, 2215 Broadway, Redwood City
8 p.m. Fridays and Saturday,
2 p.m. Sunday, 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday March 21
Through: March 22.
Also: March 28-April 5 at the Golden State Theatre, Monterey
Tickets: $47-$69; 650579-5565 or 

Sunday, March 15, 2015

ALAN TURING BROKE MANY CODES HIS STORY IS EXCEPTIONAL

The Enigma story, remained a secret for decades. 

BREAKING THE CODE is

 excellent and Alan Turing true story

 is a Code Breaker


In the fall of 2014 the semi Biofilm of Alan Turing was released called the IMITATION GAME. It received positive reviews and earned its lead Benedict Cumberbatch, an Oscar nomination. The play version BREAKING THE CODE explores the deeper sexuality in the man Turing. Originally played in 1986 by Derek Jacobi in the West End - the Tony winning play took London by storm. Now we get to enjoy this poignant story about a man who broke many taboo’s.


Hugh Whitemore’s play takes place during Turing’s life between 1929 and 1954 exploring his own battle hiding his sexuality and working for Churchill during WWII breaking the Nazi’s Enigma code. Churchill mentioned many times that his code discovery was the key to winning that war.



Theatre Rhinoceros company headed by artistic director John Fisher, who plays Turing, and also directed this superb theatre to bring this story to the Eureka stage in SF. The cast is wonderful and the 2 hour story is clearly as important today as it was in the late 80’s.

Alan Turing the father of commuter science and the centerpiece of the story in brilliantly performed by John Fisher - is a tour de force  on stage - playing Alan from his teen years to his final years in the 50’s. Fisher plays this man with a spark that Turing may have felt, he is impressive and on stage most of the two hours.


Patrick Ross plays the policeman, Mick Ross, who finally prosecutes Turing. From the outset his dark and suspicious side was a shade obvious, but not in a bad way. Fabel brings an undertone of sympathy and hope for a different outcome, but history won’t allow that and Fabel knows it.

Similarly Celia Maurice as Alan’s mother brings a loving softness to a character who must remain in the dark for far too long. Kirsten Peacock as the young woman who falls in love with Alan does a marvelous job walking a delicate line. She never goes overboard and she never goes below-decks either, but she manages a mighty mean center line throughout.


Peacock is also the assistant director, taking some of the pressure off Fisher. Heren Parel plays both of Turing’s lovers, a school-chum named Christopher Morcom and a young Greek named Nikos. He plays both of them beautifully, but simply, with honesty. Val Hendrickson plays the man Turing works for Dillwyn Knox, his mentor, and whom he respects. His scene in Act Two where he lectures the younger Alan on morals and mores was extremely well played.

As the young guy Ron Miller, who gets Alan in trouble and wins Turing’s love and trust in exchange for money is played by Justin Lucas who gives an excellent and truthful performance, he is a pro on stage. Michael DeMartini is cast as John Smith the mysterious man from the “Ministry”.
“Breaking the Code” was a best play in its day 1986, and it still registers strongly as an excellent play and Alan’s story now on the screen is finally being told to many more. Its important that you catch the final weeks of this short run.
Congrats to the cast and the amazing performance by the Rhino’s creative heart and soul Mr. John Fisher.

Breaking The Code by Hugh Whitemore
Directed by John Fisher
March 4 - 21, 2015 - Limited Engagement - 15 Performances Only!
Wed. - Sat. - 8:00 pm / Sat. Matinees - 3:00 pm Previews - Wed. – Sat. March. 4 - 6, 2015 (8 pm) / Sat. March 7, 2015 – 3:00 pm Opening Night - Sat. March 7, 2015 - 8:00 pm Eureka Theatre in SF
Photo’s by David Wilson