BABES IN ARMS AT 42nd Street Moon

LEE HARTGRAVE TONIGHT

 

BABES IN ARMS AT 42^nd STREET MOON

The large cast in this Original “Babes In Arms” production is just packed with showbiz musical talent. It’s an unparalleled era that we will never see again. Except of course on the stage.

The musical score is just fantastic. Here is just a sample of some of the great musical numbers in the show: “Where or When” -  “I Wish I were in Love Again” – “My funny Valentine” – “Johnny One-Note” – “The Lady is a Tramp” are just some of the great tunes in “Babes”.

I loved everything about this show. Michael Scott Wells plays the exuberant teen – that wants to put on a show in a Barn. He is just a delight, and certainly headed for stardom. He will be in another 42^nd Moon show later this season (Strike Up the Band.)

All of the actors show amazing charisma.  In fact, there is all over chemistry between all the actors. The solid talent really shines in “Babes”. 

I’m a sucker for song and dance numbers and there are plenty in the rousing musical. What a happy time it is when you get to watch this musical. You can almost smell Apple Pie baking in Mom’s kitchen. There actually was not a pie baking or a Mom’s kitchen – but I can imagine it.

The staging is just magnificent – and the dance numbers by Isaiah Boyd (Irving DeQuincy). He is a delight to watch (and an audience favorite) – and I might add – Brilliant!

You would not want to deprive yourself by not seeing this fresh, sweet, and bright show. ‘Come on, let’s put on a show!’ is the rallying call - for this amazing “Babes In Arms”.  As one of the actors said: “I’ve got to put on a something pure and free. I’ve got to put on a show!” And then he did.

THESE ACTORS MADE THIS ONE OF THE SMARTEST, SHARPEST, MUSICAL COMEDY I’VE SEEN IN AGES.

THERE NAMES: DANNY COZART – ANNIE DONAHEY – BEN EUPHRAT – ZAK FRANCZAK – JOSHUA JAMES – ALEXANDRA KAPRIELIAN – DIRK LEATHERMAN – SOPHIA ROSE MORRIS – CORINNE PROCTOR – TYNER RUSHING -  JOHATHAN SHUE – GABRIEL STEPHENS – MICHAEL SCOTT WELLS – ISIAH BOYD. 

AT THE 42^ND STREET MOON – EUREKA THEATRE

DIRECTED BY: DYAN McBRIDE (Stunning work)

RATING: FOUR GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!!! (highest rating) –trademarked-

(((Lee Hartgrave has contributed many articles to the San Francisco Chronicle Sunday Datebook and produced and hosted a long-running arts segment on PBS KQED)))

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LEE HARTGRAVE REVIEWS - GIANT BONES AT EXIT - "ASTONISHING!"

Pictured: Paul Rodriques 
and Chris Struett  
Oh, you Devils!




LEE HARTGRAVE REVIEWS
*Lee Hartgrave beyondchron.org staff writer

GIANT BONES – “STUNNING”

POP!  POW! WOW!
GIANT BONES  “BLEW ME AWAY”

Queens, Kings and all those things unfold like a mystery. Secrets are everywhere from the moment the play opens with a big giant that caresses a young man’s body. It’s like the “Wizard” in the Wizard of Oz. We only see hands behind a moon faced lit face with those comforting arms. What is the wisdom that this astonishing creature is passing out? Ah, but you can’t have everything just yet. There is more to this play within a play than even a Wizard can tell you all at once.

But, you will enjoy this meticulous and driving account about a Queen and King. Like a big windup clock that stops and starts you go down remarkable gripping and searing pathways. Who can a Queen trust? This is a question that you will try to figure out. But in this splendid specimen of the genre you will be led eagerly along this sly satire of celebrity, consumerism and High class and Lower class.

O.K before you get all wrapped up in tinsel – I will try to tell you the story. It’s about an acting troupe that travels from town to town to entertain. There is an evil Queen who wants the powers of the towns major Wizard. He agrees to teach her how to do a few tricks – but he forgot to mention that he has a sneaky way of giving her a reverse trick.

Later a King is looking for a consort. He gets one, but she is not exactly what he thought she was, even though her appearance strikes the King as a Godsend. They start negotiating details.

There are several stories/playlets told by a roaming troupe of actors. Ten Actors become many different characters that range from good guys to bad guys, magic and even a talking fish. It’s a pretty long play, especially the last act where they talk about making changes to the play. Maybe a little editing would help move it along. But that is a minor complaint. The cast of ten is astonishing. They are superbly absurd and watching them is a special pleasure. They are a blast of energy.

This World Premiere is based on the stories of Author - Peter S. Beagle.

THE STARRING ACTORS ARE: MIKKA BONE, SARA EVE BREINDEL, KATRINA BUSHNESS, WARDEN LAWLOR, RICK LOPES, KAI MORRISON, PAUL RODRIQUES, JESSICA RUDHOLM, JAY SMITH AND CHRIS STRUETT. Hey, how about putting their paw prints on the sidewalk outside the Exit? They deserve it!

THE OUTRAGEOUS AND FUNNY DIRECTOR IS STUART BOUSEL.

AT THE EXIT THEATRE THROUGH JUNE 19, 2010.

RATING: FOUR GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!!! (highest rating) – trademarked-

http://www.giantbonesplay.com./ 

(((Lee Hartgrave has contributed many articles to the San Francisco Chronicle Sunday Datebook section and produced a long-running Arts Segment on PBS KQED)))

METROPOLIS COURIER NEWS -- JULIA MIGENES THRILLED AUDIENCE

Julia Migenes is absolutely stunning in her show at the Rrazz Room in Downtown San Francisco. 

DAILY BRIEFS

You'll be thrilled as the Opera singer goes from Classic Pop to Opera. The Audience gave a standing ovation as they all joined together with a big "Wow!'

HOT GREEKS at Thrillpeddlers will keep you on the edge of your seat. 

This limited engagement is playing for only 17 performances. It's Greek football in fancy dress. The play with music is loosely based on Aristophane's Lysisrarta. It's delectable and amusing. Michael Phillis shows his 'hot cakes' in a dance scene with the Boys. It's like riding the rapids with Kathryn Hepburn. You won't want to miss this fascinating and irresistible show. It's 'Not to be missed' - trust me. 
At the Hippnodrome Theatre in San Francisco. 

Opening Saturday night at the Eureka Theatre will be a rare treat at the 42ndstreetmoon Theatre brings back Jerome Kern's "Very Warm for May." The opening night gala will be at 6pm. 

(((Lee Hartgrave has contributed many articles to the San Francisco Chronicle Sunday Datebook and Hosted and Produced a long-running Arts Segment on PBS KQED)))

Daily Briefs is brought to you by www.beyondchron.org. 

Also visit forallevents.leehartgrave.blogspot.com. 

POST HERALD "ALL THE NEWS THAT FITS"

Buzzin – Lee Hartgrave

SHE STOOPS TO COMEDY BEND OVER – YOU’RE NEXT! FOR LAUGHS THAT IS!

This play is a whirlwind of observations of Theater, Theater folk and links to comedies of the past like “As You Like it.” This is an exhausting play. Not for the audience – they were thrilled – but for the actors. It takes a really experienced bunch of actors to tackle this intricate play. And in this case – we are lucky, cause you could hardly wish for a better cast.

Here a little peek at the story. Alexandra Page (Liam Vincent – “Triumphant!”) is a Lesbian actress. Her career has careened and she is looking for a way to bring herself back into the spotlight. She decides to dress as a man and audition for the role of ‘Orlando’. Page also just broke up with her live-in girlfriend who he discovers is auditioning for the same play that he his. Did he plan this? You’ll find out.

This high-voltage play is more than challenging. The actress (Amy Resnick –Scintillating!”) plays two roles – one a Lighting Designer and the Other a vain, pretentious actress, who seems to be so fragile that she might faint at any moment. Her big scene is when she is on the edge of the bed, moving from one side of the bed to the other and changing her persona. One talking head is very ‘Butch’ – the other is the glamorous Diva who reminds of Vivian Leigh in “Streetcar Named Desire.” Or Norma Desmond in “Sunset Boulevard.”

As Alexandria says: “The world’s a f%*king Drag Show.” Here’s another Alexandria spark: “Talk about chewing the scenery. I’ve seen her use a curtain rod for a toothpick!” Theater people are so kind to each other. At least to their face.

Alexandria gets ready to audition for the role of “Orlando” by pasting hairs on her/his arms. He quips “They once belonged to Laurence Olivier.”

This is an intellectual Roller Coaster ride that is thought-provoking. There will be times that you will get lost. As the dialogue switches from auditioning, to real conversation, the lines between actors and characters blur. Are they on the stage or off the stage? What’s real and who’s gay or who is not? Stay tuned. You will figure it all out as you BEND over with laughter. It’s nutty delirious fun! This is Theatre at its most vibrant!

Also fantastic and unforgettable are Sally Clawson, Cole Alexander Smith, Carly Cioffi and Scott Capurro (who does an amazing Monologue) it’s better than a stimulus package!

EXTRA: Another Great set from the Talented Mr. English. Kurt Landisman works those lights like a Grand Piano and the Costumes by Valera Coble were drag-a-lecious!

And of course, without the incendiary directing by Mark Rucker this play would not be as compelling and faultless as it is.

RATING: FOUR GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!!! (highest rating!) –trademarked-

AT THE SF PLAYHOUSE

(((Lee Hartgrave has contributed to the San Francisco Chronicle Sunday Datebook Section and produced a long-running Arts Segment on PBS KQED)))

ALSO MONITOR LEE HARTGRAVE AT: http://www.twitter.com/famereporter

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http://www.beyondchron.org/