David Green - Page 24

Dezart Performs' eighth season of innovative theatrical works in the Coachella Valley opens on November 13, 2015, and it will be the dynamic performing arts group's biggest and best ever, promises Artistic Director Michael Shaw. What makes the 2015/2016 season so special is that not just two, but three provocative plays will be produced on Dezart Performs' home stage at the Pearl McManus Theater (in the historic Palm Springs Woman's Club)-one of them a World Premiere. In addition, the immensely popular, celebrity-studded benefit gala, "On The Air! An Evening of Radio Show Classics," will return to The Camelot Theatres for one night only on March 17, 2016.

Dezart Performs' award winning production of 'Invasion of Privacy' will be produced in Florida June 18-15 in the 606-seat Fine Arts Hall at Santa Fe College in Gainesville. Dezart presented the West Coast Premiere of the thought-provoking drama by Larry Parr, about a painful and dramatic episode in the life of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, 'The Yearling.' The drama is set in Florida's 'alligator country,' where Rawlins had settled after her novel's enormous success, and not far from where playwright Parr lives and works today. And now, after its huge success in California, 'Invasion of Privacy' heads to Florida, taking part of the Dezart Performs production with it.

Lindsey Alley brings her acclaimed one woman show to The COPA Palm Springs for two performances, January 16 and 17, at 8:00 pm. Lindsey has been performing in theatre, television and film since the age of six. In 1989, Lindsey was cast as a Mouseketeer on the Disney Channel's All New Mickey Mouse Club, performing alongside Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Ryan Gosling and Keri Russell. She was one of only three cast members to appear in the pilot and all seven seasons of the show. On Broadway, Lindsey covered the role of Older Helen in Hollywood Arms (written by Carol Burnett and directed by Harold Prince). In 2006, her one-woman show, Look Ma...No Ears ran for six weeks at the Laurie Beechman Theatre in New York City. I had the chance to catch up with Lindsey, on her lunch break from rehearsals for the Broadway bound FIRST WIVES CLUB, as she was preparing for her Palm Springs weekend. Here are a few excerpts from that conversation.

In a much heralded return engagement, The COPA Palm Spings presents Chicago music and comedy legends Amy Armstrong and Freddy Allen for two performances, December 27 at 8:00 pm and December 28 at 7:30 pm in very special holiday show. Amy and Freddy have graced the stages coast-to-coast, in venues both large and small, and in over 20 countries with their one-of-a-kind wit and musical prowess. They have had the pleasure of opening and sharing the spotlight with Kathy Griffin, Mary Wilson and the Supremes, Phyllis Diller, Bea Arthur, Jennifer Holiday andJudy Gold, to name a few. In 2009, Amy & Freddy were featured on national television on Entertainment Tonight as part of their work with the NBC reality show 'America's Got Talent. They are also the proud multi-recipients of both the Gay Chicago Magazine 'After Dark' and Chicago Free Press 'Pressie' awards. I had the chance to chat with Amy and Freddy prior to their sell-out July performances at The Copa and I thought is was worth sharing again - here are a few excerpts from that conversation:

Stage, television and film chaunteuse Nita Whitaker brings a very special holiday show to the COPA Palm Springs for one night only - December 20 at 8:00 pm. The former Miss Louisiana and Hall of Fame Star Search Grand Champion Winner has shared the stage with the likes of Barbra Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bolton, Patti Austin, Broadway legend Ben Vereen, Josh Groban, Michael Buble' and Chris Botti, to name a few. She recently penned her first award winning memoir titled, 'Finding My Voice: My Journey through Grief to Grace' and produced her newest CD release just in time for the holidays. I had the chance to chat with Ms. Whitaker as she was preparing for her holiday concert at The Copa. Here are a few excerpts from that conversation:

Move Over Radio City! Stand aside all you Las Vegas Production Shows!! Live It Up Productions' ROCKIN THE HOLIDAYS, playing now through December 28 at the JW Marriott Desert Breezes in Palm Desert, is the DEFINITIVE holiday extravaganza - and well worth the drive in from San Diego, Los Angeles and all points between. The multi-talented cast of twelve singers and dancers (many Broadway veterans) deliver one of the finest holiday production shows I have seen in two decades and, believe me, I have seen my share. It is technical perfection as well - truly a visual feast for the eyes.

If you've been secretly praying for a good old fashioned love story wrapped up in a delicious Cole Porter score, dazzling costumes, highly polished performances and slick, high-energy production numbers then the current national touring production of ANYTHING GOES, which is docked at The McCallum Theatre for the Thanksgiving weekend, is the answer to your prayers. This most recent revival of the high-spirited musical farce (originally produced in 1934) is first class all the way.

Winner of three 2011 Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival, ANYTHING GOES sails into the McCallum just in time for the holiday weekend, November 28 through 30. Cole Porter's most popular musical comedy features one of Broadway's most memorable scores including such classics as 'I Get A Kick Out Of You', 'Friendship', 'It's De-Lovely' and the title song, 'Anything Goes'. The successful 2011 revival was produced by Roundabout Theatre, directed by Kathleen Marshall, and also garnered a Tony Award for lead actress Sutton Foster in the role of Reno Sweeney, originated in 1934 by Ethel Merman and played over the years by the likes of Patti LuPone and Elaine Paige. I had the opportunity to speak with the current Reno Sweeney, Emma Stratton, as she was winging her way to the Southern California for the West Coast leg of the national tour. Here are a few excerpts from that conversation:

The Annenberg Theatre kicked off its' starry 2014-2015 Cabaret Season with four of Broadway's most celebrated leading ladies - Donna McKechnie, Andrea McArdle, Maureen McGovern and Randy Graff - in an unforgettable evening of song and story to a "standing room only" crowd dotted with several other Broadway luminaries including Carol Channing, Kaye Ballard and composer David Zippel. Under the masterful musical direction of John McDaniel, this quintessential quartet delivered well beyond my already high expectations and to say the evening was "memorable" would be nothing short of an understatement.

The self described "Love Goddess" and "Aphrodite Of The Accordion", Judy Tenuta, brings her no-holds-barred comedy to The Copa Palm Springs for two "sure to sell out" performances, November 21 and 22 at 8:00 pm. Tenuta has made hundreds of guest and co-hosting appearances on such popular television shows as "The View," "Late Night With David Letterman," "Larry King Live," "Entertainment Tonight," and "Comics Unleashed." Her stand-up specials have aired on Showtime, HBO, and Lifetime. Judy was featured as the national spokesperson for a series of Diet Dr. Pepper commercials. She is a two-time Grammy Award Nominee, was the first female stand-up comic to win "Best Female Comedian" at the American Comedy Awards, and has appeared in theatrical productions ranging from "The Vagina Monologues" to "Menopause The Musical." I had the chance to chat with Ms. Tenuta about her upcoming "Birthday Bash" at The Copa and more … and I couldn't stop laughing for my thirty minutes or so with this brilliant and delightful lady … here are a few excerpts from that conversation:

The McCallum Theatre presents 'The New Christy Minstrels', with special guest star Barry McGuire for one very special performance, Sunday, November 16, at 3:00pm, Founded by Randy Sparks in 1961, the group's 1962 debut album, 'Presenting the New Christy Minstrels', won a Grammy, remained on the Billboard charts for two years, and scored a hit with 'This Land Is Your Land'. Their 1963 album 'Ramblin' was highlighted by the single 'Green, Green' which climbed the charts and became a hit single. In 2006, the California State Legislature honored The New Christy Minstrels with resolutions from both the Senate and Assembly. Randy Sparks was recognized for his fifty years in the recording industry, and the group was honored for their contributions to the music industry. In 2009, a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars was dedicated to Randy Sparks and The New Christy Minstrels. I had the chance to chat with founder, Randy Sparks, about their upcoming return to The McCallum Theatre and a bit for the history of The New Christy Minstrels. Here are a few excerpts from that conversation:

You'll get no argument from me: Cheyenne Jackson is a powerhouse vocalist and his charismatic quotient is off the charts. It is easy to gush about his vocal prowess, his versatility as a singer and his movie star magnetism. He is a consummate crooner with a vocal ease that is equally adept at the Broadway, standard and pop/contemporary songbooks. So, why did his recent performance at The McCallum Theatre seem so uneven and why did it leave me and, upon eavesdropping on 'after-show lobby conversations', a myriad of other patrons feeling lukewarm?

The McCallum Theatre presents BalletBoyz - the TALENT, for one incredible performance, tonight ar 8:00 pm. BalletBoyz has established itself as one of the most original and innovative forces in modern dance: revolutionizing traditional programming formats, commissioning new work, collaborating with a wide range of cutting-edge talents and building a big following through their work on BBC television. Founded by Michael Nunn and William Trevitt, BalletBoyz has won numerous awards and nominations including an Olivier Award, two South Bank Show nominations as well as a Rose d'Or, International Emmy and Golden Prague Grand Prix for their television work. The company has performed throughout the UK and internationally and has in its repertoire approximately 35 works, of which more than 30 are original commissions. I had the opportunity to steal company member Marc Galvez away from rehearsal for a brief chat - here are a few excerpts from that conversation.

Del Shores has established himself as one of America's top playwrights and screenwriters with a string of critical and cult hits including the award winning plays 'Daddy's Dyin' (Who's Got The Will)' - a subsequent hit film version starred Beau Bridges and Beverly D'Angelo - 'The Trials And Tribulations Of A Trailer Trash Housewife', 'Southern Baptist Sissies' and the critically acclaimed 'Yellow'. He is best known for his play 'Sordid Lives' which has spawned over 300 additional stage productions, a feature film, and a successful television series for LOGO which starred Olivia Newton John, Rue McClanahan and Leslie Jordan. The Los Angeles Times has called him 'a master of Texas comedy'. Shores brings the most recent iteration of his one-man-show, MY SORDID BEST, to The Copa Palm Springs for two performances, tonight and tomorrow night, at 7:30 pm. I had the chance to chat with Mr. Shores about his upcoming Palm Springs show and, well, his Sordid Life in general. Here are a few excerpts from that conversation.

Grammy-winning Chanteuse and Comedienne, Lady Rizo, appears for one 'standing room only' performance at The Copa palm Springs on November 1 at 8:00 pm. The cult entertainer New York magazine hails as a 'Cabaret Superstar' has made her mark creating vintage arrangements & theatrical explorations of pop songs from every decade. Lady Rizo (nee Amelia Zirin-Brown) co-created the cult caburlesque spectacular Lady Rizo & the Assettes in 2005.In January 2010 she won her first Grammy on a duet with acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma that was released on a Holiday album featuring Diana Krall, James Taylor and Alison Krauss among others. She also sings and records with multi-platnum recording artist Moby and was nominated for an MVPA for the choreography the video for the single New York, New York featuring Debbie Harry. I had the cahncr to chat with Lady Rizo about her upcoming performance at The Copa and more. Here are a few highlights form that conversation:

It is always great when a theatrical event meets your expectations. It is even better when it exceeds them. TOP ROCK at The Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs did just that. Live It Up Production's TOP ROCK rivals the best production show on the Las Vegas strip with a tremendously talented and charismatic cast of triple threats, expert staging, superb vocal arrangements and strong production values at every turn. TOP ROCK runs every Friday and Saturday through September at 8:00 pm and is a definitive 'must see' for your Palm Springs weekend.

The Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre (CVRep) will follow up LOVE, LAUGHTER AND LUNACY with another exciting cabaret offering - HE LOVES AND SHE LOVES, starring Erica and Brent Schindele, this weekend, August 9 and 10.

The COPA PALM SPRINGS presents Chicago, music and comedy legends Amy Armstrong and Freddy Allen for two performances, July 18 and 19 at 8:00 pm. Amy and Freddy have graced the stages coast-to-coast, both large and small, and in over 20 countries with their one-of-a-kind wit and musical prowess. They have had the pleasure of opening and sharing the spotlight with some familiar (and some not so familiar) names including Kathy Griffin, Mary Wilson and the Supremes, Phyllis Diller, Bea Arthur, Jennifer Holiday and Judy Gold to name a few. In 2009, Amy & Freddy were featured on national television on Entertainment Tonight as part of their work with the NBC reality show "America's Got Talent. They are also the proud multi-recipients of both the Gay Chicago Magazine "After Dark" and Chicago Free Press "Pressie" awards. I had the chance to chat with Amy and Freddy about their upcoming engagement at THE COPA and more - here are a few excerpts from that conversation:

The Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre (CVRep) will follow up LOVE, LAUGHTER AND LUNACY with two more exciting cabaret offerings - BUBBLEGUM's ANONYMOUS - CHEW ON THIS!, a tribute to the music of the 50's, 60's and 70's starring Gilmore Rixxo, this weekend, July 18-20, and HE LOVES AND SHE LOVES, starring Erica and Brent Schindele, August 9 and 10.

Stand-up comedian and best-selling author Jen Kirkman brings her irreverent wit to Copa Palm Springs for one very special performance on June 28 at 8 pm. Jen is currently a writer and regular round table guest on 'Chelsea Lately', one of the stars of the hit-spin-off 'mockumentary' show 'After Lately', .and the author of the book, 'I Can Barely Take Care of Myself,' which became an instant New York Times Bestseller when it was released in April 2013.