David Green - Page 34

nternationally renowned singer/performer Debby Boone returns 'by popular demand' to Vicki's of Santa Fe in Indian Wells on Sunday, June 3 from 2:00 -5:00 pm to bring down the curtain on another highly acclaimed season of The Sunday Jazz Series. This is Ms. Boone's fourth sell-out appearance at Vicki's of Santa Fe. For this performance she will be backed by an all star band of Andy Langham on Piano, Allen Goodman on Drums, Jeff Jarvis on Trumpet, Gene "Cip" Cipriano on Saxophone, Woodwinds and Flute, Les Benedict on Trombone and Larry Holloway on Bass. Debby Boone earned instant fame when her first single, "You Light Up My Life", was an overnight hit. The tune claimed the #1 spot on the Billboard charts for 10 straight weeks and sold in excess of four million copies. "You Light Up My Life" ranks # 7 in Billboard Magazine's The Hot 100's All-Time Top-Charting Songs of the last five decades.

The McCallum Theatre Institute, the Education Division of the McCallum Theatre, has announced the winners of the 14th Annual Open Call Talent Competition held on Thursday, April 26th - Saturday, April 28th. This year's twenty-two finalists were selected from one hundred eighty-one submissions. The cast of eighty-nine local artists were provided the opportunity to work with and receive guidance from a professional artistic and production team and perform on the McCallum Theatre stage in four performances for over 4,000 audience members.

The McCallum Theatre, the Coachella Valley's premiere theatrical venue, celebrates its 25th Anniversary Season with a star-studded lineup of Classical Music, Jazz, Cabaret, Comedy and a Broadway Blockbuster Series which includes Rock of Ages, Dreamgirls and West Side Story. The McCallum Theatre opened its doors on January 2, 1988 with a gala performance honoring Bob Hope that was nationally televised. Since then The McCallum has been the Coachella Valley's mecca for world-class entertainment including an extensive array of Broadway and Cabaret offerings. The man behind the tremendous success of the McCallum's eclectic performance calendar for the past thirteen years is Mitch Gershenfeld, Director of Presentations and Theatre Operations, who will take the helm as the theatre's President and CEO beginning June 1. I had the opportunity to sit down with Mr. Gershenfeld as he begins preparations for The McCallum's exciting Silver Anniversary Season. Gershenfeld is warm, passionate, highly astute, a performing arts afficionado and a genuinely kind man. Here are a few highlights from that conversation.

The McCallum Theatre, the Coachella Valley's premiere theatrical venue, will celebrate its 25th Anniversary Season with a star-studded lineup of Classical Music, Jazz, Cabaret, Comedy and a Broadway Blockbuster Series which includes Rock of Ages, Dreamgirls and West Side Story. The season kicks off on August 31 with comedy legend Steve Martin joined by the Grammy nominated Steep Canyon Rangers. This wonderfully eclectic season also includes Pink Martini, Howie Mandell, Barbara Cook, Michael Feinstein, Elaine Page and Yo-Yo Ma, to name a few.

Last night The Annenberg Theatre played host to Chris Isaacson's Upright Cabaret and the latest installment of his American Icon Series, RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT, which plays tribute to the Latin pop-rock music made famous by Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin, Santana and more. There were many things to love about this upscale Cabaret production! To start - the incredible talents of three of Broadway and Television's hottest talents - Lesli Margherita, Rogelio Douglas Jr. and Lexi Lawson. I have played audience to each of the three of them as they starred in various theatrical productions and it was a pleasure to share the evening with them in this unique genre. Since there is a bit of criticism to follow, let me start by saying I am a big fan of Upright Cabaret and would urge you to go to any of their productions at a venue near you. Fortunately for those near La Mirada, Thousand Oaks or Hollywood, you still have the chance to see this high quality production. And, if you don't have tickets yet I would say find a way to get them! There are many theatrical events in Southern California that promise an evening worthy of your time and your hard earned money --- Upright Cabaret delivers!

The Annenberg Theatre presents Upright Cabaret's RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT tonight, April 27 at 8:00 pm. RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT is the third installment of Upright Cabaret's "American Icon" Series and will star Olivier Award-Winner Lesli Margherita, Lexi Lawson (Rent, In The Heights)) and Rogelio Douglas Jr. (In The Heights, The Little Mermaid)). I had the chance to chat for a few minutes with Rogelio Douglas Jr. He was NOT at a loss for words!! Here are a few highlights from that interview.

The Annenberg Theatre will present Upright Cabaret's RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT tonight April 27 at 8:00 pm. RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT is the third installment of Upright Cabaret's "American Icon" Series and will star Olivier Award-Winner Lesli Margherita, Lexi Lawson (Rent, In The Heights)) and Rogelio Douglas Jr. (In The Heights, The Little Mermaid)). This high energy, multi-media Cabaret celebrates the music of Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan and Santana and features pop favorites such as Livin' La Vida Loca, Shake Your Bon-Bon, Rhythm Is Gonna Get You, Anything for You, Smooth, Let It Shine, and more, performed live with the Upright Cabaret band!

The Annenberg Theatre will present Upright Cabaret's RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT on April 27 at 8:00 pm. RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT is the third installment of Upright Cabaret's "American Icon" Series and will star Olivier Award-Winner Lesli Margherita, Lexi Lawson (Rent, In The Heights)) and Rogelio Douglas Jr. (In The Heights, The Little Mermaid)). I had the chance to chat for a few minutes with Rogelio Douglas Jr. He was NOT at a loss for words!! Here are a few highlights from that interview.

A Fluid Movement Shakespeare Troupe brings one of the Bard's best loved and most produced works, MACBETH, to The Annenberg Theater for three performances, April 20 - 22. This is the fist time in years that The Annenberg Theatre, uniquely located within The Palm Springs Art Museum, has played home to Shakespeare. Theater Manager Dave Simpson says 'the museum believes Shakespeare and the classics are well suited to a museum theater and we are very interested in seeing how the public responds to classical theatre on our stage.'

Multiple Academy Award winner Stephen Schwartz will be honored with The Desert Ensemble Theatre Company's inaugural Melpomai Award at "When You Believe: A Conversation With and Tribute To Stephen Schwartz" May 19 at 8:00 pm at The Annenberg Theatre. The event will feature a conversation with Schwartz as well as performances of his stage and movie musical hits performed by Tony nominated Andrea McCardle, Kate Flannery (NBC's "The Office") and more.

The Annenberg Theatre will present Upright Cabaret's RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT on April 27 at 8:00 pm. RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT is the third installment of Upright Cabaret's "American Icon" Series and will star Olivier Award-Winner Lesli Margherita, Lexi Lawson (Rent, In The Heights)) and Rogelio Douglas Jr. (In The Heights, The Little Mermaid)). This high energy, multi-media Cabaret celebrates the music of Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan and Santana and features pop favorites such as Livin' La Vida Loca, Shake Your Bon-Bon, Rhythm Is Gonna Get You, Anything for You, Smooth, Let It Shine, and more, performed live with the Upright Cabaret band!

The Palm Springs Art Museum's Artists Council will be holding its annual 99 Bucks art sale fundraiser on Saturday, April 21, 2012, at 4:30 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel Zoso in downtown Palm Springs. This event features free admission with a cash bar where more than 550 5"x 7" canvases that have been submitted by artists and celebrities will be available for sale, each at $99. These canvases are sold anonymously, so the artist's name is not revealed until the work is purchased. All proceeds for the event benefit the museum's educational programming.

A Fluid Movement Shakespeare Troupe brings one of the Bard's best loved and most produced works, MACBETH, to The Annenberg Theater for three performances, April 20 - 22. This is the fist time in years that The Annenberg Theatre, uniquely located within The Palm Springs Art Museum, has played home to Shakespeare. Theater Manager Dave Simpson says 'the museum believes Shakespeare and the classics are well suited to a museum theater and we are very interested in seeing how the public responds to classical theatre on our stage.'

Phantom's Leading Ladies, a trio of Broadway veterans who have all performed the role of 'Christine Daae' from The Phantom of the Opera brought an eclectic evening of music and mostly glorious three-part harmonies to The Annenberg Theater on April 14. The women that comprise The Phantom's Leading Ladies -- Teri Bibb, Karen Culliver and Mary D'Arcy -- have collectively performed more than 4,000 performances of Broadway's longest running musical and have played opposite 32 different Phantoms - on Broadway, on national tours and in Canada.

1970's pop icon Engelbert Humperdinck, dubbed "The King Of Romance", brings his trademark vocal stylings and bedroom eyes to the beautiful McCallum Theatre for two performances on April 13 and 14 at 8:00 pm. Selling more than 150 million records over the past 40 years, Humperdinck has earned four Grammy nominations, a Golden Globe for Entertainer of The Year in 1988, a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame and countless swooning fans along the way. I had the chance to chat for a few minutes with the music legend. Here are a few highlights from that conversation:

The McCallum Theatre presents the Cirque Mechanics' critically acclaimed BOOM TOWN April 5-7. Cirque Mechanics was founded in 2004 and quickly established itself as a premiere American circus. With its unique approach to performance, inspiring storytelling and innovative mechanical staging it has been hailed as "the greatest contribution to the American circus since Cirque du Soleil". I had the chance to sit down with Chris Lashua, the troupe's founder and Creative Director, to chat about all things Cirque. Here are a few highlights from that conversation:

1970's pop icon Engelbert Humperdinck, dubbed “The King Of Romance,' brings his trademark vocal stylings and bedroom eyes to the beautiful McCallum Theatre for two performances on April 13 and 14 at 8:00 pm. Selling more than 150 million records over the past 40 years, Humperdinck has earned four Grammy nominations, a Golden Globe for Entertainer of The Year in 1988, a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame and countless swooning fans along the way.

The McCallum Theatre transforms itself from theatre to big top as it brings to the stage the hilarious and exciting Cirque Mechanics BOOM TOWN for four performances, April 5-7. Cirque Mechanics was founded in 2004 by Boston native and German Wheel artist, Chris Lashua, after the success of his collaborative project with the Circus Center of San Francisco, Birdhouse Factory and quickly established itself as a premiere American circus. With its unique approach to performance, inspiring storytelling and innovative mechanical staging it has been hailed as "the greatest contribution to the American circus since Cirque du Soleil".

The Tony Award winning Best Musical IN THE HEIGHTS, which celebrates life in a Washington Heights barrio, breezed in and out of the beautiful McCallum Theatre for three sold-out performances last weekend and did not disappoint - mostly.

Phantom's Leading Ladies, a trio of Broadway veterans who have all performed the role of 'Christine' from The Phantom of the Opera bring their eclectic evening of lirtatious fun and intricate three part harmonies to the beautiful 433 seat Annenberg Theater, uniquely located within Palm Springs Art Museum, on April 14 at 8:00 pm. The evening promises a lot of humor, a lot of harmony and a lot of class as the ladies sing everything from classical Broadway to The Beatles.