Don Grigware - Page 45

Presented by Upright Cabaret (led by Chris Isaacson) which brings the best of Broadway and pop once a month to GLEH (Gay Lesbian Elder Housing) on Ivar in Hollywood in the form of a charitable concert to raise awareness of GLEH through song.

On Monday evening November 11 striking actress/singer Sandy Bainum presented a concert and launch party for her new CD Simply. This album, as well as her last one from 2012 One Christmas, were both produced by Bruce Kimmel's Kritzerland Records. It is difficult to think of Bainum simply. She is a tall, statuesque, elegant beauty who offers so much talent in a single breath.

After 23 years of entertaining the world, The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies will be closing their doors May 18, 2014 after completion of this their last season The Last Hurrah!

Creditors/by August Strindberg/a new version by David Greig/directed by David Trainer/Odyssey Theatre Ensemble(OTE)/New American Theatre/at the Odyssey/through December 15

What are you afraid of? Lifetime member of the Magic Castle and accomplished actor Albie Selznick poses this question just in time for Halloween with a special Thursday night performance tonight, Oct. 31, the same day Harry Houdini died in 1926.

On Sunday, October 27 Charlotte Mary Wen, winner of LA's Next Great Stage Star 2013, made her long awaited cabaret debut at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal with Time to Take a Breath directed by Peter Welkin and with musical direction by Dr. James Lent. Petite, pretty and ultra confidant, the terrific singer truly soared, leaving past anxieties far behind her.

The Mystery of Irma Vep/A Penny Dreadful/by Charles Ludlam/directed by Jenny Sullivan/Falcon Theatre/through November 17

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers/book by Lawrence Kasha and David Landay/music by Gene De Paul/lyrics by Johnny Mercer/new songs by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn/based on the MGM film and 'The Sobbin' Women' by Stephen Vincent Benet/directed and choreographed by Janet Renslow/Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theatre, Claremont/through November 24

Evita/lyrics by Tim Rice/music by Andrew Lloyd Webber/choreographed by Rob Ashford/directed by Michael Grandage/tour director Seth Sklar-Heyn/tour choreographer Chris Bailey/Pantages Theatre/through November 10

What are you afraid of? Lifetime member of the Magic Castle and accomplished actor Albie Selznick poses this question just in time for Halloween with a special Thursday night performance on Oct. 31, the same day Harry Houdini died in 1926. Come for the magic, the mystery and more new illusions in Smoke and Mirrors, the critically acclaimed show extended due to popular demand through Dec. 29 at the Road on Lankershim in the NoHo Arts District.

Upon exiting Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal on Sunday October 20, I overheard someone say 'There are no cabaret shows like this anymore.' Sad, but true! Dominic Morra, at 80 years young, proves that he is vocally every bit as good as he was some 50 years ago. With a face like Anthony Quinn and a voice like John Raitt, Morra has a vocal instrument akin to a silver flute. On Broadway in Call Me Madam and having crossed country on many National tours of such shows as Camelot, Morra spent most of the 70-minute set of Keep the Music Playing reminiscing about his career through some of the greatest music of all time. With an unassuming style, he is a true gentleman and doesn't need a big outgoing approach to reach his audience. His friendly manner and great voice say it all. With fine musical direction from Paul Cady at the piano, Morra presented a cabaret, which one can only hope is a new beginning for him.

A Party to Murder by Marcia Kash and Douglas E. Hughes/directed by Zoe Bright/GCT (Glendale Centre Theatre)/through November 23

On Saturday October 19 the inimitable Patti LuPone brought her exquisite talent, intelligence and sense of humor to the Broad stage in Broadway @ the Broad: Patti LuPone featuring Seth Rudetsky as pianist/host. Rudetsky, best known as the afternoon host on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio's On Broadway and LuPone presented this semi-improvisational program last summer in Provincetown, Massachusetts and later for a week in London, to unanimous acclaim.

Kiss Me Kate/book by Sam & Bella Spewack/music & lyrics by Cole Porter/directed by Richard Israel/Cabrillo Music Theatre, Thousand Oaks/through October 27

Frederick Knott's psychological thriller Wait Until Dark first premiered on Broadway in 1966 with Lee Remick in the title role and was later turned into a film with Audrey Hepburn. The latest adaptation of the play at the Geffen is by Jeffrey Hatcher, who has moved the action from the 60s to the 40s. The concept has piqued a lot of interest, but upon seeing the finished product, the whole business seems curious.

When You Wish/The Story of Walt Disney. It is high time that the life and career of iconic artist/animator Walt Disney be honored artistically. Of course, his films all stand the test of time, but we know little about the man, his persona and the early years of struggle. Wouldn't it be assuring to learn that success even for a genius does not come easy? And just plain fun to find out where and how Mickey Mouse came about? Instead of a biopic, the producers have decided upon an original stage musical. Therein lies the biggest flaw. This new tribute is labeled/described as a Pre-Broadway production. Let's reflect a moment or two on what makes for a successful Broadway show. Disney's own The Lion King, from screen to stage, is a perfect example of that kind of huge success. It is a spectacle with grand theatricality, giant universal family conflicts and dynamite appeal in sight and sound to sustain long lines at the box office. As endearing as it is, this little musical When You Wish falls short in these respects... in spite of the fact that it has a dream cast and a superlative creative team. Now onstage through November 3 at the Freud Playhouse at UCLA, the show, nonetheless, does have a carload of merit. If Broadway is not the answer, it does deserve a place somewhere.

The Laramie Project Ten Years Later/by Moises Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris and Stephen Belber/produced by Jon Imparato/directed by Ken Sawyer/The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center,Davidson/Valentini Theatre/through November 16

The Liar/adapted by David Ives from the comedy by Pierre Corneille/directed by Casey Stangl/The Antaeus Company/review of the Tangerine Cast*

For diehard theatre aficionados Neil Simon's greatest plays are his autobiographical BB trio Brighton Beach Memoirs, Biloxi Blues and Broadway Bound. The first depicts his boyhood growing up in a poor Jewish family on the outskirts of New York City during the Depression, followed by his army experiences, and finally a farewell to Brighton Beach as his career as a comedy writer in radio and television was about to take off. Now onstage at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts through Sunday October 13 only, Broadway Bound is a welcome glimpse of nostalgia circa 1949 performed by a dynamite cast under the steady direction of Jeff Maynard.