BWW Reviews: Sterling & Stroili Host LA Talk Radio

Every Monday at 4 pm PST on LA Talk Radio - Internet Radio - Michael Sterling and Paul Stroili co-host State of the Arts, a new 50 minute radio show that covers music, theatre and dance events in and around Los Angeles. These two gents are doing a great service to the community in bringing back the art form of radio, which has been slowing fading out for decades.

They present a live calendar of events, reviews of plays and musicals that have opened during the past week and have chats with celebrities, either in-studio or via phone. On the first show May 31, Carol Lawrence, the original Maria of Broadway's West Side Story was the special guest, on June 7 Carol Channing and her husband discussed via telephone Measure E, which promotes Endowment for the Arts in California, and on June 21 Florence Henderson, also via phone, discussed her involvement with an arts for youth program and her FLOH Club for Seniors, who want to dig in and really learn how to use all that the computer has to offer them.

Sterling of Michael Sterling & Associates, long involved in show business as a manager and PR representative for such great artists as ElizaBeth Taylor, Scott Hamilton, David Hyde Pierce and Andy Gibb, to name a few, has represented shows on Broadway, National Tours, recordings and currently runs Sterling's Upstairs @ Vitello's in Studio City, which in its 4 short years, has become one of the most revered supper clubs in LA. Sterling has a rich speaking voice - ideal for the medium of radio, tremendous charm and serves as the perfect straight man to Stoili, a comic actor of Straight Up With a Twist and the Sea Glass Theatre Company, who I am nicknaming the 'Italian Woody Allen'. His edgy, sort of neurotic style contains an insecure preoccupation with everything from self-appearance to New York taxi drivers to the difficulties of everyday living. He and Sterling are not Bob and Ray - at least not yet, but do play off each other quite enjoyably and with tremendous class. The first part of the show revolves around what's been happening to both of them careerwise and personally during the past week. It's light and pleasant banter, without being overbearing. They make you feel like you are in the company of friends. There then follow - in a more serious vein - the reviews, an upcoming calendar of events and the piece de resistance, the celebrity guest. Lawrence, Channing, and Henderson were all charmed by the hosts and complimented them on their dedication and great sense of humor.

Breakdown Services, which serves the working actor in Los Angeles in a multitude of ways, including supplying sides for auditions, sponsors State of the Arts, and organizations such as LA Stage Alliance and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids are named to benefit from the sponsorship.

Remember: LA Talk Radio, Channel 1, Mondays at 4 pm, and if you cannot listen live, not to worry! Go in 24 hours later and each week's show is available On Demand. Just click and listen- every show is there, archived since May 31, for your listening pleasure!

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