42nd St. Moon Blog

Summer hiatus

2006-06-30T17:45:00.000-07:00

You may have noticed it's been a bit sporadic around here. Just wanted to give you the heads up that it may be a sparse summer here on the 42nd St. Moon blog!

If you want to know what I'm up to, check out the BlogHer Conference. Or you can sign up for my monthly newsletter here.

Hopefully we'll get Intrepid Annette up and running on here too, so you don't go through Moon Withdrawal. You can always subscribe to the weekly email, which will probably resume when the blog goes more active again...that way you don't have to check back every day...as I know you rabid Moonies must!

Finally, the new season starts in three weeks, so make sure you get in on the action...check it all out here.

Happy Fourth of July and have a great summer!!!

Harry Connick, part 1

2006-06-27T15:41:00.000-07:00

I received my copy of Harry Connick Jr.'s Harry on Broadway, Act 1. I just listened to The Pajama Game. Like most musical recordings, actually, there are certain tracks that just don't translate well to listen-only mode. There is something to be said for not only visuals, but context. Comedy numbers by the character leads are often like that. Ensemble dance numbers are often like that. It's no different here. (It's no different for musicals from South Pacific to Rent, for that matter.)

There are two flavors of listenable tracks on The Pajama Game...the Sid/Babe duets, and the Gladys "hot" numbers. In the former category we have "Hey There", "Small Talk" and "There Once Was a Man." Harry Connick Jr. has a smooth, Sinatra-like flavor. I was wondering as "There Once Was a Man" if he was going to pull out the more booming belt of that number, given that he typically is more laid back. Never fear he does go for the gusto. As does Kelli O'Hara, who surely establishes herself as one of today's more versatile young women on Broadway. The leap from The Light on the Piazza to The Pajama Game is a big one! She reminds me a bit of Marin Mazzie...who can belt it out with the best of them and has a wonderful lyrical soprano voice too. Same kind of retro beauty too.

The other crowd-pleasing numbers are, of course, "Steam Heat" and "Hernando's Hideaway." Definitely more fun to see than just to listen to, but still pretty fun on recording. Where The Pajama Game just loses me is with its overall plot and secondary plot lines (secondary to Sid and Babe I mean.) Forgive me for bringing politics into musical theatre, but with the Senate once again striking down the notion of a minimum wage hike, and the current minimum wage leaving a full-time worker below the poverty line, I don't find the whole "Seven-and-a-half Cents" number amusing. And if it was played with irony on stage, well, I missed it.

Politics over, I also have to say that the comic duo's numbers don't translate that well to a listen-only mode. i.e. they're not so funny.

Then again, my memory of seeing this show a few years back in London is that the show is pretty dated...its humor and its ethos.

I wonder if this is available on iTunes, because like most musicals, I'm sure there are but a few songs I'll listen to, while skipping the filler between leading man and lady ballads!

Moonie in the World: Kristopher McDowell

2006-06-21T11:17:00.000-07:00

Kristopher is staying busy as usual, and here is his next gigs:

This weekend only!

WHAT: Carol Channing in Concer, Starring RICHARD SKIPPER with special guest KRISTOPHER McDOWELL

WHEN: Friday, June 23 @7:30pm and Saturday, June 24 @8pm & 10pm

WHERE: Octavia Lounge, 1772 Market Street, San Francisco

MORE INFO: Richard Skipper returns to the Octavia Lounge following two successful shows last September. "Carol Channing in Concert Starring Richard Skipper" is a brand new show, which will come to San Francisco's Octavia Lounge after the New York premier at Helen's Supper Club on June 5. Musical Director Barry Lloyd.

MORE, MORE INFO: Kristopher will be premiering material from his new act, THE JOKER-The Story of Anthony Newley.

HOW MUCH: $20 cover charge, no drink or food minimum.

TICKETS: Reserve online at octavialounge.com or call the Octavia Lounge reservation hotline (415) 863-3516.

More info about Kristopher's appearances can always be found at his web site.

It's only fair...

2006-06-20T08:22:00.000-07:00

I've been contacted a couple of times recently by Victoria, a Marketing Director for a company called WiredSet that does marketing for a lot of music-oriented clients...including Harry Connick Jr. So far I hadn't felt compelled to post about the things she sent me, and truth be told, I hadn't yet even been polite enough to respond!

But Victoria is an example of a smart blog marketer, continuing to keep track of what I'm writing and looking for opportunities to present something relevant to me. And she totally found one!

She wrote me the following note yesterday:

Thanks for posting about the Tony Awards! Its great that you posted how you honestly felt about the Awards and their winners! I was wondering if there is the possibility to post up some song clips from Harry's latest album to give your readers the opportunity to hear for themselves. Thanks for your time and enjoy the clips once again!

OK, I will totally bite. I said Harry seemed a little uncomfortable, and yes, I will post clips from his latest album, Harry on Broadway, Act 1, so y'all can hear for yourselves.

The first CD of the 2-CD set features songs from The Pajama Game, and here are some clips:

A New Town is a Blue Town
Pajama Game

The second CD features songs from Connick Jr's Broadway composing debut, Thou Shalt Not:

I Like Love More
The Other Hours

They are quite short clips, but I'd have to say I'm far more intrigued by Thou Shalt Not. There's a kind of languid, retro feeling to both clips.

So, anyone out there a Harry fan who already has the album? If so, what do you think?

Tonight Only! Moonies n the World: Kristen Sharpley, Lianne Marie Dobbs

2006-06-19T10:24:00.000-07:00

Local impressario Miss Molly Bell is putting on her second annual Divas for Life tonight, June 19th.

It benefits the American Cancer Society and features a number of local divas, including a coupla Moonies:

It's tonight; it's in Los Altos; it's not that pricy, and it's for a good cause, so consider going! Learn more here.

SF Theatre Festival needs volunteers

2006-06-19T08:59:00.000-07:00

From Craig's List:

The San Francisco Theater Festival Seeks VOLUNTEERS for a variety of tasks at the festival e.g. ushers, setup/breakdown, check-in, etc.

WE NEED LOTS OF PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT SKILLS AND MINIMAL SKILLS TO HELP!

Join the festival team. Meet people. Get involved. Donate some time. This is a volunteer, unpaid short term job. Lunch & T-Shirt provided. The Festival takes place at Yerba Buena Gardens. Sunday, July 23, 2006, 11 am—5 pm.

70 Theater Groups & Solo Artists Perform on 10 Stages. The free SF THEATER FESTIVAL presents live showcase performances by Bay Area theater arts organizations, including comedy, drama, musical, children’s theater, hip-hop, Shakespeare, solo performers, improv.

For Info Contact: Bill Schwartz, 415-291-8655. bill@SFTheaterFestival.org, www.SFTheaterFestival.org.

The SFTF is a theatre-lover's dream. Among the many many Bay Area theatre particiapting, 42nd St. Moon will be there performing scenes from Li'l Abner.

Moonie in the World: Brian Yates Sharber

2006-06-16T16:57:00.000-07:00

Brian, who has trod the Moon stage on more than one occasion, most recently in Roar and Minnie's Boys, has an update for us:

I wanted to let you (and hopefully all of the more internet-savvy people of the world) know that someone actually hired me again!! I am going to be in the SF Playhouse summer production of Putting It Together! With Dianna Shuster directing, and the cast and artistic team we have, it's sure to be lots of fun. Our show opens on Gay Pride weekend (6/24). A Sondheim revue opening Gay Pride weekend? I'm not sure that [producer] Bill, et. al. is aware of this potential coup.

Checking out the show's press release, I can also see that Moonie stalwart Dave Dobrusky is the Musical Director...so we can breathe easy knowing the music is in excellent hands!!!

Some Li'l Abner switcheroos

2006-06-15T08:02:00.000-07:00

Greg sent a note to the Li'l Abner cast to alert them to some staff/cast changes, and figured it was a blog-worthy heads up:

First, some of you may know that the original plan for this show was that I was going to be playing Marryin' Sam. Due to some family situations, I finally decided that I needed to withdraw from that role. We were lucky, though, to get Doug Santana to replace me. I know a lot of you know Doug, and he worked with us in The Cabaret Girl a couple of years back.

But wait! There's more! Chapter Two:

Some of you may also already know that, likewise because of family considerations, Dyan McBride has regretfully had to withdraw as director of Li'l Abner. So, with time short and options limited (and with the time commitment much less than if I were performing), her replacement will be -- me! I guess I am destined to do this show after all, and I am really excited that I will indeed get to be working with all of you.

The production team has already met, and Tom Segal and I have been throwing around ideas for some of those big numbers (including a really nifty one for the Sadie Hawkins Day race that we'll let you know about shortly)

Sometimes it's hard to keep up!

Some fun Li'l Abner links from Greg

2006-06-14T12:25:00.000-07:00

http://www.lil-abner.com/

http://www.al-capp-lil-abner.com/

http://www.toonopedia.com/abner.htm

Enjoy :)

Celebration for Dean Goodman

2006-06-13T17:45:00.000-07:00

The following message was sent out to Theatre Bay Area members today, but it may be of interest to Moonies everywhere.

Dean Goodman has dictated the following message for us here at Theatre Bay Area and all of our members. There will be a tribute, which he plans on attending, on Monday. See below for details. Theatre Bay Area extends our deepest respect to Dean Goodman, who has been such a positive force in the history of Bay Area theatre and who has so deeply contributed to its successes.
"Dean Goodman is terminally ill and in the last act of his long, fruitful life. He is grateful for the outpouring of concern and respect from his friends in the theatre community and wishes good luck to all artistic directors and managers, performers and actors, technicians and all associated with the theatre. He urges all of them to continue to strive for excellence."

So, here are the details:

A Celebration for Dean Goodman

A pre-birthday bash (his real B-Day is actually July 2, but time is of the essence) and/or a chance to say thank you for all he has given to the Bay Area theatre community.

DATE: Monday, June 19
WHERE: At A.C.T

SCHEDULE:

5:30pm: Doors open
6:00pm: Schmoozing
6:30pm: Dean arrives
7:00pm: Staged Reading

A reading of Dean Goodman's new play Bloody August

R.S.V.P to Phoebe Moyer at 415-464-0578

Refreshments: Contact Kenna Hunt (415-492-1179) if you can donate food and/or beverages, and/or paper goods.

Readings: Contact Elizabeth Holmes if you want to participate in a tribute to Dean or if you can't attend and would like a tribute read by George Maguire in your absence.

Please pass this invitation on to your friends and colleagues.

So, what did we think of the Tony Awards?

2006-06-12T08:07:00.000-07:00

Up until 2001 I went to NYC at least once, and usually twice a year. I'd visit my grandmother, I'd have business there, or both, but whatever the reasons I made it out there and usually had caught a number of the shows nominated for Tony's.

Since my grandmother died in 2001, I'm lucky to make it there once every couple of years, and my last trip, in March, didn't even include time for theatre. The last couple of years were the first where I had not seen a single nominated musical or play. So it's hard for me to feel very emotionally invested in the outcomes. Obviously I still have favorite actors, composers etc, butthat's rooting for legacy recognition, not current recognition.

My thoughts on the show:

-Well, only one winner had music start playing under him, and that's good, because nothing bugs me more than when they start interrupting someone, especially if it's someone who's actually saying something moving or amusing or anything other than a list of "thank yous"

Of course they may have been able to avoid the music play-off by keeping the pace of the show so rapid it felt like they were trying to win a race. 60 stars, count 'em! They'll be moving by so fat it'll be hard to actually count 'em, but you get the idea.

-Color me shocked that Pajama Game beat out Sweeney Todd for Best Musical Revival. I've only seen the show once, in London, and it seemed like your basic, blah 50s American musical. My S.O. and I were noting that the last few years Tony voters have really favored the frothy/fluffy over the substantial, but Pajama Game struck me as onle average material. Kelli O'Hara clearly shows her versatility, moving from the lyric ingenue of Light in the Piazza to the modern woman (and belter) Babe, but didn't Harry Connick Jr seem a little stiff and uncomofortable? Sweeney Todd remains my favorite musical ever, and everyone has raved about this re-imagining of it, so this was the most surprising moment for me last night.

-The second most surprising moment (but one I enjoyed) was seeing LaChanze take the Best Actress in a musical award. I have loved LaChanze ever since I saw her in Once on this Island over 15 years ago. The Color Purple was obviously getting the BIG Tony voter snub last night, so I thought Patti LuPone had it sewn up. Maybe Sutton Foster. LaChanze is a wonderful performer, and her life has had a few tragic turns (her husband died in 9/11) so I was very happy that she won.

-It's hard for me to imagine that Jersey Boys is really that good...I'm not typically a fan of jukebox musicals. But it certainly did look entertaining last night. Anyone seen it?

-I love Cyndi Lauper and would love to see her in a show that could use her interpretative skills and emotional intensity, but having done Threepenny Opera some years back I was reminded: I really don't like it. Long, rambly, non-melodic, non-poetic songs...just like I remember :) And now that the same artistic staff sleazed up Cabaret a few years back, this just looks like they had a production meeting and decided to do the exact same treatment to Threepenny without a lick of customization. Throw a little leather here, a few tattoos there, some homo-erotic and S&M-oriented undetones here and there...Presto! You've got a "re-interpretation!"

-Why wouldn't they let us see Patti LuPone play the tuba? Whyyyyyyy?

-Molly Ringwald is coming to San Jose, playing Charity in Sweet Charity at AMT. Hence I was a little disturbed to see her looking so uncomfortable on stage! If her eyes popped open any wider I was afraid we'd have an incident straight out of the season finale of House. (Yes, I'm mixing my theatre talk with TV references, so sue me.)

-Lastly: The Wedding Singer looked appallingly, embarrassingly bad, didn't it? Horrible song...which might have been carried off if there were even a soupcon of irony in the mix. But no. It just was horrible, (And horrible, frenentic, cliched choreography too.) My jaw dropped soon into the number, and I never got it closed until the number was over.

What do I want to see based on the show? (Since it is mostly a big commercial for Broadway, after all.)

Sweeney Todd (but that was already true)
Drowsy Chaperone (looks fun, no doubt)
Color Purple (those are some powerful women performers up there!!)
Jersey Boys (I can be convinced this one is worthwhile...and those boys are definitely talented!)

How about you?

And now for something completely different

2006-06-10T09:05:00.000-07:00

Intrepid Annette has another review for us, but this time for something off the typical Moonie path: musical politicl parody from the Capitol Steps.

According to Annette:

Favorite line of the night was something like...

Said by Iraqi/Middle Eastern-looking characters:

"You Americans take all the rights you have for granted... rights like... THE RIGHT TO DO MUSICAL THEATRE! " And then they launched into a Gilbert & Sullivan parody. I laughed loudly at that one.

Another funny number was a parody of "Springtime for Hitler" from "The Producers," called "Springtime for Liberals...and Hilary!"

No punches were held back... they made fun of everyone on the political scene ("Dubya," Dick Cheney, Barack Obama, Hilary, John Kerry, the Supreme Court Justices,
and more) - although they didn't take a swing at Mayor Newsom... but they did take a swing (excuse the pun) at Barry Bonds. They also did a parody about illegal immigrants called "Juan," sung to the tune of "One" from "A Chorus Line."

Annette points out they're playing in Santa Cruz tonight, so it's not too late to check them out :)

Kander & Ebb's last show finally being mounted

2006-06-09T13:42:00.000-07:00

Intrepid Annette pointed me to this story. There are casting updates for and impending production of Kander & Ebb's last collaboration, Curtains. Sounds like fund, as it's a Murder Mystery set backstage during a pre-Broadway run of a musical. Hmmm. Drawn from life?

Many a Broadway stalwart is making the trip to L.A for the production, including personal faves Jason Danieley and Karen Ziemba. And apparently David Hyde Pierce has decided he likes the theatre post-Frasier, because he's set to star.

42nd St. Moon is doing two of Kander & Ebb's older works this season, Flora the Red Menace and Zorba, but as you can see they were still actively at it decades down the road from these shows.

What plays in Vegas, closes in Vegas?

2006-06-07T19:00:00.000-07:00

Close on the heels of a premature closing for Tony-winning Avenue Q, the producers of Tony-winning Hairspray recently announced it too will close early, next week.

So, is it the lure of the slots? The lure of the nudie revues? The lure of Celine Dion and Cirque du Soleil that keeps audiences away?

Could it be that by dumbing down (and really, how do you dumb down Hairspray!!??) these musicals, cutting stuff and making them run an intermissionless 90 minutes they're understimating their audiences and short-changing them...and people don't want to pay for that?

Nah, it's probably the nudie revues.

Annette's Excellent Adventure

2006-06-05T18:01:00.000-07:00

Here's a report from the Intrepid Annette on where the next generation of Moonies might be found:

So, where are the future 42nd Street Moon performers?

Well, some of them are probably in the Danville Girls Chorus! I ventured out of the City (and across the Bay Bridge!) on Saturday to see their show, "That's Broadway!" I went to see a friend's daughter perform and was treated to songs by some of 42nd Street Moon's best friends: Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Yip Harburg, Rodgers and Hart and more! Congrats to artistic director Kenneth Abrams, staff and chorus for putting on a fine show. (They sang songs from everything like "It's De-lovely," to "Over the Rainbow," to medleys from "Oklahoma!" and the faculty-performed "West Side Story".)

They also sang a song from "Leave It To Me!", but I didn't keep the program, so I don't know which tune.

To find out more about the DGC, please visit their website.

Wow...all the way across the Bay Bridge! I get in trouble with my East Bay friends all the time because I look at it as some far-off foreign land, not even really the Bay Area! (One friend used to chastise me pretty strongly, telling me her hometown of Alameda was actually on the bay!!!)

It's ironic I should behave that way, given I lived in Queens when I live in NYC, and I heartily lamented the fact that my Manhattan friends looked down their noses at other boroughs and rarely, if ever, crossed a bridge to visit me.

More on "Abner" from Greg

2006-05-30T06:42:00.000-07:00

Greg shares a bit more on Li'l Abner for our edification:

I enjoyed reading the blog review of the Goodspeed Li'l Abner. It was especially fun to link over to the Goodspeed site and see the clips they had up from their current production.

It's worth noting that this year marks the show's 50th anniversary, and also providing a link to the DVD of the movie at Amazon.com.

The film is a rare example of an extremely faithful adaptation of a stage musical, and features many of the original Broadway cast members (including Peter Palmer's Abner, Howard St. John's General Bullmoose, Carmen Alvarez's Moonbeam McSwine, and of course Julie Newmar's Stupefyin' Jones). It's also noteworthy for the appearance in the chorus of 17-year-old Valerie Harper in her first major gig (especially
noticeable in the "Put 'Em Back" number) as well as 18-year-old Beth Howland in a bit part early on (as a 14-year-old who'll be available for the Sadie Hawkins Day race "as soon as her divorce comes through.")

Watching the movie (filmed in splashes of super-bright, cartoon-like colors), it's easy to see why the show was such a "good time" hit back then (certainly it represented a contrast to the other big 1956 hits, "My Fair Lady" and "Bells Are Ringing"), but it's curious that it's fallen out of the regular repertoires at community theatres and civic light opera companies.

I believe my high school did Lil Abner in the mid-70's a year or two before I arrive there, but I don't recall another opportunity to see it around here since then. And I've never seen the movie either. Very curious, personally, to see it.

Li'l Abner playing at the Goodspeed

2006-05-28T13:15:00.000-07:00

And Suzy Conn from Blogway Baby reviews it here.

Li'l Abner is apparently one of Suzy's favorite shows, so she was excited to have a chance to see it done live. In fact she's crossing her fingers hoping for a Broadway revival! Perhaps we'll just convince the Broadway Baby to come to the Bay Area and see it at 42nd St. Moon!

Hey Suzy: It's playing at the same time as BlogHer, so you could kill two birds with one stone!

Moonie Moving On: Lisa Peers

2006-05-24T08:33:00.000-07:00

Moonie Lisa Peers, here with David Curley

Long-time Moonie Lisa Peers is moving, and we thought we'd get a little Lisa Peers retrospective before she went. Lisa kindly answered my questions about her tenure as a Moonie and her future plans:

How did you come upon 42nd St. Moon?

Juliette Morgan and I were in the same year in the American Conservatory Theater training program back in the early 1990s, and Dan Johnson was a year ahead of us. Juliette told me about this great musical theater company that specialized in old musicals; Dan had just done one or two shows with them, and Juliette was getting ready to do her first. I went to my first audition there and fully expected to be anointed the next Ethel Merman. Instead, Greg corrected my lyrics when I sang "Bewitched." Thankfully, he forgave me, cast me in "Goodtime Charley" as Bill Fahrner's mother ... and soon enough, I performed Ethel's role in "Girl Crazy," with Bill playing my husband. (If I stick it long enough, I assume Bill will some day play my father ...)

What turned you into a Moonie regular?

The easy answer is, I just kept showing up! 42nd Street Moon specializes in the shows that suit my vocal range, performing style, and sense of humor, so I was bound to worm my way into at least one show each season. I've done a dozen productions, at least six fundraisers, a cabaret and two CD projects with the company. I got my Equity card thanks to Greg giving me a chorus contract for "On a Clear Day." I was the organization's first office manager and helped with the move to Moon Space. Hell, I even did three shows and a CD while pregnant with my daughter, Davis. How could I not be a Moonie after all that?

What was your favorite show and favorite role?

I gotta say, "Out of This World" was just that. It had a stellar script,
nifty score, and a professionally hysterical cast. Everyone in it got his or her moment to shine. The audience ate it up; it never got old. I got to wear a great hat. I got to jitterbug with David "Mars" Miailovich. Getting drunk and propositioning Darlene Popovic every night was a dream come true. And, having Isadora written with me in mind was an honor and a gift.

Which former Moonies do you miss?

Are Moonies every truly gone? It seems like we all come back into orbit at some point. I'd love to work with Lesley Hamilton again, if for no other reason that to let people see us both in the same room together to prove that we're two different people. And Richard Pardini - whether playing a befuddled Topekan in Russia or Tallulah Bankhead - always makes me laugh to the point of embarrassment.

What sends you to Michigan?

The move is for a lot of grown-up reasons. My partner's parents and sisters live within five minutes of our new house. My family is on the East Coast, and I wanted to be less than a day's travel away now that Mom is 80. My kids need a back yard and a good school within walking distance. We sold our house in a seller's market and bought in a buyer's market. All the pieces fit together.

What are your theater plans?

Actually, what may be next is a fundraiser concert in Toledo with ...
Juliette! (See, I told you we all come back into orbit!) Juliette's husband Bill Quinlan started a professional theater company, so this will likely be my introduction into the Midwestern theater scene. After that, if I don't find a friendly theater company specializing in musicals from the Golden Era, I will likely go back to doing cabaret. I will certainly have plenty of material.

Thanks for the walk down memory lane, Lisa...we'll miss you and best of luck in Michigan, Toledo, and all the Midwestern cabarets you can find! :)

Last minute free tix for East Bay types: see 1776 tonight!

2006-05-22T11:42:00.000-07:00

Just heard about this from Moonie Russ Lorenson:

Tonight is the first preview of "1776" at The Willows Theatre in Concord. Traditionally, The Willows offers free tickets to it's first preview to "poor theatre workers" - all you have to do is show up with some sort of proof that you are a "poor theatre worker". Proof can be a playbill/program with your name in it, a membership card for Theatre Bay Area, Equity, SAG, etc., or even your headshot & resume!

The box office opens at 6:30pm, and curtain is at 7:30pm. The theatre is located at 1975 Diamond Boulevard (in the Willows Shopping Center) in Concord. For directions or more info about the show, you can visit Russ' site.

There will be a brief talkback after the show, plus (for all my actor friends!) The Willows serves alcohol in the lobby before the show and during intermission. So come get liquored up and see a great show!

Schedule details for 2006/2007

2006-05-22T10:32:00.000-07:00

42nd St. Moon is on a brief summer hiatuses (hiatii??) but next season isn't far away. rehearsals will probably kick off in a mere 4-5 weeks.

Just thought I'd do a run-down of performance schedules for next season, since we haven't done that here. If you're interested in Season Tickets, call 415-255-8207 on Tues.-Fri. between 12-5PM.

Li'l Abner (Mercer/De Paul/Panama/Frank)
July 20th-August 13th (2006)
Opens July 22nd

Pardon My English (Gershwin/Gershwin/Ives)
October 19th-November 5th (2006)
Opens October 21st

Flora the Red Menace (Kander/Ebb/Thompson)
November 16th-December 3rd (2006)
Opens November 18th

Zorba (Kander/Ebb/Stein)
March 15th-April 1st (2007)
Opens March 17th
(Notice how this one opens on St. Patrick's Day and closes on April Fool's Day!!)

Gay Divorce (Porter/Taylor)
April 12th-May 6th (2007)
Opens April 14th

You can buy a season subscription for Previews, for Opening Nights, for Sunday matinees with cast discussion, and of course for other weekend or weeknight performances. The preview subscription is only $85...which is a great discount. Again, call 415-255-8207 if interested.

Couple more Gala shots

2006-05-20T10:48:00.000-07:00

42nd St. Moon inspiration and sheet music collector extraordinaire Bob Grimes, flanked by Moonies (and future Dogpatch denizens) Fiona Cheung and Molly Coogan:

Laura Lutz, auction chair Joanna Leighton-Nevesney, and auctioneer par excellence Fritz Hatton working out the details of the auction:

Shots from the Gala

2006-05-19T16:23:00.000-07:00

As Promised:

Klea Blackhurst and Steve Rhyne being utterly charming singing their Call Me Madam duet:

Much of the cast singing, I believe, "Hernando's Hideaway" with Ann Morrisson:

And it's 42nd St. Moon Board President on the right in this shot:

UPDATED: Blast from the Past: A shot from the Something For the Boys recording session

2006-05-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

Ah, the good old days. Although we all look exactly the same, I swear! Stephanie dug up this old photo and scanned it to send to me. It must be from 1996 or 1997, not actually sure:

UPDATED: Greg reminds me that: "Something for the Boys performed in Sept/Oct 1997, was recorded around the second or third week of October."

Thanks Greg...I knew I could count on you :)

Moonie in the World: Stephanie Rhoads

2006-05-18T08:54:00.000-07:00

Check out what Moon co-founder Stephanie is up to this weekend:

Her description:

No, it is not some terrifying biological scourge...I am doing a concert on the Peninsula this Sunday afternoon that should be quite fun. I am singing some Kurt Weill (one in German) & a One Touch of Venus song & Sondheim ("There Won't Be Trumpets", "Worst Pies in London", "I Wish I Could Forget You" from Passion). I am nervous as heck...Sunday afternoon @ 3PM (2PM for lecture) More info here.

In praise of Dave

2006-05-17T08:36:00.000-07:00

I forgot to mention when talking about Monday's gala, that seeing it through my friend's Moon-virgin eyes also reminded me of another wonderful 42nd St. Moon asset: musical director Dave Dobrusky.

It was nice that they turned over the stage to Dave alone to play the overture from My Fair Lady, but he shone throughout the evening...whether solo or accompanying.

In fact, at the end of the show my friend wanted to shake his hand! (But, true to my impatient, I-live-in-San-Jose-and-that's-a-long-drive-home form, I wanted to scurry out of there pretty quickly.)

I play the piano, in mediocre fashion, so I am 100% appreciative of how difficult it is to makeeven a grand piano sound liek an orchestra...and appreciative of how easy Dave makes it seem.

And obviously I'm not the only one who notices :)

I love small world coincidences

2006-05-17T08:34:00.000-07:00

And here's one from Intrepid Annette:

I met Alex Kaprielian's mom last night...and if you wonder where Alex's talent comes from - it's such a small world - her Mom and I went to the same high school together (Mercy, SF) and I remember Alex's mother from her star turn as Fraulein Maria in Mercy's production of "The Sound of Music." (mid-'70s)!

So, now I've dated both Annette and Alex's mom!

But that really is a small world coincidence!

The 2006 Gala: and a good time was had by all!

2006-05-16T08:19:00.000-07:00

Last night's gala was the first one I've been too since I was IN one years and years ago. They've come a long way baby :)

I brought a friend who is way into old musicals, and his night was made just by being in the Alcazar Theatre and seeing the vintage original movie posters they have on their walls.

But there was so much more. I got to see people spend big chunks of change on auction items and then of course there was the concert.

Guest stars Klea Blackhurst and Ann Morrisson totally lived up to their billing. Wow. Both of them were phenomenal. Ann got to do a real variety of numbers and showed great physicality and energy along with her seamless vocals. Klea, of course, can just fill the room with her warm vocals (that I'd actually take over Merman's any day, if I'm being honest!)

And it was fun to see the regular Moon performers through my friend's eyes, since he wasn't familiar with anyone. I was, like, "yeah, you're right! Stephanie really is terrific!" And "Bill Fahrner does indeed have a wonderful rich voice."

I know Intrepid Annette was there camera in hand, so I'll post pictures when I have them.

Greg in nanoseconds, as predicted

2006-05-14T11:14:00.000-07:00

Yes, Greg leaped in to respond to my queries with the following missive. (And I was right: it has been a LONG time since Greg trod the boards at the Moon!)

Actually, dear, you were around during my last foray onto the stage in a Moon Musical. It was Jerome Kern's Very Warm for May during our 1995 Hammerstein and Hart season, and I played Kenny, a reformed gangster. It was a dream role, really; I had 20 fabulous minutes at the top of the show, then sat in the dressing room reading Agatha Christie and mainlining Diet Pepsi until my 20 fabulous minutes at the end of the show, which concluded with me singing a reprise of "All the Things You Are" with a stage direction per the script to "sing badly," which of course, I followed to a "t."

I remember vividly our closing Sunday matinee, we had a spontaneous standing ovation, which sent us out on a high, and the rest of the cast went out to party, while I stayed at NCTC to run the dress rehearsal of the show I was directing on my off-nights from May -- that would be I Married an Angel, starring Joseph Lustig, Lesley Hamilton, Marcia Pizzo and -- oh, gee, who else was in that cast? Oh, that's right ... Spencer Aste. [Ed. Note: plus a yet-to-be-prominent blogger making her 42nd St. Moon debut, yes, that would be me!]

I can't believe I had the energy to do that. The only thing that made it possible was that, for that year only, we dumped Thursday nights and did Saturday matinees instead -- so we rehearsed Angel on Sunday through Thursday nights and, I believe, some Saturday mornings, and took Fridays off (when I had May performances). I'm practically having a nervous breakdown just remembering that schedule...

You may or may not recall that the OJ Simpson trial reached its verdict one night just before our dress rehearsal, which only added to the general feeling of craziness (for me.) And then Angel opened to that rave Chronicle review, and I had a lovely week off before I started directing Three Sisters. Okay, I need to stop now, I'm scaring myself.

UPDATED: More on Julie Newmar

2006-05-14T11:10:00.000-07:00

Greg has the scoop, and the hot picture!

Here's Julie in her "Stupefyin' Jones" get-up. I should mention that when Encores! did Li'l Abner in New York in 1998, Ms. Newmar was once again "Stupefyin'," 42 years after originating the part on Broadway. She was also in the original cast of Silk Stockings, another favorite Moon show...

UPDATED: More from Greg that I forgot to include: It wasn't just Broadway musicals for Catwoman. She was notably one of the seven brides in the movie Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (she was, need I even say, the tall one), although her name was still Julie Newmayer at the time, and her hair was brown.

And besides Catwoman, I loved her best as Rhoda the Robot in My Living Doll on CBS with Bob Cummings, although I categorically deny that I'm actually old enough to have watched it during its original run.

"Tell me I'm beautiful, it's nothing. Tell me I'm intellectual - I know it. Tell me I'm funny and it's the greatest compliment in the world anyone could give me." -- Julie Newmar.

[Ed note: My Living Doll? Rhoda the Robot. You got me on that one!]

Scoop: Lil Abner cast announced

2006-05-12T07:18:00.000-07:00

Here's the latest report from Greg:

Here is the Li'l Abner cast, save one -- the role of "Stupefyin' Jones" (made famous by Julie Newmar on Broadway and in the movie) has not been cast yet. Dyan McBride is the director, Tom Segal is the choreographer. The cast represents a nice mix of "Moonie" regulars and people making their Moon debuts:

LI'L ABNER -- Jason Winfield
DAISY MAE -- Elizabeth Earnheart
MARRYIN' SAM -- Greg MacKellan
MAMMY YOKUM -- Libby Trull
PAPPY YOKUM -- Michael Austin
GENERAL BULLMOOSE -- Michael Patrick Gaffney
APPASIONATA VON CLIMAX -- Nina Josephs
DR. FINSDALE/MAYOR DAWGMEAT -- Tony Panighetti
SENATOR PHOGBOUND -- Tom Orr
EARTHQUAKE McGOON -- Brian Rosen
MOONBEAM MCSWINE/DR. SCHLEIFITZ -- Gemma Barozzi
EVIL EYE FLEAGLE et al -- Matthew Brandon Hutchens
SPEEDY McRABBIT et al -- Benjamin Pither
ZSA ZSA et al -- Molly Coogan
APRIL MUDHEN et al -- Meghann May
TOBACCO RHODA et al -- Fiona Cheung

Wow, did you notice what I noticed? Greg is actually playing a role. I'm trying to remember the last time he trod the boards during the regular season and failing. (I'm sure Greg will email and tell me within nanoseconds of this post going up.)

Also I had no idea Julie Newmar was a Broadway musical type in her pre-Catwoman days. Sounds like from the character name that her role on Broadway also relied on her sex appeal.

And for a real sneak peek, check out Lil Abner and Daise Mae:

SPECIAL OFFER: Get 50% off gala tix online

2006-05-09T10:51:00.000-07:00

There are a limited number of half-price ($50) tickets available for the 2006 42nd St. Moon Gala and Auction.

Those tix can be purchased online at either Goldstar Events, or at the Theatre Bay Area half-price tickets booth (in person or online.)

PS-You have to register as a member of Gold Star Events to take advantage of the offer via their site, but that's not true re: buying tix via TBA. I'm just sayin'.

Can't say $50 ain't a bargain for cocktails and hors d'oeurvres and a silent auction and a 90-minute show, now can you? Especially when it's tax deductible :)

Check out 42nd St. Moon photos on the right

2006-05-08T12:08:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to point out the new feature I added to the blog this weekend: a loop of pictures from the theatre. These are rehearsal shots, publicity stills and post-performance party pics. I used an application called FilmLoop to do this. It's free, and you can click on any of the photos to look at them and get the app yourself.

I realized I had dozens and dozens of pictures, and they only got one-time use in blog psots here. Having this film loop lets them run at the top of the site forever! Enjoy :)

I like the troublesome Mack and Mabel storyline!

2006-05-08T12:00:00.000-07:00

I don't know if I'll have to time to post a full review of the Top 5 things I liked about Mack and Mabel over on my personal blog today, but I wanted to comment briefly on that troublesome storyline.

If this show opened these days I don't think it would have problems due to the sordid and sad end to Mabel's career. I always think of Sweeney Todd as the original musical tragedy (I'm sure Greg will cite a million other and earlier examples) but certainly many musicals have echewed the happy ending in the last couple of decades...and managed to have healthy long runs despite that. They could have gone even darker were the show being produced today, perhaps. And produced it some place like Studio 54, a la the recent revival of Cabaret.

I, for one, am always touched by the poignancy of re-imagining what might have been. The ending of Mack and Mabel is Mack's imagining of a real old-fashioned wedding and happy ending for he and Mabel. It brought a tear to my eye. And it reminded me, for some reason, of the end of the movie Longitme Companion when Campbell Scott's character imagines the day AIDS is cured, the world party that will ensue, and imagines his dead friends back to celebrate. I still get a tear in my eye whenever I remember that scene.

The part of the storyline I find far more troublesome is how domineering and belittline Mack could be to Mabel. That's the part that may have shot down the show in the 70s, when the feminist movement was getting started. And that's the part that might beharder to take in this day and age.

Anyway, I've been thinking about the sad ending since I saw the show yesterday, and that's my take on it.

Some hot new items for the auction...

2006-05-06T09:34:00.000-07:00

Annette just sent over a list of some more donated items for this month's Gala, and they are oretty hot:

Moonie-turned-cabaret star Russ Lorenson (last seen in THE GOLDEN APPLE) will be donating his singing and his band, the Kelly Park Trio's, services for your own party! (value? We would say priceless, but actually he's been auctioned off before, and the last time he did this for another charity, the winning bid was $2100!)

The Osher Marin JCC in San Rafael has donated two (2) subscriptions to their 2006-07 Singer & Songwriter series, valued at $300. Next year's season includes concerts by Klea Blackhurst (!), Broadway stars Liz and Ann Hampton Callaway, and rising cabaret stars Maude Maggart (she's rock star Fiona Apple's sister!) and Tony DeSare.

Moonie Kristopher McDowell, who also runs the Central Cabaret Series in Stockton/Modesto, is donating tickets to an upcoming show along with a one-night's stay at a local bed and breakfast.

All of these new items sound pretty awesome, and perfect for a Moon fan.

Russ continues to garner great reviews for his CD and live performances, as does Kristopher in that same review. I've personally been to the Marin Singer & Songwriter series quite a few times. It's a great venue, and they get amazing cabaret artists that you rarely see outside New York.

What other tidbits can they possibly come up with in the next 10 days? Certainly is worth checking out the Gala though, don't you think?

Moonies out in the world: Cameron Weston and Brandy Collazo

2006-05-06T09:23:00.000-07:00

We've got a twofer folks! Received this note from Cameron Weston:

Both Brandy Colazzo (Red, Hot and Blue!, Roar of the Greasepaint...,etc.) and me, Cameron Weston (Red, Hot and Blue!) are appearing at the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto as part of the Palo Alto Players' production of Urinetown. I'm playing Officer Lockstock, and Brandy is an amazing Hope Cladwell. We've been getting tremendous reviews (check out the latest one, this from Palo Alto Weekly.)

We run through May 14th and its totally worth a trip down 101.

What Cameron is to humble to tell you is that he and Brandy are both singled out with extremely warm praise in the aforementioned review.

I love Urinetown, having recently been reminded of just how gut-bustingly funny it is when I saw last winter's production at Foothill Music Theatre. If you haven't seen this show (or even if you have) I highly recommend you check it out.

Moonie in the world: David Curley

2006-05-05T08:28:00.000-07:00

David (most recently in Miss Liberty and Minnie's Boys) is starring as John in the 2-person musical john & jen at the BusBarn Theatre in Los Altos.

john & jen is by Andrew Lippa, he of The Wild Party and The Little Princess fame.

It runs May 18th through June 10th.

Visit the site for more info, plus you can call (650) 941-0551 for reservations or buy tickets online.

Auction update and Moonie in the World news

2006-05-05T08:16:00.000-07:00

We kill two bird with one stone with this tidbit of information:

The Mountain Play Association in Mill Valley has just made a donation for 42nd St. Moon's 2006 Gala and Silent Auction. They've donated four tickets to the opening performance of "Fiddler On the Roof" for Sunday, May 21st at 1 p.m. Tix valued at $118.

And to sweeten the pot for Moon fans: Moonie Nina Josephs (Miss Liberty and The Golden Apple) plays Hodel in this production.

Once again, here are the deets for the Gala:

WHEN: Monday, May 15, 2006

WHAT:
Doors open at 5:30 pm for cocktails (donation appreciated), complimentary hors d'oeurvres from our partner restaurants, and Silent and Live auction offerings include musical theater history, vacation opportunities, celebrity dinners, and other things tantilizing, alluring, tasty, relaxing and impossible to resist.

Show time is at 7:30 pm

WHERE:
Alcazar Theatre @ 650 Geary Street - San Francisco

FOR TICKETS & INFORMATION, CALL:
415-255-8207

UPDATED: Mack and Mabel online review

2006-05-04T18:38:00.000-07:00

TheatreWorld Internet Magazine has published a review of Mack and Mabel in their latest issue. They don't really have it set up with convenient Permalinks to individual sections, let alone specific reviews, so let me excerpt some of their kinds words:

"It certainly worked with local favorites Bill Fahrner as Mack and Cindy Goldfield as Mabel both in excellent voice with Fahrner doing the best acting to make Sennett come to life."

"A strong supporting cast includes charming, handsome local favorite Steve Rhyne (Frank as in Frank Capra), Kalon Thibodeaux as Mr. Kessel, Benjamin Pither as Mr. Bauman and special kudos to Sean Partrick Murtagh for the pitch perfect role of Fatty Arbuckle."

"This, Dyan McBride’s directorial debut at 42nd Street Moon, is excellent and reflects her past experience as actor, director and teacher. She is supported by the always competent musical director Dave Dobrusky and choreographer (42nd Street debut for Staci Arriaga ) who includes individual and ensemble soft shoe and tap dancing with four bathing beauties (Christa Boggs, Fiona Cheung, Molly Ann Coogan, Mary Kalita)."

UPDATED: Greg wrote to update me on one little erratum in the above review:

Mack & Mabel does not mark Dyan McBride's directorial debut with us! She directed a fun production of the Jule Styne/Comden & Green musical Do Re Mi for us back in 2001, featuring Bob Green, Lisa Peers, Richard Pardini, and Patrick Leveque. After that, she disappeared into the wilds of UC Davis, where she spent the intervening years acquiring her MFA, or we would have had her back well before this!

Thanks as ever Greg, for being so on the ball for the blog.

Mack and Mabel praise from a long-time Moon fan

2006-05-03T15:28:00.000-07:00

Intrepid Annette sent me the text of this lovely email she received from a long-time Moon audience member:

MACK AND MABEL last Sunday was truly outstanding, one of the top five or six in all these years. Always much liked Bill Fahrner, but this time he was special. JD

This note was special too, JD!

Don't forget this is the last weekend for Mack and Mabel, and the show has been selling really really well. Get 'em while they're hot.

Mack and Mabel review from Inside Bay Area

2006-05-02T13:21:00.000-07:00

Chad Jones from Inside Bay Area calls Mack and Mabel "exactly the kind of show San Francisco's 42nd Street Moon was born to produce" in this warm review of the show. Jones reserves praise for many of the folks involved in our production, from director Dyan McBride and choreographer Staci Arriaga to actors Bill Fahrner, Cindy Goldfield, Amy Louise Cole, Sean Patrick Murtagh and Michael Patrick Gaffney.

Check it out.

A few more items for the Gala Auction

2006-05-01T17:05:00.000-07:00

We've got a couple more items to add to the Gala silent auction list:

California Pizza Kitchen (on Van Ness in SF) has donated a dinner for two (entree & soft drink).

A pair of tickets, courtesy of Bay Area Cabaret, to opera singer Patricia Racette's show at the Venetian Room on Saturday, May 20th.

Tickets are still available for the May 15th Gala.

FOR TICKETS & INFORMATION CALL: 415-255-8207

Moonie in the world: Milissa Carey

2006-04-30T15:44:00.000-07:00

Having recently returned from the Broadway National Tour of Evita, Milissa Carey (most recently Aggravain in Once Upon a Mattress) is starring as Desiree in Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music at the Pacific Alliance Theatre Company, May 4-21. Hector Correa is directing this new production, set in the 1950s.

1950s. That should be interesting. Milissa has played Charlotte before, and I know Desiree has been on her list of coveted roles, so I'm sure she's making the most of it. A Little Night Music is one of my favorite shows ever, a perfect little jewel.

Go see it!

Moonie in the World: Anil Margsahayam

2006-04-28T18:22:00.000-07:00

We mentioned long ago that Moonie Anil (Chico in Minnie's Boys, for one) got a role in the touring company of Bombay Dreams. Well, their only nearby stop is coming up. They'll be playing in Sacramento from May 10-21. All the details are here. If you go, I'd love to hear your review. I love Bollywood style musical numbers, but this show didn't get the best of reviews in NY.

Moonie in the World: Nancy Dobbs Owen...doing opera!

2006-04-26T17:16:00.000-07:00

Moonie Nancy Dobbs Owen is in an opera, and here's what she has to say about it:

I wanted to let you know about this opera, in which I am appearing, making my operatic debut! The piece is very cool and a little scary, the leads are fantastic, and the artistic team top notch. I hope that you can make it. There was also an interesting article in Sunday's datebook, which you can access here.

Hope to see you at the Julia Morgan!

All the deets can be found in this flyer:

Moonie in the world: Russ Lorenson

2006-04-26T16:41:00.000-07:00

Russ has his CD release party next week at the Plush Room. Here are the deets:

WHEN: Monday May 1st at 7:30PM. Champagne reception following.
WHERE: San Francisco's legendary Empire Plush Room
WHAT: A party/concert celebrating the release of Russ Lorenson’s debut CD, A Little Travelin’ Music.
WHAT'S ON TAP: Backed by the Kelly Park Jazz Quartet, Russ will perform selections from the CD, as well as give a preview of his new cabaret show, Benedetto/Blessed, a salute to the life and music of Tony Bennett, set to premiere this summer. Also appearing with Russ will be special guests Kristopher McDowell and Shawn Ryan, who will perform the duet he recorded with Russ on the new CD.
HOW MUCH: $25
BUY TICKETS: Online here

Mack and Mabel Opening Night photos

2006-04-25T18:50:00.000-07:00

Director Dyan McBride, Bill Fahrner ("Mack") and Cindy Goldfield ("Mabel")

Amy Louise Cole, Cindy Goldfield, Bill Fahrner, Steve Rhyne and Greg MacKellan

70! Girls! 70!

Mack himself on the radio...this Thursday afternoon

2006-04-25T18:08:00.000-07:00

Just found out that our very own Bill Fahrner (otherwise known as "Mack" of Mack and Mabel) will be featured on KALW's "Open Air" with Alan Farley this Thursday, April 27th at about 1:20 p.m. You can find KALW at 91.7 FM.

Check him out and check in here to let us know what you think.

Missing Moonies: Lesley Hamilton Hill

2006-04-24T07:11:00.004-07:00

Greg gets emails and notes asking about the whereabouts of various Moonies who used to be ergulars on the Moonie stage, but haven't appeared for a while. So today we take a look at the first of our "Missing Moonies",straight from the desk of Greg MacKellan:

THE CASE OF THE MISSING MOONIES:
Case Number One -- Lesley Hamilton

The email arrived early last week. Terse and to the point, the sender asked: "Where is Lesley Hamilton? I thought she'd be playing Mabel? Is she coming back?" It was signed, simply, A FAN. (The return address blew A FAN'S cover, though, and her name is K. Moore.) This weekend, when MACK & MABEL has its very enthusiastically
received (!!!) opening, several other patrons echoed Ms. Moore's plaintive query -- where was Lesley Hamilton, what had we done with her, and was she ever coming back? Truthfully, we've been getting these questions regularly for over a year now.

Well, the disappeared one herself has promised to write a little something for the blog, complete with pictures, but since she's a bit slow in doing so, I thought I'd fill in with a quick update. First, we didn't do anything with Lesley. She is not being held captive in a secret room in Stephanie's house; has not disappeared into the dark back corners of Moonspace never to be seen again. (In fact, Lesley is something of a patron saint of Moonspace, watching benignly over rehearsals and green room meetings in the form of any number of Moon posters which she graces, usually with her patented "eyes rolling upward" Lesley Hamilton "look" number 11-C.)

Lesley and her husband, Mark Hill (accompanied by their beloved bichon, Bogey) relocated to Kennesaw, Georgia (just outside Atlanta) in late 2004. Of course, Stephanie and I were bereft at losing one of the original Moonies (Lesley first appeared in our second show, One Touch of Venus, in 1993), a wonderful actress and singer with a comic style that is decidedly her own. She's been busy performing in any number of shows since she left -- The Music Man, My Fair Lady, Bombay Dreams (!), and I'm sure she'll have many adventures to describe when she finally gets her blog contribution in.

2007-08 marks 42nd Street Moon's 15th anniversary, and you can bet that Stephanie Rhoads and I are trying to think up some spectacular show with which to tempt Ms. Hamilton back for a few weeks. Yes, she has dangled that carrot at us: for the right role, she'll be happy and eager to make a return visit.

Until then -- and until Lesley fills in some of the details for us herself -- hopefully this will at least answer the question of "Whatever happened to ...." Lesley Hamilton!

Thanks Greg! I was wondering myself. Lesley was in my first Moon show, I Married an Angel, and she truly has a style and presence all her own. Years later I met her husband through business channels (he's a recruiter.) As we chatted about our backgrounds I mentioned I had lived in NYC pursuing theatre, and he said "So did my wife." One thing led to another, and we discovered the connection! Small world.

Well now that I know Lesley can be lured back for the right show I will have to put my thinking cap on!

Another Moonie reviews Mack and Mabel

2006-04-22T08:07:00.000-07:00

This time it was Michael Austin. You might remember him as Groucho in Minnie's Boys, and he'll be joining the Moon in Lil Abner. Here are his thoughts:

I thought it was one of the best Moon productions I've ever seen. I had to share my applause.

First off, the score is full of powerful gems; songs that stay with you long after the lights go down. The power of the songs springs not only from their melodies, but also from their deep emotional resonance. It was my first experience with the play, and despite the liberties the script takes in dealing with factual events, I found the writing touching, humorous and intelligent, with refreshing humanity and sense of reality seldom matched in the world of musical theatre.

But of course, all this would be nothing without a tremendous cast to bring it life. I can honestly say that every single person on that stage last night seemed not only perfectly cast, but 100% sincere in their energy, effort and dedication to the piece, and the roles they were playing in it. It would take too long to single actors out, because I would have to single out everyone--It was a joy to see how much pitch-perfect (literally and figuratively!) detail the actors were able to find, both in their lines and between them.

Musical direction and accompaniment from Dave Dubrosky were excellent, as usual. His old-silent-movie-style underscoring of scenes was a particular treat.

The choreography from Staci Arriaga was just right; often uproariously funny in its own right, but always complementing the music and the story perfectly, without taking it over.

Director Dyan McBride deserves a standing ovation for this one. Everything flowed gracefully, every moment of humor was funny, and in every poigniant beat of emotional connection or pain, the audience's sympathy was palpable in the theatre. She filled the production with clever touches that made it seem as though it was written for the intimate performance style that 42nd Street Moon always delivers.

More on the Gala

2006-04-21T11:34:00.000-07:00

Thought you might like a little peek at just some of the items that will be part of the 42nd St. Moon 2006 Gala's silent auction:

Week in a Puerto Vallarta beach front time share

Carnival Cruise

Alfred Drake performance memorabilia

Dark Garden corset

Full Moon Sail on the Bay for 4 with food and wine

Dinner with Meg Mackay and Billy Philadelphia

Dinner with Stephanie Rhoads and Greg MacKellan

Dance lessons with Cynthia Glinka

Gift certificates from fine restaurants and spas

Private chef dinner for 4

Wine

Special guest stars will be Klea Blackhurst and Ann Morrison! Plenty of good seats still available. Please call us at (415) 255-8207 to secure your tickets now.

Intrepid Annette on Mack and Mabel

2006-04-20T07:52:00.000-07:00

The first (and some would say one of the most important) review is in!

What did Intrepid Annette think of Mack and Mabel?

"Lights, Camera, Action! I went to the dress rehearsal of MACK &
MABEL last night - I laughed, I cried and was totally swept away into the early days of Hollywood. What's more, I think audiences will recognize and (want to sing with) a lot of these songs like: "I Won't Send Roses," "Movies Were Movies," "Tap Your Troubles Away," and "Time Heals Everything." I think it's a very recognizable score! (I also love how they actually gave our whiz Music Director Dave Dobrusky a character role this time around - but you'll have to come see the show to check it out!)

Kudos to our talented cast, director Dyan McBride,choreographer Staci Arriaga and costumer Loran Watkins on a job well done. Previews start TONIGHT at 8!

Have I mentioned our 2006 gala?

2006-04-20T07:22:00.000-07:00

I didn't think so. Well, you can read all about it here

The Gala will features many performers from 42nd St Moon, including headliners Klea Blackhurst and Ann Morrisson. The cast is rounded out by Greg MacKellan, Stephanie Rhoads, Kathleen Antonia, Bill Fahrner, Matthew Brandon Hutchens, Alexandra Kaprielian, Darlene Popovic, Steve Rhyne and Michael Taylor.

Here are the rest of the deets:

When: ONE NIGHT ONLY! - MONDAY, MAY 15, 2006
Where: ALCAZAR THEATRE: 650 Geary Street • San Francisco
How much: $100
Theme: Celebrating the musicals of the fabulous fifties!

Details: Doors open at 5:30 pm for cocktails (donation appreciated), complimentary hors d'oeurvres from our partner restaurants, and Silent and Live auction offerings include musical theater history, vacation opportunities, celebrity dinners, and other things tantilizing, alluring, tasty, relaxing and impossible to resist.

Show time is at 7:30 pm; show runs approximately 90 minutes

FOR TICKETS & INFORMATION CALL: 415-255-8207

Congrats to Moonie Russ Lorenson on a great NYC review

2006-04-19T10:46:00.000-07:00

Russ went straight from The Golden Apple to NYC to perform his cabaret show A Little Travelin' Music. Here's his first review:

From Stu Hamstra, Cabaret Hotline Online:

San Francisco favorite Russ Lorenson flew into town for a quick but long
awaited 2-show run at HELEN'S RESTAURANT, CABARET & PIANO LOUNGE (169 Eighth Avenue, NYC - 212-206-0609). I was at the first
show at 9:30 pm on Saturday, April 15th (Russ repeated the show on Sunday afternoon, the 16th). The show was called "A Little Travelin' Music" and was actually a release show for his new and debut CD of the same title. He was accompanied by the Kelly Park Jazz Quartet, and I must say at the start that Mr. Parks arrangements (at the show and on the CD) are awesome! He and Russ were able to put together a show that would otherwise be ordinary, with songs used in just about every other cabaret "journey" show, and make it unique, fresh, exciting and truly entertaining. Mr. Lorenson's superb vocals and easy-going manner made for an hour of pure entertainment. That same feeling comes through on the CD - which will have to do for NYC area folks until Mr. Lorenson returns.

Congrats Russ!

Mack and Mabel starts in 2 days!

2006-04-18T15:46:00.000-07:00

Let's run down the performance schedule for Mack and Mabel one more time:

Previews:
Thursday April 20th at 8PM
Friday April 21st at 8PM

Opening Night:
Saturday April 22nd at 6PM

Audience Talk back:
Sunday April 23rd at 3PM

Next two weekends:
Thursdays/Fridays at 8PM
Saturdays at 6PM
Sundays at 3PM (Closes Sunday May 7th.)

Plus one early-curtain Wednesday performance:
Wednesday May 3rd at 7PM

Get 20% off all tix (excluding Sunday matinees) by calling 415-978-2787 or walking up to the Yerba Buena Center Box Office at 701 Mission Street andusing the promotion code:
MACKBLOG

So, see you there. And be sure to come and post your thoughts on the show in the coments here.

Moonie in the World: Lisa-Marie Newton

2006-04-16T12:01:00.000-07:00

You will recall Lisa-Marie as Vivian Schuyler (Finger's dame) in Red Hot and Blue last year. And now she's doing something a teeny bit different. I'll let her describe it:

Do you want to see Lisa-Marie in a way you've never seen her before... stripping, whoring and singing the
blues? Then PLEASE come to see my new show! (On the other hand, if you don't want to see me stripping, whoring and singing the blues, please don't come to see my new show.) ;-)

EDGE (an apocalyptic tragi-comedy) by Jennifer Williams
Directed by Evren Odcikin
at The Phoenix Theatre (414 Mason St., 6th Floor, SF)

Thurs - Saturday, April 20 - May 20, and Sundays April 30 & May 7. Shows at 8:00 PM

Tickets are available 1/2 hour before curtain and at TIX Union Square. Thursdays & Sundays are Pay-What-You-Can, Fridays & Saturdays are $20 - $25.

Featuring: Linda Ayres-Frederick, Catz Forsman, Erin Gilley, Dennis McIntyre, Lisa-Marie Newton, Randy Sterns

God the Brand, buy it now! Propaganda drones on the TV as three neighbors search for love and meaning in a war-torn world: An insomniac with a handmade computer, a man with a violent streak, and a blues singer who hasn't had much luck with men. Can they find what they are looking for?

Taking one for the Moon

2006-04-14T08:56:00.000-07:00

Got a little note from Moonie Tom Orr. He's in Mack and Mabel and is already lined up to be in next season's Lil Abner. I think you'll all agree that Tom knows how to take one for the team:

I am going to be cutting my long hair for Mack & Mabel after three years of growing it out! For a chorus role! Add in the fact that I will NOT be able to compete in the Hunky Jesus contest this Sunday at the Easter celebration in Dolores Park and it shows my total commitment to this project, wouldn't you say?

Hunky Jesus contest? Really?

Yes, it's true. You can learn more about it here. And yes, Tom, you are obviously committed!

Moonie in the world: One night only! (That would be tonight.)

2006-04-14T08:51:00.000-07:00

Moonie Kristopher McDowell apparently doesn't need sleep. The Golden Apple closed on Sunday, and he's back in actino.

This time it's for one night only, as Viva Variety is back for one encore performance. Here are the deets:

Friday, April 14, 2006 8PM
ODC Theater
a benefit for Nomenus

Special Guests:
Sony Holland - jazz
Velocity Circus' Gigi - the psychic shopping lady
Matthew Martin - theatre chameleon
Kristopher McDowell - cabaret
the cast of 'Hit It' - theatre
Adrian West - electric violin
Betsy Salkind - comedy
Seth Montfort - pianist

Tickets are $20 ($15 seniors/students/physically challenged), and are available from the ODC box office at: 415-863-9834 or at the door night of show.

Of course that's not all Kristopher is up to. He's also continuing to produce high-profile cabaret performances over in Merced. The next one sounds right up the alley of any Moon fan:

HEATHER MAC RAE in SONGS FOR MY FATHER
with MARK NADLER

Saturday May 6th, 2006 at 7:30 PM
Multi-Cultural Arts Center
645 Main Street Merced, CA
(209) 388-9665 or (209) 388-1090

WINNER OF THE BEST FEMALE VOCALIST 1999 MAC AWARD
WINNER OF THE 1999 BACKSTAGE BISTRO AWARD
FOR SONGS FOR MY FATHER

Songs from the films of GORDON MAC RAE and stories of growing up in Hollywood as the daughter of a movie star.

Musical Arrangements/Direction: MARK NADLER
Directed by: BARRY KLEINBORT

I'm tired just imagining Kristopher's schedule!

Moonie in the World: Andrea Marcovicci in L.A.

2006-04-12T11:21:00.000-07:00

If you happen to be in L.A. this weekend, Moon diva Andrea Marcovicci will be doing one of her fabulous cabaret shows. Here are the deets:

Andrea Marcovicci in "I'm Feeling Like a Million" A Salute to the Incomparable Hildegarde

April 19th – 22nd 2006
At The Gardenia: 7066 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood CA

Join Andrea for the first performances of her brand new tribute to one of cabaret’s greatest legends: Hildegarde!

Equally adored by soldiers and kings alike, Hildegarde introduced “I'll Be Seeing You and “Lili Marlene” during WWII. She was the darling of the supper clubs from Paris and London in the thirties to New York in the eighties, and was known for debuting the songs of our greatest composers like Porter, Berlin and Kern.

But it’s within the little known treasures of her earliest recordings that Andrea has uncovered a delightful new repertoire! So don’t miss this tender tribute to the "The First Lady of the Supper Clubs” from the “Queen of Cabaret.”

Please call for reservations: (323) 467-7444

Great article about Jerry Herman and Mack & Mabel

2006-04-11T11:38:00.000-07:00

Thanks to a Moon reader, who sent me this great article about Jerry Herman and his personal favorite musical, Mack and Mabel. Key excerpt:

Mack and Mabel remains Herman's favourite score. "My musicals are my children. I should never say I prefer this to that: I just have never tired of Mack and Mabel. I guess you kind of love the one that didn't make it."

Read the whole thing.

Meet the Moonie: Moon newbie Benjamin Pither

2006-04-11T10:48:00.000-07:00

Meet Moon newbie Benjamin Pither who is, in his ownd words Moonstruck

My first production with 42nd Street Moon has been an absolutely fantastic experience. The level of professionalism is extremely impressive: Dave Dobrusky is a piano virtuoso (I love it when he transposes on-the-spot) and Dyan McBride keeps us laughing (her impersonation of Tootie from “The Facts of Life” is priceless). The Bathing Beauties are the cutest tap dancers ever and the entire cast has really clicked (our group vocal power is pretty awesome – no need for a brass section in the orchestra!).

One of the wonderful things about doing a staged concert version is having the experience of being on stage as an entire cast for the whole show. It’s amazing how this can help to sustain the energy. The action of the play becomes more compelling when each of us is actively engaged the whole time (it reminds me of Act 2 of the Nutcracker when Clara has to look on with rapt attention for about 90 minutes). Everything becomes more urgent and important. Being on stage together the whole time also helps to bring us together as an ensemble – a strong sense of collective ownership of the show is achieved.

I’m also falling in love with the music. The opening number, "Movies Were Movies" (sung expertly by Bill Fahrner), is reminiscent of the actual background music of Mack Sennett’s silent films. The tune evokes a frantic, almost manic feeling. Similarly, "Look What Happened to Mabel" and "Mack and Mabel" both have a distinct ragtime feel (the style of music, not the actual musical) and effectively contribute to creating the early 20th century world of the play. It’s a recurring musical motif over the course of the play and if you close your eyes while you listen, it almost feels like you’re in a speakeasy.

Finally, the lovely Cindy Goldfield (whose comedic timing rivals that of Lucille Ball) recently brought in a DVD compilation of Mabel Normand films. Cindy’s likeness to Mabel Normand is positively UNCANNY. Not only the hair and facial features, but the physicality and mannerisms as well. That is reason enough to come and see the show. Incidentally, Cindy also makes a fabulous lemon meringue pie… is there anything she can’t do?

Sounds like a Moon newbie is a Moon convert, no?

Kind words from a Moon patron

2006-04-10T09:55:00.000-07:00

We received the following email from a long-time Moon patron last week:

I took a visiting German fellow to Golden Apple on Wednesday. It was good to see the house pretty full. We were both struck by the performance..as always, great voices and dancers, but something more..as the notes said, it was a "goofy" plot with a time-enduring theme and it really gets to one. Great choice, Greg and Stephanie, and you, S., were wonderful in your role!

Congratulations!

Thanks Suzy O.!

Branding exercise?

2006-04-10T09:27:00.000-07:00

I brought a friend with me to The Golden Apple on Friday night. She arrive a bit late, but saw 99% of the show and really enjoyed it. She and I are immersed in the tech world a lot of the time, she more than I, and so she really appreciated the opportunity to see some live theatre and mentioned it in her blog.

Now, I sent her directions from 42nd St. Moon's web site, and she got a program, yet you'll note she still identifies as having gone to see something at the Eureka Theatre.

As a marketing person I have to wonder: how could we make the 42nd St. Moon brand more prominent, so she knew exactly who she was seeing?

Something in the lobby?

Something inside the theatre?

Renaming the Eureka Theatre? :)

What else?

My personal review of The Golden Apple

2006-04-09T11:51:00.000-07:00

As per usual I post all theatre reviews in my personal blog, and here is my review of The Golden Apple. I know the show closes today, so it's a little late to motivate any ticket sales, but there you go.

My standard explanation for why I do this:

a) My personal blog is where I review all my cultural pursuits, so that's where it belongs.
b) I review this as an individual, not a 42nd St. Moon person, so, again, that's where it belongs.

and

the reason that I never quote entire reviews in this blog from anywhere:

c) Some actors don't like to read reviews...sometimes not until the show is closed, sometimes not ever. So by publishing it elsewhere and just providing the link actors who read this blog are taken by surprise.

Check out the entire Mack and Mabel cast

2006-04-07T14:52:00.000-07:00

The new Mack and Mabel page is up at the 42nd St. Moon site, so you can check out everyone's photo and bio. I didn't even realize, somehow, that Michael Patrick Gaffney was in it...so I have one more reason to look forward to it.

My review of AMT's Gypsy

2006-04-07T14:49:00.000-07:00

Warning: it ain't really pretty, but it's over at my personal blog.

Now a big part of why it ain't pretty is because I've never liked the show much. And another part is because I saw what I consider to be the definitive production of it a couple of years ago.

I at least managed to throw in a few kind words about Moonie David Curley, but otherwise...read at your own risk.

Talkin' Broadway gives Golden Apple a rave review!

2006-04-05T14:03:00.000-07:00

Reviewer Richard Connema spreads the love around

Key excerpt:

This is a superb production of singing and dancing, and every person in the two hour musical is perfect., mentioning just about everyone involved with the production. Since he saw the original Broadway production (which only ran for 125 performances, he reimnds us) Richard is one fo the few people who can compare!

Not too often any show at any theatre gets called "perfect"!

Read the rest.

Review: SF Bay Times fins Golden Apple "enchanting"

2006-04-04T15:22:00.000-07:00

And you can read all about it here.

Moonie Out in the World: Klea Blackhurst on TV tonight!

2006-04-04T15:12:00.000-07:00

Just a tiny bit of short notice here, but we found out that Red Hot and Blue star Klea Blackhurst is going to be on tonight's episode of Law & Order: SVU (that's the creepy one!)

Law and Order SVU is on NBC tonight at 10PM.

A word from Mack and Mabel's director

2006-04-04T07:14:00.000-07:00

The cast of Mack and Mabel has been rehearsing for about a week, and director Dyan McBride (yes, she's a frequent Moon performer too...and will be starring in next season's Flora the Red Menace) has some inside scoop:

I just wanted to drop you a note to let you know what a hot, hot, hot show Mack and Mabel is going to be. This cast and crew are so quick and willing to jump in and make theatre. Directing this past week has been a total joy because I come in with a ground plan and an idea and they just run with it. So many pictures that have been revolving in my head are coming to life better than I could imagine. Cindy Goldfield is so athletic and unafraid of falling, jumping, moving, kissing or doing anything that might make someone else blush, that directing her is a pleasure of the highest degree. Bill Fahrner was already memorized and rolling when he walked in the door. His insight into Mack's character is lovely because he's finding all the humor and nuance of this very complicated man. Their chemistry is steamy and intense.

Tap babies abound, clowns are pratfalling left and right, harmonies are starting to get tight and we're just having fun. I hope this really translates to the audience. I haven't been so excited about showing something to people in a long time. We are back to a traditional format of no props and staying onstage as much as possible. Actors enter from their seat and it looks cool. The brilliant Staci Arriaga is choreographing, and she's always prepared and when I need her to, she just whips something brilliant off the top of her head. We've even made Dave Dobrusky play the character of Ellis (a piano player, so he's a natural).

Musical Maestro David Dobrusky playing a role in the show?! I did not know that. Should be fun.

So, if you're not caught up in Dyan's enthusiasm and passion, you need to drink a cup o' coffee and wake up! Wow!

No, no, no!

2006-04-04T07:05:00.000-07:00

All I need to do to get 42nd St. Moon Artistic Director Greg to write me something for the blog is to pretend I know something about musical theatre history! Like yesterday when I said that Oklahoma! is known for being the first show to "feature songs that furthered the plot."

That little statement garnered this impassioned (and highly educational) response from Greg:

No, no, no! Oklahoma! was a show of many firsts, but it was most decidedly not "the first to feature songs that
furthered the plot." Not even close -- that's a myth that has grown up around it.

Cole Porter's Jubilee from 1935 is completely through-written -- not through-sung, they are two different things -- and all the songs are very tightly tied in to Moss Hart's script. (Of course, it helps that Porter and Hart went on a round-the-world cruise together to write the show, thus working very, very closely). They don't just stop the show to sing, they advance the plot. Even the famous opening to "Just One of Those Things" ("As Dorothy Parker once said, to her boyfriend, fare-thee-well") is cued out of the dialogue of a character who has spent the entire show quoting Dorothy Parker. Jubilee is as tightly written as Oklahoma! is, although it's of course not serious as a good part of Oklahoma! is.

When Jubilee closed after only 5 months, Porter did of course say "the hell with art" and went right ahead to do the haphazardly-written Red Hot & Blue!.

I would argue that there are other shows that have songs that further the plot, even one that you should know well, I Married An Angel. Although Angel has its notorious "Roxy Music Hall" which comes out of nowhere, most of the songs (including the famous title song, and the long "Modiste" sequence) are pretty closely tied to the script, though not as carefully as Jubilee does it.

Jerome Kern and Otto Harbach's The Cat & The Fiddle from 1931 is another show whose songs are tightly woven into the plot, with every song advancing the story.

Another myth is that Oklahoma! was the first musical to open with a solo rather than a big opening chorus number. As early as Peggy-Ann in 1926, Rodgers and Hart were experimenting with this idea, and after a solid 20 minutes with no song at all, Peggy-Ann's first number is a duet.

Jerome Kern's aforementioned Cat & The Fiddle (1931) opens with a quiet solo sung to guitar accompaniment, and Cole Porter followed suit with Gay Divorce (up next season for us), which opens -- just as Oklahoma! does -- with a solo ballad. And Porter's Anything Goes -- the real Anything Goes, not the 1962 rewrite -- also famously opens with the big ballad, Reno singing "I Get a Kick Out of You." (The Lincoln Center version in 1987 restored that as the opening).

That's just off the top of my head -- I am sure there are other shows from the 1930s -- possibly even from the 1920s - that feature carefully written scores that are integrated with the script. Credit Oklahoma! for its groundbreaking use of dance, for the solid way Oscar Hammerstein constructed the story (widely and ever-after imitated), for the use of a dark subplot -- but not for being the first show to feature songs that furthered the plot.

OK. Sorry :(

Actually I meant to say it was the first where the entire score is said to further the plot, and Greg easily points out that even that is incorrect. However, he is correct that that is the conventional wisdom that still persists about Oklahoma!

I actually hadn't even heard that "first to open with a ballad" myth.

I am only holding on to a shred of musical theatre dignity because Greg hasn't shot down my statement that sung-thru musicals were pretty unheard of at the time of The Golden Apple...unless that's a second email heading my way.

Intrepid Annette's Golden Apple review, in brief

2006-04-03T15:45:00.000-07:00

Got a little email from Intrepid Annette, the 42nd St. Moon Administrator, today. It included a very brief capsule review of The Golden Apple:

I saw GOLDEN APPLE yesterday afternoon and enjoyed it a lot. Greg has put together a wonderful ensemble -- the show is completely sung-through and a departure from regular Moon fare. You really have to pay attention and listen to follow the storyline. Some of my favorite numbers were "It's the Going Home Together," "My Picture in the Papers," "Store-Bought Suit," "Goona-Goona Lagoon" and "Circe."

If I can expound a bit on what Annette means by a departure from regular Moon fare, well, I write the blog, so I guess I can :)

Anyway, it's not as true now, because the Moon has been doing more and more modern, but rarely-produced musicals, but lots of the Moon ouevre is drawn from shows pre-Oklahoma!...you know that seminal musical that was the first to feature songs that furthered the plot. (Showboat only went halfway there in case you're about to protest.)

Anyway, besides that point, there is also the point that sung-thru musicals were pretty unheard of until more modern times. The Golden Apple is probably about 20 years ahead of its time in that regard!

I'm seeing it this weekend, and I can't wait.

Mack and Mabel Blog Reader Discount is ready

2006-04-02T09:11:00.000-07:00

The Golden Apple still has one more weekend to play, but Mack and Mabel is opening hot on its heels. Mack and Mabel starts previews on April 20th a mere 11 days after The Golden Apple's closing performance.

The discount information should sound familiar:

It's 20% off all tix for all performances, excluding only Sunday Matinees. You can order your tix in advance via phone at 415-978-2787 or by walking up to the Yerba Buena Center box office in person.

The magic code is BLOGMACK. I know you're wondering how we keep coming up with these creative and unusual code names. Sorry, trade secret.

As I said the show starts previews April 20th and runs thru May 7th only. All details can be found here.

Mack and Mabel may be rarely produced around here, but it's a Jerry Herman show with lots of well-known songs, plus it was one of the earliest star vehicles for my idol Bernadette Peters. I have a feeling the show is going to sell well, and quickly, so hop on it Moonies!

Moonie out in the World: David Curley in the other Gypsy

2006-03-31T09:29:00.000-08:00

Speaking of Gypsy, should have mentioned that David Curley, he of many 42nd St. Moon roles, is in that other less intimate Gypsy at AMT, playing Uncle Jocko and Kringelein, among other supporting roles.

Moonie out in the World: Austin Ku

2006-03-31T08:48:00.000-08:00

Got a note from Austin Ku (last seen in The Boys from Syracuse) and he updates us on what he's up to now:

Just wanted to let you know that I'm playing Tulsa (the young male lead) in Town Hall Theatre Company's production of the musical GYPSY in Lafayette. The musical is actually all about Mama Rose (the ultimate stage mom) and her two daughters trying to make it in Vaudeville as performers, so the rest of us are only in a few scenes--but, I do get a scene-stealing solo song and dance number.

If you're interested, please visit www.thtc.org for all the info.

If you're a fan of the show, you might also want to check out the lavish production of GYPSY going on right now as well at American Musical Theatre of San Jose. I saw it last night and enjoyed it a lot--so different from our teeny intimate production!

Good to know, since I'm going next week.

42nd St. Moon auditions

2006-03-30T16:15:00.000-08:00

We are currently accepting pix/resumés for

PARDON MY ENGLISH (Gershwin/Ives), 8m, 6f. All roles are open.
Rehearsals in September with performances October 19th - November 5th

and

FLORA THE RED MENACE (Kander/Ebb/Thompson), 5m, 4f. All roles open except for Flora and Harry.

Auditions will be held late May. All ethnicities are encouraged to apply. AEA (BAT, Tier 1) & non-AEA (Stipend). Send headshots and resumés to Casting, 42nd Street Moon, 601 Van Ness Avenue, #E3-621, San Francisco, CA 94102. Info (415) 255-8207 or mfigueira@42ndstmoon.org.

Golden Apple Production Shot #2

2006-03-27T07:05:00.000-08:00

OK, The Golden Apple is obviously chock full of sex and romance. To be fair, after posting the picture of hot Paris, here's one for those play on the other team: hot Circe (aka Nina Josephs.)

Actually this is a great shot all the way around. I love the framing of the dancing men, and they are all in synch very well...kudos to them.

I'm waiting for a report back from Opening Weekend, which I did not get to attend. I'm heading off to NYC this morning (no time to see theatre probably, oh so sadly.) So, I had a lot of stuff to get done all weekend. Hopefully I'll haul myself up to the City next weekend.

Anyone out there see a performance this weekend? What did you think?

My review of TheatreWorks' latest

2006-03-27T07:04:00.000-08:00

It's not a musical, but it is a Pulitzer Prize winner. Anna in the Tropics is playing at the Lucie Stern in Palo Alto. I know it was supposed to be like a Cuban emigre version of a Tennessee Williams play, but I was more distracted by annoying audience members around me than by the storyline. Not a good sign. You can read my full review at my personal blog.

First Golden Apple performance shot sends me off on an odd tangent!

2006-03-25T09:01:00.000-08:00

It sucks to be Alexandra Kaprielian as Helen,what with all this devoted attention from Jerry Van Carlos Gore as Paris.

I'm doing my best to not objectify the poor guy, but how often do you get to see a shot of a fully clothed woman with a half-naked guy? Usually it's more like the recent Vanity Fair cover featuring a clothed Tom Ford (who?) with supposed mega-stars, but definitely naked, Scarlett Johanson and Keira Knightly. You can take a peek here. (And yes, I know who Tom Ford is. My point is that you'd think the women would be the ones with the power, being movie stars and all, but who do you think looks powerful in that photo?)

This trend of scantily clad women isn't just a modern convention (despite hip-hop video taking it to the next level. Nope, it dates back pretty far:

Moonie Out in the World: And getting great reviews

2006-03-24T09:41:00.000-08:00

Talkin' Broadway loves them some Russ Lorenson.

Sample quote from the rave review:

Russ is an elegant performer who has faultless musical taste and vocal phrasing. He has a voice that is reminiscent of some of the great singers like Tony Bennett, Chet Baker and a little of Mel Torme.

We better keep teasing Russ about his Russtache, or we'll never keep his head to a normal size! Way to go Russ! (And check out his web site for all the scoop on what Russ is up to with his CD, his cabaret show and his theatrical performances.)

The Russ-man responds about his Russ-stache

2006-03-23T09:20:00.000-08:00

Can't say Russ isn't a good sport. Not only did he provide an actual photo of himself in the infamous Russtache, he offers the following response:

For everyone's information, this was not the first appearance of the so-called "Russtache" on the 42nd Street Moon stage. It was last seen on my character of Sandow the Great, during the run of "Minnie's Boys" and was wildly popular during it's run. Attached is a photo of the "Russtache" in action, backstage at the Eureka.

As for upsetting others in the cast by making a bold character choice, my feelings can best be summed up by quoting from the libretto of our show: "Despair cuts through me like a knife, what is the meaning of my life?"

OK, so I don't feel THAT bad, but I was aware enough of the strong reaction to the 'stache that I got rid of it by the next number! :)

Priscilla Gillette, original Golden Apple star, dies

2006-03-22T09:18:00.000-08:00

Russ may not have much to say about his "Russtache", but he did forward me this item about the original Penelope in the Broadway production of The Golden Apple:

Priscilla Gillette, the Broadway soprano who appeared in the musicals Brigadoon, The Golden Apple, Regina and Out of This World, died at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York Feb. 2 following a period of declining health, according to a published notice from her family. Priscilla Gillette Perrone was 80, and was a native of Tenafly, NJ.

So big it has its own cameo role

2006-03-22T08:35:00.000-08:00

Sometimes getting your costume, or putting on the right shoes can make a character click for you. Getting into their physicality is a big part of getting into character.It's harder to play a genteel lady, for example, while you're in rehearsal sweats and sneaks.

But sometimes the first attempts are, well, not exactly as intended. Sounds like it was that way last night, at least according to this dispatch form Golden Apple cast member Carly:

"With all of the craziness of getting everything in order, Russ Lorenson tried to add something to his...costume...last night in Act 2 which was...a...mustache. He came out on stage and we all fell over in our chairs...his entire good looking face had been distorted by this...thing. I whispered unprofessionally to my left to Caroline Altman who plays Penelope that it was the new style dubbed "The Russtache" and now "The Russtache" has been born, and it lives on!! The Russtache made it's one night debut last night, and caused great amusement for us all."

So, Russ: did you realize the impact you had on your poor fellow cast members with the "Russtache"?

Golden Apple opens this week

2006-03-20T10:32:00.000-08:00

We interrupt our regular programming to bring you a shameless plug:

Don't forget to jump on The Golden Apple tickets. The show starts previews on Thursday March 23rd, opens on Saturday the 25th, and runs only three weekends through Sunday April 9th.

All the performance information, and the promotion code to get your 20% off can be found here.

Don't miss it!

My two worlds collide: theatre and technology

2006-03-20T10:27:00.000-08:00

My friend the Diva of Marketing (and a former theatre person herself) sent me a tidbit about actors and advertising.

Seems that new compensation models are in order for union actors who do advertisements, because we've moved beyond radio spot and TV commercials. Now we need to take into account the use of such spots on mobile phones and other media channels (can you say iPod?)

Key excerpt form this article (which is behind a firewall.)

NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- As its contract with the actors unions nears expiration, the ad industry has launched a search for an independent consultant to help develop new compensation models for actors whose work in TV and radio is also used on mobile phones and other growing media channels.

As the old contract expires, actors unions and the advertising business must hammer out new concepts to cover images and audio used across new media platforms like cellphones, iPods and Internet channels.

Consultant search
The industry's negotiating committee said it has issued a request for qualifications to identify consultants with backgrounds in TV, radio and labor relations to come up with alternative compensation schemes that could be used this fall in the industry's collective bargaining process with the two unions, the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. The contract expires Oct. 29.

Any proposals that are developed are not meant to be binding, but instead are to be presented as possible alternatives.

Stuck in the 1950s
"The payment structures in the current collective bargaining agreement with SAG/AFTRA were originally developed to meet the needs and problems of the early 1950s," said Douglas Wood, the lead negotiator for the Joint Policy Committee on Broadcast Talent Union Relations, which is composed of appointees from American Association of Advertising Agencies and the Association of National Advertisers.

"We need a new, equitable approach to talent payment -- one that recognizes that consumers are viewing commercials on cellphones and iPods, and advertisers are using digital editing to customize messages for narrow audiences," he said.

Branded entertainment
The talent unions have also expressed concern over the creative community being left out of discussions concerning brand integration in programming, an increasingly popular marketing practice.

A SAG spokesman couldn't immediately be reached for comment.

It's fun, but rare, when my two world of theatre and technology collide.

Cross-post from FMT Blog: Interpreting Oklahoma

2006-03-19T08:00:00.000-08:00

I posted the following over at the Foothill Music Theatre blog, since they did Oklahoma! a few summers back. But when done I thought it was kinda fun and that Moon fans might want to put in their 2 cents:
========================

Ann Althouse is a well-known blogger, who happens to be a law professor and a rational conservative :) She is also on the Advisory Board for BlogHer Conference '06, over in my other life. That being said I've never met Ann, nor read her extensively until I saw that she too (let me bow my head in shame) writes about American Idol. Yes, it piqued my interest that Ann writes about law, politics and American Idol.

So being a new subscriber to Ann's blog rather than an occasional topical reader, I read this morning that she saw a production of R&H's Oklahoma! last night...and rolled out her expectations for the never-see show vs. the reality.

But I had no idea what the story was, other than that it took place in Oklahoma. Based on the songs, I assumed it was a clean-cut love story. I was surprised to learn it was all about sexuality. There was one young woman who withheld her sexuality and another who gave it away freely. Each of these women had one man who loved her in a worthy way and another who loved her in a dark and slimy way. The sexually withholding woman's story was played for drama, and the sexually free woman's story was played for comedy. The characters' stories interweave through the many long scenes, until the predictable ending eventually arrives. The high point is a surrealistic ballet, the drug-induced dream of the sexually withholding woman, whose fears of rape are elaborately dramatized.

Oklahoma! is my favorite R&H (I'm not generally a huge fan of R&H) specifically because it doesn't just hint at the dark side, like most of their other works, but delves in deeply. Yes, I know that Sound of Music has its threatening Nazis and South Pacific its underlying racism, and King and I its hints gender domination themes.

But in those shows the dark side is much less a part of the plot, or the show happily perpetuates some sterotypes even as they bemoan others.

South Pacific is an example. It comes closes to achieving something very critical that Oklahoma! does: it has the dark, uncomfortable stuff coming out of the mouths of "one of us." Nellie Forbush is the All-American girl, and she is the one who must battle her own not-so-latent racism to find true happiness. Excellent. Except this same piece has a character that doesn't just border on offensive, but runs right over into appalling, Bloody Mary. Speaking pidgin English and willing to essentially sell her teenage daughter to an American serviceman, doesn't the very presence of her take the heat off those racists in the show? Speaking of the daughter, she is the model of a silent submissive Asian woman. So, sorry, I know the show may have been revolutionary for its time, but it doesn't stand up too well.

In Oklahoma! the light and the dark are all represented by plain old Americans. Althouse is correct that the Persan peddler Ali Hakim is played for laughs, even as he drugs up the young Laurie, meanwhile Jud Frye is just a regular guy gone horribly wrong.

The game-playing between Curly and Laurie, the psychological warfare between Curly and Jud, the political conflicts between the farmers and the cowmen, the triumph of Ado Annie's wanton nature over Will Parker's hypocritical double standards for their couple-dom. These are the constant themes of Oklahoma!, and they actually seem as edgy today as they certainly must have then.

Oklahoma! edgy? I think so.

One last note: given Althouse's readership, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that the first comment on her post is this one:

It's refreshing to hear about a play or musical being actually performed, rather than interpreted--i.e. used as a vehicle to express the director's views on contemporary political & social issues.

a) I don't think Althouse really said enough abot the play's production to know whether the show was done with any particular overlay of interpretation.

But more importantly...

b) WTF? Did this person think we were talking about the judiciary? What do artists do but interpret when they perform? Nice way to insert conservative politics into a theatre review.

Anyway, I enjoyed Althouse's review. What do you think? Does Oklahoma, the state, represent female virginity?

Exclusive Blog Interview: Susanna Moross Tarjan, Part III

2006-03-17T07:34:00.000-08:00

The final part of our exclusive interview with the daughter of Golden Apple composer Jerome Moross is about what Susanna Moross Tarjan is doing now to keep the flame alive.

First I asked if Susanna had an opinion about why The Golden Apple became "lost" in the first place:

It's a difficult show. Musically, it’s difficult. It's completely sung-thru. And it generally calls for large cast, although it is done with smaller cast. People are afraid of it and the demands of the piece. Also, John LaTouche and Jerome Moross are not household names. So when you’re talking about raising a huge sum of money for a major revival, that definitely makes it more difficult. There is a cast album. (See Part II where Tarjan talks about how the soundtrack album had to be abridged.) Several years ago the album was transferred to CD...they did great job! RCA BMG Classics recording. Catalog # is 09026-68934. (Here it is on Amazon.)

I also asked if Susanna appreciated staged concert versions, or was disappointed by them:

The Lyric Theatre in Chicago did a fully-staged full orchestra production in 1995. It had some flaws, but it was wonderful to hear the whole piece. Since then it has been done in concert several times. The 1991 Lost musical series in England did it.(I didn’t know about it until afterwards and couldn’t go.) It was done last summer at upstate NY with full orchestra, but concert version.

I would love to see a fully stage production, and if I wins the lottery I’ll stage it in New York!

But I am thrilled with concert version because people get to hear it. Not only do I love the music but the lyrics are absolutely brilliant. My father thought that John La Touche was one of the greatest poets of the 20th century. A brilliant witty man.

Other productions are in the offing. I feel hopeful that the time for the show has come.

Finally, it's not just about The Golden Apple. Susanna works to keep all of her father's music in the public ear. She filled me in on her activities:

I manage and promote my father’s music. I'm an only child, so I knew it would fall to me to handle everything. My father was never good about promoting himself. He was a shy man. And had no sense of P.R. I’m not a great P.R. person, but I’ve certainly been determined to get the music out there.

The thing that made that possible for me was the CD revolution in the late 80s. I realized the thing for me to do was get recordings made and forget about sending scores to conductors with old tapes. Managed to produce 5 recordings. 2 concert music CDs 2 film music compilation CD, and her favorite...Windflowers, the songs of Jerome Moross on PS Classics label. I'm particularly proud of Windflowers because for many years I had all the songs from shows other than The Golden Apple, but didn’t know how I was going to get them out into the world. Many had never been heard, many heard just very briefly. And the opportunity came when working with Tommy Krasker...we arranged for an evening at Joe’s Pub in NY. Then we recorded that evening. That is the show that became the Windflowers CD...the same song structure and cast. My dream is to do one more of those CDs with another batch of songs that I would love to be able to be heard.

Note: you can purchase all of these CDs from Susanna's site about her father.

If you've enejoyed this 3-part interview with Susanna don't forget she's going to be at the show on Sunday March 26th and will participate in the post-show discussion with the audience. Also, she can be reached via email. She loves to hear what people think about her father's music, and of course welcomes opportunities to get it heard.

BIG NEWS: 2006/2007 Season is Finally FINAL

2006-03-15T09:32:00.000-08:00

After lots of hints, and the world's longest reveal, I can finally announce the finalized, set-in-stone 2006/2007 42nd St. Moon season, complete with a last-minute surprise addition. Here's the word from Greg:

Well, the new season is finally set and approved. Phew! And, in fact, there were last-minute rearrangements and changes. Getting 2006-07 set has been a cliffhanger for us, as well as the audiences! They aren't always this complicated. The new, complete season dates are:

LI’L ABNER
(1956, Johnny Mercer, Gene de Paul)
JULY 20th THRU AUGUST 6th

PARDON MY ENGLISH
(1933, George & Ira Gershwin, Book Adaptation by David Ives)
OCTOBER 19th THRU NOVEMBER 5th

FLORA THE RED MENACE
(1965, John Kander, Fred Ebb, Book by David Thompson)
NOVEMBER 16th THRU DECEMBER 10th

ZORBA
(1968, John Kander, Fred Ebb, Joseph Stein)
MARCH 15th THRU APRIL 1st, 2007

GAY DIVORCE
(1932, Cole Porter, Dwight Taylor)
APRIL 12th APRIL 29TH, 2007

The surprise, of course, is Gay Divorce. We had been hoping to revive one of our most popular shows ever, Cole Porter and Moss Hart's Jubilee, but once again plans for a guest star performer became complicated, so we are holding off on our Jubilee revival, and instead doing Gay Divorce -- the Fred Astaire vehicle that features "Night and Day" and "After You, Who?" among its many wonderful songs. By the way, when Hollywood filmed Gay Divorce as a Fred and Ginger vehicle, the censors insisted the title be changed to The Gay Divorcée -- because the did not want to promote the idea that a divorce could be happy!

Woo hoo! I've never seen any of these shows, although I can't believe that's true, given that Li'l Abner, Flora and Zorba are all more on the modern side of things. Actually, that'll be the fun side of things, because I'm quite positive I've heard multiple songs from each show, but never seen them in context.

So there you have it. The season has landed!

Golden Apple behind-the-scenes

2006-03-15T09:07:00.000-08:00

Got a rehearsal report from Moonie Kristopher McDowell, currently playing Hector in The Golden Apple. (Of course Moon fans will remember him as Cocky in last year's The Roar of the Greasepaint.)

I immediately bonded with Alex Kaprielian's Helen when I heard her treatment of THE GOLDEN APPLE's 'Lazy Afternoon' in Act One and am I pleased to join her onstage in the second act for my second favorite song 'Picture in the Papers'. The lyrics in this show are genuinely funny and the music interesting, complex and delightful.

My advice is to attend the show to hear the entire classic story and intelligent score. If your only experience of this show is having heard or been exposed to the original Broadway cast album, I urge you to come see this production for yourself and experience how much more dynamic and entertaining this show can be!

Actually, his comment reminds me of something composer Jerome Moross' daughter Susanna told me in our interview. I've been meaning to post it, because it's an interesting little tidbit:

The recording is frustrating because it’s not the full show. At the time RCA would not do a 2-record album. And since it was sung-thru, it was obviously longer.

At the recording session John La Touche had to write couplets to tie together the disparate pieces they chose to record, so it made some sense. But even though it’s truncated, you can hear the talent that’s there.

So, to Kristopher's point, the cast album is just a tasty morsel compared to the meal that is the full score!

The team behind The Golden Apple...back in 1954

2006-03-14T10:29:00.000-08:00

Back from a few days in Austin, TX...a fun town for sure, but does anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere really need to hit 90 degrees farenheit in mid-March?

Anyway,here's a picture from Susanna Moross Tarjan's private collection of her dad and Golden Apple collaborator John LaTouche. It's dated the early 50's, so right around when they were writing the show. Moross is the one standing, LaTouche, seated.

Do you think those are binoculars around LaTouche's neck? Think they were bird-watching?

Exclusive Blog Interview: Susanna Moross Tarjan, Part II

2006-03-09T07:42:00.000-08:00

In Part I we covered Susanna's memories of the original production of The Golden Apple. Today in Part II a little more about Susanna's father, composer Jerome Moross, and what it was like growing up with him.

We spent lots of time going back and forth between New York and L.A. In fact, I was born in L.A. We lived in L.A. when he wrote films. When he was writing for films he worked at the studio, but otherwise, he worked at home. The piano was in the living room. There was a card table next to it, with an ash tray and his cigarettes at the side. He had the ability to tune everybody out. We knew when he had his tongue in his cheek he was composing.

I just went about my business, like any other kid's situation. The only thing I couldn’t do was play records. But I had friends over; I talked to mother: I went in and out.

My parents were very very close. Whenever he got idea or come up with a melody he would call mom in to listen to it. She was not a musician, but she was the ultimate audience member and his chief fan. When my mom died, father actually thought and said that he was going to live for another 15 years, but he couldn’t. He died 4 months later. This was in 1983.

My father considered himself a composer - not a film composer or theatre composer or any other kind, but just a composer. He did particularly love writing for theatre...it was his first true love. That's why he didn’t stay out in Hollywood and came back to NY...even after the success of "Big Country." He didn’t want to spend his whole career doing films.

Stay tuned for Part III: How Susanna keeps thelegacy of her father and his music alive...

Exclusive Blog Interview: Susanna Moross Tarjan, Part I

2006-03-08T10:19:00.000-08:00

Meet Susanna Moross Tarjan, daughter of The Golden Apple composer, Jerome Moross. As the Moross' only child, Susanna has always known it would fall to her to be the keeper of the flame for her father's work, and it's a role she performs gladly and very diligently.

I spent a wonderful hour takling to Susanna and learned a lot about The Golden Apple, Jerome Moross, and all of her ongoing activities to make sure we continue to be exposed to her father's vast body of work.

In Part I of the interview I asked Susanna about her own memories of The Golden Apple's original production. She was just barely a teenager when it played, but she vividly remembers the wonderful production:

"I remember the show well. Because I was in school I didn’t hang around rehearsals a whole lot, but I saw it many times and have vivid recollections of the set and the amazing cast. I loved the whole show. Kaye Ballard played Helen. Kaye wasn’t a star until Golden Apple…it really made her a star. Steven Douglas, Bibi Osterwald and Portia Nelson were all fantastic. Jack Whiting was a terrific song and dance man.

It was a great artistic success, but unfortunately it moved uptown from the Phoenix Theatre to the Alvin Theatre (now the Eugene O'Neill) in May. Back then theatre didn't run the same during the summer, due to the lack of A/C. The show didn’t survive the summer because of the move. One big problem was that it didn’t have advanced advertising. The producers wouldn't let them advertise or sell advanced sales for the new theatre until all Phoneix seats were sold. Many requests for tickets received at the Phoneix were returned rather than forwarded to the new box office.

The Golden Apple won many Drama Critics Award, but the Music award went to Borodin for Kismet. Father laughed it off, but I’m sure it pained him."

Note: Borodin was a classical composer, long-dead, whose music was used for Kismet.

So, it sounds like politics and short-sighted business decisions are as timeless as the theatre itself!

Stay tuned for the next installments of the interview, where we'll discuss:

-Why Susanna thinks The Golden Apple is rarely-produced
-Her father's working style and habits
-Fully-staged Productions vs. Staged Concerts
-How Susanna keeps the Jerome Moross flame burning

Don't forget Susanna herself will be a part of the Sunday post-show audience talkback on Sunday March 26th.

Susanna is always happy to receive inquiries about her father and his work, and you can contact her directly if you're interested.

Greg really does know everything :)

2006-03-06T16:14:00.000-08:00

He knows for example (in response to my comments about Robert Coleman's use of the royal "we"):

It was standard practice in the first half of the 20th Century for critics to use what is called "The Editorial 'We'" -- ie, just the same as editorial writers used (and in many cases, still use).

It really wasn't until the late 60s-early 70s that the practice went out of fashion for critics. Clive Barnes, I believe,
was the first NY Times critic to revert to first-person. (Walter Kerr, on the other hand, often used first-person when
he would reference earlier shows in a review -- "I remember on opening night of Oh Oh Oh Nurse! back in 1926, I turned to
my date and said ..."

And yet his knowledge extends past the theatrical to the sartorial (in response to my envious curiosity about Cindy Goldfield's hair):

And yes, that's Cindy's real hair. You'll have to ask her how she got it so curly.

I will. Oh yes! I will.

Excerpt from a glowing review of the original production of Golden Apple

2006-03-06T10:08:00.000-08:00

Robert Coleman has a disconcerting habit of referring to himself with the royal "we", so I spent some time wondering if he was involved with the production in some way. But no, he's a critic, and here are some of the thoughts he put to paper after seeing the original Broadway production of The Golden Apple.

When we went to the Phoenix for the premiere of "The Golden Apple", we were a little apprehensive. From what we had heard it sounded like a noble experiment. We feared that it would be precious and pretentious. Instead it turned out to be an utterly delightful musical satire. It was art without being arty.

OK, I can't help but remark that it's a bit of the pot calling the kettle black for someone who refers to himself as a "we" to call anything pretentious, no? I'm guessing (hoping) that was the standard of the day.

But I'm gonna cut the guy some slack, since he also says:

"The Golden Apple" strikes us as being the most important musical since "Oklahoma!" and No less revolutionary, in our opinion, is "The Golden Apple."

There's more, but I'll whet your appetite with those choice quotes.

First look at Mack and Mabel cast

2006-03-04T07:42:00.000-08:00

Take a gander at the principal cast from the upcoming Mack and Mabel:

Left to right: Steve Rhyne as Frank, Cindy Goldfield as Mabel, Bill Fahrner as Mack, Kalon Thibodeaux as Kessel and Amy Louise Cole as Lottie.

I'm just dying to know if that's Cindy's actual hair. On a good day I achieve the perfect curliness depicted, but most days it's more like frizz and fuzz.

Golden Apple Discount for Blog Readers is Ready!

2006-03-01T07:55:00.000-08:00

The dealio should sound familiar:

20% off all tickets for every performance, excluding Sunday matinees.

Available via phone orders or walk-ups to the Box Office at Yerba Buena Center.

Call 415-978-2787 to order all tickets and use the code BLOGAPPLE.

Details are here.

One last note: this discount is available in limited quantities only.

So, get going :)

Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Awards for 42nd St. Moon!

2006-03-01T07:12:00.000-08:00

The annual BATCC Awards and nominations have been announced, and 42nd St. Moon has raked in 4 nominations, and 3 wins:

Darlene Popovic for Minnie's Boys, Klea Blackhurst for Red Hot & Blue!, and David Curley for Miss Liberty have all won in the Best Actor/Actress Category. (They do allow multiple winners per category.)

Also, Kalon Thibodeaux was nominated as Best Supporting Actor for Minnie's Boys.

You can see the full list of nominations and winners here.

Congratulations to all our Moonie nominees!

The original Golden Apple program notes

2006-02-27T15:29:00.000-08:00

Intrepid Annette sent me some paged from the original Golden Apple Playbill, and they are fascinating. Playbills today don't give you quite as much history of how a show made it to Broadway as these notes seem to.

There's way too much for one blog post, but let me give you the first few paragraphs of author John LaTouche's notes for now:

"The Golden Apple" has undergone all the rigors likely to beset any collaborative effort in the queasy atmosphere of the theatre. Jerome Moross wanted to compose, and I wanted to write, a musical in the manner of our "Ballet Ballads", developing the style of those pieces into a framework that could tell a unified story.

Naturally, our first problem was how to eat while putting such a long and complicated show together. Our first show had been handsomely commissioned by that dapper Maecenas of Shubert Alley, Mike Todd. (Regretfully relinquished by Mike, it had later arrived at the Music Box via ANTA's brave sponsorship.)

When "The Golden Apple" project was submitted to the Guggenheim Foundation, a fellowship from them enabled me to begin writing it.

"The Golden Apple" attracted me as a dramatic theme that was both timely and colorful. I set out to tell the stories of Ulysses and Penelope, Paris and Helen, as they would have happened in America. It was to be no adaptation of Homeric grandeurs, but a comic reflection of classical influence on the way we think nowadays. Therefore any myths we might use were to arise out of our native songs, dances, jokes and ideas.

"
I'll share more of LaTouche's notes this week, because they provide insight into how the material came together and how the production of that material came together.

Stay tuned...

Plug Unto Others...

2006-02-25T08:03:00.000-08:00

You know I like to help out the Moonies by posting here when they're out in the world doing other stuff.

Well, the new Moonie Golden Rule shall be "Plug unto others, as you would have them plug unto You."

(Yes, I know it needs work as a slogan.)

Carly Ozard, cast member in the upcoming Moon production of The Golden Apple sent me this plug for another Moonie:

I wanted to write you and tell you about the wonderful Cabaret show I saw last weekend in Rohnert Park California. It's at the Spreckles Center, featuring Craig Jessup (of Moon land!) and Barry Lloyd, known as the Crown Prince of Cabaret. Both are extremely accomplished performers, embarking on their thirtieth year performing on and off together. This concert celebrates the loving month of February and honors Valentine's Day! They have one weekend left, singing glorious songs of Sondheim, Noel Coward, Hugh Martin, George and Ira Gerswhin as well as Rodgers and Hart and many MANY others that dot our lives' soundtracks with love. They are both fabulous on vocals, and Barry is flawless on the piano. In a dimly lit setting, they are intimate with their audience, bringing us all to tears and then through laughter, they help us remember all of our past and current loves with family, personal love, and friends. It is really a remarkable show.

If there is anyway you can get this plug up on the blog I'd appreciate it. Thank you so very much.

Actually, it closes this weekend, so if you're looking for a last minute weekend activity, sounds like this is perfect.

More 2006/2007 Season News

2006-02-23T10:03:00.000-08:00

The next piece in the puzzle that is Moon's 2006-07 season is this:

The second show of the season (following LI'L ABNER) is the 1965 John Kander and Fred Ebb musical FLORA, THE RED MENACE.

According to Greg:

This is the show that made a star of Liza Minnelli originally, although the authors rewrote it for an off-Broadway revival in 1987, and it is that version that we will be doing. The show concerns a young woman in the 1930s whose stumbles into romance with a man who is torn between her and his allegiance to the Communist Party (hence the "red" of the title). Some of the great Kander and Ebb songs in FLORA are "A Quiet Thing," "Sing Happy," "Not Every Day of the Week," and "All I Need is One Good Break." FLORA, THE RED MENACE previews on October 19th and 20th, opens on October 21st, and closes on November 5th.

I love "A Quiet Thing", and that is always one of the great joys of seeing a Moon show: seeing songs you know and love in their original context. Can't wait!

Announcement: Special guest for Golden Apple audience talkback

2006-02-22T10:32:00.000-08:00

Audiences who come on the first Sunday matinee (as I often try to) are always treated to a post-show discussion with the cast and production staff. For Golden Apple we have a very special guest joining us: Suzanna Moross Tarjan - daughter of Jerome Moross, the Golden Apple composer

This will be Sunday March 26th.