(To see … NBC.com Let’s Play DownTown
  Interviews,   click on the links below)    

            LINK FROM SKIN 1

                 http://www.letsplaydowntown.com/SanDiego/Events/Skin1_Nov2008/Media_iLink_Skin1_launch.html

Dear Rob,

I enjoyed your review of SF Ballet. Aren't they fabulous? Every ballet season I go see them on their home turf at the SF Opera House [my old stomping ground]. As much as I am a fan of SFB, I  also understand your point about the program ending with the Balanchine piece; I didn't even have to be there to envision the performance beginning on such a high note then closing the evening with a piece that had a lesser impact on the audience . Though I do love Balanchine's work, as many do, I think when it comes to doing an eclectic show that combines classical and contemporary, the latter often leaves a more lingering impression. 

Best, Jasmine
4 The Arts

SHOW REVIEW (** As seen 11/21/08):

A British Music Hall Christmas Carol ...

West Coast Premiere!

SCROOGE In ROUGE

... A Burlesque Romp! 

Eric Vest

‘Tis the season … and, ‘tis  the first of many ‘Christmas Carol’  productions mounted in San Diego this season … Diversionary’s SCROOGE In ROUGE takes you on a whirlwind blitz of classic ‘ha-ha’ one-liners, with a few music hall-style tunes thrown in.  As directed by the ‘Daddy Machine’ creator Rayme Sciaroni, SCROOGE’s 27-character romp is written by Ricky Graham and musically enhanced by Jefferson Turner. Make no mistake though, the 27-rapid-costume changes are done by only three hearty souls … Eric Vest, Tony Houck and Kim Strassburger, who with conductor-pianist Rick Shaffer, never skip-a-beat, and keep the vaudevillian spirit going through the telling of the famed Scrooge Christmas Carol.

On this evening, a predominant women’s audience (so good to see our Lesbian community supporting the Diversionary) had a chance to also appreciate some lobby artwork by local artist Christian Lopez, who recently designed the scenario for Compass Theatre’s TROILUS & CASSIDRA. All three featured actors worked hard, and had their ‘moments’  to shine…particularly, in songs like AN IDOL THAT’S MADE OF GOLD (Act I closer), the Act II fun-opener SHINING SEA, a smart duet for Eric Vest and Tony Houck in SO MUCH LOVE, GOOD RIDDANCE, and a clever TINY TIM number (picking a cute guy from the audience, adding a Tiny Tim  ‘bib’ like costume…they all had a ball!). The TINY TIM song also made for a rousing show finale!

Cast members Eric Vest, playing CHARLIE SCHMALTZ (see photo above) et…all, is well remembered by this viewer for his appearance in the excellent Stone Soup Theatre production of TICK, TICK, BOOM!; the counter-tenor voice(s) of Tony Houck, playing LOTTIE OBBLIGATO and every conceivable type ‘drag’ imaginable (and, last seen here, in Diversionary’s YANK!), and Kim Strassburger (seen in Cygnet Theatre’s A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC at the Old Town Theatre), here of course, playing ‘Scrooge’ himself and VESTA VIRILE … they all move about so fast, one can imagine them meeting-themselves coming and going…. In overview, as many readers and friends have heard me say in the past … satire and farce is the most difficult form of theatre to direct and to appear in … and, SCROOGE is no less challenging.  Like going to see a Mel Brooks or Monty Python play, as an audience member, you have to be in the mood ... to flow with the action before you!  SCROOGE In ROUGE may not be everyone’s cup-of-tea, but, if you can dispense with the daily world you drag-in with you, and just get into the burlesque romp of it all … you’ll have a good time!

  Kim Strassburger, Tony Houck and Eric Vest 

Realtor James Greer, SD theatre patron, Merle Wahl, and Property Manager Robert Hampton at opening of SCROOGE In ROUGE … Photo by RA

Playing through December 21^st, this West Coast Premiere of SCROOGE In ROUGE can be on your holiday list also, by calling (619) 220-0097, or going online at www.diversionarytheatre.org. Watch for future offerings of Diversionary Theatre in Paul Oakley Stovall’s AS MUCH AS YOU LIKE IT on Jan 9-25^th, 2009, and the Peter Kalivas  adventure…DANCE THEATRE on Feb. 5-8^th, 2009.

   ******

SHOW  Review (** As seen 11/23/08):
La Jolla Playhouse:

XANADU

The MOVIE ... was a 'flop'
 

This SHOW ... is a 'hit'

Max von Essen

as artist SONNY

 Elizabeth Stanley leads her 'muses'

With a stellar VIP-crowd at Opening Night, including visiting former LJP Director Des McAnuff, and XANADU film screen players Richard Danus and Marc Rubel, the La Jolla Playhouse is noted for mounting splashy pre-Broadway (often corporate-enhanced) shows, and under Artistic Director Christopher Ashley’s skilled hands, we all expected its current offering XANADU to be another hit (Ashley, also directed the original successful debut of XANADU on Broadway, before he joined the LJP last year). Choreographed by Dan Knechtges, the 13-member (all Equity) cast delivers the 13-song score, plus the finale title song ‘Xanadu” with robust energy! However, the quality of the artists exceeds the quality of the material. Accompanied by Music Director Jesse Vargas (along with a show quartet of musicians), the cast stand-outs are handsome Max von Essen (as SONNY, see photo), together with roller-skating blonde bombshell Elizabeth Stanley (as KIRA) who with Max von Essen belt out SUDDENLY and SUSPENDED IN TIME, and she shows a warm full-voice pop alto.  Max von Essen instantly became the audience favorite with his under-stated (and very funny) sense of satire! Clearly, also an audience favorite was Larry Marshall (as DANNY) who captures the high spirit of the show with (the dancing) WHEN YOU’RE AWAY FROM ME, together with Elizabeth Stanley and the personable Julius Thomas III (as the YOUNG DANNY). Now, looking good…and vocally exciting (despite the lack of not having a real show-stopper song of her own) is Sharon Wilkins … and, you just know…she’s a diva!  Some of the best ensemble vocals came with DON’T WALK AWAY (Max here again…nails it!), and they all ring with familiarity in HAVE YOU EVER BEEN MELLOW?

Susan Wilkins and Joanna Glushak in ‘Evil Woman’

(As noted)  Sometimes musical book writers get cool source material like Hans Christian Anderson, a John Waters screenplay, or a Mel Brooks cinematic masterpiece. As in the case with XANADU, Hollywood movies have proven to be fertile ground for new stage musicals. Three films provided original source material for new musicals at the La Jolla Playhouse. THE WHO’S TOMMY (in the 1992 season) was based on the 1975 film musical, that in turn, was based on The Who’s 1969 rock opera album. THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE (2000 season) was a comic pastiche based on the 1967 musical comedy film, starring Julie Andrews and Mary Tyler Moore. Further John Water’s 1990 teen musical parody, and CRY-BABY, starring Johnny Depp, as a much-maligned juvenile delinquent, became a beloved cult classic and appeared on the LJP stage in 2007.

In overview, based on the Universal Pictures film screenplay of XANADU, which most agree, turned-out a ‘flop’…this stage version looks to be a mega-hit. Though the cast and direction is still a bit uneven…one moment, a fun touch of burlesque and farce…the next scene…failed nonsense. One might also expect the pop-music score by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar  to carry the show…not quite!  However, on Opening Night, the cast comes off as having a good time…the ‘kamp’ works…and, bottom line, that’s the most important ingredient for any hit show!  In fairness (as per director Christopher Ashley)… “As a teenager, even though I thought the film of XANADU was bad, I had a real affection for the soundtrack. With my passion for mythology, love of the album, and a story very close to my heart, about a ‘muse’ who inspires an artist to create something…in Venice Beach of all places…my decision to join the production team to remake XANADU was a no-brainer. Still, we had to ask ourselves some tough questions: What’s the line between trash culture and art? How are they different? When is one in danger of becoming the other?  We did feel, however, that we were on solid ground in at least one aspect of the show, and we used Jeffy Lynne and John Farrar’s score as a guidepost and measuring stick. It was very important that we remained true to the spirit of their greatest music. From THE WHO’S TOMMY to JERSEY BOYS, rock musicals are part of the Playhouse’s DNA.  With a musical style that throbs with a pop rock feel all its own, XANADU is an invitation to a party, where audiences can let loose and enter exuberantly…into its divinely wacky world!”

Playing through Dec 31^st (end of the year) at the Mandell Weiss Theatre, reservations and tickets to XANADU, can still be a Holiday Treat, if you keep expectations modest, and can be obtained by calling (858) 550-1010, or going online at www.lajollaplayhouse.org.   Also, watch for a new production (the prequel to PETER PAN) …in PETER and the STARCATCHERS, a new play (part of the LJP Page to Stage Program) on Feb 13^th thru March 8^th, at the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre.

Elizabeth Stanley inspires her MUSES …

 ******

DANCE

REVIEWS (**) 

   ** NATIONS
  Dance Festival

&    Announcements      
 

DANCE Review (** As seen 11/23/08):
Coronado Performing Arts Center:

Nations of San Diego

 INTERNATIONAL DANCE FESTIVAL

                      A Tour of the World !

PASACAT Philippine Dancers

Formerly, the domain of the (now, non-existent) San Diego Dance Alliance, dance entrepreneur Betzi Roe has re-created the much-appreciated 15^th Annual NATIONS International Dance Festival, which this year, showcased 14-diverse dance companies over 3-days of non-stop ethnic dance…under the auspices of the Coronado School of the Arts. Now, whether one understands the ethnic history of varied dance cultures, you can’t help but admire and appreciate the detail and colorful costumes of these countries represented.

Pualani Hawaiian Dancers

On this Sunday (11/23) there were seven dance companies offered….most remembered for their annual appearances in BRAVO San Diego, over past years, and here…starting with the PUALANI Hawaiian Dancers, were featured (with 9-dancers) their traditional HULA KAHIKO, as staged by Barbara Finneran to the live accompaniment with a gourd-like rhythm instrument by Wailana. The second artist up, was the beautifully costumed Wi Wayan Ekarini Balinese dancer in LEGONG KERATON….which is slow, methodical, with three large fans on stage as scenario.  This was followed by the Native American group Eric Runningpath … 7-dancers in sensational Indian tribal-garb, as they performed dances to GRASS, CREW HOP, HOOP and WOMAN’S FANCY SHAWL, and the Men’s SNEAK-UP DANCE…all with their fast foot-work and Kumayay chants. The highlight of Act I,  came with AnneMarie Cabato’s always colorful PASACAT Philippine Dancers, featuring some 20-dancers in dances from the isle of Mindanao – some 10,000 miles east of San Diego. Their final TINIKLING bamboo dance, with the traditional wedding party (doing their best to not get a broken ankle) dancing rapidly between the quick-banging of the long bamboo poles…this brought forth from the audience the expected roar of approval!

Eric Runningpath

Act II featured two couples from the Tango Alma Dance Ensemble (home-based at the Tango University of California…here in San Diego) in MILONGA de TANGO. Though, we’ve seen better presentations from Tango Alma, the couples showcased the music of Derecho Viejo, Huracan, Fracanapa, and of course, the ever-popular La Cumparsita!  A lovely soloist dancer followed, in ever so delicate and fragile costuming (from India) to present SHOBA SHARMA, to the choreography of Kalashetra…and, though captivating to watch at first, was far too lengthy for this viewer’s attention. The NATIONS program of seven dance companies climaxed with the Ballet Folklorico Jalisciense – representing Mexico…in the dances from SINALOA, with choreography by Mary G. Lopez, and featured the ‘sapatiado foot work’ (Mexican tap-dancing) of their male dancers.  Now…with the often repetitiveness of the music and dance steps…which can be tedious and wearing…’ethnic dance’ is not for every dance enthusiast…however, San Diego can surely be proud of Betzi Roe and her team for pulling this very challenging job together on the same stage, and showcasing such diverse dance discipline concepts! 

CONGRATS….!!!

Shoba Sharma of India                            Ni Wayan Ekarini Balinese Dance

As such, the Coronado School of the Arts is one to watch (and sup