26
Mar

Opera in Atlanta

Opera in Atlanta
Man of La Mancha
Don Pasquale

It is rare that we have opera companies presenting in the same time frame;  but this is quite a treat for us right now.  The Capitol City Opera Company is performing Man of La Mancha at Oglethorpe and The Atlanta Opera has brought Don Pasquale to Cobb Energy Center.

The story of the noble Don Quixote is a classic.  It takes place in Spain during the days of the Inquisition.  Miguel de Cervantes is thrown into a dungeon along with his man servant Sancho.  They are set upon by the other inmates and he appeals to the mob to let him keep his precious manuscript.  Then Cervantes (Jonathan Spuhler) and Sancho (Daniel Weisman) segue into a play within a play, about a knight errant who seeks to correct injustice in the society.  Aldonza, a/k/a Dulcinea, is sung by Rachel Eve Holmes.

This production is staged pretty much as it was originally done, on a pretty stark set.  The orchestra is on a riser at stage left, and there is a draw bridge at stage right where inmates and jailers may descend into the dungeon.

Directed by Michael Nutter, the cast of more than 20 players really put their heart and soul into the story;  and while we all know The Impossible Dream and Man of La Mancha, there are about 30 numbers in the production.  The opera closes this week, so get more info at CCityOpera.org

And, over in Cobb you can meet up with another weirdo.  This is not Donizetti’s original setting, as it has been camped up quite a bit to be set in Hollywood in the 20th century.  The story is the same, but the Don is “The Sovereign of the Silver Screen” as he produces black and white films.  Other than it may have physically moved from Italia to Rodeo Drive, the music, humor, story line and lyrics remain intact.

The show is staged as it had been in Cincinnati and several of the leads have also played in it there.  The Don is sung by Burak Bilgili.  His nephew, Ernesto (Santiago Ballerini) has chosen to wed a woman who the Don disapproves of.  Ernesto gets his friend Dr. Malatesta (Alexey Lavrov) to weave a web of deception to help get things worked out for him.  Georgia Jarman plays the vixen Norina as she takes over the old geezer’s life.  And Ji-Min Park sings Ernesto.

You’ll love the white faces, the silent film projections, and the man servant who may have been part of the Addams Family.  The parlando number in Act III is a hoot.  Even if you spoke Italian, you’d be clueless as to what was being said.  This is a pure delight, done with great set, props, costumes, visuals, and a full orchestra in the pit.  Joseph Colaneri conducts and Chuck Hudson is the director.  This is one of those you will be so pleasantly surprised by the production.  It is Opera Buffa at its best.  Their website is at AtlantaOpera.org

25
Mar

Nobody Loves You

Nobody Loves You
through April 30, 2017
Horizon Theatre

This yet-to-get-to-Broadway musical has been a delight to audiences wherever it has played.  Gaby Alter and Itamar Moses are life-long friends who got together to create this book, score and lyrics, and they did a really fine job.  The Horizon is one of the very first regional houses to have the privilege to present the work;  and the creators came here to get it just right before it goes nationally.

The story is kinky.  Imagine a TV show named Nobody Loves You.  They bring on selected people who are searching for the Mr/Ms right for them.  They have little control over anything once they sign on for the show.  Everything seems to be under control of the emcee and the producers.

Brad Raymond is the show emcee, and he is spot-on for such a role.  A young nerdish type, Jeff (Patrick Wade) is hardly enamored of the show.  But, when he believes his significant other has tried to get into the show, he wants to do so as well, in hopes that the riffs between them may be resolved.  Little problem, in that his lady isn’t in the show.

But, the contestants include Samantha (Leslie Bellair) and Dominic (Austin Tijurina) who may or may not make it to the final cut.  Austin also is a laugh riot when he comes on as Evan, and wheels in to do his numbers. Then we also meet up with Christian (Ben Thorpe) and Megan (Jennifer Alice Acker) who become the object of attraction, but maybe not necessarily to each other.

Jeanette Illidge is Jenny part of the production staff, while Wendy Melkonian comes on both as Tanya (the one who dumped Jeff) and Nina who is the show’s director.  As the show goes on, the contestants are to chose their roomies, run through various tests and exercises, and discover others faults, lies and high points..

Heidi McKerley directed the production which features 19 numbers, done with great aplomb and with a live band backing them up with Alli Lingenfelter on the keys and conducting.  The show is fast moving, both funny and sometimes pretty sexy.  It isn’t one for the tots, but if you think that so much TV is tripe, then this is one you have to see.  It will make one reflect on some celebrities and politicians when you hear some of the lines.

More info and tickets at HorizonTheatre.com

21
Mar

The Cemetery Club

The Cemetery Club
Stage Door Players
through April 9, 2017

We’re in the Forest Hills section of Queens, and we meet three Jewish widows, who are trying to find their way through those not so golden years.  They get together each month and go to visit their husbands’ graves, which might all be in the same cemetery.

Doris (Hannah Lowther), Lucille (Karen Whitaker) and Ida (Ann Wilson) are ladies that everyone in the audience knows.  One of them is impressed with her own appearance, another with buying at the lowest price, one with suspicion of any man who looks at any of them, etc.

The man who starts the action is Sam (Frank Roberts) the butcher, who shows up at the cemetery to visit his wife’s grave and starts to get into it with Ida.  The other two BFFs put the anchor on that one, though.  Then there is a woman we never meet, who is about to be married for the Nth time, and the three ladies are to be her Maids of Honor.  She always asks three different women each time she weds.

The agent provocateur shows up as Mildred (Kathleen McCook) who they all know;  but didn’t expect to be sharing a car ride or an evening with her as Sam’s eye-candy and date.

There used to be huge posters in the NYC subways promoting Levy’s bagels that said You Don’t Have to be Jewish to Enjoy Levy’s.  I recall one of them with a picture of a Native American Indian munching out.  Well, the same is true about Ivan Menchall’s play.  There may be a few Yiddish words, but you know where they’re going.  It’s kind of the Golden Girls on stage.

The show is directed by Dina Shadwell and Chuck Welcome put together an easily workable stage.  It’s been playing to a full house and everybody is enjoying the show; especially if they are AARP members.  Stage Door Players is easy to get to in Dunwoody, free parking, comfy seats, and you ca download more info and tickets at StageDoorPlayers.net

19
Mar

The Foreigner

The Foreigner
Lionheart Theatre
through April 2, 2017

When Froggy LeSueur (Billy Woods) shows up at some lodge in north Georgia he brings his friend Charlie (Grant Carden) with him.   Froggy is here for a few days to do some military instruction, and Charlie is with him just to get him away from his ailing wife who may soon pass.  Charlie is a nerdish type who is a proof reader for a science fiction magazine, and he is really having psycho problems.  He doesn’t wish to speak with people, meet new folks, or get involved.

So Froggy invents a story line to help him.   He tells the lady who owns the lodge, Betty (Amy Szymanski), that Charlie is from some unnamed foreign country and doesn’t speak English at all.  Charlie gets into the act and invents some words that might be Klingon, but I am not sure.

The Reverend David Marshall Lee (Jackson C. Trent) is also in the lodge, and he has some interests which are not quite what one might expect of a man of the cloth.  He knows that Betty could have to sell off her lodge for a pittance, especially if it gets condemned by the town building inspector, Owen (James H. Burke).

Rev. Lee’s fiancé, Catherine (Rebecca Winker Spring) is also staying there and she has some news that could change lives for her and her fiancé.  Her son, Ellard (Bridger Trent), is keen to get involved even though he may be somewhat developmentally delayed.  So we have a collection of weirdos who try to figure out what they are doing.

In Act II, some very unexpected action comes into play;  and while all comes out right, in the end, it is a hilarious solution to a dangerous problem.  This is a show that’s been around for quite a while and always gives the audience a couple of hours of terrific laughter.  If you think that all the nutty politicians are on TV, please know that you find them also to be on the stage.

Lionheart is easy to get to off Norcross square, with free parking, comfy seating and complimentary goodies at intermission.  More info and tickets at LionheartTheatre.org

18
Mar

Annie

Annie
Fox Theatre
through March 19, 2017

If you want to bring the kids to see Annie and Daddy Warbucks, then you better hurry.  For some reason this touring company plays here for three days only, with Sunday the closing performance.

You know the story.  Poor orphan Annie (Tori Bates) is being mistreated by that nasty Miss Hannigan (Erin Fish).   She gets invited to spend some time with a Trumpish billionaire (GilgameshTaggett) and they fire up a relationship.

Then Hannigan’s brother and his lady show up and they have heard about a reward that Warbucks offers for finding Annie’s birth parents.  They are ready to pose as such, and show up at Christmas time.  Like any childrens’ story, all comes right in the end.  The bad guys pay for their evil deeds, Annie gets away from her hard knock life, and winds up on Easy Street.

It’s a good cast with some fine young actors, great sets and props, and a small orchestra in the pit, but able to carry it off with great aplomb.  Being the Fox, you may have a little problem with the lyrics at some times, but you know the story and the music hasn’t changed.

They have 2 shows Sunday at 1pm and 6:30pm; and the parking pests can’t tag you on Sundays, so go and enjoy.  Website for tickets and more info at FoxTheatre.org

18
Mar

The Legend of Georgia McBride

The Legend of Georgia McBride
Actors Express
through April 16, 2017

Once upon a time a hard-up performer tried to make a living doing his Elvis impersonation.  But the crowds weren’t overwhelming.   He was going to be replaced by some drag queen act, and as things went awry, he would up being drafted into the performance.

Meet Nick Arapoglou, who comes on as Casey, the Elvis wanna-be.  He’s been on many a stage here in town, but this may be the first time he wound up in drag.  Will he be able to carry it off?   Well, you really are going to want to see this one and make your own judgement.

The drag queen who brings him into his act is played to the hilt by Jeff McKerley, and he and Nick really do quite a number, or several numbers. . . .

Casey is married to a lady who is with child.  Her name is Jo, and she is played by Falashay Pearson.  There is one little problem; in that Casey felt it might be inappropriate to tell her how he was making ends meet, and she freaks out when she finds out.

Thandiwe Deshazor appears as Rexy, who was supposed to be in the drag act but wound up getting schlossed and replaced by Casey.   But, you’ll get to see him in his gussied-up mode as well.  He also doubles as Casey and Jo’s landlord, who feels he should be paid rent on time.

Eddie is the club owner and emcee of the show and is played by Al Stilo.  He’s got to fill seats as well as glasses if he wants to keep the joint open; so as they say, you gotta do what you gotta do. . . .

Portia Krieger came to town to direct this one, and the set and cabaret style seating, works quite well.  It’s a one act that runs about 90 minutes, and is a real treat.  You can get there easily and plenty of adjacent parking.  More info and tickets at Actors-Express.com

10
Mar

The Bridges of Madison County

The Bridges of Madison County
Aurora Theatre
through April 16, 2017

The production at the Aurora Theatre is the musical version from a 1995 film about a housewife in a rural town who has a brief fling with a visiting photographer.  The musical adaptation hit the boards in NYC in 2014 and closed after only 3 months.  The next year it went on tour, which lasted 7 months.  And this is the Southeastern Regional Premiere of the musical.

Francesca (Kristin Markiton) is a housewife in Iowa.  She is from Italy, where she met Bud (Matt Lewis), and became his war bride.  But after 18 years she really understood that small town Iowa was a lot different than old Napoli.  They had two children, Carolyn (Hannah Church) who had an older brother, Michael (Benjamin Davis) and they each had their own teenager concerns and desires.

Bud is off to a 4-H Club Fair with the kids;  and Carolyn’s steer, when a photographer shows up in town to take shots of the bridges there for National Geographic.  He’s done six bridges and knows there should be a 7th, but can’t find it.  He stops in at Francesca’s home to ask directions and the story takes off.  Robert (Travis Smith) and Francesca each get the hots for the other, and since they are both alone, why not have a glass or two, or dinner, or whatever . . .?

Bud seems to call home fairly often, and Francesca just plays along.  But she also is aware that Marge (Valerie Payton) is a Nosy Parker type who can see Robert’s truck when he is at Francesca’s home, and has binoculars that can help her peer into the house and surroundings.  Rob Cleveland plays Marge’s hubby, Charlie.  He gets the last 2 words in every discussion with her.  “Yes Dear”

As the story goes on, Robert and Francesca fall deeply in love;  albeit each knows it isn’t going to work out so well.  Bud and kids come home, and chaos starts to rain upon them all when they’re on the street and they see Robert nearby.  Francesca has to decide if her love of family surpasses her love for Robert, and she does make a decision.   Then as the show moves to a close, she has her memories of her daughter’s wedding, her son’s graduation from college, and the funerals of Bud and Charlie.  All is gone for her, except for one more memory which comes back at the bridge which started it all.

Directed by Justin Anderson, on a pretty unusual set by Julie Allardice Ray, the cast of more than a dozen players sing and dance their way through the story backed by the 8-player off-stage band directed by Ann-Carol Pence.  This is not for youngsters at all, and there are two bedroom scenes in it.  And, you may know the story if you saw the film.  You can get more info and tickets at AuroraTheatre.com

9
Mar

The Chieftains 55th Anniversary

The Chieftains 55th Anniversary
Symphony Hall

With St.  Patty’s Day soon upon us, what a treat ’twas to see Paddy Moloney and The Chieftains on their 55th Anniversary Tour.  For they’re selling out in every stop they make, and leaving every person in every audience in a state of pure elation.

’Tis not often you get a show with a strong cultural group of seven players who also present some of the best step dancing, almost as if Michael Flatley were doing his thing with them.  And in addition to their own members, they also brought on stage a group of young ladies from a local chorus who did a couple of numbers, as well as some local kilted pipers who did their thing as well.  The musicians and singers were all top-notch, and all you wanted to do was raise a glass and yell Slainte as well as plead for another encore.  It was a delight to all.

And, on the subject of Celtic entertainment, know that Celtic Woman will be at Cobb Energy Center on Sunday, March 12th; then on March 17 and 18 the ASO is in concert with Cherish the Ladies.  So let’s all enjoy the holiday with whatever comes our way, and not from a politician at play.

5
Mar

The Velocity of Autumn

The Velocity of Autumn
Out of Box Theatre
through March 18, 2017

Eric Coble has penned quite a few works.  This one is enjoying being staged in a fair number of local houses.  It had a short run in NYC about 4 years ago, and one of the issues in some reviews was that whoever was playing the lead looked too young for the character’s age.

Here too, we find Dianne Butler taking the stage as Alexandra, the 80 year old widow living in Brooklyn.  She’s going through daily thoughts of how she may shuffle off her mortal coil.   She’s got three offspring, and two of them would have her sent off to an ACLF.  If you’re under 39, that acronym means Adult Communal Living Facility.  It is not at all what she wants, and she’d rather blow up the building and all that’s in it, then get dragged off to God’s Waiting Room.

Her flat is on the second floor of the building, and her son, Chris (John Stanier) shows up one day as he climbs up a tree near the living room and crawls through a window to visit the mother he’s not seen a in quite a while.  Chris lives on the west coast, and Mom figures he got called to respond by her other son and daughter who live near her, and who she’ll not let anywhere near her living space.  She’s prepared to defend herself and her space with no holds barred.

The play is a one act work which runs about and hour and a half; and what is really amazing about it, is how this lady can recall every one of her lines, as she’s center stage for every minute.   This show is directed by Carolyn Choe, and is indeed thought provoking.   You can truly understand Alexandra when she let’s Chris know that, for her, death could be the ultimate stress relief.

This may not be the best show for folks going through some of the same situations; but while we know that life goes on, we also know that at some point it must end.   Of course, we know that nothing is certain other than death and taxes.  We can only hope they come in that order.

More info and tickets at OutOfBoxTheatre.com

4
Mar

9 to 5

9 to 5
Onstage Atlanta
through April 2, 2017

Dolly Parton’s adaptation of the film, 9 to 5, has become a Broadway legend and to this day it is probably playing somewhere every day of a year.  This musical is done by Onstage to the Nth degree and is a total delight.

The underlying story is of women working for somebody who possibly could have become a President.  He’s egocentric, undervalues women, and thinks he reigns supreme in all areas.  But, he meets his downfall when the women come together and decide to take a Tony Soprano approach to resolving their dilemmas.

Jennifer Morse is Violet, a supervisory female who is banging her head against a glass ceiling.  They’ve just hired Judy (Courtney Loner) who has absolutely no business experience, but they’re going to make her fit in.  Doralee (Misty Barber Tice) is the current object of affection for the boss, Mr.  Hart (Zip Rampy) who is somewhat obnoxious in his moves.  A dozen other players comprise the cast, and there’s an off-stage live band of five players headed by Paul Tate.

In the slight possibility that you’ve not seen the show before, I shall not tell you how they actually get control, and what ultimately happens to boss with a horny Hart.  Rest assured, that Dolly Parton wouldn’t have been so involved in this work, if all didn’t come right in the end.  At least for the good ladies of the company.

Elisabeth Cooper directed, and there’s plenty of great dance choreographed by Ty Autry.  When they go to intermission you just can’t wait to get back and see how things evolve.  Bottom line is that this is one of the best that you can see right now and you can get more info and tickets at OnstageAtlanta.com