David Green - Page 34

Renowned, powerhouse vocalist and entertainer Lorna Luft will headline the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies newest incarnation, DANCE TO THE MUSIC, when it opens on November 1 in the historic Plaza Theatre in downtown Palm Springs. Born to legendary entertainer Judy Garland and producer Sid Luft, Lorna's acclaimed career has encompassed virtually every arena of entertainment. A celebrated live performer, stage, film and television actress, best selling author, recording artist and Emmy nominated producer - she continues to triumph in every medium with critics labeling her one of the most vibrant, versatile and exciting artists on stage today.

To quote Jeff Marx and Bobby Lopez - "There's A Fine, Fine Line". Between what's funny and what's not. Between what's tasteful and what's not. Let's just say that DIRTY LITTLE SHOWTUNES crossed the line on both accounts on multiple occasions throughout the evening. The premise - the Broadway "show tune" melodies we can all sing by heart accompanied by very clever lyrics that lampoon the unique idiosyncrasies of the gay lifestyle. The problem - it ends up being a one joke show that wears out its welcome - better served if it was condensed to a one act revue that didn't keep repeating itself and trying to top itself. I would have a similar complaint about a show that is quite similar in formula- Forbidden Broadway - that starts out with great comic momentum but has trouble finding its way back after intermission.

The 20th Century's most compelling decade will come roaring back to life as This Is The 60's lands at The McCallum Theatre for one performance, Thursday, October 18 at 8:00 pm. More than a stage show, and much more than a concert, This is the ‘60s takes the audience on a cultural journey celebrating the 50th anniversary of so many milestones in news, pop culture, and music history in a unique multimedia blend of live music, historical film clips, dance, fashion, and animation.

The internationally acclaimed musical sensation PINK MARTINI will bring their unique and highly praised vocal stylings to The McCallum Theatre for a 'one night only' concert tonight, September 8 at 8:00 pm. Drawing inspiration from music from all over the world - crossing genres of classical, jazz and old-fashioned pop - Pink Martini's diverse repertoire is a blend influenced by Cole Porter and Duke Ellington, Tito Puente and Xavier Cugat, as well as Argentine tango, Brazilian samba, Italian folk, Asian and romantic Hollywood musicals of the 1940s and '50s.

The internationally acclaimed musical sensation PINK MARTINI will bring their unique and highly praised vocal stylings to The McCallum Theatre for a 'one night only' concert on Saturday, September 8 at 8:00 pm. Drawing inspiration from music from all over the world - crossing genres of classical, jazz and old-fashioned pop - Pink Martini's diverse repertoire is a blend influenced by Cole Porter and Duke Ellington, Tito Puente and Xavier Cugat, as well as Argentine tango, Brazilian samba, Italian folk, Asian and romantic Hollywood musicals of the 1940s and '50s.

The McCallum Theatre and singer kd Lang are a match made in heaven. The McCallum theatre has proven, once again, that there is no better venue in Southern California for an intimate, acoustically "pitch perfect" concert --- and kd Lang's impeccable and unrivaled vocal quality fits every corner of the venue like a glove, as if it were designed and built solely to show off her incredible vocal prowess. There are rare times when you sit in the theatre and have to pinch yourself and think "Memorize this moment - it is something very special". Last night, I spent the evening with kd Lang and it was truly one of those rare and special moments.

If the California desert wasn't hot enough this time of year, Grammy Award winning singer k.d. lang & the Siss Boom Bang promise to 'heat up the summer night' when they bring their eclectic, signature musical style to The McCallum Theatre tonight, June 26 at 8:00 pm as part of the Fitz's Jazz Cafe Series. Lang launched her career 25 years ago with a blend of country-rock and a playfully punk-like attitude. With her 1992 Platinum-selling Ingenue, she had fashioned a unique sound and an elegant and impassioned adult contemporary approach that yielded her a Grammy Award, her second, and her biggest career hit, 'Constant Craving.'

If the California desert wasn't hot enough this time of year, Grammy Award winning singer k.d. lang & the Siss Boom Bang promise to 'heat up the summer night' when they bring their eclectic, signature musical style to The McCallum Theatre on Tuesday, June 26 at 8:00 pm as part of the Fitz's Jazz Cafe Series. Lang launched her career 25 years ago with a blend of country-rock and a playfully punk-like attitude. With her 1992 Platinum-selling Ingenue, she had fashioned a unique sound and an elegant and impassioned adult contemporary approach that yielded her a Grammy Award, her second, and her biggest career hit, 'Constant Craving.'

nternationally renowned singer/performer Debby Boone returns 'by popular demand' to Vicki's of Santa Fe in Indian Wells on Sunday, June 3 from 2:00 -5:00 pm to bring down the curtain on another highly acclaimed season of The Sunday Jazz Series. This is Ms. Boone's fourth sell-out appearance at Vicki's of Santa Fe. For this performance she will be backed by an all star band of Andy Langham on Piano, Allen Goodman on Drums, Jeff Jarvis on Trumpet, Gene "Cip" Cipriano on Saxophone, Woodwinds and Flute, Les Benedict on Trombone and Larry Holloway on Bass. Debby Boone earned instant fame when her first single, "You Light Up My Life", was an overnight hit. The tune claimed the #1 spot on the Billboard charts for 10 straight weeks and sold in excess of four million copies. "You Light Up My Life" ranks # 7 in Billboard Magazine's The Hot 100's All-Time Top-Charting Songs of the last five decades.

The McCallum Theatre, the Coachella Valley's premiere theatrical venue, celebrates its 25th Anniversary Season with a star-studded lineup of Classical Music, Jazz, Cabaret, Comedy and a Broadway Blockbuster Series which includes Rock of Ages, Dreamgirls and West Side Story. The McCallum Theatre opened its doors on January 2, 1988 with a gala performance honoring Bob Hope that was nationally televised. Since then The McCallum has been the Coachella Valley's mecca for world-class entertainment including an extensive array of Broadway and Cabaret offerings. The man behind the tremendous success of the McCallum's eclectic performance calendar for the past thirteen years is Mitch Gershenfeld, Director of Presentations and Theatre Operations, who will take the helm as the theatre's President and CEO beginning June 1. I had the opportunity to sit down with Mr. Gershenfeld as he begins preparations for The McCallum's exciting Silver Anniversary Season. Gershenfeld is warm, passionate, highly astute, a performing arts afficionado and a genuinely kind man. Here are a few highlights from that conversation.

The McCallum Theatre, the Coachella Valley's premiere theatrical venue, will celebrate its 25th Anniversary Season with a star-studded lineup of Classical Music, Jazz, Cabaret, Comedy and a Broadway Blockbuster Series which includes Rock of Ages, Dreamgirls and West Side Story. The season kicks off on August 31 with comedy legend Steve Martin joined by the Grammy nominated Steep Canyon Rangers. This wonderfully eclectic season also includes Pink Martini, Howie Mandell, Barbara Cook, Michael Feinstein, Elaine Page and Yo-Yo Ma, to name a few.

Last night The Annenberg Theatre played host to Chris Isaacson's Upright Cabaret and the latest installment of his American Icon Series, RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT, which plays tribute to the Latin pop-rock music made famous by Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin, Santana and more. There were many things to love about this upscale Cabaret production! To start - the incredible talents of three of Broadway and Television's hottest talents - Lesli Margherita, Rogelio Douglas Jr. and Lexi Lawson. I have played audience to each of the three of them as they starred in various theatrical productions and it was a pleasure to share the evening with them in this unique genre. Since there is a bit of criticism to follow, let me start by saying I am a big fan of Upright Cabaret and would urge you to go to any of their productions at a venue near you. Fortunately for those near La Mirada, Thousand Oaks or Hollywood, you still have the chance to see this high quality production. And, if you don't have tickets yet I would say find a way to get them! There are many theatrical events in Southern California that promise an evening worthy of your time and your hard earned money --- Upright Cabaret delivers!

The Annenberg Theatre presents Upright Cabaret's RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT tonight, April 27 at 8:00 pm. RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT is the third installment of Upright Cabaret's "American Icon" Series and will star Olivier Award-Winner Lesli Margherita, Lexi Lawson (Rent, In The Heights)) and Rogelio Douglas Jr. (In The Heights, The Little Mermaid)). I had the chance to chat for a few minutes with Rogelio Douglas Jr. He was NOT at a loss for words!! Here are a few highlights from that interview.

The Annenberg Theatre will present Upright Cabaret's RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT tonight April 27 at 8:00 pm. RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT is the third installment of Upright Cabaret's "American Icon" Series and will star Olivier Award-Winner Lesli Margherita, Lexi Lawson (Rent, In The Heights)) and Rogelio Douglas Jr. (In The Heights, The Little Mermaid)). This high energy, multi-media Cabaret celebrates the music of Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan and Santana and features pop favorites such as Livin' La Vida Loca, Shake Your Bon-Bon, Rhythm Is Gonna Get You, Anything for You, Smooth, Let It Shine, and more, performed live with the Upright Cabaret band!

The Annenberg Theatre will present Upright Cabaret's RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT on April 27 at 8:00 pm. RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT is the third installment of Upright Cabaret's "American Icon" Series and will star Olivier Award-Winner Lesli Margherita, Lexi Lawson (Rent, In The Heights)) and Rogelio Douglas Jr. (In The Heights, The Little Mermaid)). I had the chance to chat for a few minutes with Rogelio Douglas Jr. He was NOT at a loss for words!! Here are a few highlights from that interview.

A Fluid Movement Shakespeare Troupe brings one of the Bard's best loved and most produced works, MACBETH, to The Annenberg Theater for three performances, April 20 - 22. This is the fist time in years that The Annenberg Theatre, uniquely located within The Palm Springs Art Museum, has played home to Shakespeare. Theater Manager Dave Simpson says 'the museum believes Shakespeare and the classics are well suited to a museum theater and we are very interested in seeing how the public responds to classical theatre on our stage.'

The Palm Springs Art Museum's Artists Council will be holding its annual 99 Bucks art sale fundraiser on Saturday, April 21, 2012, at 4:30 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel Zoso in downtown Palm Springs. This event features free admission with a cash bar where more than 550 5"x 7" canvases that have been submitted by artists and celebrities will be available for sale, each at $99. These canvases are sold anonymously, so the artist's name is not revealed until the work is purchased. All proceeds for the event benefit the museum's educational programming.

Multiple Academy Award winner Stephen Schwartz will be honored with The Desert Ensemble Theatre Company's inaugural Melpomai Award at "When You Believe: A Conversation With and Tribute To Stephen Schwartz" May 19 at 8:00 pm at The Annenberg Theatre. The event will feature a conversation with Schwartz as well as performances of his stage and movie musical hits performed by Tony nominated Andrea McCardle, Kate Flannery (NBC's "The Office") and more.

The Annenberg Theatre will present Upright Cabaret's RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT on April 27 at 8:00 pm. RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT is the third installment of Upright Cabaret's "American Icon" Series and will star Olivier Award-Winner Lesli Margherita, Lexi Lawson (Rent, In The Heights)) and Rogelio Douglas Jr. (In The Heights, The Little Mermaid)). This high energy, multi-media Cabaret celebrates the music of Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan and Santana and features pop favorites such as Livin' La Vida Loca, Shake Your Bon-Bon, Rhythm Is Gonna Get You, Anything for You, Smooth, Let It Shine, and more, performed live with the Upright Cabaret band!

A Fluid Movement Shakespeare Troupe brings one of the Bard's best loved and most produced works, MACBETH, to The Annenberg Theater for three performances, April 20 - 22. This is the fist time in years that The Annenberg Theatre, uniquely located within The Palm Springs Art Museum, has played home to Shakespeare. Theater Manager Dave Simpson says 'the museum believes Shakespeare and the classics are well suited to a museum theater and we are very interested in seeing how the public responds to classical theatre on our stage.'