May 13, 2009

COMIC WRITER BRUCE VILANCH AND SHARON MC NIGHT




LEE HARTGRAVE FAME REPORTER
May 13,2009

BRUCE VILANCH AND SHARON MC NIGHT


THIS TOWN IS ALL ABOUT WICKED!

Vilanch starts off the show with McNight, as they sing their version of “Defying Gravity” from the hit Musical “Wicked”, that is now in a long run at the Orpheum Theatre. This version of the song has added lyrics by Mr. Vilanch. And wouldn’t he make a great Witch?

While the show is funny and many times absolutely knee slapping – there are times when it kind of drags along. The pace is uneven. It seemed to be hastily put together. While McNight was talking and singing there was an annoying buzzing sound in the background. McNight walks over to the window and said it’s a concrete drill. In a huff – she sez: “I’ll go out there and kick somebody’s nuts!”

McNight also sang a terrific Rufus Wainwright song called “Vibrate”. It’s about a cell phone that is on Vibrate. You can imagine where that goes. She also gets ‘very bold’ wit April Winchell “My Vagina.” Here are some of the lyrics. “It’s an object to behold, my friends”. And here is another shocking lyric: “A place where a lady pees.” Only McNight, could get away with the backroom humor. Vilanch counters the song “Vagina” by saying – “I would love to see them make a movie about that. I can see the marketing now. “Vagina Monologue opens wide this weekend!”

To show what writer, actor, movie star and all around entertainer Vilanch can do – he also sings. And he did a damn good job with “The Things You do” by Ray Jessel. It was very Cole Porter sounding. Vilanch gives a lot of insight to what goes on during the Oscars backstage. And he talks about Stars that he is pals with. One is Cher. And about her he sez: “When they opened King Tuts Tomb – there was a note addressed to Cher.” Here is an audience favorite from Vilanch’s mouth. “Lets talk about Gay Weddings. It is considered in good taste to fling the bouquet of flowers in a rivals face!”

In the audience was Donna Sachet. Vilanch turns to her and sez: “Oh Hi – the light is kind!”
Vilanch is refreshingly smart and clever. He rolls those one-liners out at a fast pace. He definitely is high-voltage talent. The Bruce and Sharon show will continue at the Rrazz Room thru May 17.

AND THAT'S A WRAP!!!!

WHEN YOU GO: May 13 – 16, 8Pm. Sunday May 17, 7pm.
WHERE: The Rrazz Room, Hotel Nikko Mason and O’Farrell.
www.therrazzroom.com

MORE REVIEWS: www.beyondchron.org


TWITTER LEE HARTGRAVE FAME REPORTER FOR LATE BREAKING NEWS

TAGS: Bruce Vilanch, Sharon McNight, Rrazz Room, Twitter, Theatre, Hollywood, beyondchron, San Francisco Playhouse, New Conservatory Theatre, Orpheum Theatre, Now Public, movies, Oscars, Palm Springs.

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