Pictured: Mark Nadler (Left) John Kelly as Joni Mitchell
Lee Hartgrave Reviews
August 1st, 2009
MARK NADLER – MR ENERGY
JOHN KELLY SINGS JONI MITCHELL
SIZZLING! THAT’S THE ONLY THING THAT YOU CAN SAY ABOUT MARK NADLER’S EXCITING EVENING THAT BRINGS NEW INSIGHTS INTO THE LIFE OF IRA GERSHWIN.
He dazzles the eyes and engages our brain with his musical prowess as Nadler performs vocal miracles that really resonate with feeling on every George and Ira Gershwin’s’ wonderful music and haunting lyrics. What a master Ira Gershwin was with lyrics, and Nadler’s every gesture and glance are a delight as he takes us down memory lane of this fantastic musical mini-musical biography.
The entire evening is smart and at times, laugh-out-loud hilarious.
I especially liked the story about “Midnight Madness” which went through many incarnations with different lyrics and name changes, until Ira Gershwin was happy.
The musical treats (12 or more) included “Someone to Watch Over Me, “Love Is Sweeping The Country”, “It’s a New World”, and the ‘Star is Born’ hit (music by Harold Arlen, Lyrics by Ira Gershwin) – “The Man Who Got Away”. You know what? – It sounds better sung by a man.
There are so many great and bright things about this show that it would take millions of words to describe them all. But take my word for it. This is an engaging, first-rate enticing evening at the Rrazz Room.
RATING: FOUR GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE (highest rating) –trademarked-
(((Lee Hartgrave has contributed many articles to the San Francisco Chronicle Datebook and produced a long-running Arts Segment on PBS KQED)))
JOHN KELLY SINGS JONI MITCHELL
ON THE SAME EVENING AT THE RRAZZ ROOM JOHN KELLY TOTALLY AMAZES WITH HIS ‘REALLY RINGS TRUE’ IMPRESSION OF FAMED FOLK SINGER JONI MITCHELL.
Kelly gets to the soul of Mitchell. His portrayal is smart honest and really rings true. Plus, Kelly is ‘Very Sexy’ in and out of costume.
Kelly mesmerizes on “Chelsea Morning”, “Shadows and Light”, “For the Roses”, “Shine” and “Night Ride Home”. He gets every mannerism and quirk just right. Yep, Kelly even surprises us with a quick change of appearance near the end of the show. He throws out the “The Last Kiss” to the audience who already adores him. And their hoots and hollers don’t stop during the entire show.
It is a remarkable evening. Its impact could not be more affecting. He certainly well matched with Joni Mitchell, who keeps in touch with Kelly, to tell him about a new song that she has just written.
Kelly’s show is achingly intense and passionately delivered. But, there is also subtle humor in his intimate show. He is very gifted and deserves the attention that he gets. If you have not seen him and his show and surely hope that you will. Kelly is ‘Luminescent!”
RATING: FOUR GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!!! (Highest Rating) –trademarked-
BOTH SHOWS ARE AT THE RRAZZ ROOM AT THE HOTEL NIKKO.
http://www.therrazzroom.com/.
Updates: http://www.twitter.com/famereporter.
MORE REVIEWS: http://www.beyondchron.org/
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