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| JOHN PIZZARELLI AT FAIRMONT HOTEL. COURTESY PHOTO |
John Pizzarelli – Acclaimed Jazz;
Mama Mia – Turns up the music;
Legally Blonde – Lesher Center
JOHN PIZZARELLI
And Jessica Molaskey
The Grammy-nominated John Pizzarelli is one of the prime
interpreters of the American Songbook. He’s been called “Hip’, ‘genius’ and
madly creative. Look he is all of those things just mentioned – but I would
like to tell you about the legends that he has performed with. Ready? Here is
the stunning line-up – Benny Goodman, Les Paul, Zoot Sims, Clark Terry, Slam
Stewart, Dave Brubeck, Ramsey Lewis, Rosemary Clooney and Frank Sinatra.
In the first show on the 26th, Pizzarelli and his
wife Jessica Molaskey will be on the stage with John. She is a veteran of many
Broadway shows like ‘Tommy’, Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George’ Crazy
For You’, Les Miserables, Chess, Cats, Oklahoma and City of Angels. Molaskey
also has appeared at the Lincoln Center. Along with her husband her husband the
two are a double sensation when they get together. They are not just a team –
No…they are a bunch of firecrackers that make you feel like every day is a
grand parade.
Pizzarelli and his music is something to remember something
that sticks in your mind. The variety of styles of wise intriguing arrangements
takes you from ‘Blues’ to the wonderful Duke Ellington songbook. The Pizzarelli
and Molaskey team will not only bring us great music at the Fairmont – but they
will treat us to some amusing insights into their lives. The 2:30 pm show is
called “When Worlds Collide.” “Perhaps they are both the greatest of our time!”
That’s what I think. Just don’t stick your finger is an outlet – cause this
show is ELECTRIYING!
There are two shows – the 2.30 show stars both of them. The
5pm show will star solo John Pizzarelli and band in a Tribute to Duke Ellington
on Feb. 26.
RATING: FOUR GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!!! – (highest rating)
–trademarked-
LEGALLY BLONDE BECOMES LEGAL ATTORNEY
O.K. here’s the Slam Dunk. On the Lesher Stage in Walnut
Creek, you’ll get snappy songs, sensational choreography and outrageous visions
of pink. What you won’t get is good sound. At the matinee that I attended, the
sound was tinny and several sound glitches made it impossible to even hear what
they were saying or singing. The leading man was very hard to hear -- and it’s
too bad – because the story about a self-centered Malibu girl who has a great
body, and a ditzy personality needed a microphone to give her a boost. Her
self-centered boyfriend sings to her “Let’s Be Serious.” Blondie thinks that he
is talking ‘proposal’, but what he is really saying is that he’s done Marilyn,
and now needs to switch to someone more like a Jackie Kennedy. After all, he is
going to Harvard Law School and a blond ditz is not exactly the image that he
wants to be seen with. Yes, she’s a sexy beauty – but right now-- his career is
more important.
With encouragement from her entourage of Sorority girls and
a Greek Chorus – Blondie decides to stalk the upscale guy at Harvard Law
School. Horrors – she arrives in the class dressed n her signature pink and her flowing blonde
hair. Of course – she becomes the joke of the semester. There are a lot of
messages in this frothy pink stew. On one hand there is the misogynist thing,
and on the other hand ‘the feminist’ cause boils over in the pot. But the
blonde pink bundle is determined to show that she can do anything the boys can
do (being a Lawyer). She even tones down her pink look to something less
bright. Or as she calls it: “The New Pink.”
This very funny musical would be so much better if the sound
were better. I hate to keep mentioning it – but it is a musical, and that means
that the audience has to hear what they are singing and saying to know what’s
going on.
The musical play has some jazzy upbeat tunes in this well
produced musical. The staging is wonderful and the choreography(by Solari and
Renee DeWeese.) couldn’t be better.
The ACTORS are superb: Tom Reardon plays a Lawyer who
teaches a tight ship – except when he strays and tries to put the make on his student
Ellie (the Pink one). Lynda DiVito is Paulette, the beauty salon owner. She has
a great strong voice that gives us reason to celebrate. And everyone’s favorite
is the self assured UPS driver – that drives Paulette wild with comments like
this: In his little brown shorts he assuredly bursts through the door and
announces strongly in the Beauty shop: “I have a PACKAGE for you!” Yes, YOU DO
– Yes you do Mr. UPS. He
looks down at his short, short brown shorts, as he makes his bold and assured
statement. Yep, I Looked – its all there.
Plays Through March 3, 2012 – the Lesher Center for the Arts
in Walnut Creek.
RATING: THREE GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!! – trademarked-
(((Lee Hartgrave has contributed many articles to the San
Francisco Chronicle Sunday Datebook and he has produced and hosted a long
running Arts Segment on PBS KQED)))
MAMA MIA SWINGS WITH ABBA
Well there is one thing that I can say with no reservations.
There is really - really loud sound on the Orpheum Theatre Stage. My God – I
could have opened the windows at my Condo and heard the show. Well, what do you
expect with 25-foot sound towers on each side of the stage.
Oh, Mama Mia – how can you not love the musical about a
tropical Island that has a constant disco beat from the songs of the 70’s group
ABBA? Does it have a story? Of course – there is a young bride-to-be who
doesn’t know who her real father is. She knows that her mother had several
suitors in her younger days, but which one is her father?
The mystery unveils with dancing boys that dance to the Abba
Song “Dancing Queens.” Try to sit still through that. Every song in this
bright, happy musical is a hit and the fantastic cast gives us a rainbow of
exotic Island sets, colorful costumes and sweaty, sexy dancing. The only
downside that I heard during intermission was from a straight guy complaining
to his girlfriend. He said: – “ The original cast was more hunky.” I don’t know
if he was referring to the girls or boys.
Most people around me just couldn’t stay in their chair.
Those that did were doing sort of a lap dance without the benefit of a partner.
Some just had to get up and dance in the aisles. The Abba music is that
infectious. It’s a great fun-time evening to bring your best buddy, or your
best gal to this show. And you’ll be the lucky guy or gal to say that you have
seen the show. Just like an ABBA song says: “The Winner Takes it All.” It’s a
grand Greek Island Adventure. Catch the breeze! Get down with Love!
RATING: FOUR GLASSES OF CHAMPANGE!!!! (highest rating) –
trademarked-
NOW PLAYING AT THE ORPHEUM THEATRE
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