SHIRLEY JONES MAKES FIREWORKS - DIANE SCHUUR ACCELERATES - FIERCE LOVE

SHIRLEY JONES - DIANE SCHUUR - FIERCE LOVE








DAILY TATTLER 

Diane Schuur - Courtesy photo

By Lee Hartgrave 

 *courtesy beyondchron

-->

SHIRLEY JONES – STAR POWER

You’ll remember songs like “A Wonderful Guy” (South Pacific) and “People Will Say we’re in Love”. Shirley Jones is a Grand singing star that has never stopped giving. Her voice is still clear and strong. I just can’t say enough about this superb musical treat at The Rrazz Room. Hearing Jones singing again the fantastic lyrics from the Hollywood musicals of yesterday really shows us what a spectacular and thrilling voice she has. Every word is marvelous and touching. Jones singing at the Rrazz is an absolute must. You will believe in the impossible. She delivers the kind of music that we all want. Shirley Jones wraps herself around the room with “Out Of My Dreams” – You’ll Never Walk Alone” and the “If I Loved You” – and the audience did. There is more. The great tunes in this show will absolutely shine brightly all evening. Jones got a standing ovation. What more could you want?

Shirley Jones. Courtesy Photo

How does she look after all these years? Like a billion bucks is what I saw. Just seeing and hearing her sing “Out of My Dreams” is reason enough to spend some quality time with Jones. You’ll adore every moment of the evening as she sings the perky “Seventy Six Trombones.

RATING: FOUR GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!!! 

(highest rating) - trademarked- 

NOW PLAYING AT THE RRAZZ ROOM THRU OCT. 28. 

DIANE SCHUUR - TERRIFIC 

You want to hear the most gorgeous voice in the world? Well, of course you do -- and I'm sending you to the Rrazz Room at the Hotel Nikko where you can hear fabulous strings, electronics and Diane Schuur's  perfect pitch on the best tunes in the world. 

Schuur's songs are sung so emotionally involved that you can hardly catch your breath. All of the songs that she sings (every night is a little different) brings us the Gold Standard in singing. 

 Schuur plays the piano like no one else can and even so, with her really bad vision she manages to hit the right keys on the piano. This is another of Schuur's wonders. 

The arrangements are absolutely beautiful. Diane opens up a whole new world with totally awesome mesmerizing music.  It's truly electrifying. Here are some of the words from many of the songs: "My Heart wrapped in Love" - "For You Are Mine at Last" - "He gives me the Love that I never got from you" - "Why Can't he be you?" - "Today I started Loving you again." Then there is the Patsy Cline song that Schuur brings out. Her version is not just terrific - she brings out intense emotions that are instantly heart breaking. 

The following lyrics will get to you. : "Why Can't he be You?" How many times have you asked that same question. Also, I  love this: "He takes me to the places I used to go." Now, if that doesn't pull your heart strings, maybe the 'searing emotions' in the songs will overwhelm you.

The evening was the most breathtaking musical moments that I have ever heard in a club. The evening is irresistibly moving. This is a don't miss show with Diane Schuur. 

RATING: FOUR GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!!! (highest rating) -trademarked- 

FIERCE LOVE

A Long Time ago in the Castro the cast of 'Fierce Love" found an empty space at Josie's Cabaret & Juice Joint. It was a perfect spot for the group to launch a comedy show in those days. It became a huge hit, and continues to be so around the world. 

And what it turned out to be is just one of the funniest, hilarious shows that I have seen in a long, long time. When they asked if it would be okay for them to do a black gay comedy - the Proprietor said: "Make it Funny." And that they did. 

"Fierce Love" is a compilation of the many lives of African American gay men. The title came from a line in a poem by Essex Hemphill. With the play, the troupe wanted to express that there is a black gay community's existence. Within that framework, they created a multi-talented comedy that is all about love, loss, fun and rejection. 

I've never seen such a wonderful hilarious comedy event. Let's say its just a Mega Funny trip to Dolly Wood. But that's not all. The performances are Smart, Wise and funsical! Most of all, they can sing, they can dance and they sure as hell can ACT. 

FIERCE LOVE (remix) is now playing at the New Conservatory Theatre. 

THE WONDERFUL, CHARMING ACTING IS BY: Duane F. Boutte* - Thandiwe Thomas DeShazor - Brian Freeman and Rashad Pridgen. 

DIRECTED BY: BRIAN FREEMAN. 

NO KIDDING -- THIS IS A REAL LIVE ROLLER COASTER RIDE. IT'S MAGICAL! 

RATING: FOUR GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!!! -(highest rating) -trademarked- 

(((Lee Hartgrave has contributed many articles to the San Francisco Chronicle Sunday Datebook and he produced and hosted a long-running Arts Segment on PBS KQED))) 

SCROLL DOWN TO READ 'BLOODY, BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON NOW PLAYING AT THE SAN FRANCISCO PLAYHOUSE ON POST STREET JUST OFF UNION SQUARE. IT'S A HUGE HIT! DON'T MISS!