WHAT TO SEE AND HEAR - "LUXURY AT THE MOVIES"

Courtesy Photo. "Kiss of the Damned" 

May 8, 2013 - Lee Hartgrave Tonight

LITTLE ME

WHAT A SHOW SHOULD BE! 

The 42nd Street Moon version of "Little Me" is just the most elegantly, fun musical that I have seen in years. A stage never looked more gorgeous and elegantly crafted, and the actors are just irresistible. Better than Broadway! 

The entire evening is full of secret seduction and suspense. Neil Simon is a thought-provoking genius. To say nothing of Jason Graae, who plays at least four different guys. What an amazing performance. Totally fantastic! 

This is the most joyous and glorious evening I have seen on the stage in many years. Everything moves as it should. Yep - it's as surprising as it is eloquent. The pitch-perfect singers, actors are worth the trip. What else can I say? - it's intoxicating!

This tangled Web of intrigue just keeps the laughs a-rolling along. I never want it to stop. Please sir -- may I have just one more ACT? I just can't believe how wicked the satire is. What is it? Some kind of miracle? 

This is the show of 2013. The actors are Grade-A. The show is as Surprising as it is Eloquent and riveting. You will be bowled over with this play. It has tons of charm and heart. Here's a quote from the show: "It's nothing personal, it's just you - on the other side of the Tracks!" 

I want to see it again, and again, and again!!! 

HERE ARE THE MAGNIFICENT STARS****

Jason Graae, Sharon Rietkerk, Teressa Byrne Foss, Darlene Popovic, Zack Thomas Wilde, Kelly Brandeburg, Janine Burgener, Caleb Haven Draper, Nicole Frydman, Steward Kramar, Zac Schuman, David Visini and Skye Violet Wilson. Stand up and cheer! 

Directed by Eric Inman - Music Director, Brandon Adams, Choreographer Staci Arriaga. 

Book by Neil Simon - Music by Cy Coleman and Lyrics by Carolyn Leigh. Based on the novel by Patrick Dennis. 

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





KISS OF THE DAMNED 

IN THE HOUSE 


MEET THE BI-POLARS

- WICKEDLY THINGS AWAIT 

HOLLYWOOD: SIZZLING CINEMA HAS SEXUAL ENERGY, LUST AND SCANDAL in this Lush powerful and evocative film. To be sure - it is underrated. I was dubious at the beginning of the story, then, all of a sudden - I was hooked. 

This thriller is a modern Gothic vampire tale that brings back the golden age. Sure, it's moody -- but it clicks with the audience more than it would with "Twilight" and "Interview With A Vampire". 

The lonely Mansion by a mysterious Lake is enough to give you a chill. Inside the place there is an endless staircase. But lovely as it is, events begin to get out of control. And yes, cloudy trouble floats over the mansion. You know that something really, really terrible is about to happen. 

There is a magnificent score through out the movie. Really, you can't keep your eyes and ears off the screen. But you will have them after the show. Did I mention the exciting and sexual moments? Well -- when you see it -- your eyes will pop out. 

THE ACTORS ARE UNDENIABLY FANTASTIC. THE GREAT ACTORS ARE: Josephine de La Baume, Milo Venimiglia, Roxane Mesquida. Fabulous Directing by Xan Cassavetes. Writer - Xan Cassavetes. Yes, she is related to John Cassavetes. Exciting Cast. 

(((Now playing in San Francisco and other Venues)))

Rating: Four Glasses of Champagne!!!! (highest rating) -trademarked- 

Courtesy Photo - 'In the House'  

IN THE HOUSE 

'Dans la maison" (original title)

This is a gripping story about a sixteen-year-old boy   who decides to insinuate himself into the house. A fellow student takes a liking to the sixteen-year-old. They become very close buddies. Actually, they get a little more cozy together than either of the boys thought would happen. 

The sixteen-old is very sly and clever. He actually is writing a book about the life of the fellow student. He basically borrows the fellow students life. And along that road, the young blond and handsome 'friend' is doing more to harm the fellow student by sneaking around and writing all about the student. 

A Teacher knows what is going on -- but he allows the young blonde boy to write all about the innocent classmate. Yep - he did not get permission. The blonde boy exposes everything - especially some spectacular sneaky scenes. 

The gripping affair brings brings everything to untold tragedy. The mood for everyone involved gets caught in deep depression that includes not only the young friend, but the teacher also gets involved. Yes, the teacher is also very interested in the young blonde boy. All in all the story boils over to a most shattering drama. The story breathlessly paced the secrets of the night. Everything is revealed.

RATING: FOUR GLASSES OF CHAMPAIGN. (highest rating) -trademarked- 

HERE ARE THE AMAZING STARS: Fabrice Luchini, Ernst Umhauer and Kristin Scott Thomas. Fantastic directing by: Francois Ozon. 

(((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)))