MAGIC THEATRE -- BAD JEWS - LEE HARTGRAVE

STATS: Are ski high
MAGIC THEATRE - SAN FRANCISCO 

BAD JEWS
A whirlwind will astonish you 

AN EXCELLENT PLAY 
FOR JUDAIC STUDIES

Gee Wiz! Do you suppose some new Jews are bad news Jews? Dapha (the pivotal character) insists that "Bad Jews is a religious bigot" - that makes the Nazis seem nice. She even acts like she hates her own family and she tricks her brother's girl friend Melody (Riley) - into supporting Rebecca Benhayon (Dapha) as she terrorize's her sweet helpless cousin Jonah. But wait...she also tricks her brother's girl friend into another astonishing High Voltage evening. Of course - she dominates.  

Her brother Liam, is made of sterner stuff - but believe me - he is no match for her. Hell hath no fury like a woman who wants something belonging to someone else, especially if it's Jewelry. Rebecca finds out who has her grandfather's gold medallion. But what the hell - she couldn't and wouldn't care less about tradition. 

This comedy drama is not for the faint hearted. Funny and hilarious yes - but eighty minutes on the stage with Dapha - almost makes her hair look longer and longer as Dapha as she rants and raves. Not really - but you'll be glad that you are not related. In fact -  Rebecca WANTS to disturb Jews (she almost sounds like Justin Bieber who sounds like Rebecca). Of course - I Kid! 

THIS TRADITION at this charming group...Cousin Jonah - just can't make it. You'll see...the tirades will continue, as the laughter carries on. Love it! Just try to hide from Dapha. You won't make it.  

As we find out - Rebecca really needs a broom to whirl around the place. It seems like she really wants to disturb Jews (and, perhaps others.) If you're looking for tranquility - forget about it. 

NOW COMES THE ACTION

HERE IS THE "TOUR DE FORCE" ACTORS: Rebecca Benhayon* (Dapha) - Riley Krull* Melody - Max Rosenak* (Liam -) and Kenny Toll (Jonah) 

RATING: Six Stars****** or Six Glasses of Champagne*****

PRODUCERS: Arthur and Toni Rembe Rock. John Marx and Nikki. Producers Pat and Marshall Kilduff

BY JOSHUA HARMON
directed by Ryan Guzzo Purcell 

STATS: 900 (this day)  











BAD JEWS
A whirlwind will astonish you 

AN EXCELLENT PLAY 
FOR JUDAIC STUDIES

Gee Wiz! Do you suppose some new Jews are bad news Jews? Dapha (the pivotal character) insists that "Bad Jews is a religious bigot" - that makes the Nazis seem nice. She even acts like she hates her own family and she tricks her brother's girl friend Melody (Riley) - into supporting Rebecca Benhayon (Dapha) as she terrorize's her sweet helpless cousin Jonah. But wait...she also tricks her brother's girl friend into another astonishing High Voltage evening. Of course - she dominates.  

Her brother Liam, is made of sterner stuff - but believe me - he is no match for her. Hell hath no fury like a woman who wants something belonging to someone else, especially if it's Jewelry. Rebecca finds out who has her grandfather's gold medallion. But what the hell - she couldn't and wouldn't care less about tradition. 

This comedy drama is not for the faint hearted. Funny and hilarious yes - but eighty minutes on the stage with Dapha - almost makes her hair look longer and longer as Dapha as she rants and raves. Not really - but you'll be glad that you are not related. In fact -  Rebecca WANTS to disturb Jews (she almost sounds like Justin Bieber who sounds like Rebecca). Of course - I Kid! 

THIS TRADITION at this charming group...Cousin Jonah - just can't make it. You'll see...the tirades will continue, as the laughter carries on. Love it! Just try to hide from Dapha. You won't make it.  

As we find out - Rebecca really needs a broom to whirl around the place. It seems like she really wants to disturb Jews (and, perhaps others.) If you're looking for tranquility - forget about it. 

NOW COMES THE ACTION

HERE IS THE "TOUR DE FORCE" ACTORS: Rebecca Benhayon* (Dapha) - Riley Krull* Melody - Max Rosenak* (Liam -) and Kenny Toll (Jonah) 

RATING: Six Stars****** or Six Glasses of Champagne*****

PRODUCERS: Arthur and Toni Rembe Rock. John Marx and Nikki. Producers Pat and Marshall Kilduff

BY JOSHUA HARMON
directed by Ryan Guzzo Purcell 

STATS: 914 (this day)  



MAGIC THEATRE - SAN FRANCISCO 

BAD JEWS
A whirlwind will astonish you 

AN EXCELLENT PLAY 
FOR JUDAIC STUDIES

Gee Wiz! Do you suppose some new Jews are bad news Jews? Dapha (the pivotal character) insists that "Bad Jews is a religious bigot" - that makes the Nazis seem nice. She even acts like she hates her own family and she tricks her brother's girl friend Melody (Riley) - into supporting Rebecca Benhayon (Dapha) as she terrorize's her sweet helpless cousin Jonah. But wait...she also tricks her brother's girl friend into another astonishing High Voltage evening. Of course - she dominates.  

Her brother Liam, is made of sterner stuff - but believe me - he is no match for her. Hell hath no fury like a woman who wants something belonging to someone else, especially if it's Jewelry. Rebecca finds out who has her grandfather's gold medallion. But what the hell - she couldn't and wouldn't care less about tradition. 

This comedy drama is not for the faint hearted. Funny and hilarious yes - but eighty minutes on the stage with Dapha - almost makes her hair look longer and longer as Dapha as she rants and raves. Not really - but you'll be glad that you are not related. In fact -  Rebecca WANTS to disturb Jews (she almost sounds like Justin Bieber who sounds like Rebecca). Of course - I Kid! 

THIS TRADITION at this charming group...Cousin Jonah - just can't make it. You'll see...the tirades will continue, as the laughter carries on. Love it! Just try to hide from Dapha. You won't make it.  

As we find out - Rebecca really needs a broom to whirl around the place. It seems like she really wants to disturb Jews (and, perhaps others.) If you're looking for tranquility - forget about it. 

NOW COMES THE ACTION

HERE IS THE "TOUR DE FORCE" ACTORS: Rebecca Benhayon* (Dapha) - Riley Krull* Melody - Max Rosenak* (Liam -) and Kenny Toll (Jonah) 

RATING: Six Stars****** or Six Glasses of Champagne*****

PRODUCERS: Arthur and Toni Rembe Rock. John Marx and Nikki. Producers Pat and Marshall Kilduff

BY JOSHUA HARMON
directed by Ryan Guzzo Purcell 

STATS: 816 (this day)  


stats: 966 (this day) 

MAGIC THEATRE - SAN FRANCISCO 

BAD JEWS
A whirlwind will astonish you 

AN EXCELLENT PLAY 
FOR JUDAIC STUDIES

Gee Wiz! Do you suppose some new Jews are bad news Jews? Dapha (the pivotal character) insists that "Bad Jews is a religious bigot" - that makes the Nazis seem nice. She even acts like she hates her own family and she tricks her brother's girl friend Melody (Riley) - into supporting Rebecca Benhayon (Dapha) as she terrorize's her sweet helpless cousin Jonah. But wait...she also tricks her brother's girl friend into another astonishing High Voltage evening. Of course - she dominates.  

Her brother Liam, is made of sterner stuff - but believe me - he is no match for her. Hell hath no fury like a woman who wants something belonging to someone else, especially if it's Jewelry. Rebecca finds out who has her grandfather's gold medallion. But what the hell - she couldn't and wouldn't care less about tradition. 

This comedy drama is not for the faint hearted. Funny and hilarious yes - but eighty minutes on the stage with Dapha - almost makes her hair look longer and longer as Dapha as she rants and raves. Not really - but you'll be glad that you are not related. In fact -  Rebecca WANTS to disturb Jews (she almost sounds like Justin Bieber who sounds like Rebecca). Of course - I Kid! 

THIS TRADITION at this charming group...Cousin Jonah - just can't make it. You'll see...the tirades will continue, as the laughter carries on. Love it! Just try to hide from Dapha. You won't make it.  

As we find out - Rebecca really needs a broom to whirl around the place. It seems like she really wants to disturb Jews (and, perhaps others.) If you're looking for tranquility - forget about it. 

NOW COMES THE ACTION

HERE IS THE "TOUR DE FORCE" ACTORS: Rebecca Benhayon* (Dapha) - Riley Krull* Melody - Max Rosenak* (Liam -) and Kenny Toll (Jonah) 

RATING: Six Stars****** or Six Glasses of Champagne*****

PRODUCERS: Arthur and Toni Rembe Rock. John Marx and Nikki. Producers Pat and Marshall Kilduff

BY JOSHUA HARMON
directed by Ryan Guzzo Purcell

COCK -Written by Michael Bartlett - "The ultimate b*tch fight"

NEW CONSERVATORY THEATRE
 ON VAN NESS STREET 

Welcome to the world of mixed metaphors. It's like a cock fight or a boxing bout? Oh well - you know how Birds of a feather are. 

John falls in love with a boy friend. He of course doesn't know what to do. He is bi-sexual at some moments, and at other times John wants to high tail out of town. This seems to be a one time only lapse. Decisions, decisions. So far, John had made four finale decisions. His closure is not exactly a real good time. 

His boyfriend's father weighs in - but doesn't help. Staging the piece in the round has its ifs and butts - if you know what I mean.

Staging the piece in the round has it's pros & cons. You see - you will be trodding on sand. It's like you are in a fighting arrangement in their barefeet. Yeh, that looks nice, but the boys turn to each other and mumble as they turn to other sides of the theater. It really is hard to understand actors mumbling in a strange accent when the boys turn their backs to the cast. 

All four actors give very strong performances despite the confines of the dirctorial conceits. The moral of the story? You just can't have your cock and eat it too. But - there are romantic sparks that light up the stage. There are some laughs now and then when you can hear the cast - then you get some swell revivifying breezes.

THE CAST IS WONDERFUL: 

John - Stephen McFarland. Todd Pivetti. Radhika Rao- Matt Weimer

COCK: Written by Mike Bartlett


THE PRODUCTION TEAM IS MARVELOUS

RATING: Three ***Stars - or ***Glasses of Champagne!!! 

STATS: 693 (this day) 

JAI RODRIQUEZ IS COMING TO SOCIETY AT THE REX ROOM

JAI RODRIQUEZ IS PERFORMING 

SOLO FOR THE FIRST TIME!

I'm already touched by the mystery of Jai Rodriquez. But don't worry Jai knows how to bring us the greatest output around. He's a gem of musical criticism and he knows where the brass tacks are. 

Jai knows how to bring musical gems of criticism, and he gets it right down to the brass tacks. He knows the tough songs and the soft sharp ones. The pop songs have many humorous twists along with exciting openers that bring us to stage heights. 

Yeh - Jai is Fabulous, just fabulous. I listen over and over -- and will of course, listen to the show this weekend at the Rex Hotel Sept . Our butts will burn. Jai brings us to the stage with affecting ballads and very naked sentiment. Really - he brings brilliant words to us, it's not just a tourist attraction -- it's romance time. And the Rex Room is the best place to be. 

He's memorable and exceptionally exciting - and when he come's over to the Rodriquez world - he sure hits all the emotional hits with his mystery mood-shifting. 

This weekend at the Rex keeps us so peppy that it's almost too happy for us. Hey we are in San Francisco - not in the mountains. 

Emmy Award winning host Jai Rodriguez has brought Musicals  -around the world. Then there was, and still is - pop-rock concert series. He gets raves and awards everywhere that he goes. He has also entertained in Miami City Theaters where he also knocked the place over with pop/rock cabaret "Dirty Little Showtunes". 

I doubt that there will be an empty chair. For sure - I will be sitting in one of them. 


FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER: @jairodriquez

OPENS Sept. 26TH AND 27TH
 - AT THE REX ROOM

STATS: 648 (THIS DAY) 

MY OLD LADY - THE CRANKY OLD LADY THAT EVERYONE LOVES

MY OLD LADY

THE MOVIE STARTS OFF LIKE A FRENCH FARCE

This is a big house that has lots of doors and comic mis-understandings. Kevin KIein delivers all of his clever and amusing lines even as he veers towards Greek tragedy. However - he finally succumbs to the drama. And surprise...he inherits a gorgeous apartment. From there on, he frolics all over the place. And who wouldn't?  

Klein is in Paris, but kinda pretends that he only speaks a little French. He's as clever as Tennessee Williams. But along with Klein there is also the cleverness of Maggie Smith (The Old Lady). We find out that she knows how to turn everyone into what she wants. And you will get it. She's a sneaky one. Leave a little bit of a door open, and Maggie will be behind it. She knows just about everything and everyone. Love her.  

Between both of them, Maggie and Kevin will keep them on an exasperation train. Maggie can keep up with Kevin and each other as they sneak and peak around the corners of the house. 

She can be cranky and he Kevin can be very sneaky. He is bound to own that house. But Maggie has a plot that you will just love. Both are bound to be Academy Award contenders. 

Kristen Scott -Thomas is also in this exciting story. At first she was just a little sour -- but later she blossoms all over the house. My, My - how quickly everyone falls in love in the Garden. 

The views of Paris street scenes are absolutely fantastic. Is Paris really that marvelous? Yes -- if you don't stay too long. 

Just like "Life is a Cabaret" - you'll have tremendous fun on this screen. 

RATING: Six Stars****** or Drink Six Glasses of Champagne****** (your choice)

NOW PLAYING AROUND THE WORLD  

STATS: 995 (this day) 

  

THE NEW ELECTRIC BALLROOM - A NIGHT ON THE TOWN

THE NEW ELECTRIC BALLROOM 


They are Sisters. Breda, Clara and Ada seem to be trapped in a run down home. Their memories aren't doing much for the electricity that leaves them with slow Brain Waves. Geez - they can't even have a great time. They moan about what they should be doing. Well actually - they don't say much. Oh, there is a little bit of time when the Girls get together. However, their is no escape to bring Brains back. Their fantasy -- gives us some really dark and sad moments. The sisters are determined to become young and fresh. Breda, Clara and Ada trap themselves. They are afraid to leave the house. 

Kevin Clarke... (Patsy) - Barges into the door. The women look shocked. They try to kick him out -- but believe me, he will be back and looking clean and fresh (the girls pour cold water over him. Patsy is thrilled, as he puts on a grand wonderful outfit. He hopes to take one of his girls to dance.  

However, there is crisis. Everything is deeply disturbing. The girls are in economic depression. But, they have not left the house yet. Images of decadence and delusion give up Dancing on the Streets. Yep, there is decadence in the air. 

Ballroom is put together by several angles. Don't expect to go dancing at the Kit Cat Club. But remember...everything reflects on Glass. Even the best of times have the darkest endings. 

HERE IS THE BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE IN AGES

Kevin Clarke (Patsy) - Anne Darragh (Breda( - Trish Mulholland (Clara) - Beth Wilmurt (Ada)

RATING: Six Stars****** or Six Glasses of Champagne******
(your choice) 

THE PLAYWRIGHT: Enda Walsh
DIRECTED BY: Barbara Damashek 

STATS: 828 (This Day) 

   

LOVE IS STRANGE! A MOVIE WORTH LOOKING AT

LOVE IS STRANGE 

This Movie is worth the Look 

Indeed, love is very strange. Not everything is centered around love however, but very intriguing and methodically paced. In the film, love brings out glorious dialogue. And you will love along the pathway with older Gay Couples (John Lighgow and Alfred Molina.) One still works, but the other one (John) can't make any extra money. They have to split from time to time. 

They have friends and relatives when they have to share a small place. The friends at first don't mind take the guys into their home, but the humor begins to fall apart - as does their love affair. Also in the movie - two young boys gather in a small closet. What exactly goes on in that closet is not really know. I would guess that it would be called exploring in a dark small room. 

This a a gret-look movie that shimmers and shines. It's a design piece. Romance seems to be everywhere -- however, they are stumbling over the friendships and fantastic melodrama. There is a surprise near the ending of the film between the two Gay men. And I'm not going to tell you. He, why ruin it. Go see this emotional movie - it's well worth spending a few bucks at a comfortable togetherness. The movie is extremely heart felt. I'd see it again. 

The acting is exceptional. So get a hankie out an blot some of those tears.Believe me - it's emotional evening. George is a Catholic school music teacher - He go fired from the archdiocese. 

Fantastic movie! Now shows at many Theatres in San Francisco and other venues. 

A GREAT MASTERPIECE! 

These are the thought provoking Actors: John Lighgow as Ben - Alfred Molina as George, Marisa Tomei as Kate - Charlie Tahan as Joey - Cheyenne Jackson as Ted and Harriet Sansom Harris as Honey 

RATING: Six Stars****** - or Six Glasses of Champagne****** (your choice)  

STATS: 654 (This day)
  
P.S - JOAN RIVERS DIED ON THIS DAY SEP. 4TH AT 81 Years. I know Joan and interviewed her many times. She was a Classic. I'll miss her.