“BAPTIZED TO THE BONE”: GET DOWN ON YOUR KNEES AND PRAY

Religion can be such fun, especially in North Carolina, where Baptists are like locusts that wait to devour the crops. “Baptized to the Bone” is a Southern Noir play that gives us plenty of insights into how religion can screw up your mind. It’s a sharp commentary on religious hypocrisy.

There is a Preacher who quits his job at the Mill to Preach from the Pulpit. His wife Gladys is not happy with her life and does not like going to the church, so she fakes a headache every time Sunday comes around.

But not going to Church is not the only reason that Gladys wants to stay home. She has a younger swain that comes to visit her. Gladys is older -- he is younger. He is hot to trot – and so is Gladys. Think of Barbara Stanwyck in ‘Double Indemnity’. Clothes literally fly around the rather plain Trailer Park décor as Gladys and Otis make out on the couch. The younger man is sexy and enticing, and Gladys gives him money every time for the tumble. Hey, you would do the same.

There is more going on here than meets the eye. On the other side of the coin – Ottis is also wrangling money out of the Preacher. Seems that many years ago, they had a hot and steamy relationship. In this case, Ottis is quite happy to share his sex with both Gladys and the Preacher. The young Hustler, Ottis is after money “I need it to put on my show the first ‘Gospel Poetry Opera’. I need enough money to get to New York.” – he drawls.

When Gladys asks him to recite some of the Opera, Otis fumbles around and mumble jumble comes out of his sexy mouth. When you see this Actor (Paul Rodrigues) – you will also be eager to open your wallet. James Dean is alive and well on the NCTC stage.

Rodriques gives us a true look at a dark, seductive, clever and scheming young man who knows what people want to pay for. On the other hand, the Preacher is also good-looking and no one would want to throw him out of bed. But he doesn’t exude the sexual attitude that Ottis does. But then again, he’s a preacher and is bound to keep a stiff upper lip and not show much emotion.

EXTRAS: Amy Penney (the Preachers wife) is just terrific as the lusting housewife that wants a baby and will do anything to have one. She is deeply moving in a flawless performance! Colin Stuart (The Preacher) gives a revelatory performance as a conflicted man of God and Sexual desire. He’s unforgettable! Paul Rodrigues (Ottis) is Flat-Out Fabulous in this great stage performance!

What else is a good reason to see this play? Well, there are guns that go off, there is lying and cheating and stealing. As if that’s not enough, wait until you see the last scene. ‘Bonny and Clyde’ has nothing on it - AMAZING!

AT THE NEW CONSERVATORY THEATRE CENTER ON VAN NESS

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

(((Lee Hartgrave has contributed many stories to the San Francisco Chronicle Sunday Datebook section and produced a long-running Arts segment on PBS KQED)))


Enchanted April at Center Rep / Lesher Center. Kerri Shawn and Joseph Rende.

“ENCHANTED APRIL”: WHY CAN’T THE ENGLISH BE MORE LIKE ITALIANS?

Enchanted April is this season’s romantic comedy to see. This warm hearted story about four women who are bored with their lives find a way to get away from the boredom when they answer an ad in a newspaper that offers an Italian Castle in a dream setting for rent.

This play is based on the 1922 novel by British writer Elizabeth von Arnim – and has been made into a movie two times. The most recent in 1992. The play starts on a dreary rainy day in England. Lotty Wilton, a young housewife notices an ad in a newspaper about a Mediterranean castle in Northern Italy that is available for sublet in the month of April. She visions wisteria and a break away from the rainy weather at home.

Lotty talks a friend from a women’s club to go with her – and she also recruits a young socialite who wants to get out of the spotlight and an older woman Mrs. Graves (think Kathryn Hepburn) who is mean spirited and demanding. Will this mix of friends really get along? You find out as the story unravels to hilarious conclusions. This play is truly a story that everyone can identify with. We all would like to escape from the daily routine at some time in our lives, and what could be better than a charming castle in Italy. I’m ready to go.

The best part of the evening in this play is the sterling cast. Throughout, they keep the integrity of the characters. Their talents are what make this comic drama, so colorful, refreshing and quirky. Believe me – this is real fun that will be a hit for the whole family.

Kerri Shawn as the Italian Housekeeper (Costanza) shows terrific star power. She is such a natural actor that you really believe that she was imported from Italy for this role. Lizzie Calogero (Lotty Wilton) is delightful and fascinating. Or, as she says in the play “Marvelous!” Steve Irish (Frederick Arnott) in a small role gives a swell performance. Suzanne Irving (Rose Arnott) brings a plain Jane Housewife to bloom among the flowers of Italy. Remarkable! Wanda McCaddon (Mrs. Graves) is audacious and impressive. If they ever make a film about Kathryn Hepburn – she should get the part. Alex Moggride – (Mellersh Wilton) again gives a fantastic performance as a stiff-upper lip Englishman who finally lets it all hang out (Literally). What fun he brings to the show. Joseph Rende (Antony Wilding). This role was made for him. He is cool, collected and charming and most of all believable. Awesome! Maryssa Wanlass (Caroline Bramble) as the mysterious Socialite, who dresses to the nines in fantastic costumes by Maggie Morgan. Bramble is Jazzy and sharp as a tack. Absolutely superior acting!

EXTRAS: Michael Butler (Director/Artistic Director) has given us an amazing visual experience. Spectacular job! Scenic Designer (Kelly Tighe) gave us a monumental accomplishment that added immensely to the show. David Lee Cuthbert’s lighting made my day. Brilliant! And I must mention the Wig Designer Judy Disbrow worked magic with “Hair”. Remarkable imagination!

NOW PLAYING AT THE CENTER REP THEATRE IN THE LESHER ENTERTAINMENT CENTER IN WALNUT CREEK.

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


Evita In Walnut Creek

EVITA – THE INSTANT QUEEN

The real “Evita” would not have been pleased with this rendering of her life. Here are some of the problems. 1. The Sound: Evita needed to be tuned down and Che needed to be tuned up. There is no shower scene (as in the Original where the soldiers sang in the shower)…While Evita is on the Balcony singing to the people the cast is looking out at the audience instead of their beloved Evita. Why were they doing that? Did they think that I was Evita? There is no ‘soul’ in this production. In the original I got goose bumps when I heard the music. In this case – the singing was very Karaoke. Evita talks about “I would be surprisingly good for you” – well, not until she’s stops screeching into the mike. Even the tender goodbye to Peron’s younger mistress was mishandled. It is supposed to be sung by Evita. Here are the words. “We’d love for you to stay, but you’d be in the way.” It was sung by Che – which made no sense and ruined this bitter sweet moment.

Now it is not all bad. The ensemble was terrific. The sets in some cases were also very ingenious. Che (Alex Rodriquez) is a talented actor and has a good singing voice, but this role calls for a more robust and gutsy personality. I think that you will agree that he was miscast. John Heltzler as Peron was just passable in his tepid appearances. The Magaldi (Derrick Silva) role was wasted and Eva Peron (Mindy Lym) looked gorgeous, but suffered from Mike burn. The shrill mike was enough to give you an earache. Actually the better singer was the Mistress (Courtney Iventosch) who gets kicked out of Peron’s bed. The second act is better than the first (if you stay) and the Ensemble sounded great on “It’s a new Argentina”.

Yes, at one time EVITA was high flying and adored – but not this time.

AT THE LESHER CENTER FOR THE ARTS

RATING: TWO GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!! –trademarked-

STREET TALK>>>(Overheard by Readers)

Man at table says to other man. – “That Guy at the table behind you is cute. Other man looks around and says – Yeh, but some dermabrasion would help.

Actor coming out of the Geary Theatre to friend, --“You know what they are calling “War Music”? – “Whore Music!”

On Bart Train – man on Cell phone. “No one ever sits next to me on Bart. Do you suppose it’s that red rope that I put up on the aisle seat?”

Man having dinner at a Concord Restaurant: “This is supposed to be a Pork Chop. I don’t know what it is. It could be a donated kidney from someone on the staff as far as I know.”

About the musical play “Evita” in Walnut Creek. “Actor talking to actor after the opening. – “They should call this production VELVEETA!”

ABOUT PASSOVER: Woman says to other woman – “Quit complaining about eating those Matzo crackers. You only have to do it for eight days!”

EXTREE – EXTREE! SEE HOW MUSIC EFFECTS YOU. CLICK HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watchv=7EYAUazLI9k

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AND THAT’S A WRAP!!!!



The Photo of Lee Hartgrave Boy Reporter is by Jim Ferreira – Film Noir & Hollywood Glamour. www.lafterhall.com.

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