Carousel is the musical that elevated Singer Gordon MacRae to huge stardom. That song was the 7 minutes long ‘Soliloquy’. In the song, ‘Billy’ the circus barker speculates about his unborn child. First he sings about a son with beaming pride and all the things that they will do together. Then it occurs to him that it might be a girl. And he tells us all about the things that he would buy for her and how he would protect her. It’s a wonderful song – and it shows that Billy has a soft side to him.

The story is about star-crossed lovers that are not unlike “West Side Story’ where a love story ends in violence. Billy is not a very bright person. He gets into trouble often, and he is even violent with Julie, who he professes to love, but doesn’t mind slapping her. Billy gets involved with a guy on the wharf that cooks up a scheme to pull off a robbery on a ‘Swell’ that is taking a lot of money to the bank. The robbery goes bad – and Billy either falls on the knife or commits suicide and dies. But, he does have another chance to come back to earth for only one day only to see his now 15-year old daughter. It’s very touching.

The Foothill Music Theatre has not cut anything from the original Broadway Book. Every word seems to be there. Recent productions have truncated the show to speed it up and bring it up to a more current time. Foothill’s show is very long (over three hours). But with its remarkable cast and sets, and one intermission, the time seems to go by pretty quickly. The music is heart searing. Even a crouch would have a hard time keeping back the tears hearing songs like “If I Loved You”, “June is Bustin’ Out All Over”, “What’s The Use of Wond’rin?” and the memorable “You’ll Never Walk Alone”. All of these songs from the show went on to be ‘single’ hits that zoomed to the top of the charts. “Rodgers and Hammerstein” created a masterpiece that is more opera than a musical comedy.

Bringing light and freshness to the role of Enoch Snow is Michael Rhone. Mary Melnick brings out Julie Jordan’s hopes and disappointments of Julie’s life through the beautiful music with her feeling, nuanced performance. Jordan has a splendid voice that I will remember for some time. Hank Lawson as Jigger Graigin is astonishingly real and perfect as the scheming con artist. His movements on the stage are fascinating. Whether he is trying to bluff young girls or trying to arrange a heist – you know that he is a snake. But a charming one. Carmichael Blankenship plays the role of Billy. He certainly looks the part of a man swallowed up in a tawdry life. His powerful performance brought out the pathos and despair of the life that he unable to escape. Unfortunately the day I saw the show the first act was marred, due to sound problems with his mike. Some of the lines were garbled. After the intermission the problem was cleared up and the show went on without a flaw.

Jay Manley did a yeoman’s job on the direction. The realistic look of the ‘Period’ is due to the excellent Costumes by Janis Bergmann. Kurt Landisman’s Lighting design isolated the various moments of mood and gave each its own indelible significance. Sometimes what is not said changes our lives the most, and the Scenic Design by Joe Ragey has done that.

Carousel plays to the heart and is a genuine treat for all ages.

RATING: THREE GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!! –trademarked-


Avenue Q. Left to Right: Minglie, Chen, Rod The Republican, Nicky, Robert McClure. Photo by Carol Rossegg.

INTERVIEW: Rod, the Closeted Republican in ‘Avenue Q’

Actor Robert McClure plays Rod, the closeted Republican in the ‘Happy’ musical Avenue Q. It’s currently on tour and is making the Orpheum Theater in San Francisco home for a few weeks. It opens on Aug. 7.

Rod. As one Puppet to another – Can I ask you a few questions? You’re a Republican Rod – so, can you explain to me why Chevron is making record profits, but Gas prices are still going up?

“It’s the Wardrobe. You know power suits. As an Investment Banker, I would invest in the ‘upcoming.’ H & M looks good. And Tootsie Roll is hot right now.”

Since you have that fleece coat on – I was just wondering, with Global warming and all – are you worried about what to wear as you travel around the world?

“Absolutely. We puppets have very sensitive skin and high standards. I use Sun Block, but because we are in the Theater a lot, we don’t need it as much as you.”

I’m not very tall Rod, how tall are you? And some of your fans want to know if you are married, even though you are in the closet?

“Well, with all my appendages I am three feet tall. And no, I am not married, but I am on the market.”

Do you plan to come out the closet very soon? And if you do – will it be on TV, or at a Board meeting of your investment firm?

“Not sure. But if there were a place to come out, San Francisco would be the place to do it. I probably would want to come out first among close friends in the show like my Buddy Nikki.”

I understand that you have a penchant for show tunes…especially musicals from the 40’s. What’s your favorite?

“I love ‘Summer Stock’ the film musical that stars Gene Kelly and Judy Garland.”

Being an uptight Republican – do you approve of Trekkimonster, the shaggy puppet who surfs the Internet for porn? Are you going to turn him in?

“Well as an investment Banker, I admire Trekki. He has a knack for and an appreciation for the market. He is an international Tycoon. Would I turn him in? Oh No. I respect his privacy. I’m not a police officer.”

What about Lucy-The-Slut? Does she offend your Republican sensibilities?

“She should be behind an electric fence.”

Have you noticed any difference in attitudes between Los Angeles and San Francisco?

“As an investment Banker N.Y is great for me. It’s bouncy. But L.A. has Venice Beach. I can be what I am there even though I get waterlogged. By the end of the show I am not the same as at the beginning.”

Are puppets discriminated against?

I think they are! Definitely – by the Monster Race. It’s them all right.

Last question. What does the ‘Q’ stand for in the show?

“It’s a street in a Suburb of New York. But, that’s not to say that it can’t mean something special to me.”

FLICKER BIT: MOLIERE

If you liked ‘Shakespeare in Love’ – then you are going to love “Moliere. This bawdy French comedy re-imagines the life and times of Molière, one of the great writers of his generation, who is still revered today. We join the story when Molière an impetuous 22 year-old leaves his failing acting troupe. He goes to prison bankrupt for not paying his debts.

It is mid-17th century Paris and Molière is a long way from realizing his legacy as the master of comic satire. His gets released from prison when wealthy Monsieur Jourdain grants Molière his freedom only in return for tutoring. Jourdain is a buffoon, who wants to win the affection of a French Countess. So, he enlists Molière to help him write a series of love letters. At the same time, the young Molière is entwined in a secret love affair with Jourdain's wife. But wait, there is more. There is a scheming con artist noble man who is playing Jourdain for the fool that he is. Jourdain wants to be titled, so he agrees to marry off his young daughter to the Noble Guys nutty son. She already has a secret boyfriend. Everyone is romping around secretly with everyone else.

This movie is grand satire in the tradition of Moliere. I am sure that he would have gotten a great laugh from it. The film is first class in quality. The Cinemaphotograpy is sweeping, and the acting is Oscar Caliber. Lauent Tirard’s smart and bittersweet romantic period drama is superb! It is one of those rare movies you hate to see end. At the Clay Theater.

Rating: Four Boxes of Popcorn!!!! –trademarked-



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

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME HERE: leehartgraveshow@yahoo.com

PRESS STUFF: buzztatler@aol.com

Podcasts, blogs, vblogs: web.mac.com/buzzmixer/