CUKOO – TWIST AFTER TWIST CHILLING!

Cuckoo’s Nest mirrors society. There really isn’t a reason for walls anymore, because most of the people who used to be behind those walls are now out on the street. The play based on the best selling book takes place in a mental institution around the 1960’s. The head nurse is Nurse Ratched, the Nurse from Hell. Either you do as she says – or you will face dire punishment that includes frontal lobotomy. A process, where they remove part of your brain. That’s right, she’s a sweetheart. She just wants to quite you down, so that she has complete control over you ...

Ratched particularly zeroes in on R.P. Mc Murphy who has a vibrant personality. Vibrancy is not what Nurse Ratched likes. Mc Murphy tries to organize a basketball team -- she snuffs that. He likes to play cards -- She snuffs that. But, she can’t seem to stop Mc Murphy’s boisterous antics. He even arranges for a party when he thinks all the staff is asleep. Of course, he gets busted by Nurse Ratched (Mc Murphy calls her Nurse Ratshit) – and with good reason. “She’s a Ball Cutter from way back” – sez Mc Murphy.

Ratched decides it’s time to give “shock treatment’ to the ‘vocal’ Mc Murphy. It doesn’t stop him – he still emerges as the leader of the pack. Of course this infuriates Ratched, who is trying to get the Doctor to do a Lobotomy on Mc Murphy. Ratched’s words will tingle your spine as she gives you that snarly smile with the devil behind it.

The stage play is more like an ensemble piece than a ‘Star Vehicle’ (as in the movie that starred Jack Nicholson.) It is this brilliant cast that brings this emotionally draining evening of drama (with a little comedy) to a crushing crescendo. This is one “Swift and Suspenseful Thriller that you won’t want to miss!” “Strong writing, excellent direction and Magnificent Acting keeps you on the edge of your chair. This is NOT a sugar coated story.”

THE IMPECCABLE CAST: Michael Torres, as Chief Bromden. – “Silence is Golden – he Rocks!” Susi Damilano, as Nurse Ratched. – “Amazing Performance!” Luis Parnell as Dale Harding – “Excellent!” Patrick Alparone as Billy Bibbit – “Deeply heart-warming performance.” Hansford Prince as Randle P. Mc Murphy – “A Raging Bull – Talent gushes out!” Other Dynamite performers are Yusef Lambert, Brian Raffi, Gilberto Esqueda, Joe Madero, David Sinaiko, Madeline H.D. Brown, Dwight Huntsman, Catz Forsman and Marissa Keltie. Not a wrong scene – not a wrong movement from anyone. “Pitch Perfect!”

EXTRAS: Another amazing set by Bill English. Steve Schoenbeck (Composer/Sound) amplified the tension. Michael Oesch – Great creative lighting. Valera Coble – Masterful costumes.

MESMERIZING DIRECTION BY: BILL ENGLISH.

At the San Francisco Playhouse (near Union Square).

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

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


Leslie Jordan at Rrazz Room this weekend

LESLIE JORDAN – DEVILISHLY FUNNY MAN

Wouldn’t it be great if Comic Leslie Jordan were to play Nurse Ratched in ‘Cuckoo’s Nest’? I think it would be a hoot. But right now you can see this talented Joker on the Rrazz Room stage performing his one-man autobiographical show to a packed audience. He loves to tell all about his life, including the ups and downs during his drug and drinking years. Something, that could have easily ruined his budding career,

But as Jordan tells the audience – “I found out a long time ago that the best way to deal with adversity in life is to get people to laugh.” Needless to say, Jordan has succeeded in that department. Hey, not everyone wins an Emmy Award.

As funny as the story about his life is – Jordan is the one who makes it interesting. There are great storytellers and the not so great. Jordan happens to be one of the great ones who can keep you interested for over an hour and a half. He tells us with great gusto about his time in jail, about his growing up in the South and a father that was puzzled by him. Especially when he asked his dad if he could have a ‘Bridal Doll’ that he saw in a store. His Dad was an Army man – and did not think that a Doll was the best thing for a young man to have.

Great fun was when he described his school years. He had some trouble with other teens harassing him. So, he decided to make fun of himself, crack jokes and keep them laughing. “Be funny if you want to keep those boys at bay!” – he said. This got hysterical laughs from the audience -- when he talked about the Gay Bar ‘Oil Can Harry’s’. “I always liked the Cowboy look and this bar seemed to be filled with them. But the closer you got to them -- you noticed 50 yards of Chiffon.

Deliciously funny was his comments about Billy Bob Thornton when they were on a Film Set together. “Billy Bob Thornton is a crazy loon, but not Gay. He was lying down on the ground wearing shorts. I was able to spot his Balls hanging out, and they were big as Billiard Balls” – he chuckled.

When he was whisked to jail for a minor thing – he hired a Lawyer, who he paid $4000 to. “When they took me away, I saw the $4.000 Lawyer waving at me like I was leaving on a Cruise Ship.” His friend Del Shores told him “Baby. I am not going to come and get you anymore. You’ve got to put a plug in the Jug.” In other words, quit drinking.

Jordan has a terrific sense of timing. And in the comedy routine world, that is most important. He is a natural mimic who can squeeze funny stuff out of any phrase or word. A gesture, a look, a crinkled up nose all get the point across.

If you want an evening of non-stop laughter – I think you should put your troubles away, and see what Dr. Jordan can do for you. The only pain you’ll have by being there is a sore tummy from laughing to hard.

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

WHEN YOU GO: THIS WEEKEND
WHERE: THE RRAZZ ROOM
At the Hotel Nikko @ Mason & O’Farrell
http://www.therrazzroom.com/
http://www.twitter.com/famereporter


Comic/Actress Çarole Cook will be at Help is on the Way at the Herbst Theatre.

AIRWAVES EXHANGE!

FREE OUTDOOR SCREENING OF WOODY ALLEN’S MODERN CLASSIC ‘Manhattan” will take place in San Francisco’s Union Square. Ironically – the film has breathtaking shots of New York City Scapes. While watching the film, you will see S.F’s skyline in the background. How cool it that? After the film screening, all attendees are invited for a classy festival kick-off party right down the street at the swank Kuleto’s, featuring customized specials on wine and cocktails. And, of course there will be Manhattans. The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival will also offer a chance to win Festival passes and other prizes in a delicious fortune cookie giveaway. WHAT FUN! And it all starts at Dusk.

If you’ve never seen it before – find your way to San Jose to the San Jose Rep Theatre for that always-hysterical “Forbidden Broadway.” The musical makes fun of current Broadway shows with special lyrics. The Grand Opening night is on June 7th. See you there. I hope they do “Wicked”.


Susan Anton star of stage and screen will sing at "Help is on the Way"

NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS.

Help in on the Way 15: No Business Like Show Business will take place on Sunday, August 2nd at the gorgeous Herbst Theatre in San Francisco. They have worked real hard to make the 15th Anniversary very special with a great cast line up. All the stars are donating their time and talent to support the Richmond Ermet Foundation (the charity helps several charities).

Here is the confirmed cast to date (as of 71/09): Tony Award Winner Tyne Dale (Gypsy), Tony Award winner John Lloyd Young (Jersey Boys star), Melinda Doolittle (American Idol/recording star, Joely Fisher (Broadway, TV (Desperate Housewives), Jeanie Tracy (Disco Diva/recording star, Susan Anton (Broadway/Will Roger Follies, TV), Jim Bailey as Judy Garland (Actor, Singer, Comedian), Carole Cook (everybody’s favorite Broadway Star ‘42nd Street’, Shawn Ryan (America’s Got Talent/Cabaret star), Wesla Whitfield (Cabaret/recording star), Maureen McVerry (Cabaret Star/Actress), BAULPOINTPEN (Comedy duo Ben McLain & Paul Peglar), Top Shelf’s Motown Madness (The Cast of San Francisco’s Motown review). Other Stars may be added.

The 4 Bay Area AIDS Service Agencies that are the beneficiaries this year include: Aguilas * AIDS Legal Referral Panel * PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support) * Shanti.

BUZZIN SEZ: “THESE SHOWS ARE ALWAYS ‘GRADE A! – CAPTIVATING! -- WITH SMOOTH AND THRILLING MAGNIFICENT ENTERTAINMENT!”

PRODUCERS: Joe Seiler & Ken Henderson. Director: David Galigan. Musical Directors: Michael Orland (American Idol, Celebrity Duets) and Bill Keck.

TICKETS: http://www.helpisontheway.org./ 415-273-1620.

TWITTER LEE HARTGRAVE
www.twitter.com/famereporter



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

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