TRAILER TRASH GOES GRAVEDIGGING IN ‘TANGO’

This is a dark story of relationships that revolve around a graveyard. Graveyards can be very mysterious and scary. I recall that when I was a young man, and visited a school friend a couple of nights a week so that we could do homework together, it was always dark when I left, and the shortest way home was to walk past the Graveyard. In my case – it was running. If a branch or leaf fell, I heard it and ran faster. Doug Thornburg is Laszlo, the Caretaker at the Cemetery, and he is just the kind of guy you would not want to encounter on a dark night. He has begun to exhume a number of graves – and threatens to slam a shovel into anyone’s face that asks too many questions about what is going on.

The play is a little difficult to follow at times. There is a woman’s grave with no date of birth or death. On the grave is a tender description of ever-lasting love. Into the mix is a young man who is supposed to work with the Caretaker exhuming graves. He has somehow injured himself – and can’t do the job. You get the impression that he is just Trailer Trash lazy. He gets his girlfriend to take his place, because they need the money.

So, into the mix we get cross-dressing. The Girl Friend dresses up as a man and gets off to a rough start with the unpleasant Laszlo as she enters with a flashlight in a dim light where she can barely make out the figure of a thin man wearing overalls. He looks dirty and scary. And he scares the audience as he not only searches the stage, but also beams the light across the audience members.

While digging in the ground to exhume the corpses, Laszlo asks the young girl (who still is dressed as a man) -- “Ever seen a corpse when it comes up, Pip? You’ve never seen death til you pull one out of the ground.” He later shows her a skull.

The reason for the exhuming is revealed later. The Graves must be moved to make way for a development. And that is right out of the headlines. Many developers are standing by gravesites every night salivating over the property and wondering how they can move the dead out.

The play takes many turns, but it really is about a family that came to a tragic end. A relative wipes out the entire family. They are all buried in this land – and it is their spirits that visit us. Their story is told to us as they drift in and out of the shadows.

The set is sparse, but sets the mood nicely. The cast does a great job, however there are times when the timing seemed to be off. There are a couple of wonderful moments in the play like the ‘Tango’ scene which is not danced to Tango music, but to classical music. It was lovely.

And the real touching moment comes near the end – when the dog (A Black Lab) that we have heard barking throughout the play turns out to be a real dog. And what a charmer he is. The play ends with the appearance of the dog. And after so much dreariness you want to just go up on that stage and hug the dog.

This West Coast Premiere presented by ‘Second Wind’ will end this weekend at the ‘Traveling Jewish Theatre’ at Theatre Artaud Complex, and Resident Playwright Ian Walker, also directed. “Gravediggers” is a Star Studded mystery with Catz Forsman, Madeleine Hansen, Tony Johnston, Brian O’Connor, Natalie Palan, Joseph Rende, Ryan Tasker, Doug Thornburg, Kathryn Tkel, Michael Vega, Shelby Wilkes and of course, The Dog. This is good psychological drama.
www.secondwind.8m.com

RATING: THREE GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!!



THE STARS ARE ON THE STAGE AND THE CAMERAS WILL BE ROLLING, FOR 'HELP IS ON THE WAY’ – GOES TO THE MOVIES.

“In those days we had faces!” said Norma Desmond in “Sunset Boulevard” which is soon to be on the screen again as a musical. You can see ‘New Faces’ and some familiar faces at this years “Help is on the way” -- Gala Black-Tie event at the Palace of Fine Arts, featuring stars from Broadway, film, TV and the recording industry.

Here is a partial list of some of the sizzling, hot and sexy talent. Susan Anton (Will Rogers Follies) and (Baywatch). Anton blew the roof off the building last time – perhaps you should bring some extra oxygen. Again we will get to see “That Living Legend” Carole Cook. Talk about faces…she has one of the most interesting ‘bad’ mouths that you are ever going to hear. And, of course she means it in “The Best Way Possible.” No one can deconstruct like Cook. Can’t wait to hear what she has cooked up this time.

Recent Tony Nominee Raul Esparza (Company) will be on hand to dazzle. ‘He’s gleemin’ and creamin’. There is a stampede for Tix to get close-up to sexy Lucy Lawless (Xena: Warrior Princess star) who is even more glamorous now. And boy, can she sing. From American Idol, Kimberly Locke will belt out some of her hits. And hey, this is VERY interesting. Ruby Keeler’s Grand Daughter, Sarah Lowe, will dance with Ruby via Video. Talk about a movie moment.

Bruce Vilanch, who played the mother in the stage musical “Hairspray” on Broadway, will keep us laughing. That’s what happens when librarians go bad. They make us tumble out of our seats with laughter. B.D. Wong of ‘Oz’ fame, ‘M. Butterfly’ and ‘Pacific Overtures’ may have a summer movie surprise. Local favorite Paula West will thrill again with her terrific Jazz interpretations – plus the Ultrafab “Jersey Boys” cast of the hit Broadway show now at the Curran Theatre, will have you dancing in the aisles. And that’s just the beginning. There are more Stars in this show that can fit on this page. Excited yet? I am.

Producers Joe Seiler and Ken Henderson have put together another slick, fascinating show with Stars and dazzling Song and Dance. Don’t miss it! Director David Galligan has made it a Joyous evening. This years Co-Chairs are Assemblyman Mark Leno, Harry Denton and Jan Wahl. www.reaf.org or call 415—273-1620. Show is on Sunday August 5, at the Palace of Fine Arts and benefits 5 Bay Area AIDS Service Organizations.

LEE’S SHOWBUZZ

Throughly Modern Millie. This musical shows how women changed during the Roaring Twenties. Amadour Theatre in Pleasanton. Could be fun – Let me know.

“What Mama Said About ‘Down’ There’. Sia Amma’s one-woman comedy about the facts of life apparently is going to let us know what Mama said. …Our Little Theatre on Ellis St. www.celebrateclitoris.com. No – it’s not a joke.

How About sitting in a room with 169 speakers? You like that don’t you? ‘Audium’ is an exploration of the dimension of music with 169 Speakers. On Bush Street. Or – you could just sit home and open the window. www.audium.org.

In Walnut Creek at the Dean Lesher Regional Center you can hear Broadway classics, marches and patriotic music, 7.30 pm Saturday.

Novel. That would be the All-female production of “Romeo and Juliet” in Hayward this weekend. www.womanswill.org

FREE: ‘Jewels in the Square’. No, not those down there. This is a free fest of Dancing, Music, and theater performances. Noon. www.unionsquarepark.us.

“The Pandora Experiment” Mind reading, Magic and Theater. Illusionist Christian Cagigal…Exit Café on Eddy. www.theexit.org. Seen it. Guaranteed fun!

Do you know your way to Altarena Playhouse? They are taking a new look at The Cindrella Story in the Musical “Oh, My Godmother.” You Godmother is at the Altarena Playhouse. Talk to her at: www.altarena.org.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

JERSEY BOYS AT THE CURRAN THEATER…MAN OF LA MANCHA AT THE SF PLAYHOUSE ON SUTTER…CONNIE CHAMPAGNE AT THE NEW CONSERVATORY THEATER. FILM – ‘LADY CHATTERLY’S LOVER’ –“THE MOST SENSUAL MOVIE I HAVE SEEN IN DECADES. IN THIS FILM THEY SHOW EVERYTING ‘DOWN THERE’. GORGEOUS…CRISPLY ACTED…SPELLBINDING! AT THE EMBARCEDERO THEATER.

BE BOLD, FRESH…DON’T MISS THESE SHOWS! …and tell buzzin about your adventures. www.leehartgraveshow@yahoocom



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

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