Well, they've done it again -- and I'm not surprised. You can always count on the annual show to be the very best in the world. This year the show was titled "Blame it on the Movies." The going and showing of the celebs talents went so fast and so slick that you barely had time to take a breath. You can thank the direction of David Galligan for that. What a swift, keen sighted director he is.    
    
As usual there was the Cocktail party before the show where several San Francisco restaurants had free food booths that featured everything to exotic and regular good tasting treats. And surprise -- there was free booze from Kettle Drum and UV Vodka was served to the joy of the people in attendance. I looked for Critic Richard Connema in that area but couldn't find him -- but someone did mention that they saw him wandering around looking a little dazed from the excitement.

The start of the show was definitely a FLASH AND BOOM beginning. Vicki Lewis and Jai Rodriguez came out on the stage in Usher uniforms and with amazing cleverness they gave a tornado like rendering of Jerry Herman's "Just go to the Movies." Meanwhile, throughout the show, movie clips were shown from movies "Gone with the Wind", "ET" and the film "Love me Tonight" plus many others great classic films.

The winning Paula West (who makes singing look so effortless) sang the Rodgers and Hart song "Isn't It Romantic?" from that film. She is so good. She should be in the movies.

Marilu Henner sang an updated version of "Zip" from "Pal Joey" with references to modern day celebrities such as, "Will they ever prove that tom Cruise is gay?" and "Will the Bay area let Bonds play?" It was a ton of fun. Ricki Lake was accompanied by her son playing the guitar and it was a big favorite.

Kimberley Locke stunned the audience with Harold Arlen's "The Man That got Away" and Vicki Lewis gave a knock-out punch with "I'm the Greatest Star" from Funny Girl, and proved that she can match talent with tonsils.

It was the still gorgeous Rita Moreno that closed the first half by reprising her role in "The Ritz" singing "Everything's Coming Up Roses" aided by 3 hunky go-go boys. She showed no fear as they manhandled her. Moreno's broken English and lost high heel shoe half way through the number was just hilarious.


Bruce Vilanch

Comic Bruce Vilanch appeared on stage in a red feather boa (that must have been twenty feet long) to sing "I'm Tired" from the movie "Blazing Saddles". Every time he gestured some of the feathers would fall to the floor. He stopped during the song to tell a few jokes like this: "The difference between a straight wedding and a gay wedding is that in a gay wedding both partners care." The audience was just doubled over with his act. He finished out the set with the "Barbary Coasters" who were as usual fabulous.

I'm surprised the ceiling is still on the Palace Of Fine Arts, because when Rita McKenzie belted out "Alexander's Ragtime Band" in the best Ethel Merman style that I've ever heard I could swear that the ceiling was bouncing up and down. I wanted to scream "Hot Pants! Hot Pants! Hot Pants!" -- but then I thought better of it. But I do get involved, you know.

The two songs from Dreamgirls were both show stoppers. R.J Helton and Vonzell Solomon wowed us with "Somewhere Out There" from 'An American Tail' while Kimberly Locke, sang the Judy Garland song "The Man That got Away" from A Star is Born" and that is what we saw on the stage ... a powerful performer who is now a true "Idol". Frenchie Davis gave it all with a fabulous rendtion of "I Am Changing" from Dreamgirls.

The wonderful team Cate Caplin and Gary Franco -- the great dancing team did a steamy dance number "Why Don't You Do Right" from 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit.' So steamy that I had to ask for a hair dryer during the break to dry the sweat from my shirt.

Maureen McGovern closed the show with a wonderful rendition of the song that she sang in the Poseidon Adventure and then gave us another treat with the touching "The Way We Were". As she sang this song film clips of AIDS victims on the back screen were very moving. The audience gave it a standing ovation as a Mother and her survivor son who has AIDS reminded us what this is all about.

If you missed this event -- you still have time to see another one of "Help's Productions" at the venerable Club Fugazi. That show is called "One Night Only" (August 11th) and will feature the talents of the cast of "The Drowsey Chaperone" with special guests, Susan Anton, Constantine Maroulis, and Vonzell Solomon. The show starts at 7:30 PM. For Ticikets call 415-4211-4222. This event for charities is presented by the Richamond/Ermet Aids Foundation. SEE IT!

[Bill Thompson and Michael Weaver contributed to this story]

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

HE SAID, SHE SAID, THEY SAID!

Overheard on the street in Chicago! "Give me some ice Baby!"

WHAT ARE THEY DOING NOW?

Well, for starters David Cook (2nd runner-up Idol) with the messy hair. Is not doing too badly -- in fact his career is in fast drive. He's got a good career going.

TYRA BANKS -- "America's Top Model". Who said that staring blankly into space would count as personality?

IS THERE A CURSE ON BATMAN? "Dark Knight" conspirators think so. Here's why: Morgan Freeman was in a car crash and is recovering from his injuries. Batman (Christian Bale) got arrested -- and of course there is Heath Ledger's Death. Some say that he's not dead. Is this creepy or just another rash of the Elvis type sightings? Oh, Oh -- I think I just saw Ledger walking down the street. Well, it looked like him.

Dr. Stevens (Katherine Heigl) on Grey's Anatomy is back to work over the operating table in the show. There was talk that she would be dumped for taking her name out the running in the Emmy awards. Celebs wonder: "Do you think her co-workers trtied to get her dumped? Or maybe they just didn't like her operating methods." Those Celebs -- always wondering.


Julie Andrews

JULIE ANDREWS HAS TURNED 69. And this is what she did at an AARP event. To commemorate her birthday, she made a special appearance at Manhattan's Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of AARP. She sang "My Favorite Things" for the 'Sound of Music.! Here are some the the lyrics she used. You have to Sing It -- it makes more fun.

THE LYRICS:

Botox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,

These are a few of my favorite things.

Cadillacs and cataracts, hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
These are a few of my favorite things.

If you want the entire text of the song email me and I will send it to you.

AND THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE DOING TODAY!

NEXT WEEK: REVIEW OF "LOOKING GLASS ALICE" -- A NEW TAKE ON THE ALICE SHOW THAT IS SELLING LIKE HOTCAKES. DO I SEE A TOUR COMING ON?

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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