MR. MARMALADE -- LOOKING FOR REALITY IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES

There is this little four-year old girl that has thoughts way beyond her years. You see, her Mom is too busy dating and dragging men home late at night to spend a lot of time with Lucy (the 4-year old). So, Lucy of course gets bored and makes up her own life. She creates a handsome older man, Mr. Marmalade. At first he is sweet and kind, but that doesn’t last very long ...

Mr. Marmalade is abusive; he snorts cocaine and constantly tells Lucy that he can’t stay very long, because he is too busy at the office. Lucy begins to lose patience with Mr. Marmalade and she begins to become disenchanted with him. Her life brightens up a bit when Mr. Marmalade’s assistant (another handsome man) shows up. Lucy begins to like him a lot, especially when she notices that Mr. Marmalade has been using his assistant for a punching bag.

Imagine if you can, a four-year-old girl who blurts out some pretty strong shocking words. When the Baby Sitter comes by to sit with Lucy, the four-year-old asks: “Is your boyfriend coming over? Are you going to have Sex with him?” And the answers are yes and yes. Not from the Baby Sitter – we know the answer because we see the boyfriend come over and they disappear into the upstairs bedroom.

Noah Halide, the author of the play has written a hilarious play. If it were real with a real four-year-old is would not be funny. But since it is all fantasy the dark comedy is just delicious. Lillian Askew as the 4-year old is just terrific. Even though she is not anywhere near four years old, she makes us feel that she is, with her credible depiction. You actually can envision a little wiser than her age kid saying some of those things.

Lucy has quite a fantasy life. She marries Mr. Marmalade. After they get married, Lucy starts to hate him. He turns into the "Get me a beer" type of husband. She meets a neighbor boy who has a basket of problems that he brings into her house. He is Five years old, and Lucy takes a shine to him. Actually she wants to see what’s under his clothes and suggests that they play Doctor. Lucy begins by telling him to take off his shirt, then his trousers. Well, hey – don’t all kids play Doctor? Everyone in this play has unrequited Lust.

Gabriel Grilli (Mr. Marmalade) is at the “Top of his Game with his multilayered acting.” The Personal Assistant, Daniel Duque Estrada (Bradley) also gives a “high-caliber performance.” Benjamin Pither plays Larry, the five-year-old boy. I have seen Pither in several plays, and he is always consistently … “A total knockout! He’s a true gem of an Actor!”

Juliet Heller plays Sookie (Mother)/Sunflower and is “Flawless!” Roselyn Hallett (Emily) keeps you “Hooked.” Arthur Keng Plays George/Cactus/Bob. He’s the kind of versatile actor that we need to see more of. “Irresistible fun!”

EXTRA – EXTRA – EXTRA!

The Director Daunielle Rasmussen made this Theater experience completely beguiling! “Loved It!” The Set Design and Lighting Design by Marci Ring really brought the audience into a fantasy world that is both fascinating and strange. And the Costume design is the crowning glory of Marmalade. It made the play “Decidedly Special!” Brian Katz’s Graphic/Sound Design paved the way for a flawless evening. IT’S ALL THAT WE CAN ASK OF A PLAY! IN A WORD – “FANTASTIC!”

EXTRA NO. 2 – The Custom made Theatre is moving to bigger and better digs. They will be playing their magic at the Next Stage, on the corner of Gough and Bush Streets in the fabulous Trinity Episcopal Church. It’s a great space. It all happens with their Sept. 2009 show.

RATING: FOUR GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!!! (Highest Rating) – trademarked-


Paul Gerrior in Krapps Last Tape. Photo: Margaret Whitiker

KRAPP’S LAST TAPE

It is late evening and an older man enters into the room. There is an old metal desk in the center of the room. There are two drawers that face the audience. The weary looking frumpily dressed man sits at the table and thinks. He is dressed like an old-time accountant or businessman. His shoes are white, but worn down at the heels. He looks disoriented and not very happy. As a matter of fact, he looks downright depressed.

With his laborious walk, he occasionally gets up and opens one of the drawers on the desk. He is looking for a tape. He fumbles around a lot, making a big deal of putting the tape on the old-fashioned tape recorder that sits on the desk. No one is around, but every time he unlocks one of the desk drawers he locks them again before he sits down again to listen to a tape of himself when he was young man.

Actually, the acting is mostly in the body movement of the actor. He peers at a ledger, looks into piles of recorded tapes and never really seems to find exactly what he is looking for. It’s as if he is looking for his youth in a box. He is not a happy man. He broods a lot. On the tape – the voice that comes out is much stronger. Krapp seems to be amused by some of what he is listening to as it takes him back. At other times he is annoyed with the tape – shuts it off, then after staring at it for a few minutes turns it back on.

What we see in this story is a man who is miserable, because he cannot deal with getting older. He has bowel problems and leaves the stage to use the bathroom several times. We hear bathroom noises. Krapp comes back out, relieved for the time being. He looks at his watch again – broods again, gets up from the desk, disappears off stage into the darkness and we hear singing to these lyrics: “Now the day is over, Night is drawing nigh-igh, Shadows…” What does it mean? Probably that he knows that end of life is drawing near. Krapp is a sad man, an unhappy man – and probably was a miserable old-f%*k. But you can help but want to reach out to him. To take his hand and say “its O.K. You’re going to be O.K.” Yes, you would like to do that – but would Krapp let you? I doubt it.

Patrick Magee, a Northern Irish actor who was known for his collaborations with Samuel Becket and Harold Pinter, wrote Krapp’s last stand. He died of a heart attack on August 14, 1982. He was 60.

Krapp's last Tape is involving and heart-rendering. Paul Gerrior (Krapp) is just the perfect actor to flesh out the full meaning of the play. “He is nothing short of Brilliant!” And although we never see the voice on the tape – David Sinaiko as the young Krapp “is provocative, hypnotic and on spot authentic!” Too bad he didn’t do a curtain call.

Rob Melrose Directs and gives the play a heartbreaking look at family life and love that is smart and gripping and first rate!

The Costume designer Maggie Whitaker turned Mr. Krapp’ into a ‘living piece of art.’ Terrific!

You might leave the theater asking yourself. Why are Apes different than us? They aren’t!

AT THE CUTTING BALL THEATRE (Exit Theatre on Taylor Street)

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


Donald Runnicles leaves Opera with Verdi's Requiem.

VERDI’S REQUIEM, DIRECTED BY DONALD RUNNICLES, WAS A STUNNING CLOSER TO HIS 17 YEARS AT THE SAN FRANCISCO OPERA.

The Verdi Requiem had its moments of greatness, especially when the Opera Chorus was the focus of attention. The Ian Robertson’s Chorus is an always mind blowingly beautiful thing. This particular evening they were enthralling. I just wish they could have been more upstage instead on in the back of the Orchestra. It would have had even more impact to have them closer.

Runnicles brought Verdi’s music to a Heart-stopping beat with all the drama and excitement that you would expect from him. He seemed to be inspired and deserved this tribute for all of his years with the Opera.

Then there were the Opera Singers. Soprano, Heidi Melton, stepped in at the last minute for Patricia Racette, who was not feeling well. Melton’s powerful voice enthralled us. She has an astonishing and beautiful voice. Mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blithe was refreshingly impressive and uniformly terrific.

The singing by tenor Stefano Secco was Grade A most of the time, but there could have been more energy. And bass Andrea Silvestrelli just didn’t seem to connect at all. I had hoped for more.

All in all, this was a stunning event. And though Donald Runnicles will not be with the SF Opera anymore, he already has a new position where his performances will continue to thrill the World.


Sally Kellerman at Rrazz Room.

BUZZIN’S ‘AIRWAVES EXCHANGE’! –trademarked-

THE Rrazz ROOM CORNER: You’ve seen him in “Will and Grace”, “Boston Legal” and “Ugly Betty”. No, Leslie Jordan is not Ugly Betty. He is just one of the most talented comics around. When you go to a Jordan show, you are guaranteed a laugh-a-minute. He last was in San Francisco in his one-man show “Like a Dog on Linoleum” – and the audience was in hysterics – not to mention rave reviews by the Critics. And if you can get a Critic to laugh – you’ve made it to the top. They actually showed their teeth. Leslie Jordan doesn’t have to worry about making it these days. He is already a big, huge star – and you’ll be sorry if you don’t see this show. He opens at the Rrazz on June 30 through July 4 at 8pm and a Sunday show at 5pm, July 5. www.therrazzroom.com. The Rrazz Room is in the Hotel Nikko at the corner of Mason and O’Farrell.

SALLY KELLERMAN AT THE RRAZZ ROOM. When I first heard Sally Kellerman sing, it was at the Mocambo on Sutter Street in San Francisco. She came in wearing a long trench coat. She went up the stairs from the stage to the dressing room. I was there to interview her. The Owner of the club said to me: “Well, there’s your star.” It turned out to be a very strange interview. I walked into the dressing room. She was brushing her hair – she never looked at me directly only at the mirror. I sat near her and she continued to brush her hair only replying to the Mirror to my questions.

One of the Questions I asked was “When did you decide to start singing?” The Mirror talked” -- “I’ve always been a singer” – the mirror replied. I thought – ooops, I’ve gotten off to a bad start. I always thought of her as an actress. Although the interview was kind of a flop, the show was actually tremendous. Her deep foggy voice was just perfect. I was totally enchanted. What a great performer. And in spite of the dressing room scene, she really connected with the audience. Kellerman appears at the Rrazz room on June 29.

AND ANOTHER THING!!!!

HOW TIMELY! RENT -- THE MUSICAL IS COMING BACK TO THE BAY AREA. With Rents skyrocketing in the City and tenants being kicked out for not paying their Rent on time – isn’t this just the perfect musical for these Les Miserable times? Here is good news – this “Rent” will feature the stars of the Original Broadway production and film adaptation (which was filmed in San Francisco). Starts on October 6 -- at the intimate Curran Theatre. Perfect Place for it! More info: www.shnsf.com.

IT’S NOT EVEN HALLOWEEN YET – BUT THIS WILL SCARE YOU! There is a Carol Channing Ventriloquist Dummy for sale on eBay. “Absolutely Terrifying!” – says The Thrillpeddlers, who will soon terrify you with a new show.

LOVE, HUMILIATION & KARAOKE – The Story: Enzo drives 600 miles to meet SanDiegoDavid, a complete stranger he met online. But Enzo wonders if he will be meeting a serial killer. He doesn’t want to end up cut into little pieces. What has Enzo gotten himself into? Find out at StageWerx, 533 Sutter, (nr. Powell). It plays June 11, 18, 25. The play, is written by Kamu Bell, who has been profiled in the San Francisco Chronicle on three occasions. The Sf Weekly named him “Comedian of the year.” www.brownpapertickets.com.

I’M GONNA WASH THAT MAN RIGHT OUT OF MY HAIR … That’s from South Pacific and The Lincoln Center Theater production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific will launch its national tour with this San Francisco Engagement. Bay Area native Bartlett Sher will direct this new production. Where? At the Golden Gate Theatre … Tix go on sale on June 7. And don’t forget there is a whole troupe of dancing Sailors – on an Island no less.

GRAMMY NOMINATED MORGAN PAGE WILL PLAY ‘VESSEL’ IN SAN FRANCISCO ON Thursday June 25, 2009. He’s won one Grammy and two international Dance Music Awards (DMA) nominations this year. You can catch his progressive style of layering melody, harmony and energy over deep baselines and funky electro beats. It’s pulsing four-to-the-floor beat. Info: www.vesselsf.com.

AND THAT’S A WRAP

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