PAULA WEST is a Master at musical control. Make no mistake on this. This singer is monumentally gifted. She has terrific insight to great standards – making them sound fresh and new.

West starts the evening with Darktown Strutters Ball (Sheldon Brooks) – Lyric: “I’ll Dance off my shoes when they play those Jelly role Blues!” With the support of the great band behind her “George, Mesterhazy, Pianist & Arranger, Barak Mori, Bassist, Jerome Jennings, Drummer and Ed Cherry, Guitarist – together really revved up the audience. I’ve never heard so many Whoops and hollers. The audience was definitely ‘’buzzed.’ Really, Really fabulous was a Bob Dylan song “All I Really Want To Do” put the zap into this song with a Reggae beat. I was hooked. It got huge applause from the audience.

A Hoagy Carmichael song “Bread and Gravy” that West found on an old Ethel Waters record -- brings out the steaming humidity of the old South. I can just vision sitting on a porch swing on a warm night. See, this is what is so great about West. She not only sings to us, but also paints visual pictures as she goes along. It’s probably Voodoo magic – but she does take you to another time and place.

All you have to do is just sit back in this beautiful NiteClub and listen as Paula West molds every word and phrase. She doesn’t just toss them out to you. She brands them on your forehead with songs like “I’m In Love Again.” This is what real singing is all about. You can’t help being swept away in the lyrics as West takes us from one dimension to another with songs like: “My Romance” (Roger/Hart), “Everything But You” – (Ellington/James/George). And the wonderful “Nobody’s Chasing Me” – (Cole Porter). Lyric: “The Bull is chasing the Heifer, but nobody is chasing me!” West does little talking between the songs. Which is good – she spends all her time focusing on the music. She does toss out a few words in-between like: “Scream, Holler, Yell all you want. In Time!”

Another great thing about her new show at the Rrazz Room is the absolutely remarkable Band, led by George Mesterhazy. His talent can’t be surpassed. The arrangements are absolutely stunning. And it is really refreshing to hear a singer give so much credit to the band. Many times the names of the band are said so fast that you don’t hear their names. This is not the case with West. West repeats their names many times. She lets them have their well-deserved day in the Sun.

The opening night sported a lot of Celebrities. There was Wilkes Bashford and Willie Brown sitting in a booth with friends. The two former owners of the original Gramaphone Records were there, and Naomi of Naomi Antiques was cheering West on. Singer ClairDee was in the audience – looking great and there were several other singers in the audience including Denise Perrier, who will have a stint at the Rrazz soon. Famed publicist Lawrence Helman was flitting from table to table (he knows everyone) and always has a fun time. Trevor, the former manager (the best) of the now defunct Plush Room was also in the room enjoying the show.

In a few words: “PAULA WEST IS UTTERLY SUPERB!”

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

http://www.therrazzroom.com/

AROUND TOWN AND BEYOND


"The First Grade" cast - at Aurora Theatre. Photo: David Allen.

THE FIRST GRADE AT THE AURORA THEATRE IS FIRST RATE

Here’s a woman in her 50’s. She's teaching kindergarten. And she has a sharp tongue. Some of it may go over the student’s head, but I think some get the sarcasm.

This play is utterly hilarious. Julia Brother’s character is smart alecky, quick witted. But, of course as good as the acting is in this play is - and, it is very, very good – nothing would work if it were not for the immensely quick witted dialogue that playwright Joel Drake Johnson has brought to the Aurora. The direction by Tom Ross is so good that he should be directing some of Hollywood’s movie comedies.

In this play – everyone talks a lot, but no one actually listens to what the other person says. Brothers has been quoted as saying, that “she considers this the best role she has had to date.” And no one could do it better.

Brothers, who is tormented by a lot of demons in her mind says: “I got to sleep in a fools paradise – but wake up in Dante’s inferno!”

When they have an unexpected person come by the house, she and her husband are having a discussion about his thoughts that he might be gay. When the person outside knocks on the door – the husband doesn’t want to let the guest in. His wife (Brothers) sez: “If you were a true Gay Man you would welcome her in!” Another hysterical line: Brothers says to her husband. “Where’s your little phone?” He says: “Oh, you mean my Blackberry?” Brothers is quick on the uptake: “I knew it was a fruit!”

The entire family is F#%*d up. The daughter is going to have a baby that she doesn’t want. Brothers therapist turns out to be dangerous, her husband has identity problems. And those are only the good days were talking about.

With “The First Grade” the Berkeley Theatre District has never been brighter. This is a dynamic production with vigorous sparring throughout. It’s really effortlessly funny, tart, sweet and perfect! Believe me – it’s easy to love this play.

THE SUBERB CAST: TINA SANCHEZ, JULIA BROTHER, WARREN DAVID KEITH, REBECCA SCHWEITZER, ADRIAN ANCHONDO, AND PAUL SANTIAGO. ÅLL IRRESISTIBLE!

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


Sensational La Toya London sings at "All We Need Is Love" at REAF Gala. Courtesy photo - Reaf.

COMING UP! FEB. 8 AT THE MARINES MEMORIAL WILL BE ANOTHER SUPER-STARDOM ARRAY OF TALENT

YOU WANT TO SEE STARS? Well, here is the place to be at the Marines Memorial Theatre on Feb. 8. Here is a sample of what you see: Rita Moreno, Comic Leslie Jordan, Singer Maureen McGovern, Star Sharon Gless, Maria Muldaur, Singing sensation La Toya London, Nick Lazzarini, David Burnham, Teal Wicks (Wicked), Tim Hockenberry, Kim Nalley, Carly Ozard, Jeanie Tracy.

More have just been added. Ken Henderson just let me know that these have just confirmed also. Ishaara Dance Troup who created a sensation of “America’s Got Talent” last season as well as Terrance Spencer & Grey Haney, two dancers for the cast of “Wicked”. Ken says: This is going to be one of our biggest and most amazing shows ever. The Beneficiaries of this year’s concert are “Stop Aids Project, and Aguilas. More info and tix: http://www.helpisontheway.org/. or call: 415-273-1620.

AT BERKELEY REP – COMING HOME. Athol Fugard’s play in Two Acts at the Rep is, at time’s enchanting. Especially the first act. The story about a mother and her son who return home (South Africa) is touching with some really strong acting. The second act is another matter. As the Mother gets sicker with a dreadful virus – the play also gets infected. The ending is one of those plays where it just drifts away. You expect more than planting some pieces of words in a Garden. Well, that is the ending. I guess Fugard just ran out of ideas. Really Sensational are Roslyn Ruff, Thomas Silcott and Kohle T. Bolton.

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

http://www.berkeleyrep.org/

AT THEATRE WORKS – “DADDY LONG LEGS”. O.K, maybe I’m missing something here. This musical take of the often-told “Daddy Long Legs” (it’s started as a novella, then a movie, then an English musical and now a new musical at Theatre Works) – the story is sweet and touching. It takes place in the 1900’s in New England. The story is about an Orphan who someone thinks is talented. She is discovered by an anonymous benefactor (who is a trustee at the College). The benefactor’s only request is that she writes him monthly letters. She writes – he finds them witty, and amusing. She thinks that he is an old man, but he is not – as she finds out later. It all ends up being all fuzzy and cozy and leads to marriage.

The story is not the problem. It’s charming. But, the music leaves a lot to be desired. This is a one-tune musical. Every song sounds just like the one before it. It is Recitative style (also known by its Italian name ‘Recitativo’) – a style of delivery that is used in operas, oratorios, and cantatas. It is “sing-speak.” First of all, the girl has a weak voice. Not strong enough for a musical. The Benefactor has a much better voice – but for some reason he is not allowed to really belt out anything like you would expect from time to time in a musical. That’s it. There are two people in the cast. When it was a musical in England with real musical numbers they had a full cast. You did not have to imagine everyone. The set was great looking and the director did what he could with little. There was not much to direct. The Cast: Megan McGinnis and Robert Adelman Hancock. But, don’t take my word for it. See it for yourself – if you think I’m wrong – let me know. You have plenty of time to see it. The musical has been extended until Feb. 21. At The Mountain View Performing Arts Center.

http://www.theatreworks.org/

A NUMBER AT THE LESHER CENTER IN WALNUT CREEK

THIS NUMBER IS A MYSTERY. The story is fascinating and the cast of two: James Carpenter and Gabe Marin, who are two of the most sought after actors in town give it there all. Who needs electric cars with these two guys on the stage? You don’t even have to plug them in. They are self-propelled.

As the play unwinds – it tells the tale of a father (Carpenter) who has had his son cloned. Not only did he have one clone made, but also he used the genetic material of his first son, who died to create many clones. What a scary thought. Would you want several dozen of yourself running around?

You have to pay a lot of attention to what is going on. Marin, for instance plays at least 3 different clones. So, the play can be a little confusing. I have seen this play a few times. And have enjoyed it. At the Lesher smaller Theatre (more of a Cabaret type setting) – I didn’t get the full impact of the drama. A play like this really doesn’t work as well in the round as it does on a regular stage.

But still, Caryl Churchill’s play is fascinating. Even if at times you might need a fortuneteller to sit next to you to tell you what is going on.

Summing up: Great Acting! See it! It’s only about an hour long.

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



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

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