ROGER REES, SHAKESPERE AND CANADA

The Charming Devil of an actor Roger Rees is a seducer who actually makes us like Shakespeare in a round about way. He picks up a book by Voltaire and quotes Voltaire: “Shakespeare is a drunken savage with some imagination whose plays please only in London and Canada.” Isn’t that the truth!

I myself said of Shakespeare’s “Mid Summer Nights Dream” – It’s too wordy – just take out a few words and it’ll be just fine.” The Chronicle's Herb Caen tried to crucify me for that. But here on the stage we find out that Voltaire thought he was a no-talent bum and James Thurber (Author, cartoonist, humorist, & satirist) also took issue with Shakespeare’s talent.

With a glint in his eye and a mischievous smile Rees says” “Macbeth is the shortest play that Shakespeare has ever written.” Yes, after seeing this marvelous one-person gem at A.C.T. I am totally convinced that Shakespeare was a fluke.

In Rees’ play within a play he jumps in and out of Shakespeare’s characters playing them with gusto – and then proceeds to prick the air out of the characters ribs. And I do mean ‘PRICK’. Searching out student Internet Blogs, Rees delightfully sends these hilarious rockets out to the audience – “Two months ago I couldn’t spell teacher, Now I ARE one!”

No one is safe from this actors roving mind. Talking about Romeo and Juliet, another student said: “Romeo’s last wish was to be laid by Juliet!”

Rees is a compelling and hypnotic actor that throws off some kind of animal magnetic pull. It’s hard to explain him and even harder to free yourself from his grasp. Rees and the audience spark Off Of Each Other. Yep, people like him are dangerous – they definitely weave a spell.

“What You Will” is expertly Crafted -- and why not? Look at the list of his credits: A Television star, Starred in lots of films, has played on some of the biggest most famous stages in the world, and he has years and years of experience playing in Shakespeare’s plays. No wonder he is so extraordinary. He started out as a painter of sets and became one of the most popular actors on the stage. As he tells us: “When I was offered a small role in a play…I never went back to painting.”

James Thurber couldn’t have said it better: “The wit makes fun of other persons; the satirist makes fun of the world; the humorist makes fun of himself.” And there you have it – that’s Roger Rees.

You’ll be the loser if you don’t go to – ROGER REES – “WHAT YOU WILL”. By the way – ‘What You Will’ was a secondary title of one of Shakespeare’s plays.

Oh, and also – George Bernard Shaw says of Shakespeare: -- “There is no eminent writer, not even Sir Walter Scott, whom I can despise so entirely as I despise Shakespeare when I measure my mind against his.” – From Shaw on Shakespeare. However, I have a feeling that Shaw would delight in this show.

AT THE AMERICAN CONSERVATORY THEATRE

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

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


The cast of Drowsy Chaperone. Photo Joan Marcus.

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE – THE ULTIMATE HIGH CAMP!

WOW! – SURPRISE PACKAGE OF FUN! WOW! – MARVELOUS! WOW! – CHARMING, HILARIOUS!

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE takes place in one day in an apartment where a slight man sits in a frumpy chair. A man of dubious sexuality. He points out to the audience “that you probably think that I am gay, but I was married – you shouldn’t judge on looks.”

The man in the chair spends hours playing his favorite ‘records’. He says – Yes, these ARE records. As the record plays on an old phonograph playing “The Drowsy Chaperone”, a 1930-ish musical, the characters come to life on the stage. He can see them, but they don’t see him. Of course – we, the audience see everyone.

His performance is very demanding (Johathan Crombie). The facial expressions are just fantastic. What an actor this guy is. He must react to everything on the stage. But, when he does talk or sing along with some of the songs – it’s a major visionary work of art.

Georgia Engel (Mrs. Tottendale) is so much fun. You may remember her from “The Mary Tyler Moore show” and other TV series. She has a voice you can’t forget. She’s ditzy, but then she IS a blonde. Her butler is Robert Dorfman and he is tons of fun also.

As far as I’m concerned this is the perfect musical. It’s amusing, enchanting and has a host of flashy dashy costumes. The actors and singers are so great that you would think that they had been together since they were children. What a profound bunch of talented people they are. There are huge production numbers that create an enchanting visual wonderment.

In the story there is a great stage star on the stage. She wants to quit showbiz and marry a handsome swain. The producer of the show will go to any lengths to break up the marriage. Janet Van De Graaff (Andrea Chamberlain) is just spectacular. Drag Queens would “Kill” for the costumes.

This production is more than slick – it’s like a ride on a high-speed roller coaster. The timing is nifty. For instance when the action on the stage is ‘freeze-framed’ when the Man in the Chair stops the record because the Maid has put the one record in the sleeve. All of the actors on the stage freeze in place until he puts the right record on his phonograph and then the action begins again. This has to be perfect or it would not work – and believe me it was a marvel at perfect timing.

This show is Mad, Mad, and Mad -- to the point of almost being insane. The audience loved it and I loved it. They especially loved the Drowsy Chaperone (Nancy Opel) who is tipsy most of the time. But drunk or not, she can sing. Someone told me that they could hear her at the corner of Geary and Mason. Well, you know how some people exaggerate.

The two lovers Robert and Janet (Robert Martin and Mark Ledbetter sing “An Accident waiting to Happen” is one of the many gems in the show. Robert is on roller skates. Another highlight among many is “Love is Always Lovely in the End.” – Mrs. Tottendale, and her Butler. Some clever lines are also in the mix. Here’s one: One actress/singer says: “I’m an Aviatrix that we now call a Lesbian.” And she does this sitting in a plane that she has just landed on the stage.

When someone asks a ditzy blonde showgirl – “Have you ever been in a Coma?” – She replies – “No, but I have a cousin in Seattle.”

One of the huge most exciting numbers is “Show Off” sung by Janet, the Star and Company. It was more fun than opening a box of Cracker Jacks. Then there is Adolpho, who is the European with loose morals (Dale Hensley) -- he is consistently funny. This zinger really got a huge applause from the audience. – “Have you ever been married?” – “Heavens no! If I’m going to serve a woman – I want to be paid for my efforts!” He’s a Butler.

The Man in the Chair observes. “In the real world, the only people who burst into song on the street are hopelessly deranged”

The Enthralling Cast in order of appearance are: Johnathan Crombie, Georgia Engel, Robert Dorfman, Mark Ledbetter, Richard Vida, Cliff Bemis, Marla Mindelle, Paul Riopelle, Peter Riopelle, Dale Hensley, Andrea Chamberlain, Nancy Opel, Fran Jaye, Chuck Rea, Ensemble: Kevin Crewell, Jen Taylor Farrell, Chuck Rea, Jennifer Swiderski. Take a Bow guys ---Hell, take as many Bows as you want. You guys are monumental!

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


Rita Moreno will sing at "Help is on The Way". Courtesy Photo.

HELP IS ON THE WAY – ENTERTAINMENT WITH A CAPITAL ‘E’!

HELP IS ON THE WAY – 14 -- is Northern California’s largest and impressive Annual Aids Benefit. Each year the musical theme and the performers are changed (Although some performers from past shows are also on the roster).

Let’s go the movies: This year’s “Help” ‘Goes back to the Movies’. No matter what you like, Classic movie musicals or action films, they all have the great music that we all love.

Here are some of the performers that sing, dance and entertain with all their hearts:

Marilu Henner, who got rave fanatical reviews on Broadway as “Roxie Hart” in ‘Chicago’ will bring her Broadway lights to the Palace of Fine Arts stage with here provocative and sexy style.

RICKI LAKE who you will remember from the famous John Water’s 1988 film “Hairspray.” And of course there was her very own tale show “Ricki Lake’ in 1996. With John Waters in 2000 – Ricki made a cameo in the film “Cecil B. Demented.” Always the consummate entertainer – Ricki Lake is spunky perfection.

MAUREEN McGOVERN has done it all in a career that spans 35 years that includes hit recordings, sold out concerts, Broadway, theater, films, television, radio and composing. Her style defies being categorized – because she is so versatile, you can’t pigeon hole her talent. Remember “We May Never Love Like This Again from the Towering Inferno? Also you will recall her Oscar winning “The Morning After” from ‘The Poseidon Adventure’. I could spend a weekend listening to McGovern.

JAI RODRIGUEZ – a talent that shines whenever he pops up. He probably is best known for his Emmy Award-winning role as the “Culture Guy” on Bravo’s hit Queer Eye for the straight guy.” But what you may not know is that he is also a great singer, musician, actor and best-selling author. At 17 he starred as ‘Angel’ in “Rent”. Among the many projects that he has going for him at the moment is the host of “Animal Plant’s” summer hit “Groomer Has It”. And I would the Jai – definitely “HAS IT!”

LAUREN WOOD, the world-renowned songwriter, recording artist is best known for her smash hit song, “Fallen” from the award-winning movie soundtrack, “Pretty Woman” which sold over 17 million copies.

VICKI LEWIS stared as Beth on "NBC's Newsradio” and as Nora on NBC’s “Three Sisters” and she has recently appeared on “Grey’s Anatomy”. Among many other credits she has ‘wowed’ audiences in “Chicago” as Velma Kelly.

KIMBERLY LOCKE is returning for her third appearance in “Help”. Locke is always a huge hit. She was also a second runner up on the popular “American Idol”…and remains in demand around the country.

FRENCHIE DAVIS another American Idol favorite is doing really great. She has had a four-year stint on Broadway in “Rent” and later became Effie in “Dreamgirls”. Look for her in a new revival of ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’.

VONZELL SOLOMON (Baby V, is an internationally known singer, songwriter, producer, gold recording artist, model and actress and was another 2nd runner-up on American Idol. Some compare her to Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige and Beyonce to name a few. You’ll see – she’s a Powerhouse!

Along with all this marvelous talent you will also be thrilled with Rita Moreno, Grand Diva Carole Cook (San Francisco’s dream of the perfect date). Then there is the funnier than Hell Bruce Vilanch and S.F’s famous Paula West – Jazz never sounded better. The Barbary Coast Cloggers will make you wish that you had brought your clogs along.

The show plays one night only – August 3, 2008. (Sunday). Don’t dilly dally – Tix are flying out of the Box Office. This is a once-in-a lifetime chance to see so much talent in one night, and it’s for a good cause.

This years Director is David Galligan and the Musical Directors are Michael Orland & Mary Ekler.

For Tickets call: 415-273-1620
Order online: www.helpisontheway.org.

AND THAT’S A WRAP!



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

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME HERE: leehartgraveshow@yahoo.com

PRESS STUFF: buzztatler@aol.com

Podcasts, blogs, vblogs: web.mac.com/buzzmixer/