Cuckoo’s Nest – “Impressive!”; Leslie Jordan at Rrazz - “Witty, Zany!”; Help is On the Way 15: “Star-Studded Gala”
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚
Jul. 03‚ 2009
CUKOO – TWIST AFTER TWIST CHILLING!
Cuckoo’s Nest mirrors society. There really isn’t a reason for walls anymore, because most of the people who used to be behind those walls are now out on the street. The play based on the best selling book takes place in a mental institution around the 1960’s. The head nurse is Nurse Ratched, the Nurse from Hell. Either you do as she says – or you will face dire punishment that includes frontal lobotomy. A process, where they remove part of your brain. That’s right, she’s a sweetheart. She just wants to quite you down, so that she has complete control over you ...
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Jack Goes Boating – “Superb!”; Sally Kellerman / Leslie Jordan at Rrazz; Opera Grand Tier – La Traviata
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚
Jun. 26‚ 2009
DEVILISH ACTING IN A HELLUVA PLAY
FINDING A FUNNIER FOURSOME ON STAGE WOULD SEEM TO BE AN IMPOSSIBLE TASK -- BUT NOT FOR THE AURORA THEATRE, THAT HAS FOUND FOUR VETERAN ACTORS WHO ARE JUST BRILLIANT! In “Jack Goes Boating,” four souls find and lose themselves, as they agree to disagree in this romantic comedy. There is Jack, who hasn’t had a date in years, maybe because he has his hair in newly acquired dreadlocks. It doesn’t look like a professional job. Jack may be missing a few drawers in his head also, but he has a heart of gold. Yep, he’s a big lug, but a loveable one.
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The Cockettes are Back; My Life on “Craigslist”; One Night Only at Pier 39
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚
Jun. 19‚ 2009
THRILLPEDDLERS BRING BACK THE 70’S FUN
“Pearls Over Shanghai” is more than flamboyant – it’s a psychedelic trip, smoke and all.
“Pearls” was originally produced as a Nocturnal Dream Show that performed at the old Palace Theatre in Chinatown. It turns out that it brought fame and probably not fortune to the “Cockettes” who made it big – but like all groups, they fizzled out and the magic never took to the stage again. Until now that is, with The Thrillpeddlers re-invention of “Pearls” at the Hippnodrome Theater on 10th Street in SF.
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Some Men – “Frothy!”; Mauritius -- “Jaw Dropping Good!”; Albee’s Zoo Story – “First Rate!”; Love, Humiliation & Karaoke; REAF Cabaret – Pier 39
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚
Jun. 12‚ 2009
MAURITIUS: TREMENDOUS, THRILLING … A MUST SEE!
Jackie has discovered a stamp collection that her late mother had in the house. She is not sure if they are worth anything, but is hopeful. A comic book shop employee refers her to a ‘stamp expert.’ When Jackie gets there she, is greeted with indifference. The Stamp expert doesn’t even want to look at her collection. Over in the corner reading a book is Dennis, a young man who is observing the whole thing ...
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Krapps Last Tape – “Soul Searching!”; Mr. Marmalade – “Kinky Fun!”; Verdi Gala for Runnicles; AirWaves Exchange / and Another Thing!
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚
Jun. 05‚ 2009
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 ...
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Three On A Party – Tennessee and Stein “Oh My!”; Spamalot - Funnyalot!; Flicker Bits – Queer Hip Hop and One More Thing!
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚
May. 29‚ 2009
SPAMALOT – HIGH OCTANE FUN
The beginning: Extremely hilarious Monty Python hijinks set the tone for the show. Here’s how it goes: “To the North -- the Anglo-Saxons. The South -- the French. To the East -- nothing but Celts and some people from Scotland!” A great bit is Christopher Sutton (Not Dead Fred) singing – “I’m not dead yet!” Sutton is just wonderful in every part that he plays in the insane musical. What a great talent ...
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Katya – A Countess at NCTC; Guerilla Rep – New Play; Springtime for Nero; Verdi’s Requiem – Opera House
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚
May. 22‚ 2009
“Whether your spending time at your home along the Seine, or in the City – it is always an occasion to wear glamorous clothes Darling.” – Sez Katya Smirnoff-Skyy in ‘What Becomes a Legend Most’? Her madcap vocalizations and her diamonds made her the legend she BELIEVES she is today.
This show is all singing, cocktails flowing, tall tales and fantastic outfits. There are no button-down collars or substantial lace-ups here. Katya strives for form and a rejuvenated and up-to-date silhouette. The material is silk with the freshness of cotton – making it ideal for cruising while sitting at a Bar looking for a man who has money. “I’m doing it the old-fashioned way” – Katya Sez, while holding a glass of vodka -- “All I want is to meet a nice rich banker.”
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Dead Man’s Cell Phone; Boleros for the Disenchanted; Bruce Vlanich at Rrazz
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚
May. 15‚ 2009
DEAD MAN’S CELL PHONE -- HE’S DEAD YA KNOW!
This is NOT a story about Sprint Cell Phone Customer service. Even though you do get a lot of dead silence from their network. No, this is not a case of ‘dropped’ calls. This is a story of a man who is having a bowl of soup in a diner. He dies, sitting up in the chair. His Cell Phone rings over and over again. It stops and starts to ring again.
Across the room is a woman who is reading a book as she finishes her bowl of Lobster Bisque. The woman gets annoyed. She’s thinking – why doesn’t the guy answer his phone. Soon the woman had enough. She walks over to the man and asks him why he doesn’t answer his phone. No response – so she shakes him a bit – only to find that he is dead. A dead man can ‘t answer a cell phone. So what does the women do? She answers it for him – and takes over his life as if she were a part of it.
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Ben Vereen – “Spectacular Crowd Pleaser!’; Film ‘Little Ashes’ – Was Salvador Dali Gay?; ‘Frankie and Johnny’ – “Luminous”
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚
May. 08‚ 2009
BEN VEREEN – A TALENT FOR ALL SEASONS
The minute Ben Vereen walks onto the stage, you know that you are looking at a star. He has the sway and confidence of a star. His outfit – a red tie and a red scarf over a black long jacket, sets the tone. Dazzling is the word.
Vereen captures us immediately with (Corner of the Sky) from Pippin, the musical: Everything has its season / Everything has its time / Show me a reason and I’ll soon show you a rhyme ...[more]->
Flicker Bit: American Violet – “Enlightening/Alarming!”; Oleta Adams – It’s a New Day!
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚
May. 01‚ 2009
July 4, 2009
