Becky Shaw is a Stalker
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚
Feb. 03‚ 2012
THIS PLAY IS PLENTY FULL OF LIFE. It’s about a suave man who has a few bucks. He also has squeezed fives times as much fun in his life than a greedy banker. Yes, he is sexy and he knows it. We’re talking about Brian here. Brian (Max) is also a sharp talking suave Casanova. And you know what? – You’re gonna be attracted to him!
Then there is the spoiled-rotten Suzanna, who leans on Max (her adopted brother and money manager). But, Suzanna as always weeps until she gets her way. And her way was to seduce Max into her bed. Well, he is adopted – so it’s not exactly like having sex with a blood relative.
Max talks a lot: Here is one of his smart Alec quips … “Prostitution, marriage … same thing!” – Max blurts out. And this is probably right … Max sez: “It’s two people coming together because each has something the other wants.” Now let that sink in. You know it’s true.
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Coal Miners Leave the Dust for Art; Little Brother Gets into Trouble; Film Noir is “Hot” Again
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚
Jan. 27‚ 2012
COAL MINERS GO TO ART SCHOOL
In England, miners founded an amateur art group in 1934. Had they ever painted before? No! But, amazingly the art appreciation class, called the ‘Ashington Group’ made History with their paintings. The Miners were skeptical at first, but surprised everyone – including high society. Along comes Robert Lyon, who was a lecturer at Armstrong College in Newcastle upon Tyne. He had been asked to discuss the possibility of forming an art appreciation class with the miners. And so began a long and tedious road for men who worked under ground. As you probably know – they worked in harsh conditions, now they were also painting their impressions of working men that they were familiar with. Basically, these men painted impressions of their own lives. The outcome is quite fascinating.
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Humor Abuse – Huge Entertainment; Little Brother – Life Changing!
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚
Jan. 20‚ 2012
HUMOR ABUSE AT A.C.T.
THE GAFFES KEEP COMING on purpose at A.C.T. And that’s exactly what Lorenzo Pisoni intends to do as he tumbles and stumbles, and lives to tell us all about his one-man show about growing up as the youngest member of the historic Pickle Family Circus. Not only is he tremendously funny, he also is a daredevil. He climbs a ladder with fishing fins. He takes more pratfalls than anyone can imagine. And Golly – I held my breath when he shows how to fall down fifteen or more stairs. Don’t try it at home. Even he admits that he has more broken bones than anyone else.
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Tennessee Williams Play; Moscone’s Ghost Light
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚
Jan. 13‚ 2012
Tennessee Williams’s play is loosely based on Williams’ sister Rose, and the actor (the brother) in the play, is based on Williams himself. It took the famous playwright over ten years to write “The Two-Character Play”. Years ago in the mid-eighties, I first saw the play at the now defunct One-Act Theatre on Mason. It now houses a nightclub of sorts. What a shame.
Tennessee came to town especially to overlook the play in San Francisco. We had lunch together at the Donetello Hotel nearby the Theatre. It was a pleasant experience. He was enthused about a new play that he was working on for A.C.T. It did appear on the Geary Stage, but that play just never made it very far. But, I will say that his “Two Character Play” is totally mesmerizing.
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Movies: War Horse – “Dazzling, Emotional”; “A Dangerous Method” – Psycho Babble!
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚
Jan. 06‚ 2012
WAR HORSE BLAZES A TRAIL
Not since ‘Gone With The Wind’ has there been a spectacular cinematic movie with exceptional storytelling flair like “War Horse. Steven Spielberg has said that he wanted War Horse to be a war movie that parents can take their children to. Actually, I mostly agree. However, this powerful tearjerker may be too much for young kids.
This grand scale film has the best cinematography that I have seen in many years. I like everything about it … the Acting, editing, art direction and the breathtaking emotional scenes.
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Xanadu a Musical Spectacular Triumph! More Stages: Franc D’Ambrosio – “Bring It On!” – Singer Stacey Kent at Venetian Room
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚
Dec. 16‚ 2011
XANADU IS A LOVE STORY, A ROLLER SKATING STORY, AND IT IS FULL OF TERRIFIC SURPRISES
What a wonderful dancing, comedy and Roller skating trip. Wide-eyed lovers (a Muse and a young man) accidentally fall for each other. She is the quirky and exuberant Joie and he is a naïve sexy young man that is just as ditzy as his newfound love. Their mission is to try to resurrect an old Theatre to make magic and Art. But, first they have to deal with, an older cranky landlord that wants to tear the Theatre down. Gee – sounds like San Francisco’s Fox Theatre days. Hello Mr. “C.” There is no denying the extreme comic energy of this cast as they sing the insanely pleasurable, romping musical score (directed by G. Scott Lacy).
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Marvelous Spectacular Xmas Carol at A.C.T.; ‘The Wild Bride’ is Indeed “Wild”
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚
Dec. 09‚ 2011
A Christmas carol never seems to run out of steam. The story about Greed and ghosts from Christmas past still intrigues audiences year after year. The current version keeps the show fresh by making slight changes the script. There are even hints of the Occupy group. One young man is holding a sign outside of Scrooge’s business that says: “I want a job!”
This year’s show is really a fresh treat. It’s like someone dropped candy canes from the top of the stage. A soufflé that never deflates -- an absolute can’t miss show. This year’s version has bumped up the Children’s presence as Vegetables to a level of delight that really shows off their talents. You could say that they are “Fresh and bright Veggies.”
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Tom Orr Takes it All Off in Sex Rev; Tennessee Williams Play a Success; Irresistible Things to Do
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚
Dec. 02‚ 2011
WHO IN THE HELL WANTS TO SEE TOM ORR IN THE NUDE? THE ANSWER IS: YOU DO!
SEX REV: THE JOSE SARRIA EXPERIENCE
Director John Fisher takes us on a hilarious trip with this ‘queer-comedy’ drama. It’s a wild ride that is all about politics and cops that arrested Gay Men in the 50’s and beyond the 60’s. This was a time when the Bars got shut down just for turning toward someone on the Bar Stool next to you.
The Story about Jose is a whip snapper. He was outrageous and brave at the same time. He defied the cops and fought to save the famed “Black Cat”. It was a mini opera house, where you could get a drunk and listen to Jose sing Aria’s from Aida to Carmen.
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Movies: J. Edgar Hoover; Goethe in Love; Fela the Musical – “Fantastic!”
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚
Nov. 18‚ 2011
WAS J. EDGAR HOOVER A FASCIST?
There are those that say the former G. MAN (GANG BUSTER) used his seat to blackmail politicians to get himself in the spotlight. Yes, seems he WAS the weirdo that we see on the screen. In a way, it was a treat to see this movie. But then, being older – I remember those days of “Gang Busters”, Killers and creepy sleazy guys like tubby Hoover. But the treat almost put me to sleep.
The movie photography is “super” – but kind of falls apart with all the flashbacks. The scenes jump around too many times to get a clear explanation of what’s going on. And that blame should go to Director Clint Eastwood. The makeup is another problem. While Leonardo DiCaprio aged well on the screen, his sidekick Armie Hammer (Hoover’s #2 man) did not age well at all on the screen. The makeup was hideous. He looked like he had just left the Frankenstein Castle.
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Holy Crap! Rod Gnapp and Denise Cormier Bring Down the House!; Carly Ozard Singing Her Way to New York
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚
Nov. 11‚ 2011
ANNAPURNA: A WORLD PREMIERE THAT IS CRAZILY INVENTIVE - MAGNETIC
It's not very often that you come across a script that is this explosive. Right from the very beginning, as you look at the messy shabby Trailer Home you feel trapped by some magnetic force.
February 7, 2012
