Theater - Harvey / July 22 - Aug 14, 2011 / Castro Valley

Theater Review



Show Title - Harvey
Genre - Comedic Play

Theater/City - Chanticleers / Castro Valley
Production Dates – July 22 – August 14, 2011

Rating - 3 ½ Golden Bridges


Reviewed By - Mauricio Segura

Comments


     Celebrating their 63rd anniversary, the Chanticleers Theatre's third production of the 2011 season, “Harvey”, is a well directed, funny, and entertaining story sure to leave any audience member with a satisfying live theater experience.

     “Harvey” is the story of Elwood P. Dowd, an extremely polite, friendly, well-known and liked eccentric, who frequents the local bars and is always willing to strike up a conversation with a complete stranger.

     Elwood seems normal enough, until he introduces his friend Harvey, a 6 foot tall imaginary white rabbit. His bar buddies have accepted Elwood's slight loss of reality, but strangers are completely turned off and more often than not, actually scared by the introduction.

     Soon, even his sister and her daughter have had it with the whole Harvey thing, and decide to have Elwood committed into the town's sanitarium. That's when the hilarity ensues as chaotic situations break out due to misunderstands and eventual revelations of who truly is insane...or not.

     I found the play as a whole quite entertaining, but slightly weaving in and out in its connection with the audience in some parts. Perhaps opening night jitters or miscues, but it wasn't enough to take away from following the storyline or staying entertained.

     The entire cast was splendid, but some standouts were Keith Jefferds (Elwood), who did an outstanding job. His wittiness and soft spoken interpretation made Elwood very likable and entertaining.

     Vanessa Comfort (Ruth Kelly), and Charles Woodson Parker (Dr. Sanderson), were both very funny. Not only in their interactions between each other, but especially when the chaos first broke out. Watching Dr. Sanderson freak out was one of the evening's highlights.

     And lastly, Loralee Windsor (Elwood's sister Veta Louise Simmons) ran away with her performance. She connected with the audience from the beginning and never lost her grip. She delivered her lines almost flawlessly and her stage presence was undeniable. She dominated each scene she was in. Truly a great job.

     If you've seen the old Harvey movie with James Stewart, don't expect to just see a remake of it onstage. Director Eric Fraisher Hayes excelled in keeping the same story while making it fresh in front of a live audience.

Harvey is playing every weekend through August 14th. Tickets are $15 - $24 and well worth it for a night at the theater. For more information, please visit The Chanticleers page on our website at - 
http://gbm-theatres.info/live_theatre_eb_chanticleers.htm


Also,  please check out our listings of over 75 other community theaters throughout the bay at - 
http://gbm-theatres.info/live_theatre_main.htm


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Please continue supporting  your local community theaters. 

See you at the show! 
Cheers!!

Theater - Sound of Music // Tri-Valley Rep // Livermore


Theater Review




Show Title - The Sound of Music
Genre - Musical

Theater/City - Tri-Valley Rep / Livermore
Production Dates – July 22 – August 7, 2011

Rating - 4 ½ Golden Bridges



Reviewed By - Mauricio Segura

Comments


     In two simple words, Absolutely Brilliant! The Tri-Valley Repertory theater has put on one of the most enjoyable productions of the year.!

     Currently playing each weekend through August 7th at the Bankhead Theatre in Livermore, The Sound of Music, by the legendary musical writing team of Rodgers & Hammerstein is one of those shows you really shouldn't miss.


     If you've never seen the movie or know what it's about, don't look too much into it. Theater is always more magical when your experiencing something new. For those who have seen the movie, watching it live as it was originally meant to be, also provides a sense of mystique well worth experiencing.


   Behind the scenes, I'm gonna give the design crew first props. I've seen productions where you would have to partially rely on your own imagination to make the background and sets come alive. Not in this case. The scenic paintings used as backdrops are simply wonderful. Add that to the built set, such as the von Trapp home, and it's easy to believe you're in 1938 Austria.


     Then there's the talent onstage. Marisa Cozart plays a wonderful Maria. Julie who? The second she began singing "My Favorite Things", I fell in love with her voice. Simply captivating.


     Steve Rhyne, did an outstanding job as Captain von Trapp. A great voice obviously, but it was his acting that made him shine. The Captain is a plethora of emotions and hidden pain. It takes a good actor to let the audience through and understand him, and Rhyne was more than successful in his portrayal.


     Each one of the von Trapp children were a delight, but one stood out. Jillian Jameson, who plays the oldest daughter Liesl, has impressive presence onstage and an undeniably beautiful voice. Just 17 and already in her 32nd show, this young woman is bound for theater stardom. Her duet on "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" was one of the evening's highlights.


     Individual talents aside, the highlight of the show for me, was at the very beginning. The Nun's chorus was nothing less than angelical. The voices, harmonies, and resonance these women were creating together, was like the sweetest Christmas candy to my ears. I was hoping for a little more, but unfortunately, I had to remain content with the opening chorus. 



     No theater production is complete without a great orchestra and lighting technicians. And they were top notch. 


     Overall, the directors put together an amazing show. It was a pleasurable experience, and I know any of you who can attend will agree. So don't hesitate or put it off, head on out to Livermore and catch a performance of The Sound of Music.
      

The Sound of Music is playing every weekend through August 7th. Tickets are $20 - $25 and well worth it for a night at the theater. For more information, please visit The Tri-Valley Theatre page on our website at - 

Also,  please check out our listings of over 75 other community theaters throughout the bay at - 

Lastly, If you're a member of Facebook, we'd like to invite you to please "like" our page at - 




Please continue supporting  your local community theaters. 

See you at the show! 
Cheers!!

Theater - The Star Spangled Girl / July 20 - Aug 13, 2011 / Fremont

Theater Review



Show Title = Star Spangled Girl
Genre = Comedic Play

Theater/City = Broadway West / Fremont
Production Dates = July 20 – August 13
Ticket Prices = $15 - $23



Rating = 4 Golden Bridges


Reviewed By = Don Moschella


Comments

     Another light-hearted Neil Simon comedy has surfaced at the Broadway West Theatre in Fremont!

     This community theater production sports a cast of three local stage performers (Brad Monk as Andy Hobart, Greg Small as Norman Cornell, and Melinda Marks as Sophie Rauschmeyer) that deliver typical Simon-type biting lines of quick wit and not-so-subtle jabs at our country's condition during the '60s.

     The two-act play opens as a fledgling magazine editor (Hobart) and his lead writer (Cornell) argue over deadlines that need to be met within three days, but Cornell has, for some reason, lost his creative ability and cannot seem to put thoughts to the typewriter. Adding to the frustration is the constant badgering of the landlord wanting past-due rent, for which Cornell must contrive humorous stall tactics and submit to personal favors to keep the "old lady" from evicting them from their bare-bones office. As the play develops, Hobart suggests that his writer take some time and relax so that the words might reach the typewriter. That idea is put on hold when the new tenant next door (Sophie) arrives and infects Cornell's ability to complete his task which puts Andy and Sophie in continuous argument and finger-pointing. Cornell has now found the woman of his dreams and his obsession with her causes child-like methods of pursuit.

     This comedic version of a love triangle (a goofy fatal attraction at best) eventually finds Sophie admitting that she unexplainably has an attraction for Andy and, against all her reasoning, would like to know if he would like to pursue her. The audience is treated to some passionate embraces laced with muted warnings as to why the relationship won't work...or can it? The uncomfortable dilemma has you anticipating the entrance of Cornell at the "wrong" time; Neil Simon has a knack for building humor and tension simultaneously.

     The cast does a fine job of bringing the audience into the individual situations of the characters which eventually sets up the response for the ironic turn of events. It was apparent that each member was comfortable with a bit of ad lib while adhering to the script in principle. A few mistakes in lines and cues, but, overall, the audience was totally engaged and expressive throughout the entire performance. 



For more information, please visit The Broadway West page on our website at - 

Also,  please check out our listings of over 75 other community theaters throughout the bay at - 

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Please continue supporting  your local community theaters. 

See you at the show! 
Cheers!!

Theater - The Wedding Singer / July 15 - 30, 2011 / Newark

Theater Review


Show Title = The Wedding Singer
Genre = Musical

Theater/City = Stage 1 / Newark
Production Dates = July 15 – 30
Prices = $10 - $20


Rating = 3 ½ Golden Bridges



Reviewed By = Mauricio Segura


Comments


     Bringing back the Reagan-esque era of ozone depleting hair products, leg warmers, rock ballads, and new coke, Stage 1 Theater is currently producing The Wedding Singer.


     Adapted for the stage from the movie of the same name starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, the story is set in the year 1985 and follows the life of Robbie Hart. Robbie, a wedding singer in a New Jersey reception hall, is himself left at the alter on his wedding day. Dealing with heartbreak, he agrees to help co-worker Julia on her upcoming wedding with a typical 80's rich jerk, Glen. In the process, they fall for each other, but neither reveals it. By the time Robbie's friends help him get his head straight, Julia and Glen fly to Las Vegas to marry, and Robbie's only option is to fly after them or lose the girl he loves.

     The first thing you have to take into consideration is whether what you'll be seeing is just a remake of the movie, or something fresh enough to enjoy on its own merit. Because let's face it, why go out and spend $20, when you can just pop the dvd into the player and watch the original movie, right? Well, gladly I can say that this theater experience is worth leaving the dvd on the shelf for now. Director John Maio put together an entertaining show, and even knowing the storyline, there are still quite a few surprises.

     The main ingredient that keeps this production entirely fresh is the talent itself. The entire main cast is superb, but there are a few standouts. Beginning with the lead, Robert Lopez as Robbie, is just fun to watch. Slightly reminiscent of the late Jeff Conaway's Kenickie, Lopez' superb voice and acting style grabs the audiences attention.

     Sherae Honeycut (Julia), has great chemistry with Lopez, which makes their performance even more believable. A beautiful smile and even more beautiful voice, Honeycutt brings the “girl next door” aspect to the character, making her performance a delight to see.

     Robbie's best friend Sammy, played by Greg Zema, was hilarious. With his 80's classic look and demeanor, you might wonder if the guy actually just transported himself through time for the show!

     But of all the actors, the one who grabbed the spotlight each time she walked on stage was Belinda Maloney. Playing Grandma Rosie, Belinda was by far the highlight of the show. With each appearance, you just new you would be clutching you're stomach in laughter.

     The only drawback, and major distraction of the production were the extended dancing scenes. Some of the dancers just seemed unrehearsed, looking around at their fellow actors for cues, clearly completely lost. It was even worse when they had to sing, as multi-tasking (singing and dancing) left a few of them either just mouthing the wrong lyrics or dancing like the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz.

     Overall however, the show was a delight to watch and well worth the price of tickets for an evening of live theater. It will only be playing till the end of the month, so make plans soon.



For more information, please visit The Stage 1 page on our website at - 

Also,  please check out our listings of over 75 other community theaters throughout the bay at - 

Lastly, If you're a member of facebook, we'd like to invite you to please "like" our page at -






Please continue supporting  your local community theaters. 

See you at the show! 
Cheers!!

GBM's No Wild Animal Circus Policy

Many people have asked why we no longer promote the Barnum and Bailey's Circus. Here is the reason.

I'd like to invite you to please...

#1 read this entire post, #2 watch the video, #3 pass it on to all of your friends and family, #4 Give
 me your feedback, and #5 Never again go to a Ringling Brothers Circus, or any other for that matter that features wild animals.



I'm not promoting PETA here, this just happens to be their video. In 2009 I was reviewing a Barnum and Bailey Circus show as I had done for 6 straight years prior. This time however, I was invited to attend a media walk through of the animals cages prior to a show at the Oracle Arena. I began the walk-through filled with excitement and anticipation but left angry and sad. What i saw was atrocious, and made me decide never again to promote any wild animal circuses in Golden Bay Magazine ever again!

First off, I saw tigers together in their play cages. The cages were about half the size of your average suburban backyard. However, tigers in the wild walk about 25 miles per day. They're not in that play cage all day, they also spend time bundled up in smaller private cages. Then, they travel in caged train cars through out the country. Is that a life one of these animals deserves? But the worse was still to come.

I saw the elephants. I love elephants. They are amazing creatures. But as I looked closely, I noticed a lot of them had scratches on their skin, dried blood, and scars. One in particular had a small open wound that appeared to be bleeding. I pointed it out to one of the writers next to me, and he said, "ya, bullhooks!" "What's a bullhook?", I asked. "It's what they use to keep the elephants in line", was the response. In research that evening, i found out that a bullhook is a stick with a sharp metal curved spike that the handlers hit and stab the elephants with all over their bodies. Sometimes they even insert them like a meathook in their neck or behind their legs to lead them because they are either not in line, or walking too slow.

People, these animals endure pain and punishment beyond belief for your entertainment. If you don't believe me, and this video doesn't convince you (which i have no idea how it would not). Do your own research. Read how a baby elephant in Barnum's training facility was so scared of the bullhook, he backed into a watering hole and drowned. In fact, you don't have to read about it, it's on video. As far as Tigers, you can also read how a few years ago, a few of them died as their train was passing through the desert making their car's temperatures rise past 120 degrees.

So please, if you have a heart, I urge you to boycott these circuses. Not all are bad however, there are plenty of circuses which do not feature wild animals. One being Circus Vargas which i have reviewed and will post tomorrow, and I will make it a point to promote all the other non-wild animal circuses which come through the area.

Help spread the word. Pass this video around. We might not be able to save the animals that are currently in these shows, but we might make enough noise for the government to tighten the leashes on these circuses and save other helpless animals from further punishment for your entertainment.

Thank you.

Mauricio Segura
Golden Bay Magazine
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