Stand Up For Davis Street Review


Title = Stand Up For Davis Street

Genre = Benefit Comedy Concert

Theater/City = Historic Bal Theatre

Date = October 11, 2013

Reviewed By = Mauricio Segura

Rating = 5 Golden Bridges


     As Charles Dickens stated in his classic book, A Christmas Carol, “
There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor”. And such was the case on October 11th, as over 600 people including various elected officials and VIP's, were happily infected with the laughter bug at the Historic Bal Theatre in San Leandro. 

     For the third year, the Davis Street Family Resource Center’s annual “Stand Up For Davis Street” comedy benefit was a huge success. Not only did it raise awareness to the wonderful work the center does for it's community, but they managed to raise $60,000 in the process. 

     To learn more about the center and the wonderful work they do, click here.

     Davis Street’s Executive Director, Rose Padilla Johnson along with Michelle Musgrove did a stupendous job at making the evening a huge success. From the planning stages, to the decoration of the theater, to the VIP reception, and everywhere in between, they worked tirelessly to put together a top notch event full of laughter and entertainment.

     Brian Copeland, a long time supporter of the center, headed the all-star ensemble of comedians as the evenings host. One by one, each comedian provided a set of hilarious jokes. “It was like a comedy boxing match”, said Todd G. of Fremont, “ a left hook of side splitting jokes here, a right hook there, and then another one stepped into the ring for more shots. I loved it!” The lineup itself was incredible,
Joe Klocek, Johnny Steele, Will Durst, Laurie Kilmartin. Bob Sarlatte, Mark Pitta, and Tom Rhodes. Copeland hit the nail on the head when he stated that this was the best comedy show ever put on in the East Bay, as it truly was a comedy showcase.




     Anyone would call a night with that comedy lineup a success and go home happy, but this show loves to go above and beyond expectations by featuring a secret superstar guest to bring it all home. Last year, the crowd went wild when George Lopez took the stage, so the buzz of anticipation surrounding who this year's guest was went through the roof. Brian Copeland introduced the star as a Saturday Night Live Alumni who's catch phrase was “isn't that special”. That was enough clue for the crowd to stand up and raise a roar so loud that you weren't even able to hear Copeland conclude, “ladies and gentleman, please welcome Dana Carvey!”

     For close to an hour, Dana had everyone in the theater rolling in laughter. His George Bush (daddy and son), Schwarzenegger, and countless other impressions brought back the SNL memories. Miley Cyrus was not immune to the Church Lady's hilarious wrath, and his jokes about Indian Cardiologists made your heart skip a comedic beat. What an absolute treat the evening was!

     If you have yet to attend one of these benefits, you must make it a point to be there at next year's event. Stand Up for Davis Street is truly the East Bay's best comedy show of the year. And you know Golden Bay Magazine will let you know when it will be happening. But do remember the reason behind it is to raise money for an amazing institution who needs constant support to do what they do. If you're into giving to charities or volunteering your time, this is one of the most deserved local places for you to consider. Please visit their website, check out everything they do, and help them out whenever possible.

     I can't end this review without mentioning the great venue this event has been held in. The Historic Bal Theatre, owned by Dan Dillman, is a multi-event venue that is helping put downtown San Leandro back on the entertainment map. Check out their calender here, and go check them out soon.

     Lastly, a special thanks to Michelle Musgrove for giving me the opportunity to attend and review this incredible show and promote the foundation. Already looking forward to next year, cheers!



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Weekend Live Theater Picks

Why not head out to a local community theater and watch a play or musical this weekend instead of a movie. These people work hard to put on a great show, and we guarantee you'll have an amazingly fun evening out. Here are our recommendations for the best shows playing this weekend in San Francisco, The East Bay, South Bay, and North Bay.

And remember, the old saying of "you get what you pay for", does not apply to live theater. These theaters all work with professional actors, and you can rest assured that your'll see a great show whether they charge $10 or $500 per ticket. Enjoy!



San Francisco

It's a Bird... It's a Plane... It's Superman
It’s the 75th anniversary of Superman and to celebrate we’re opening our season with the daffy 1966 musical by the songwriters of Bye Bye Birdie, Annie, and Applause. The out-of-this-world songs include You’ve Got Possibilities; It’s Super-Nice; You’ve Got What I Need; Ooh, Do You Love You; and Pow! Bam! Zonk!
Price: $25 - $50
Schedule and Tickets - 
http://www.42ndstmoon.org/superman




Long before she was Carole King, chart-topping music legend, she was Carol Klein, Brooklyn girl with passion. She fought her way into the record business as a teenager and, by the time she reached her twenties, had the husband of her dreams and a hot career writing hits for the biggest acts in rock ‘n’ roll. But it wasn’t until her fairytale life began to crack that she finally managed to find her true voice. BEAUTIFUL tells the inspiring true story of King’s rise to stardom, alongside husband and co-writer Gerry Goffin and fellow song writers Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil, set to the music that made her one of the recording industry’s most enduring icons.
Price: $20 - $250



Bengal_small

In this Pulitzer Prize finalist, two US Marines and an Iraqi translator are thrust into a world of greed, mystery and betrayal after an encounter with a now-deceased but still very pissed-off tiger. The streets of war-torn Baghdad are filled with ghosts, riddles and wry humor in this groundbreaking play that explores the power and perils of human nature.
Price: $30 - $70


The East Bay




Berkeley - Actor's Ensemble
Picasso at the Lapin Agile is a play written by Steve Martin in 1993. It features the characters of Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso, who meet at a bar called the Lapin Agile (Nimble Rabbit) in Montmartre, Paris.

Price: $12 - $15
Schedule and Tickets - http://www.aeofberkeley.org/index.php




Castro Valley - Chanticleers Theatre
Jerry Herman wrote some of the very best musicals ever performed on Broadway – Mame and Hello Dolly! for starters. Our production of Jerry's Girls, a musical review of his work, will have you singing along and humming the songs for days after the show.

Price: $20 - $24
Schedule and Tickets - http://www.chanticleers.org/




Fremont - Broadway West Theatre - WEB OF MURDER
Jerry Herman wrote some of the very best musicals ever performed on Broadway – Mame and Hello Dolly! for starters. Our production of Jerry's Girls, a musical review of his work, will have you singing along and humming the songs for days after the show.

Price: $20 - $25
Schedule and Tickets - http://www.broadwaywest.org/




San Leandro - Curtain Call Performing Arts
The funniest of modern comedies, and a farce within a face, Noises Off takes the cliches of the genre and shakes them up in a wild comic blender into a hilarious melee of compromising situations and eccentric characters as they stampede in and out of doors, voices rising, trousers falling-to create something truly brilliant and unique. A tour de force for the actors and a special treat for the audiences.
Please read our review - 
http://gbm-live-theatre.blogspot.com/2013/10/theatre-review-noises-off.html
Price: $10 - $25




San Leandro - Bal Theatre

The Davis Street Family Resource Center is an amazing institution in San Leandro that does amazing things all year long to help make its community and it's less than fortunate families thrive and achieve a better future. Click on their link to see all the things they do.



Stand Up for Davis Street is a yearly comedy benefit showcasing some of the best comics the bay area has to offer. On top of that, a special guest will wow the crowd. Last year's secret guest was none other than George Lopez who brought the house down in side splitting laughter. Who will it be this year? You'll have to go to find out!
Price: $10 - $25
Schedule and Tickets - http://www.baltheatre.com/



Walnut Creek - Contra Costa Musical Theatre
Based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan of the Apes and the smash-hit 1999 Disney animated film, Tarzan tells the story of an orphaned boy who strives for acceptance by the tribe of apes who raise him.  When a human expedition enters their jungle territory, Tarzan - now a man - encounters strangers like himself for the first time
Price: $20 - $75
Schedule and Tickets - http://www.ccmt.org/


South Bay



San Jose - Broadway San Jose - Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
This OUTRAGEOUSLY fun show tells the uplifting story of a trio of friends, on a road trip of a lifetime, who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship in the middle of the Australian outback and end up finding more than they could ever have dreamed. 
Price: $25 - $75


Les Mis

Saratoga - South Bay Musical Theatre
The international musical mega-hit is coming to Saratoga! Based on the novel by Victor Hugo, the world’s longest-running musical is as popular for its moving score as it is for its epic, dramatic storyline. Follow the struggles of Jean Valjean, a “thief-by-necessity” who steals bread to feed his family. He becomes an upstanding citizen in order to atone for his misdeeds, bringing hope and redemption to those around him. But he is still hunted by his nemesis, and must sacrifice all to protect his adopted daughter and her new-found love. 
Price: $20 - $45
Schedule and Tickets - http://www.southbaymt.com/


North Bay




Santa Rosa - Sixth Street Playhouse
That sweet transvestite, Frankenfurter, and his motley crew take the Studio Theatre by storm in the original stage musical that inspired the 1975 cult classic film – and generations of fans who have memorized every line, every lyric, and every dance move – and over the years have even added a few of their own! It’s all here, with a live cast of your favorite Transylvanian characters and featuring all of the songs we know and love, including “Dammit Janet,” “The Time Warp,”  
Price: $10 - $25

Theatre Review - Noises Off

Title = Noises Off
Genre = Play
Theater/City = Curtain Call Performing Arts
                           999 E. 14th Street
                           San Leandro, CA
                           510-909-9516
Production Dates = Now through October 13
Prices = $10 - $25

Click Here For More Info & Tickets - - - > http://www.curtaincallperformingarts.org/#!shows/ctzx


Rating = 3 1/2 Golden Bridges





Reviewed By = Mauricio Segura
Head on out this weekend and enjoy a great performance of the hilarious British comedy, "Noises Off."

New York critics have called it “The funniest farce ever written!” and that my friends, is an understatement! From the time the phone rings in the first ten seconds all the way to the final curtain call, you will be holding your belly with non-stop hysterical laughter.
This crack up comedy follows the on and off stage antics of a problem plagued theater company from the blundering dress rehearsal to the catastrophic closing performance. Seen from both the front and back of the stage, you’ll witness each side splitting incident which makes “Noises Off” the best date night outing you'll have all year!

Director Erik Scanlon did a splendid job of putting this show within a show together. Each actor's theatrical chemistry is evident as they obviously work well off each other to deliver such an entertaining performance. It is difficult to name any standouts as they all did such a wonderful job. However, Josh Milbourne (as Garry LaJune) did an outstanding job of channeling his inner "John Ritter" (Ritter played LaJune in the movie version), in both line delivery and physical humor. And by the way, for those keeping score at home, yes, as unintentional as it was, this is the second Curtain Call review in a row where I mention John Ritter.

This is Curtain Call's last performance of the season, and what a way to end it. Make it a point to check out Noises Off. 
You’ll never again see or think of sardines the same way again!
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