The table centerpieces were gorgeous.

Bus/Truck Nip/Tuck

Just how sturdy are the bones of "La Cage Aux Folles," the show with music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and a book by Harvey Fierstein?  The bus-and-truck version that has pulled into the Pantages Theater in Hollywood put it through a real test tonight.

George Hamilton -- an actor who can neither sing, dance nor act -- yet is cast in the lead role in a Musical due to his fame (and his suntan) couldn't wreck it.

Christopher Sieber -- channeling a two-legged Tootie Fields -- an actor who CAN sing, dance and act, couldn't find a spark of life in the moribund Hamilton.  Squeezing into unflattering costumes, the large Sieber who loomed over the surprisingly diminutive Hamilton, couldn't wreck it.

The tinny, tiny on-stage orchestra made up of only a handful of musicians couldn't wreck it.

The on-stage trombone player visibly shaking the spit out of his instrument during a quiet love song couldn't wreck it.

The terrible miking and amplification couldn't wreck it.

A five-minute pause during the First Act when the show stopped and the house lights came up due to "computer problems" couldn't wreck it.

Even an extra-long 20 minute intermission, no doubt to cope with the technical problems, couldn't wreck it.

It's just that indestructible.

As Ye Sow, So Shall Ye Reap

Last night I saw J. T. Rogers brilliant "Blood at Gifts" at the La Jolla Playhouse.

Hard to imagine a play exploring the U.S. and British roles in Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion of the 80s could be entertaining -- but this one truly is.  It's also very political and makes the point that what a country like ours does now has implications down the road -- something we all too often forget.

Hooray for Hollywood

I had a blast at Cirque Du Soleil's "Iris" at the Dolby Theater at Hollywood & Highland last Saturday night.

I've seen quite a few different Cirque Du Soleil shows and have to admit I've grown a little tired of their formula.  (Do audiences still fall for the "innocent audience member brought up on stage to do amazing things" trick?  Yes, they do.)

However, I really enjoyed this Hollywood/Cinema-themed Cirque show.  Great characters, impressive circus acts and some amazing scenes -- especially in the Second Act.

I had a great seat and enjoyed some of the acts literally over my head.  I kept thinking, "I sure hope those spangles are sewn on tightly -- I don't want one in my eye."

It was also great to see this show -- supposedly set to run for 10 years -- has breathed new life into the moribund Hollywood & Highland shopping center.

Pal Joey

Last weekend I enjoyed attending the Opening Night of "War Horse" at the Ahmanson Theater.
Set during World War One, this show uses elaborate puppets to bring the eponymous horses to life.  These are no two-men and a horse-head costume horses -- instead they are elaborate metal and leather puppets that really do let your mind create horses on the stage.

The story is a simple, but touching, one.  A boy's horse, Joey, is sold to the British Army and shipped to France for the war.  The boy soon follows to find his horse.

But don't be deceived, the emotions in this play aren't easily dismissed.  I was nearly bawling by the end.

Four Guys Walk Into a Studio...

Caught the National Tour (bus and truck version) of Million Dollar Quartet at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood last night.

This quintessential juke-box musical (running at a breezy 105 intermissionless minutes) is based on a true-life one-night jam session with Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennesssee in December, 1956.

The show is really at its best in the last twenty minutes when they drop the pretense of a book, the guys don sparkly jackets and for a finale present what is basically a Tribute Concert.  They had the audience on their feet, cheering for an encore just like a real rock concert.

(By the way, what's with EVERY show getting a standing ovation these days?  Yes, we've all spent money to be there.  But do you have to "prove" you've seen something amazing by standing up for the curtain call?)

I felt sorry for Lee Ferris (leeferris.com) in the role of Carl Perkins.  I had no idea who Carl Perkins was.  (Maybe it's different for those in the audience older than me.)  His singing and stage moves were fine -- but I have no sense of if he "was" Carl Perkins or not.

Now Jerry Lee Lewis I remember.  Not so much for his records but for his flamboyant TV appearances when I was a kid.  And Martin Kaye (martin-k.com) captures the manic intensity perfectly.

Cody Slaughter (codyrayslaughter.com) is an actual Elvis impersonator (I think the PC term is "Tribute Artist.")  His performance is not cartoonish and he certainly has the leg and hip movements down.

But the most impressive is Derek Keeling (derek-keeling.com) as Johnny Cash.  Boy, you'd recognize that deep, deep voice in an instant.  I could listen for hours.

All in all, this show is like cotton candy -- there's not much to it but it's fun and pretty to look at.

Touching

Last Sunday evening I was in La Jolla to see the provocatively named "Hands on a Hardbody" at the La Jolla Playhouse.

It's a terrific new musical based on a documentary about 10 residents of an east Texas town competing to win a new truck in an endurance contest -- whoever can keep a hand on the truck the longest wins.

The show looks at the ultimate American dream -- winning something for free -- along with America's economic decline, immigration, aging and our competitive spirit.

The score is a toe-tapping rock-a-billy one -- the type of music you might actually hear in east Texas.

Doug Wright (I Am My Own Wife) wrote an outstanding book.

And imagine staging a show where the actors have to keep one hand on an on-stage truck at all times and still make it interesting to look at!  They pull it off big time.

Co-starring Keith Carradine and Hunter Foster, the entire cast really impresses.

The hope is this musical will make the move to Broadway.  If they have the dollars to do it I'm convinced it will be a hit and a major Tony contender.

Before the show I had an excellent dinner at a surprisingly elegant coffee shop -- the Hob Nob Hill Restaurant.  A great menu, reasonable prices and some nice touches -- like a chilled fork to accompany the salad course -- really caught my attention.  I can't wait to go back.

All Together Ooky

 

Adios

 

Why Don't I Recognize the Pine Sol Lady?

An Oddly Addictive Video

Without Valleys There Wouldn't Be Hills

Had dinner Saturday night at R Gang Eatery in uptown San Diego.

What a disappointment!  I was expecting upscale comfort food but got unrecognizable slop.  The service was good, I just didn't like the weird food.

Oh well.  Cross that one off the list.

Let's Write a Song About the Electric Chair

Went to the Saturday matinee performance of Kander and Ebb's "The Scottsboro Boys" -- a stunning show.

This show is an in-your-face look at racial injustice in America's history.  Using the racial stereotypes made prominent in minstrel shows, this tuner packs a wallop.

Susan Stroman's creative staging makes use of basically an empty stage and a few chairs to tell the tale.

It's a shame this show didn't do better on Broadway, though it's easy to understand how the topic didn't lend itself to commercial success.

I also had a delightful time walking around San Diego's beautiful Balboa Park.

Who Doesn't Love Pancakes?

On GeezBob's recommendation I had breakfast Saturday morning at Richard Walker's Pancake House in downtown San Diego.  Excellent!

There was a long line to get it but it moved quickly (even though the place is pretty small).  Excellent quality, terrific service and a great menu.  What more could one want?

I Feel the Need for Speed

Had an outstanding evening Friday night at the Marine Air Corps Station - Miramar. It was amazing to see the military hardware up close followed by a dinner at the Officers Club.  Even got to see the location where they filmed the famous bar scene in "Top Gun."

Sometimes Change Isn't Inevitable

Had a good lunch on Friday at the San Diego Chicken Pie Shop.  How come no one ever told me about this restaurant?

While I didn't like it as much as the Chicken Pie Shop in Fresno, that's an awfully high bar.

Turn Down the Lights

Thursday night I enjoyed attending VICA's Valley Business Hall of Fame dinner at the Sheraton Universal Hotel.  Casa Vega, one of my favorite restaurants in the Valley, was honored for it's 56 years in business.  In the photo above the founder of the restaurant and his daughter accept their award.

Broadway Baby

"Follies" may well be my favorite musical.  Sondheim's lament looks at aging, regret and inevitable change in a heartbreaking manner. 

Set in a decrepit theater (about to be torn down to make way for a parking lot) in the 70s, the Weismann Girls (think Ziegfield) reunite for one last party on the stage they performed on decades before.

The star-studded cast at the Ahmanson Theater (nearly all of whom performed in the Tony-nominated revival) really impresses.

I can't stop hearing Victoria Clark singing "Losing My Mind" in my head.

Democracy in Action

Stopped by the Orange County Registrar of Voters Office Tuesday night to watch the counting of ballots.  Even though there was a record low turnout of voters in a Presidential Primary, the many workers on hand seemed excited to be active participants in our democratic process.

Enjoyed dinner Tuesday night at the Mandarin Palace in Fullerton.  It's no Hoy's Wok (Hollywood) but pretty close.

I'm Still Here

 

Last night I visited a new supper club at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel called "The Coterie."  They've taken the main dining room and turned it into a performance space.  I enjoyed the show -- "Sondheim Unplugged," featuring one song from each of Sondheim's shows from the well know like "Gypsy" to the obscure like "Saturday Night."

Doesn't Seem Like Such a Bad Place

I Think This Kid Stole My Winning Lotto Ticket

I Am Officially the Last Dinosaur Without a Touch Screen Phone

Grab a Kleenex

Danger! This is Less Than 2 Miles From Where I Live

I'll Have What He's Having

What Up With That?

Yes, You Are Invisible

Kathie Lee's Replacement Has Been Found

We All Remember in Different Ways

Every Friday is Rabbit Pie Day

That Hairball is the Best Dog in America?

Starbucks Confuses Me Too

This Must Have Been Pre-Heart Attack

I Could Watch Carol Channing Dance All Day Long

Making the Best of a Lousy Job

Some Folks Need a Little JSA

Director said, "Act a Little Crazy."

Please Do Not Touch

I've Got Pants Like That

In 10 Years He Will Embarrass Them

Everybody's Got a Skill

Strike Up the One-Man Band

Strap In and Hold On

A Civilized Response

I Miss Lion Country Safari

Wait for the Countdown

Deli Disappointment

KTLA Channel 5 recently published a list of the Best Delis in the Los Angeles area. I've been to several but there were many on the list that were new to me.

And there's nothing I like better than working my way through a list.

Last Tuesday I had a chance to visit Roscoe's Deli in Fullerton -- on the list in the "Alternative Deli" section.

Can't imagine I'll ever visit again. It's really a large bar with a small, limited deli counter. I ordered the Reuben sandwich and was really bummed to find out the sandwich wasn't even grilled. They don't have a grill. But they offered to "toast" my bread next time.

Don't think so.

Yes, the setting at Roscoe's is festive. But it's not the deli atmosphere I was expecting.

All Hail Maggie Smith

Stopped Short

I had a lovely visit this afternoon with my high school buddy John Dunbar, who was visiting from San Francisco.

We met up at "Short Order," famed restaurateurs Nancy Silverton and Amy Pressman's new upscale fast-food restaurant at the Original Farmer's Market at Third and Fairfax.

Short Order opened a couple of months ago and has received lots of attention. Have to say I was disappointed. It's overpriced. The portions are small. The menu is limited and the fries were terrible. For $6.75 the malt should be bigger than Sampler size.

The setting -- both inside and outside -- is lovely and the hamburger was tasty. But I can't imagine every going back.

Also stopped by Nancy Silverton's new bakery store at the Farmer's Market, "Short Cake." Wow! Really good selection of goodies and the two items I tried were both outstanding.

Why Is This Necessary?

I Want to Party with Her

Just a Quick Trip to the Grocery Store

I Love That This Guy Has a Camera Running At All Times

Close-up Look at the Zambesi River