Mama Mia Still Fab; Shawn Ryan Show – Fun Romp; Freud Gets Hysterical; Buscemi Movie is Delirious; Broadway Confidential

by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave, 2007-09-14

OH MAMA MIA!

How can you not love the musical “Mama Mia” with its pulsating disco beat to the popular 70’s musical group ABBA? The story that is woven around the music is about a young bride-to-be who doesn’t know who her real father is. She knows that her mother had several suitors in her younger days, but which one is her father?

The mystery unveils with dancing boys and ‘Dancing Queens’ to the bubbly ABBA music. In one number the dancers wear swim flippers and the audience went wild. Every song in this bright, happy musical is a hit and the strong cast is absolutely fantastic as they dance and sing their way on this Island. There are exotic set changes, exotic costumes and sexy dancing. The only downside that I heard during intermission was from a straight guy complaining to his girlfriend – “The original cast was more hunky.” I don’t know if he was referring to the girls or boys.

Most people around me just couldn’t stay in their chair. Those that did were doing sort of a lap dance without the benefit of a partner. Some just had to get up and dance in the aisles. The music is that infectious. It’s a great fun-time evening to bring your best buddy, or your best gal to. A great show to share with friends. And just like the ABBA song says: “The Winner Does Take It All!”

SHAWN RYAN AT THE ‘HERBST’—ROMPING FUN!

From Cabaret entertainer to a full-fledged show in the tradition of the big variety shows of early television years, Shawn Ryan has made great strides in a short time. At the famed Herbst Theater in San Francisco, the “America’s Got Talent" semi-finalist was backed by the fourteen-piece Kelly park Orchestra, scorching back up dancers and back-up singers that are stars in their own right. He dubbed them the Shawnettes. One of the biggest names in that group was Therese Genneco.

He opened the show with a rousing “If My Friends Could See Me now” The entire evening is a combination of Grand Adventure and a gee-gosh sense of fun. Ryan looks out over the audience – and feigns surprise that so many people came out to see him. He’s a breath of fresh air and a lot of fun.

Ryan’s show is all upbeat and there really is not a dull minute as he brings great renditions of “Everybody Loves A Lover,” and “Are You Having Any Fun”?” with a young protégé Kelly Flynn, a student from Ryan’s Theatre Camp.

Also on the stage was the mesmerizing Daniel Fabricant who played a mellow and unique bass solo of “Down With Love.” Also a standout was musician Tony Malifati (Alto sax and Flute.) Malifati is Mr. Personality plus and always a crowd pleaser.

Shawn Ryan is very instrumental in bringing back the popularity of the old and wonderful pop standards and Jazz. He has two albums that are selling well and he is still moving along to new things. He is about to take the show on a National tour. If you haven’t seen him yet – look for him; cause he’s liable to be everywhere. Bringing back a big show like that to the stage is a tremendous feat and Ryan managed to do it in a smart and sophisticated way. The most entertaining show of the summer – by far.

AURORA THEATER GETS ‘HYSTERICAL’

There is a lot of psychobabble stuff in this Terry Hanson play “Hysteria”. When it’s funny, it’s very funny. Unfortunately, the play is all over the place. Strange people pop in and out of Sigmund Freud’s place. It’s enough to make want to lie down on the couch to be psychoanalyzed.

The time zone is that this is the last day of Freud’s life. All of a sudden out of nowhere, the artist Salvador Dali comes dashing through the door. And what an insane person he is. Why he came to see Freud is really not made clear. Also, there is a very annoying woman who knocks loudly on the patio window who begins to take off her clothes.

The set is quite pleasing, but that doesn’t make up for the overly long length of this play. The acting is the best thing. These are great actors on the Aurora Stage. They are Warren David Keith as Freud, Nancy Carlin (annoying woman), Charles Dean and Howard Swain, who steals the show with his version of Salvador Dali. Maybe this should have been a play about Dali.

Here is what I think was going on. It’s the last days of Freud and he begins to hallucinate. None of the above people ever visited him. It is all a dream. Or, in this case a nightmare. It is a good premise – and has some merit, but the playwright has not given us much to discuss. After two and half hours we deserved a better emotional payoff.

RATING: THREE GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!! -trademarked-


Steve Buscemi in "Delirious."

FROM HYSTERIA TO DELIROUS

HOW CAN YOU MISS WHEN A MOVIE STARS STEVE BUSCEMI?

O.K. I’ll come right out with it. ‘Delirious’ is a great movie. And if you miss it – you should maybe be on Freud’s couch. The story is about a small time celebrity photographer (Steve Buscemi). He is a streetwise person, that doesn’t take crap from anyone. Sure, he’s rough around the edges, but loveable at the same time. He has big dreams of hitting the big time – getting that special Celeb shot that will put him at the top of his game. One day, by accident, he meets Toby (Michael Pitt) a homeless guy who wants to be an actor.

The kid talks him into taking him on as his assistant. Soon, they become friends, of sorts. Later the Kid gets a couple of lucky breaks and soon becomes a big star and dumps Buscemi. As Toby gets richer and Les gets nowhere he harbors resentment for his former roommate.

Delirious is a warm, insightful film about show business and the kind of people who inhabit it. There is a real down deep sentiment that sweeps you along. One moment it’s Hilarious and the next moment it’s sassy and haunting. This movie will make you believe in the possibilities. The acting is riveting!

RATING: FOUR BOXES OF POPCORN!!!! (highest rating)

–trademarked-


Raul Esparza, www.raulesparza.com

BROADWAY CONFIDENTIAL

Sweeney Todd will continue to be a Demon at the Geary Theater thru Oct. 14….In New York – that actor whose voice is so full of life and romance…Raul Esparza (Company) is in Pinter’s “Homecoming”.

O.K. here we go. Show all the straight guys how to get there. The new play called “Lesbian Bathhouse” opens at “Looking Glass Theatre on 10/12. It plays late night and is written by Helen Eisenback.

Jersey Boys will serenade “the Sopranos” on this Sunday’s Emmy Broadcast. And they will also open in Chicago on 10/5. …The Hairspray Musical is due out on DVD in Nov.

MAMA MIA CAST HELPED ‘REAF’ THIS WEEK. And they did a whopping job of bringing to the show at BBB, something romantic, something unpredictable and definitely something sexy. The cast sang songs of their own choosing and they were just great. A real crown pleaser was ‘Mamma’s Boyz’ with Corey Bradley, Anthony Cefala, and Tony Gonzalez. Steam was rising from the stage. If you get a chance try to get in to see “Mama Mia” at the Orpheum Theater. They leave soon. This time around for ‘Mama’ is just as good at the first time. Believe me. And thanks to REAF for all the help they give to AIDs Charities.

As you probably know, Jane Wyman (Movie and TV Star) passed away recently. Most people only knew her from the screen – but she had an acid wit – that many did not see. A friend of lady friend of mine many years ago stopped at a roadhouse diner. She went to the ladies room to wash her hands and Wyman came out of one of the stalls. My friend said. You look like Jane Wyman. Wyman who had a few drinks said. “I am, and now you can tell all your friends that you pissed with Jane Wyman.” She was a wonderful presence and her impact will always remain with us.

AND THAT’S A WRAP!!

Let Buzzin hear your stories and your comments. leehartgraveshow@yahoo.com.



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