O Lovely Glowworm – “A Cool Fantasy”; The Sugar Witch – “Darkly Hilarious!”; Buzzin’s Musings
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚
Mar. 12‚ 2010
O LOVELY GLOWWORM AT ZEUM THEATRE or Scenes of Great Beauty
The Master of Fine Arts Program at A.C.T. wanted to put on a show that will really bring out the talents of this Fine Arts Program. By choosing O Lovely Glowworm they have exceeded with the inventive script by Glen Berger, which is hilarious, puzzling and beautiful all at the same time. This is a story about a Lad that wants to invent the toilet, a man who likes his trousers so much that he takes them off to admire them, and a man who falls in love with a Mermaid. So much so – that he will swim through raging waters to get to her.
[more]->
Concerning Strange Devices from the Distant West: “Sexy Tattoos – Great Dialogue!”; Micro Movie Reviews: Prodigal Sons/Shutter Island
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚
Mar. 05‚ 2010
In the 1880’s, cameras were considered a weird new device. In the play “Concerning Strange” the action glides between the present and the 1880’s. This exotic play is a great puzzle, as we try to unfold the meaning of full body tattoos.
An American tourist, who is rather mysterious herself, becomes more than engaged in a man’s half naked body. She discovers him in a Photographer’s studio. The Photographer - artist is at first off putting and arrogant. He takes a dislike to the tourist who will not be deterred. She wants to take a closer look at the gorgeous young man’s body.
[more]->
Caucasian Chalk Circle: “Quirky, Imaginative!”; Mahalia Musical: “Can God Help?”
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚
Feb. 26‚ 2010
CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE: Strange – but somehow, very today
Yes, there is the preachiness – but hang on, because in the cliffs and valleys you will find interesting gems that break up the Brectonian sermon. One thing is very clear. Some of the language is very clever and you have to really listen carefully to catch the ‘double meaning’ of the words. It’s like a puzzle – as the play goes on, you begin to put the pieces together. This is a very gritty newly re-imagined look at this oft-told story about power, struggle and the Rich versus the Poor. And just like today. The rulers are crooked and cunning and the poor people hardly exist. Yep – those were tough times.
[more]->
Curtains at Lesher Center; Mahalia Jackson Musical Tribute; Cool Stuff Coming Up Dude!
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚
Feb. 19‚ 2010
CURTAINS UNFOLDS AT THE LESHER
Curtains the musical, is based on an original book and concept by Peter Stone. It’s a comic look at what goes on backstage. Some of what goes on is a murder. It keeps you guessing about who killed an untalented star of the musical ‘Robin Hood of the Old West’. With a title like that -- it is a musical that is doomed to failure.
[more]->
Oedipus el Rey – “Flat Out Fantastic!”; SpinCity – “Buzzin Around Town”
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚
Feb. 12‚ 2010
OEDIPUS el REY: FLASHING TA-TA’S AND VIVID TATOO’S. WOW! WOW!
O.K. HERE’S MY ADVICE. JUST ROUGH RIDE THIS ONE. Cause, this is not Boy Scout stuff. You know the story of Oedipus. His father practically throws him away after damaging the boy’s feet – he grows up and becomes a streetwise kid, who angles to be a King. Along the way there is a lot of bloodletting, Breast Baring and total nudity. The would be King (he is 17). The older woman, who he has a hankering for is his mother, but he does not know that. He seduces her -- not aware that he was mounting his own mother. She may suspect that he is her son, but she doesn’t try to stop him.
[more]->
Lee Hartgrave = The Columnist
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚
Feb. 05‚ 2010
PAULA WEST is a Master at musical control. Make no mistake on this. This singer is monumentally gifted. She has terrific insight to great standards – making them sound fresh and new.
West starts the evening with Darktown Strutters Ball (Sheldon Brooks) – Lyric: “I’ll Dance off my shoes when they play those Jelly role Blues!” With the support of the great band behind her “George, Mesterhazy, Pianist & Arranger, Barak Mori, Bassist, Jerome Jennings, Drummer and Ed Cherry, Guitarist – together really revved up the audience. I’ve never heard so many Whoops and hollers. The audience was definitely ‘’buzzed.’ Really, Really fabulous was a Bob Dylan song “All I Really Want To Do” put the zap into this song with a Reggae beat. I was hooked. It got huge applause from the audience.
[more]->
Fiddler on Roof – “A Joy!”; Red Light Winter” - “Tense!”; Animals Out of Paper – “Superb!”
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚
Jan. 29‚ 2010
FIDDLER IS STILL FIDDLING – FAST PACED MUSICAL
There are so many things that make this musical endearing. Here are a few: It’s epic in plot -- the setting is unique and it’s all about traditional family values (that soon tumble down around them). The song “Tradition” starts off the show with a bang. The rousing joyous song revs you up for what follows. The cast and Tevye sing and whirl around the stage. Tevye narrates, sings, dances and mingles joyfully with the townspeople. The dancing seems to be a mix of Gypsy and Russian-esque. It could also be called Honky Tonk Folk. And that’s a good thing. It makes it sound very authentic ...
[more]->
Phedre – “Haunting!”; Andrea Marcovicci – “Splendid!”
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚
Jan. 22‚ 2010
PHEDRE AT A.C.T.: GORGEOUS, DISTURBING, SINISTER AND ABSORBING is what this production of the classic Phedre is.
The story: King Theseus, the legendary hero and King of Athens has left his wife in the care of his son Hippolytus. No one has heard from Theseus for a long time and they assume that he is dead. But, that was just gossip – Theseus returns to a nest of problems.
While the King has been gone for six months, his wife, the Queen has fallen in love with his son. The son tries to stay away from her. He is in love with a Cretan Princess who is being held at the palace against her will. She is a political pawn to his father.
[more]->
Sharon Gless Stars in ‘A Round-Heeled Woman’; Judy Garland Tribute; Openings ...
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚
Jan. 15‚ 2010
IT’S A BUSY MONTH FOR OPENINGS IN THE AREA
Former Cagney & Lacey alumni Stephen Macht and Sharon Gless get together again on stage as lovers in the Jane Prowse play “A Round-Heeled Woman”. Described as ‘My Late-Life Adventures in Sex and Romance.” Gless is a multiple Emmy and Golden Globe winning actress. From T.V. to Movies and Cabaret – she’s done it all. Here’s what you can expect. Lots of sexual situations – falling in love – heartbreak – falling out of love – rejection and other goodies to hot to tell you about. Now Playing at the Z Space at Project Artaud, 450 Florida St. It all starts on Jan 16 8pm. http://www.zpace.org/[more]->
Noir City Returns to the Castro; Florence Henderson – “Cineplex Huge”
by Buzzin' Lee Hartgrave‚
Jan. 08‚ 2010
The Noir City Festival returns to the Castro Theatre – sometimes referred to as the Film Temple. This is the world’s most popular noir films series as it continues to bring you hot talking babes and men on the run with smart-ass mouths. And the best place to enjoy these Black and White Gems is to see it in a glorious movie palace like the Castro.
March 16, 2010
