Blog Stage - Acting in Film, TV, Theatre - Backstage

Kimmel's Favorite Bits

The multitalented performer-composer-producer Bruce Kimmel is taking us on a trip down memory lane in a new musical revue. Well, sort of. Except for fanatic musical-theater buffs who are well acquainted with seldom performed show tunes, most audience members of “Lost & Unsung” will find the bill of fare unfamiliar. Drawing material from two of his series of CD recordings, “Lost in Boston" and “Unsung Musicals,” Kimmel directs and narrates a cabaret grab bag filled with songs fitting two categories—memorable tunes cut from great musicals, and worthy numbers from famous flops. Presented at Los Angeles City College’s Caminito Theatre, Nov. 30-Dec. 3, and featuring students and seasoned musical-theater veterans, the show is an unpretentious delight.

Kimmel and music director-accompanist Jose C. Simbulan emphasize lighthearted fun—seasoned with occasional rueful ballads—in a vehicle headed by local luminaries Alet Taylor, Damon Kirsche (pictured here), Melody Hollis, and Will Collyer.

Sally Kirkland's Amazing Journey

I recently had the tremendous pleasure of working with veteran actor-teacher Sally Kirkland on an article for our “Where Did They Study?” issue. The charming and prodigiously talented Kirkland provided us with fascinating details about her remarkable career, but we weren’t able to use one portion. As the focus of the issue was on where notable actors studied and details about their training, we didn’t include the wonderful anecdotes that she gave us about her own work as an acting coach for some highly notable actors.

These anecdotes were too wonderful not to share, so I am including them here. What I would like to know is: When is this highly regarded Oscar-nominated actor and longtime showbiz trouper going to write her autobiography?  She has a treasure trove of wisdom and great stories to share with the world. But meanwhile, without further ado, following is the text not used in the piece published in our November 10 issue.

The Magic Touch

Psychologists have plenty to tell us about deep-seated implications of recurring dreams. But one recurring “Dream” remains refreshingly uncomplicated, and a delight to experience anew.

The return of Roger Bean’s multi-award-winning 2009 jukebox musical “Life Could Be a Dream” recycles a particular bundle of  joy that originated at Hollywood’s Hudson Theatre, now moving it southward to enchant audiences on the cusp of Orange County, at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. The remount of the long-running hit, continuing through November 20, reunites the original cast and design team, though the smash-hit show has been upsized considerably for a larger venue.

Down But Not Out

It was very sad to receive the recent news  that one of  L.A.'s most durable and distinguished theater companies, the 30-year-old West Coast Ensemble, has phased out its structure as a membership group. Thankfully, the critically acclaimed, award-winning organization, launched by Les Hanson in 1981,  isn't  completely ceasing operation. WCE's plan is to seek out co-productions with other theater groups in the future. 

Having lost the Hollywood performing space on La Brea Avenue that had housed the group for many years, the company has spent the past several seasons on the move, renting various facilities around town. This has taken a toll on its financial stability and its ability to offer full or regular seasons.

The group has offered countless memorable productions over the years. Ironically, many of its shows during these difficult itinerant years have garnered some of the strongest accolades in the company's history, such as the glorious L.A. premiere of Tony Acito's enchanting gay-friendly musical, "Zanna, Don't!," a knockout revival of Stephen Sondheim's "Assassins" and a brilliant staging of  Brian Christopher Williams'  beautiful and compassionate dramedy "Anita Bryant Died For Your Sins," which netted the author a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle writing award.

Jason and Jerry

Funnyman extraordinaire Jason Graae, a veteran of Broadway and regional theater, also happens to be one of the finest singers of our generation, making him a stellar cabaret performer, unquestionably one of the best.

I regrettably missed two opportunities to see him perform this year—at Sterling’s Upstairs in Studio City and Burbank’s Colony Theatre—in “Perfect Hermany,” his joyous concert tribute to revered Broadway tunesmith Jerry Herman.

Thankfully, the sublime pleasures of that very special show are captured in a CD release from Kritzerland, which was recorded during the May performance at the Colony.

The "Dream" Team is Back!

One of the most exhilarating jukebox musicals to emerge since the invention of the form is thankfully making a return to the Southland with the original cast intact. Roger Bean’s sweet and sassy “Life Could Be a Dream,” is a rocking and rolling musical comedy, set in small-town America in the 1960s and featuring some of the most popular and memorable hit tunes of the era.

A remounting of this scrumptious show—which netted coveted 2009 “Production” wins from the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle, the Back Stage Garland Awards, and the LA Weekly Awards, as well as several other honors—runs from October 29 to November 20 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, produced by McCoy Rigby Entertainment.

New York's Finest Come to the Cabaret

The latest cabaret evening from the prolific Chris Isaacson, of Upright Cabaret,  was among this dynamic impresario’s finest offerings to date.

Under the direction of multitalented actor-singer Sam Harris (“The Life,” “Grease”), the one-night performance of “New York’s Finest: The Leading Men of Broadway” brought together four of the hottest male performers to light up the Great White Way in recent years (David Burnham, pictured above; Brandon Victor Dixon; Levi Kreis; and Ace Young)  for an evening of kick-ass music and felicitous spirits.

They were joined by a magnificent female diva, Frenchie Davis, at the Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood, where a huge crowd gathered on September 16 to savor this immensely entertaining event.

Judy, Judy, Peter

Who could possibly imagine a solo performance piece that’s 50% cross-dress celebrity impersonation and 50% poignant autobiographical play? Actor-singer Peter Mac came up with such an original notion, and he shares it with audiences in his moving and highly entertaining cabaret vehicle, “Becoming Judy,” which recently wrapped up a one-weekend run at the Gardenia restaurant/lounge  in Hollywood.

This multitalented young performer, originally from Elmont, a suburb of Long Island, New York, has been building his career around his fascination with the late beloved superstar Judy Garland.

 His meticulous impersonation of the iconic actor-singer provides Mac with the opportunity to conjure her essence. He does so brilliantly and with such warmth and grace, that it’s a cinch he will entertain wide-ranging audiences—even those rare individuals who might not be as familiar with the legendary star.

Cannavale Nabs Plum Arnstein Role

Here’s another major casting announcement for the eagerly anticipated upcoming Broadway revival of “Funny Girl,” which begins its pre-Broadway run in February 2012 at L.A.’s Ahmanson Theatre. Joining the previously announced Lauren Ambrose (of “Six Feet Under’ fame), who will star in the coveted role of vaudeville legend Fanny Brice in this first Broadway revisit to the Jule Styne classic is two-time Tony nominee and Emmy winner Bobby Cannavale.

 This versatile actor will take the male romantic lead role opposite Ambrose, that of Brice’s flashy gambler husband Nick Arnstein, a role played by Sydney Chaplin in the original 1964 Broadway production, and by Omar Sharif in the 1968 film adaptation. Each of these leading men played opposite Barbra Streisand in a role strongly associated with her, which earned her an Oscar in her film debut. Cannavale seems an ideal fit for the character of the charismatic fast-talker who wins Brice's heart. It will be interesting to see Ambrose and Cannavale put their own stamps on these indelible roles in this bittersweet romantic tale.

Mark Taper Forum Reveals Blockbuster Season

The Center Theatre Group's Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles has announced a thrilling slate of productions for this venerable venue's 45th season in 2012. New plays by David Mamet and Jon Robin Baitz are on the roster, as well as the classic tragicomedy "Waiting for Godot"  by the immortal absurdist scribe Samuel Beckett, set to star Alan Mandell and Barry McGovern.

Also red-hot on this slate are the local bows of Bruce Norris' 2010 Pulitzer and Olivier award-winning  "Clybourne Park"  and John Logan's  2010 Tony-winning play, "Red," which will star Alfred Molina (pictured).

The icing on this sinfully rich cake is a world premiere musical, "Los Otros,"  by Ellen Fitzhugh and the gifted Broadway writer-tunesmith Michael John LaChiusa ("The Wild Party," "Marie Christine," "See What I Wanna See"), who for many years has been a welcome L.A.  mainstay, collaborating with  Daniel Henning at the Blank Theatre Company on local renditions of his works. Multiple Tony nominee Graciela Daniele will direct this offering, which was commissioned by CTG. Artistic director Michael Ritchie calls this "a beautiful two-character musical with an interesting and moving perspective on the Mexican immigrant experience."