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I just want to say to all within earshot what a wonderful evening we all had last night at the show. And to all who weren't there -- why weren't you? You missed wonderful music by Elmer, (Leonard, too, of course), performed in intimate ambience by a stellar bunch of Broadway troupers, the comedy stylings of host/MC Mr. Kimmel, fine food and wine served by comely waitresses, the sexiest performance there will ever be sung (by Kerry O'Malley) of "I Can Cook, Too" from ON THE TOWN, and as if all this weren't enough: FREE COOKIES on your way out the door!
I mean, come on -- who could ask for anything more?!
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I just want to say to all within earshot what a wonderful evening we all had last night at the show. And to all who weren't there -- why weren't you? You missed wonderful music by Elmer, (Leonard, too, of course), performed in intimate ambience by a stellar bunch of Broadway troupers, the comedy stylings of host/MC Mr. Kimmel, fine food and wine served by comely waitresses, the sexiest performance there will ever be sung (by Kerry O'Malley) of "I Can Cook, Too" from ON THE TOWN, and as if all this weren't enough: FREE COOKIES on your way out the door!
I mean, come on -- who could ask for anything more?!
It does baffle me - there are several LA folks on this board who never want to come out and see our shows, even the film-centric ones (of which there's another next month). But always glad to see Preston, Henry, Henry's lovely wife, Nancy, etc.
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Posted: |
Jun 10, 2015 - 12:29 PM
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By: |
Morricone
(Member)
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This is my perfunctory review of Bruce’s show last Sunday.
I am the type to read these reviews, if I didn’t attend, half hoping the show was terrible, or at least mediocre (since I don’t really wish anyone ill will) because I hate to think I am missing out on something.
Well. If you expect that here move on. The reason I keep going back to Bruce’s shows is the same as the reason I go back to Steven Allen Fox’s GSPO shows (particularly the ones Steven puts together on his own). They keep wanting to top themselves. And they both have the experience, Steven 11 years concertising and Bruce a lifetime of entertaining folks, to pull it off practically every time. I, who had a modest knowledge of musical theater am now addicted, and my wife, who hated the stuff is now a regular.
Let me start off with “Glitter And Be Gay” from Leonard Bernstein’s CANDIDE. It seemed to have dwarfed everything else that evening. According to Wicki this is technically among the most fiendishly challenging coloratura soprano arias ever. In layman;s terms this is opera but since it is satire it mocks opera and becomes subtly more expressive. And since it is Leonard Bernstein, like WEST SIDE STORY it is transcendant. The livliest piece of music you ever want to hear (for those who remember the Dick Cavett talk show, he ended every nite with it). AND it was done by the astonishing Kimberly Hessler,who, after doing my favorite Elmer song FROM NOON TILL THREE, now has my eternal love and devotion. As always you learn stuff at these Kritzerland shows and here I learned CANDIDE was a flop but was revised a numberof times (throwing out the whole book at one point) until it is now a classic.
But now back to Elmer who was well represented by things as diverse as TRUE GRIT, LOVE WITH THE PROPER STRANGER, FROM NOON UNTILTHREE (see above post for description) and WALK ON THE WILD SIDE. But also his Broadway work including “Beyond My Wildest Dreams” a showstopper that indicated if Elmer wanted to continue in this direction he would have done just fine. Originally sung by the late and beloved Michelle DiCastro in the only recorded version on Bruce’s label. Also from the Tony award winning HOW NOW DOW JONES was “Step To The Rear” and “Walk Away”.
“One Hundred Easy Ways” from WONDERFUL TOWN and the previously mentioned sex drenched “I Can Cook Too” from ON THE TOWN were delivered by an incredible singer named Kerry O'Malley. Where does he find these ladies?
May I also say something special about Kritzerland mainstay Robert Yacko. He has always been one of the most inventive, funny and expressive singers in Bruce’s repertory company. But his delivering the absolutely wacko “Hook’s Soliloquy” from Leonard’s PETER PAN is a classic unto itself. My brain is still reeling just trying to follow it.
Bruce’s next show on July 5th he says is film centric - Paul Williams. I would think it would be pop oriented but if he does nothing else but the John Williams (Nice To Be Around), Jerry Goldsmith (Flying Dreams), “You Give A Little Love” from BUGSY MALONE and "The Hell Of It” from PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE I would be a deliriously happy camper.
These shows are ridiculously good. My friend Marshall Harvey, who could do without this entire genre has come away from quite a few declaring “That WAS pretty good!” Peter Hackman who hates this stuff had some good things to say at the one I got him to. So if you are even just middling about cabaret and musical theater, can I talk at least one more FSMer to give this a try ONCE?
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