GRIGWARE REVIEWS

GRIGWAREREINVENTS HIMSELF

2022-12-18T15:32:00.002-08:00

is what i should name this blog with 2003 i am back to basics

Merry Christmas

2022-12-09T13:52:00.001-08:00

Blessings

2022-11-22T09:49:00.002-08:00

RIP Dear Lady

2022-11-21T07:49:00.002-08:00

Brilliant and versatile,one of a kind stage. screen and television star Angela Lansbury has passed from us at 96 years young ... Godspeed!

DRIVERLESS A Film Comedy Short

2022-10-18T08:25:00.007-07:00

Driverless CAST

Stephen Foster (GLEN/WOODROW/RANDY)

Navnoor Kahlon (RAJ)

Renee Laramore (JOANNE) Will Roberts (MILES) Donald Burns (JOHN) Daniel Luna (GORDON) Steven Morana (DARREN) Cat Elrod (AUDRA) Ashley Tsai (FLIGHT ATTENDANT)

Ernest Peiffer (RANDY PHOTO DOUBLE)

CREW

Lisa Stoll (Cinematographer)

Christopher Alexander (Editor) Weilun Feng (1st A.C.) Javier Salamanca (Sound Recordist) Cat Elrod (Make-up) TinNgai Chan (Cinematographer, 2nd unit) Bin Zhao (Sound, 2nd unit) Mitchell Davis (1st A.C. 2nd unit) Frank Maldonado (PA/Driver #1)

Review by Don Grigwatr

How does comedy capture audience attention? If it is in theatre or on film what makes them laugh and want to stay? Well, it helps when first of all the storyline is based on truth. If the plot is twisted attacking the corporate world, politics and religion viciously and with gusto, so much the better. Remember Moliere and his absurdity or much more recently Mel Brooks, and the continuosly unexpected quality of the dialogue as characters react to one anothar with little or no sense whatsoever. What a mishmosh, you say! I say great comedy.

A brand new short comedy film Driverless written and directed by Charles Pelletier, follows the patterns mentioned above to the letter. An unemployed schlemiel Glen played by the very delightful Stephen Foster, also producer of the film, turns to his Uncle Miles (Will Roberts), who owns a corporation OLeg which rents driverless vehicles.

Mama's boy Glen is on the phone with his mother before his interview and is sure he will win a position since 23 employees have been fired. He meets Raj (Navnoor Kahlon) and the two as co-assistants bat their heads against each other in an attempt to make sense of the diabolically silly

company ... to no avail.

Stern crabapple Miles tells Glen and Raj that the customer is always wrong and to make their fortunes, they will do anything including kill. An irate woman Joanne, in a delicious performance by Renee Laramore, threatens and eventually cajoles as she is literally backed against a wall.. Hilarious moments!

Fans of Foster will agree he steals the hour as a Quaker of the Hindu variety who wallows in his creativity like making his own soap and pasta. This outrageous man equals Foster's past performances of Bette Davis. His talent will stop at nothing to produce over the top laughter.

Of course Driverless gets its strength from Pelletier's uncanny comedic writing and meticulous direction. The pacing is crisp throughout. And with such well cast actors the enjoyment is assured. Even though it is easy to figure out that management is what is diverless, the sock it to me style really rivets attention. Musical accompaniment and bizarre lighting designs add flavor to the mischievous proceedings.

Visit

https://driverlessthemovie.com

RIP tONY DOW

2022-07-29T09:59:00.004-07:00

Tony Dow sadly passed away this week (1945 - 2022). He played Wally Cleaver in two TV series: Leave It To Beaver in the late 50s and early 60s and Still the Beaver in the 80s.

I saw him twice onstage and chatted with him after the performances. He signed for me with kindness and warmth.

I watch reruns on MeTV and feel as though I have lost a pal.

sale

2022-06-30T09:49:00.000-07:00

Most of you know me as an intelligent and thorough interviewer.

I am currently having a sale for $75 per article. This is a big saving as I ususallly get $200 or more.

contact me at

teachgreg@aol.com

2022 Tony Winners

2022-06-13T07:36:00.003-07:00

https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/12/entertainment/tony-awards-2022-winners/index.html

Coin & Ghost's STAN MAYER

2022-05-03T09:14:00.082-07:00

Stan Mayer is a former U.S. Marine Sergeant and Intelligence Officer, Stan Mayer served five deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. This play took shape as an explorative memoir, with Mayer playing himself in a story about his first tour. In particular, the events of the play are centered on a moment in May 2005 when four members of his platoon were killed by a suicide bomber and the ensuing firefight. These deaths have saturated every fiber of Mayer’s life and work. He reflects, “Mama Mama Can’t You See is a meditation on that moment. A moment that resonates into eternity. A moment when my post-Norman Rockwell America turned into a dirty unnamed street alongside the Euphrates River where the bodies of young men lay slain.”

Coin & Ghost Presents The World Premiere of
Mama Mama Can't You See
An Existential War Story
By Cecilia Fairchild and Marine Veteran Stan Mayer
Directed by Zach Davidson
May 13 – May 29, 2022

Stan, I know you are writing about a very painful part of your life. You cannot put closure on this, so what do you expect to achieve?
SM: War is continuous, it echoes forever. I tend to lean on the knowns, which are that I was an infantryman in a war, my platoon was ambushed, and four of my friends were killed that night. What I expect to achieve by telling that story is more than a remembering, I want to bring light, and life, and love to what may only seem dark. I tried to write a war story, but what came out was a love story. This terrible thing happened, mothers lost sons, we saw it all, it was real and it happened, scars formed, but then here we are, seventeen years later, and what is happening in this theater is beautiful.
If the play works, and people come to understand this thing that is so terrible, and also so beautiful, then maybe I get one step closer to returning home.
The pandemic forced you to close the show in March 2020. You have had to make some cast replacements. What else is different? Has there been any rewriting?
SM:Theater in LA is difficult. In military terms, we would call this a non-permissive environment. Working actors are working, many different jobs on different sides of town, and there’s nowhere to park, anywhere in this city…we all know the general terrain. Keeping a cast for two months, let alone two years, is impossible, and so the work evolves, it transforms when these new personalities, new lives, come into the room. That adds layers to these characters. Cecilia and I wrote characters who are real people that really lived.
Tell our readers about your co-writer Cecilia Fairchild? How did you meet and in what way is she so perfect for this challenging topic of war and its devastating effects on all humanity?
SM: Cecilia Fairchild and I were partners for seven years. She knows my story, she knows the characters, and she’s responsible for helping me find my voice as a writer. This isn’t the kind of piece that could withstand collaboration in writing, so we made an art out of not doing that and coming together as one voice. She is the only person I’ve ever known that can drop into that cave with me and write about it in a way that is true, unprecious, and unpretentious. It takes a special writer to command their words with a reverence to the capital T truth and also be free to explore the absurdity and love that exists in these moments of despair, and Cissy is that person. We met in 2014 just days after I returned from my last tour in Afghanistan, and quickly realized that we shared an uncommon language in each other.
Talk about your director, Zach Davidson, and his challenges in putting the play on its feet?
SM: Zach asked Cecilia and I to write this play about four years ago; he has been invested in the telling of this story since before it was written. In short, we got lucky to have him as our champion in taking on this narrative beast. He possesses a true understanding of the full spectrum of the human experience, so there was never any need to explain what was happening. He just gets it at the molecular level. I’ve learned more about my own war story through his interpretation and dramaturgy than I have in a decade of trauma therapy.
As far as the production hurdles are concerned, Zach gets to solve the same problems over and over, inventing newer movements, seeing new angles in the story every time we bring a new cast into the room. You could say that this is our third run of rehearsals, and that will either make for a very well developed play, or something that is unintelligible at this point. We're so far inside this thing that it’s hard for me to tell which, but that’s up to the audience. It’s a five year long production at this point, and I believe that will show up as the most exalted war play ever told, ever performed.
Your characters, I believe, include a member of each of the armed forces. How is your cast developing in rehearsals?
SM: Three of the actors are vets, Matt King (Army), Ronin Lee (Air Force), and myself (Marine Corps). Our sound designer and composer is Sloe Slawinski (Navy). It feels good to have that representation here, for they get the landscape, noise, and severity of war. The stakes are inherent to these veterans; they all know what it’s like to sign a blank check for up to and including their lives…but all of the performers have become intimate with these stakes, whether they’ve served or not.
The cast has evolved over the two years since covid first reared its head. We’ve lost actors who had brought crucial light and humanness to this play, and we’ve gained actors who have brought that back into the room in their own crucial way.
Every character in this story is me, and every character tends to get lost at times, finding themselves in someone else’s dialogue, melting the story in to one completely mixed narrative that cannot be unmixed, and this feels like war, or love, to me, because it’s often that way.
From my point of view, there aren’t four female and four male leads; there are eight actors that represent everything they bring into the room, and everything that happened in the war. I feel so fortunate to have had all these wonderful artists that have come and gone, every one of them is present in the story.
Is there spirituality inherent in the play? When they leave the theatre is there enough hope for the audience to take with them?
SM: Everything at once. When I found myself wounded, on fire, and in the midst of this intense firefight, I was the most hopeless I had ever been. There was no way to live through that, and the doom of it all was overwhelming. My instincts told me to lay down and wait to be killed, because the terror of the moment saturated every feeling. It was an existential murder, but at that very same moment, everything I had ever been, where I’m from, my childhood, the family dog, et cetera, overrode the hopelessness with hope. Pervasive hope. It is in moments like that where you fight, not just to survive, but to put one foot in front of the other and move.
Movement is survival, and movement is hope. There’s a sense of the universe at work here, God, whoever that may be to the audience, or to me, the irrelevance of time, and the common ties of the human experience make this a very spiritual story with hope in abundance.

Coin & Ghost Presents The World Premiere of

Mama Mama Can't You See
An Existential War Story
By Cecilia Fairchild and Marine Veteran Stan Mayer
Directed by Zach Davidson

May 13 – May 29, 2022

Scott Dreier and the Four Gifts of Doris Day

2022-04-14T10:38:00.641-07:00

Doris Mary Anne Kappelhoff - Doris Day - who passed away in 2019 would have celebrated her 100th birthday April 3.

I love Doris Day. She sang and acted from the bottom of her heart. I recently rewatched Love Me or Leave Me for which she should have won an Academy Award for Best Actress, then I realized she was not even nominated. She founded DDAF, the Doris Day Animal Foundation, and because of her benevolence thousands - millions? - of cats and dogs have been rescued and adopted. Her zest for living appeals to me but, wait a minute! This article is not about my feelings.

It is to honor a man who has devoted a major portion of his life to keep Doris Day alive and well in the hearts of people and animals. Scott Dreier, I salute you! The photo below was taken in Carmel in 2014 when Doris turned 92. Scott was greeting her at the birthday celebration at the Cypress Inn. It was his second time in her company. He had first met her in 1993.

I will divide my tribute into four segments representing the gifts Scott has given to the world while tributing Doris Day. Scott's one man stage show Doris and Me is Gift One, followed by Gift Two, his album The Doris Day Project .

In 2014 he presented Doris and Me at Lawrence Welk Dinner Theatre, Escondido, and I was blown away by the delicious humor and sheer fantasy of one man obsessing over Doris Day. This was a stunning show where Scott sang all of Doris's hits. I said the following in my review:

"It is really two shows in one: a biography of Doris's career told through the songs she made famous and then a semi-biography of Dreier, who grew up from a young age loving Doris Day, her songs, and her movies. It is the second show that makes it all work so beautifully, because, as fans of Doris Day, we see and appreciate the effects that her persona has had on all of us. As an individual Scott Dreier is expressing what we all feel, that intense love and admiration for one of the greatest screen legends of all time.

“Scott Dreier makes Doris and Me an extraordinary experience. What an endearing and magnetic performer! His vocal delivery will take your breath away…Dreier, like Day, is warm, genuine, and he possesses an infectious charm. He is the perfect entertainer to extol Doris Day and to perform her unforgettable music."

The show moved to the El Portal in North Hollywood and played several sold out engagements.

Gift TwoThe Doris Day Project was a labor of love for Scott who put together his own album of Doris Day's classic hit songs. He has a powerfully melodic voice, and it is great hearing a man sing "Secret Love". However, it still expresses Day's inimitable vocal styling,

Above is the cover of the album. It also represents his beloved show Doris and Me, which premiered in Carmel at the Carmel Center for the Performing Arts in 2016 and still tours across country.

In 2019 Scott came to Carmel to run the second day of a live auction to raise money for DDAF and visited a 97 years young Doris. A short time afterward, she passed from us.

This brings us to the newest work, Gifts Three and Four. two dvds in which Scott interviews fans and friends of Doris, including actors she worked with.

Gift Three Celebrating Doris is a brilliant montage of interviews from her costars with film clips up top and a voice over introduction from Doris herself, thanking Scott and everyone involved. She was amazed that so many stars participated, but when you listen, really listen to what they say there are no surprises, as Doris's reputation preceded her - she was always totally giving on and off camera.

I have chosen some of my favorites like funny lady Kaye Ballard (The Doris Day Show). Kaye said that when you were talking with Doris you didn't know

if you were in the scene or if she was carrying on a conversation with you, she was that real. Billy Gray (her little brother in On Moonlight Bay and By the Light of the Silvery Moon) said Doris was natural and made it all seem effortless. Bernie Kopell praised her "hugability".

Philip Brown (son Billy in The Doris Day Show) paid Doris the enornous compliment that no child actor had a better second mother.

Choreographer Miriam Nelson called Doris the girl next door and "fearless". She thought Doris's tap ability was the best. She emphasized that they dug in and worked until they nailed the routine in Tea for Two.

Longtime friend Jackie Joseph claimed Doris "radiated goodness". Others like Robert Morse, Jamie Farr and Peter Marshall further extoled her beauty inside and out.

Gift Four is the last dvd so far Forever Doris.

An abundabce of worldwide lesser known fans have hailed Doris for her dedication, purpose, generosity and kindness.

Forever Doris is a 2 DVD set that contains over 7 hours of footage—including brand new interviews with 15 of Doris’s co-stars and friends sharing their fond memories of Doris including Academy Award winning Director Norman Jewison (who directed Doris in 2 of her most popular romantic comedies), Robert Wagner, Mamie Van Doren, Rich Little, Elinor Donahue, Loni Anderson, and a 50 year reunion with Doris’s 3 movie sons from her final film With Six You Get Eggroll—it was their first time seeing each other again since they made the movie together.

And, so beautiful, Scott takes us on a personal tour with never-before-seen footage of Doris’s majestic, gorgeous Carmel estate “ Overlook". There are photos included from Doris’s personal collection in the DVD and lots of DVD extras.

Of the many stars one favorite of mine is Marion Ross who called Doris "easy to be with - swell!".

Christopher Olsen who played Hank,Doris's son in The Man Who Knew Too Much is also featured. He became an integral part of that movie and emphasized that what you saw of her onscreen is what he remembers about her presence. He had fun singing "Que Sera Sera" with her. and he reiterated that she sang directly and tenderly above all to him.

The dvds Celebrating Doris and Forever Doris are a treasure. If you wish to purchase them, you must order directly

from DDAF.org Remember it is a donation to the animals and their welfare.

Coda

2022-03-28T10:30:00.003-07:00

After seeing Troy Kotsur at Deaf West Theatre in NoHo over 20 years ago play a multitude of roles brilliantly including Stanley Kowalski I am thrilled for his Oscar win as Best Supporting Actor for Coda ... and that the film won Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture of 2022. BRAVO!!!!

t brooks

2022-02-28T22:21:00.002-08:00

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/p769ids1ivzfwoy/AAB0_O7ave67H1TAfzBSnC6ga?dl=0

Damn Shame Promo

2022-02-27T12:01:00.011-08:00

I have seen David Pevsner over the years in When Pigs Fly and his own cabaret show, both on stage, and more recently in the dvd of "Old Dogs & New Tricks", delivering over the moon, deliciously flamboyant performances. His new book Damn Shame, a Memoir of Desire, Defiance, and Show Tunes - who can forget his big hit "Perky Little Porn Star" - is everything I expected - and more. And ... the glorious nude photos toward the end of the autobiography of his beautiful body then and now are each and every one a knockout to admire, an ecstatic gay man's dream. Expertly edited by Scott Sellers, this first edition will sell out, so order your copy today.

https://twitter.com/DavidPevsner

Don's GoFundMe

2022-01-22T11:39:00.002-08:00

I am a senior living in low-income housing. I have extreme dental problems. Even with medicare, I cannot afford to pay for new dentures. I hope to raise enough to begin the process. Whatever you give, thank you from the bottom of my heart

Donate

https://www.gofundme.com/help-don-to-afford-new-dentures

2022-01-20T11:21:00.006-08:00

As an entertainment journalist I aim to make people happy. Hopefully when interviewing I allow them freedom of expression and creativity.

I currently write for my website blog www.grigwaretalkstheatre.com

I charge $100 for an interview, decreased by over $100. Times are tough for all of us.

I send you questions via email and you send me back the answers. OR You write up a brief but detailed announcement of your project and I will peruse and put in the questions to make the whole thing sound intelligent and exceptionally clear.

If interested, write to me at

teachgreg@aol.com

phone: 323 - 466-0978

Broadway Sue

2022-01-12T16:24:00.003-08:00

Brilliant artist, singer and songwriter Susan Edwards Martin never rests on her laurels. She sang live throughout the holidays and recently wrote her “Thank you Song!”

What motivated you to write this song?

These past two years have been most challenging for us all. Even though the world was slowing down, shutting down, shows being cancelled, and teaching my students now online in Zoom, I felt I couldn’t sit idle and watch life pass me by. For me, it is imperative and life-affirming, that I be creative…always. I continually have ideas that inspire me. I refused to allow this oppressive and daunting pandemic to get me down! I became very involved with my spiritual communities, which were all occurring on Zoom and found much comfort and peace going within, meditating, practicing my kundalini yoga, praying, continuing my studies to expand my consciousness and to remain faithful to the truth of who I am…who we are. I had to create! I had to write! And I found a safe place to create and record my music with music producer extraordinaire, Tony Campodonico.

Tell our readers more about him and how his association helped the song.

Tony has a swell, fully equipped recording studio in a detached garage/studio on his property and I found myself going there two times a week to record my songs. Tony is a one man band and is an accomplished musician, with keyboards as his main instrument. He is proficient with all the possibilities that the digital realm has to offer and I knew I was in the best place possible.

With my “Thank You Song” I was feeling so much gratitude for my life and my family and with my open heart ready to receive all the good life has to offer. I had an idea of the spirit of the song…a bluegrass, country vibe and I knew I wanted it to be melodic and heartfelt, inspiring, catchy, fun, and danceable! I rejoiced that Tony got to show off his considerable talent on the keyboard in this song! “Thank You” are two very powerful words that will change your life! I felt that it could help heal the current divisiveness and sadness that have been prevalent in the world and our current situation. We need to remember to be grateful for every thing in our lives and give thanks in an uplifting and joyous way through this song!!

Describe your process in songwriting.

The process is always so interesting to me. I had the melody and essence of the song in my head and “Thank You” just seemed to fit perfectly. Then once the “musical hook” was established, I was able to write more lyrics to fully express the sentiment of the song. We thought that it would enhance the song to have a “live” guitarist on the track so Tony contacted his amazingly talented friend Derol Caraco, to give us the pleasure of experiencing his superb guitar playing! Staying Covid compliant, we sent him the basic track with vocals and piano, and he was able to record his part in his own studio and send it to Tony electronically through the internet cloud!! Amazing!! The way it’s mixed together, it sounds like we’re all in the same room! I love that! Technology at its finest! I am so pleased with the final recording and I feel I am a very lucky gal to have all this talent to make music with!!! Thank you!!!

You can find the THANK YOU SONG! and many of Susan Edwards Martin’s music streaming on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon, Apple Music…just about everywhere!!

Get up and dance and ENJOY!!

Susan Edwards Martin

www.UnlimitedSusanEdwardsMartin.com

https://youtu.be/Cz2enf7CHck (music video)

Music sold on Amazon Music & Spotify

https://talent.castingfrontier.com/susan-edwards-martin

https://www.broadwayworld.com/cabaret/article/Susan-Edwards-MartinThe-Original-Lady-Blues-Of-Torch-Song-Trilogy-Is-Back-In-Town-At-Feinsteins54Below-20190227

El Dia de los Reyes Magos

2022-01-06T09:13:00.000-08:00

I hope most of my Christian friends have not forgotten that today January 6 has much significance in the Christmas cycle. It is the day that the Wise Kings followed the star and discovered the baby Jesus. In Mexico and Europe, particularly Spain, this is a holiday greater than Christmas Day, called El Dia de los Reyes Magos. There is a huge family feast and children receive their presents. It is more religious than Santa Claus.

I will celebrate by watching Truman Capote's A Christmas Memory with Geraldine Page and Jessica Tandy starring in The Story Lady. Of course, there will be rich goodies on hand to savor. Enjoy the last day of the Christmas season!

RIP Beautiful Betty White

2021-12-31T14:26:00.001-08:00

What can I say? I loved this woman. Betty passed away a mere two weeks before her 100th birthday.

A few years ago I brought roses to a book signing, and she sent me a previous book Pet Love. I cherish animals and am more enamored of Betty for her humanitarian work with our furry friends than for her stellar acting achievements. She loved life and everyone in it. We need more people like her. Godspeed!

2021-12-18T07:59:00.001-08:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHPKibycVk0

holiday card

2021-12-08T11:37:00.002-08:00

Blessings for a Beautiful Holiday and a 2022 with Hope and Prosperity For One and All

Don Grigware

2021-12-03T10:18:00.207-08:00

AVAILABLE IN THEATERS AND ON DEMAND SINCE NOVEMBER 24, 2021
Distributor: Gravitas Ventures/Directed by: Emrhys Cooper/Written by: Emrhys Cooper and Donal Brophy/Producers: Glen Trotiner, Emrhys Cooper, Donal Brophy, Lynn Mancinelli and Benjamin J Murray/Executive Producers: Zachary Quinto, Jamie Moss

Cast: Fiona Dourif (Parker), Donal Brophy (Guru Shuroo), Tommy Dorfman (Mark), Emrhys Cooper (D’arcy), Rainey Qualley (Nadia),

Olivia Sui (Nini), Hakeem Kae-Kazim (Willy), Jeff Hephner (Adrian Huntington) , Cornelia Guest (Jane), Taylor Bagley (Seraphina), Rachel Mcdowall (Edie), Brad Dourif (Dr. Feinstein), Blake Berris (Andrew), Iman Le Claire (Layla), Lynn Mancinelli (Stormy), Jeff Burnett (Barry), Samantha Robinson (Samantha Robinson), Eric Roberts (Eric Roberts)

Editor: Gary M.B. Smith/Cinematographer: Benjamin J Murray
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

"The Shuroo Process" is set in New York City in present time. The main protagonis, journalist Parker Schaefer (Fiona Dourif) experiences total demise due to self induced drug addiction and alcoholism. After losing her boyfriend and her job, she decides to bare her soul and try to rediscover herself. Hearing about a guru in the Catskills by the name of Shuroo (Donal Brophy) who is a hot prospect with clients, she sets her sights on experiencing his seemingly curative methods.Skeptical about him and if he can earnestly help her, she pretends to play along and join the retreat because of her deep depression and willingness to change her life around, but...

Shuroo (Hindi word meaning beginning) is definitely not who he claims to be. Engaging in bizarre sexual activities, putting his clients through a conglomeration of activities that close them off from the outside world - and literally tantalizing them with hallucinatory drugs in the guise of letting them discover who they really are...and seducing, especially Parker, with selfish intentions, he proves to be a total fraud.

Parker exposes him by writing a story for her magazine Rogue, and the result is a phenomenal success for her, as she reclaims her popularity. Her career simply blossoms... but has she found what she has been searching for...whatever she wants that will make her a better person? As she exposes Shuroo, she must face the possibility of having fallen in love with him. If so, has she been transformed? She has allowed herself to become his victim, and the newfound high may turn to dust.The vicious cycle of her failure may start once more. Transformation? Hardly!

Under Emrhys Cooper's stellar direction, the movie plays out scene by scene with perfect pacing. The entire cast is brilliant with Fiona Dourif delivering a remarkable performance as Parker. Both her highs and lows are laden with sensitivity. Donal Brophy as Shuroo is riveting and complex as his fraudulent past

unravels. Every actor is a standout and you must see the film to follow their engrossing stories. Cooper acts and directs with equal dexterity keeping his story first and foremost his most important contribution.

"I grew up in the small town of Totnes in Devon, England. Totnes—on the ley line for new-age seekers—exuded spirituality,other worldliness and psychic mysticism. People put their faith in angels, spirit guides and past life regression. There were potions for all known ills, and the aroma of weed and incense filled the streets.In a culture of crystals and reiki healing, numerous phony gurus were quick to jump on the “alternative” bandwagon. Many of them touted profound cures for everything from low self-esteem to cancer. I witnessed my parents fall foul to some of this utterly bogus and life-threateningly bad advice.

"My intention with this film is to expose the numerous charlatans in this industry, many of whom have no intellectual, scientific or psychological foundation underpinning the paradigms they are championing. It is apparent that those seeking deep soul searching or inner transformation are lured in by a combination of effective sales techniques that go way beyond pure spin to downright dishonesty."

Cooper wrote the story and subsequently penned the script for "The Shuroo Process" with Donal Brophy, emiting deep honesty but not without a sense of humor. Nothing stikes me funnier than when Parker is photographed falling with her dress up to her waist and her naked ass rolling around the floor for all the world to see. She is humiliated but this is a terribly comical humiliation. Cooper making every character's story engrossing is another wonderful feature of his writing style. In the end we leave more cognizant of the fallacies of trusting self-help charlatans and more eager to dig deep and find our very own sense of truth about ourselves.

2021-11-27T14:31:00.047-08:00

https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/26/entertainment/stephen-sondheim/index.html

The world has lost a genius composer. He affected us all. My life would not be the same without his music. I saw Company, Follies and A Little Night Music on Broadway and was blown away. It was like taking an unimaginable journey, so utterly complex, but mesmerizing - simultaneously haunting and beautifully soothing,

I wish him Godspeed!

I'm back

2021-11-15T09:52:00.004-08:00

but still do not feel completely safe to attend live theatre

will continue with news, reviews of online concerts or events - and interviews

review - Robert Bannon LA Concert Appearance

2021-07-23T09:37:00.006-07:00

Singer Robert Bannon is all the rage these days. His premiere cd "Unfinished Business" has received stellar reviews. I gave it 5/5 stars. July 2 Bannon had a live cd release event. What I saw musically was phenomenal. The musicians were all fantastic and Bannon, in superb voice. The story segments, however, were somewhat long and heavy-handed, bringing the entire show in at almost two hours.

Now he is on a cross country tour promoting the cd. Wednesday July 21 he appeared at Feinstein's Upstairs at Vitello's in a scaled down one hour twenty minute show with only Michael Orland onstage at the keyboard - with this outstanding musical director, who else do you need? The show had a light, breezy tone with a nicely brisk pace. Bannon told the stories about his teenage illness, leaving the music business for teaching and a marriage that was destined for failure ... and then returning to show business with eventual triumphs ... but it was all relayed with humor and a sense of thrill, accepting wholeheartedly who he has become.

An inspiration to us all, Bannon has an affable personality as well and made the small audience feel at home - more pandemic danger in Los Angeles kept crowds away, including myself, who watched the live streaming from my living room. Similar to when I listen to the cd, I found a fine singer who lives to please those around him. Loren Smith did two rousing jazzy numbers and guest Loren Brattley joined Bannon for the duet of "How Deep Is the Ocean" sung on the cd and live on July 2 by Jane Monheit. I adore Monheit but Brattley proved an equally good vocalist and added great personal touches to this delicious song.

Bannon was in great voice and performed the cd in total which included Barry Manilow and Johnny Mercer's heartbreaking and beautifully poetic "When October Goes". It makes me cry every time I hear it, and I learn something new about human frailty each time. "I Think He Knew Me" is also riveting and super reflective regarding one's transformation from the inside out.

Apart from the cd Bannon added a saucy number from Avenue Q about falling for Alberta from Canada, sung as it should be with no foul language held back, ... completely suitable for this adults only audience, who snickered in delight.

The other addition was the complete version of Peter Allen's "Once Before I Go", some of which serves as part of the cd's finale. A great powerful song with so much love crossing the footlights. Like Allen, Bannon is a powerhouse talent who will encircle you and take your breath away...pure gold.

Thanks to Nick Sartoris for terrific sound and also to Denisse Cruz and her waiter/waitress staff who always keep the room happy.

review - Robert Bannon's CD Unfinished Business

2021-06-16T14:11:00.180-07:00

Singer/actor Robert Bannon will be releasing his debut album Unfinished Business on July 2 with a live concert streaming all weekend. After that, he will be touring the country, including a stop at Feinstein's at Vitello's in Studio City, CA on July 21.

Nowadays it is a major accomplishment in the recording industry to release your own project. Bannon has put Unfinished Business in the TLC hands of LML Music, owned and operated by great pop singer Lee Lessack.

Unfinished Business was produced during the pandemic utilizing virtual techniques to protect the safety of each musician performing from his own house... with a professionalism, I might add, that is second to none. Guests include the incomparable Jane Monheit, who duets beautifully with Bannon on "How Deep Is the Ocean", and Loren Smith who adds just the right touch of soul in an R & B medley.

When I first interviewed Bannon in February 2020 before the onslaught of the pandemic, he told me he would be concentrating on music from the American Songbook, but this finished product offers a greater range of music displaying Bannon's rich versatility as a singer. He has sought out various eclectic pop and rock songs and styles one would not readily expect on a debut album.

Highlights include "All of Me", "From a Distance" reaching out to the community at large in a bold yet gentle way. We can feel the need of people needing people and coming together. There is a two song medley of "What Kind of Fool Am I?" and "Who Can I Turn to?", again showing a tremendous emotional need and performed with an earthy forthright delivery. "What'll I do" in tandem with a segment of "Once Before I Go" ensures a provocative finale where love plays in strongly...and an emphasis on love also appears with "Look of Love" and "This Guy's in Love".

"When October Goes" is a favorite of mine because it displays a deep understanding of life, and Bannon's sensational rendition makes you enjoy the moment as well as reflect on the human condition..

"I Think He Knew Me" is a telling story about a father and son. It is written by musician Matt Gould at the keyboard and Griffin Matthews. Another in depth study of relationships and an astounding performance of it by Bannon!

Overall, I would highly recommend this album for its variety and for Bannon ... who shows just how engaging he can be. I have always thought that actors make the best singers, as they give 110%. Keep that in mind as you listen to Robert Bannon!

If you wish to read my interview with him from 2020, scroll down.

JUL 2 AT 5 PM PDT – JUL 4 AT 7 PM PDT

"UNFINISHED BUSINESS" VIRTUAL ALBUM RELEASE with Robert Bannon Featuring Jane Monheit & Loren Smith
Free · Online Event/ There is a special VIP package via which you will receive a signed CD mailed to your home. Visit Robert on his FB page to learn more details.

_____________________________________

2020 Interview:

I have updated news of this appearance at the bottom of the article. Feinstein's is closed until further notice because of the Corona Virus.*

Actor/singer Robert Bannon has worked on Broadway and on TV's SNL. He was to present his cabaret show Unfinished Business at Feinstein's at Vitello's April 14. In our conversation he tells us about his background and how his love of the American Songbook came to be.

Tell our readers why you are recording an album in salute to the American Songbook. You graduated from Julliard Prep. What did you learn from the composers of these songs? Who are your favorites?

RB: Growing up in a good little Italian-Irish family in NJ, the music of Sinatra, Sammy, Dean, Johnny was reverent. The instrumentation, storytelling, and classic nature of these songs just spoke to me. I have always been a fan of the “story” and the build of a song. I love singing all music and listening to everything from hip hop to country (and sometimes that sneaks in the show) but all in all nothing beats the classics. They can be done and reimagined but the bones of them remain and will forever.

I did go to Julliard Prep, I was in the first music theatre class under Bertin Rowser and Diane Wilson. I am so grateful to them for seeing something in me, as a child, I didn’t see in myself. I learned that acting and musical theater are truly art forms. There is a difference between fame/celebrity and the art and the work it takes to serve it. That goes back to the classic element of the show. It is my story, but I serve the music and I hope that translates.

As far as composers, I learned it’s all in the melodies. Can you listen to a song and remember it? That is the magic of a good song. Also the saying that you don’t remember what you did or what you said but you will always remember how you FEEL! Does the music make you feel something? The universal themes of them all!

I have a bunch of favorites. I love Johnny Mercer. His vibe and style is just timeless. The poetry of his lyrics is second to none. Also I love Anthony Newley. He is often not thought of but I love the DRAMA of his music!! His arrangements and songs are full of it. It makes a moment in my shows and hopefully emotes something we all can relate to!

You title your concert show Unfinished Business. You are so young. Usually artists use this term at the end of their careers. What is your intent?

RB: Thanks for this question and saying I’m young!

There is a story to the title. When I was in high school and at Juilliard, I ended up getting sick for 4 years. I had undiagnosed Lyme disease which turned into meningitis before Justin Bieber made it a newsworthy thing. . I literally never had a chance to go to high school as a “normal” student. When I recovered I only knew one thing - singing. I started putting myself out there. I got called in to replace Roger in Rent on Broadway. I walked in, botched the audition and freaked out. I changed my major to Political Science and became a history teacher done with performing. After two Masters Degrees in Education, I felt something was missing. I would literally tear up at a curtain call or a concert.

So after 10 years of not performing, fate intervened. I met up with amazing performers and writers Matt Gould and Griffin Matthews. They just did their show Witness Uganda at the Wallis in Beverly Hills. They helped me literally dust off the rust and get back out there. They told me I had something to say. The first day I sang again I said I had some Unfinished Business to do and it stuck. I called my show that in NY at 54 Below. It is the journey and the lesson that we all have something unfinished to do. Take a step and the path with FOLLOW and do it!

Do you tell anecdotes in your show or just sing? As a principal in SNL, you must love comedy. Any comedic stories or skits we may look forward to?

RB: I think I talk as much as I sing! I have stories for days and have had such an interesting life thankfully! I love to talk about my journey, family, love, and some of the things that I’ve experienced. I love comedy! I grew up obsessed with SNL so being there is beyond anything I could ever imagine. I’m so grateful to just be in the halls of that American Institution!

I do have some fun stories. I talk about my childhood obsession with all things Manilow, being stuck on an elevator with singing legend Phoebe Snow, my personal life which is a show in of itself, etc! There are a lot of laughs. I am all Jersey all day so that totally comes across in the show.

Talk more in depth about SNL. What has this added to your career as a performer? Has improv strengthened your delivery and stamina onstage?

RB: I was first asked to be on SNL in a sketch about the TSA. In the sketch they let me through security with a sketchy bag and book bag while others were not allowed to come through as they had a travel ban. I had to shave my head for the part and I asked the Casting Director, if I shave my head, can I be on a live show? Please! It actually worked. Ask and you shall receive.

Since then I have had big roles, small roles and everything in between. Check out Electric Shoes with Keenan Thompson and see my bass playing wig debut. Seeing the way that show works and how talented they all are is inspiring. I’ve seen some of the best in the biz work up close to make that show fly. It’s always an honor. When I was first on, a friend from elementary school wrote me and said “You used to stay up and watch this show every Saturday and now you are on that stage!” It is a pretty surreal moment!

Improv is simply the best! It is scary which makes the pay off so much better. I am a graduate of Willian Esper for acting under the amazing Barbara Marchant. That program is Meisner acting technique which is mostly improv. That skill is something that makes you so present in your work as an actor and has certainly helped my stage show and listening to the audience moment to moment. It keeps you on your toes and ready for anything! Who knows what will come out of my mouth!?

What is your favorite Broadway show? It does not have to be one that you have done. Why this choice?

RB: That’s a tough question. I love Rent. I loved finally being able to be in Rent after my awful audition as a kid and being Roger. That show resonates with me so deeply about love and living each day to the fullest.

I would love more original musicals to be made on Broadway! Witness Uganda is BRILLIANT! That score is something that has stuck with me. It was genius at the Wallis in Beverly Hills. Matt Gould who co-wrote that show has a new show coming to La Jolla called Lempicka! Go SEE IT! I am hoping after California it takes over NYC!

Any particular role that you are yearning to play onstage? Why this choice?

RB: I would love to play Bobby in Company. I just relate so much to his character and the score is brilliant. I also love comedy and have been singing “My Girlfriend Who Lives In Canada” for years. So I would love to be fitted with a puppet to have some fun in Avenue Q! I am always down for some campy puppet moments.

Did you grow up with music in your family? What inspired you to be an actor and singer?

RB: My parents loved music. My dad loved placing big headphones on me and letting me rock out to Earth Wind and Fire. My mom loved Carly Simon. We would listen to her when she made us breakfast every weekend but don’t ask them to sing! Ha! They are not singers. My parents are kinda shy and I am literally shot out of a canon 24-7. I think I always wanted to make people smile and entertain. I would take the sheets from my bed, make curtains, and put on shows for my family since I could remember.

I tell a story about trying sports and being dreadful (soccer goalie is not on my special skills on my resume) and finally being like nope I quit! Take me to singing lessons instead. Sixth grade hit, I was the Prince in Cinderella at my school, I was hooked. I wanted to sing and act anywhere and everywhere.

My parents were hip and loved music. I was the old soul. I got a karaoke machine for Christmas with the Hits of Manilow and I was sold. Hook line and sinker. I would listen and study him nonstop.

What was it like performing with giants like Patti LaBelle and Whoopi Goldberg? What did you learn from being in their presence?

RB: Wow! I had the pleasure at 12 years old to perform with Ms. LaBelle at a tribute concert for Laura Nyro (songwriter) at the Beacon Theatre. I have loved her since. She was so kind, humble, and a FORCE on stage. She brings 110% everytime and is so authentically herself. Her kindness and authenticity are what makes people love her. I have had the pleasure to see her numerous times after and sing with her again, she is as amazing now as ever! OBSESSED!

Whoopi is such a wonderful performer, kind, and generous. She was such a wonderful person to be around. I think I learned that being kind matters. Being a good listener and remember that you matter and your art matters but you can’t do it without the people who support it.

Do you have a goal in LA? Are you looking toward more work in TV and roles in film? Will stage always remain a vital part of your performing life?

RB: It is so humbling to be booked at Feinstein’s in Studio City. No one is more surprised and honored than me. Three years ago, I had hung it all up and had not done a thing so I’m thrilled people are inspired and supportive. I am focusing on my new album which is on the way based on the one man show and journey. My first love will always be me, a stool, mic, and a piano player. It’s taken me decades to be comfortable sharing my story, and that will always be the one I want to tell first and foremost. I am just happy to meet some new friends in LA and spread my message and music! Therefore stage and the live show will always be the first love. We are always adding more dates so I’m so grateful for that. They are all on RobertBannon.com.

I love TV and film! I would love to do more straight up acting. That is such a fulfilling way to make a living to be the vessel for the text and project either comedy or drama-that is a blast. I would love to be open to whatever life has to surprise me. One thing I learned is it’s gonna surprise me so let’s see where it goes!

Add anything you wish here that we did not already mention.

RB: Thank you so much for your time and platform! Come see me at the show and say hi! I am so excited to share this show with LA! Joining me is Michael Orland as Music Director! Michael was the MD on American Idol for 15 seasons. He’s worked with everyone and is as talented as he is kind. You don’t want to miss what surprises we both have in store. Also, LA has some of the best singers in the world and I happen to know them so expect a bunch of surprises and a lot of fun!

~~Unfinished Business plays at Feinstein's at Vitello's at 4349 Tujunga Ave in Studio City on April 14 at 8 pm. Doors open for dinner at 6: 30 pm Call 818-769-0905 for reservations.~~

* I asked Robert Bannon what he is doing creatively during this time. Are you working on the CD of the American Songbook? When your appearance is rescheduled, maybe it may be a CD release party?

RB: I am working on the album! It will be of the Great American Songbook. It is produced by Bob Magnuson and features arrangements by Tedd Firth and Rich DeRosa of songs you know with my own twist. Thanks to technology we will hopefully do it all digitally and get it ready to be out as soon as possible. I am trying to be as creative as possible with this time out.

The new goal is once we have a new date for Feinstein’s in LA this summer it will be an album release with a whole new show! So I am definitely looking forward to what comes in the future. For now, just sending light and love to everyone to stay safe!