Stagecoach exceeded all expectations again this year. The weather was better than Coachella Fest with less wind and mild temperatures. Some of the top names in country music performed on the Mane Stage. Friday nights lineup included Thomas Rhett, Easton Corbin, Brantley Gilbert and Eric Church. Other bands performed earlier in the day on the Mane Stage. The Palomino stage saw favorites Shelby Lynne, Katey Sagal and Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Black Lillies and Wailin Jennys on the Mustang Stage. Some of the bluegrass bands played early in the afternoon.

The evening performances on Saturday included Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland, Tyler Farr and the young heart throb, Hunter Hayes. Hunter was all over the stage and showed how versatile he really is by playing the piano, the drums and the guitar to perfection. The final artist was Jason Aldean.

Evening shows on the Palomino stage saw Don McLean, Crystal Gayle and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Tramples by turtles and Whiskey Shivers played on the Mustang Stage. There were many good singers and bands earlier that a lot of the fans missed because they were focused on the night shows.

Sunday night’s performers were Lee Brice, and Florida Georgia Line that really got the audience rallying around the songs. FGL is all over the stage and went from one platform to another to sing. The fans stuck around for the whole show of Luke Bryan. It was wall to wall fans all the way to the Ferris Wheel in the back of the area.

Duane Eddy, Wanda Jackson, Michael Nesmith and John Prine played the Palomino Stage while Sleepy Man Banjo Boys and Asleep at the Wheel play the Mustang stage.

There was the Half Pint Hootenanny tent for youngsters and the Honky Tonk dance hall for dancing enthusiastic. Long lines were at the shop’s selling T-shirts and cowboy hats. Groups of young people waited in line to recharge cell phones as selfies and videos were a big part of the days.

A huge supply of various foods and drinks were available for purchase at several locations. It seemed that Friday saw the younger crowd while Sat and Sunday saw all ages. Cowboy boots were worn and of course, the young girls wore short shorts and skimpy tops. The younger guys were bare chested showing their tattoos and muscles. It’s a fun party for all ages, and everyone got to hear their favorite artist to boot.

Michael Childers presented his annual  on April 23rd. The theme was the Traditional Legacy of Broadway as written by so many Jewish Composers, producers and writers. The Jewish men and women took Broadway to new heights with their talents. Some of the shows they produced lasted for years on Broadway and their songs are still sung today. Each song brings a nostalgic moment in time and came from long standing Broadway shows or movies.
Over 25 selected Broadway Stars performed these timeless songs. Jim Brochu was the first to perform with the song, If I Were a Rich Man. Billy Stritch sang a medley of Tin Pan Alley, Alexander’s Ragtime Band, and Jeffrey Scott Parson sang, Oh How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning. Sharon McNight sang the bawdy song, Last of the Red Hot Mamas and Chrisinte Andreas sang, Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered. Brian Childers sang, Minnie the Moocher, and Vicki Lewis sang, West End Avenue. Alix Korey and Janene Lovullo sang ;The Grass is Always Greener, and Debra Monk sang, Everybody’s Girl.

Our own local Peter Marshall sang; Song on the Sand and Von Smith sang, Some where. Liz Callaway has performed before and did, The Story Goes On, and Donna McKechnie sang, The Music & The Mirror. There was an intermission and as soon as the audience was seated Charles Busch brought Kaye Ballard to the stage to honor her with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Other performers were Millicent Martin; I Never Do Anything Twice, with Roger Bart, The Brain, and Dee Hoty; No Man Left for Me, and Shana Blake Hill sang, Children of the Wind.

Kevin Earley sang; I thought That I Could Live That Way, and then comedian Bruce Vilance came to tell a few jokes and sing, You Won’t Succeed On Broadway. Sal Mistretta has also performed before and sang, In My Own Lifetime. Teri White sang, Fifty Percent. Julia Murney sang. They Just Keep Moving the Line. Mimi Hines made several appearances on stage before she sang, The Music That Makes Me Dance, and then the entire cast came on stage to sing Sunrise Sunset, from Fiddler on the Roof, as the finale.

Jewish Family services of the Desert were the beneficiaries of the show. Michael Childers was the producer with honorary co-chairs, Annette Bloch, Helene Galen, Barbara Keller and Harold Matzner. Event co-chairs were Barbara Fromm and Terri Ketover. The show was written by Calvin Remsberg and John McDaniel was the Music Director and did the Orchestrations. Ken Katz was the Executive Producer. Jewish Family Services provided assistance to over 5000 people last year with its many programs and counseling.

The Annual Pre-show Party for “One Night Only” Cast and Major donor was held at the home of Helene Galen on April 22nd. Hostess Helene Galen and host Jamie Kabler made each guest feel important.

A Mariachi band greeted each guest, and valet took their cars as parking was limited. A buffet was served, and drinks flowed freely. This is a party that lets everyone just happily greet each other in an intimate setting, and the cast get a chance to talk to each other informally and not feel as thought it is a job to do.

There are always surprises at this party as the cast members give a private performance for their fellow cast mates and donors. Jamie Kabler called everyone to the back by the pool for another surprise. The Palm Springs Spirit of the Sand High School Band played several selections for the guests. Helene Galen surprised everyone with a song to start the evening’s performances.

Singer Liz Calloway started off with a song to Helene Galen and Jamie Kabler while all the guests listened. Alix Korey followed Liz with another beautiful rendition, and Brian Childers also delighted the guests. They were just a few of the cast that sang during the evening. The cast loves to perform at this intimate setting and a very appreciative audience.

When a playwright or a performer wishes to pay tribute to an iconic personality or a celebrity there are bound to be inherent challenges in trying to render that individual as a human being; complete with all the baggage, foibles, and short comings we humans all possess.

Politics aside, one cannot deny the sheer talent and personality of Paul Robeson. He was a lawyer, a professional athlete, a social activist, albeit one of some controversy. But he was a wonderfully gifted Basso singer, and actor with a deep, rich, vocal range, who gave powerful performances, both on the stage and in the movies.

Robeson was a tall, handsome man with a keen intellect who was much in demand as a public speaker. He graduated from Rutgers University as class valedictorian, and a member of Phi Beta Kappa, who was also an African American in a time when our society felt no black Americans were equal to whites. Unfortunately, there are some who still harbor such feelings today.

The challenge of bringing the story of this complicated, but talented individual to the stage of the Mark Taper Forum, falls to playwright, actor, singer, director Daniel Beaty, who by the way is more than equal to the challenge. Beaty, is a seasoned, award-winning actor, singer, playwright, motivational speaker, and the author the critically acclaimed plays: “Through the Night”, “Emergency”, “Mr. Joy”, and “The Tallest Tree in the Forest”.

Under the watchful eye of Tony and Emmy nominated director and playwright Moises Kaufman, Beaty displays his virtuosity in being able to play two and three characters at the same time in the same scene. It’s astonishing to watch him portray Robeson’s wife Essie, and others simultaneously, by altering his voice. And, what a voice he has! Like Robeson, Beaty has a deep, rich voice, and the talent to go along with it when it comes to the acting. Yet, when speaking as Essie, his voice rises a full octave, only to instantly switch back when he answers her as Robeson. In its execution, it’s a tour de force performance. He deserved the standing ovation he received from the theatrically savvy Mark Taper Forum audience.

A great deal of the credit for the success of this solo show must also go to the creative team led by director Moises Kaufman. Under the excellent musical direction, incidental music and arrangements, of Kenny J. Seymour, the fifteen songs selected to represent Robeson’s most famous roles are spot-on. “Old Man River” which is synonymous with Robeson is reprised twice. The two level stage area is a visually interesting set design by Derek McLane (the background and walls represent a forest of tall trees) while the interior of the Robeson home has a warm look and feel. David Lander nicely provides many dramatic lighting touches to go with his overall solid lighting design. Also, the production is enriched by the projection designs of John Narun, who smartly captures the mood of the country at a time when the McCarthy House Un-American Activities Committee was in full sway. Also, the creative sound design of Lindsay Jones, adds to the verisimilitude of this splendid production.

“The Tallest Tree in the Forest” is an impressive and worthwhile evening spent in the theatre. The production runs through May 25, 2014.

A three day family-friendly global dance experience for music lovers

The 12th Annual Joshua Tree Music Festival (JTMF) is happening May 15th-18th in Joshua Tree, CA, merging its funky desert style with an internationally acclaimed lineup of dance music all-stars. The three day family-friendly festival is truly a global dance experience. The festival melds the overwhelming spirit of desert freedom with powerful music from around the world to create a lighthearted oasis for music lovers. Magically magnificent art installations, a robust Kidsville schedule, the heavily shaded Music Bowl, a full spectrum of yoga classes, didjeridu playshops, and a global market further inspire, intrigue and invite festival goers. Discover your new favorite band and dozens of new friends in the shadows of the otherworldly Joshua Tree National Park.

This year’s lineup features the transcendent buoyancy of Nahko & Medicine for the People, the potent live electronica of Future Rock, the tribal beats of Australia’s Oka, Oumar Konate from Mali, Grammy Award winners La Santa Cecilia, house music pioneer Miguel Migs, gritty urban electro soul from Fly Moon Royalty, the anthemic and timeless Random Rab, the psychedelic bluegrassy space funk of the Magic Beans, the power-soul-punk songstress Elle King, and from New Orleans the raging funk and roll experience that is The Revivalists, to name a few.

Click here for the full line-up, schedule, and festival info: http://www.joshuatreemusicfestival.com