CV REP of Rancho Mirage, California, one of the best Equity Theatre companies in the Coachella Valley, brings down the curtain on the final play of their highly successful 2013-2014 season of a four-play retrospective of Tony-winning playwright Terrence McNally’s early years.

The CV REP 2013-2014 season consisting of only McNally plays was an inspired decision by Founder and Artistic Director Ron Celona on several fronts.  First, it brings the work one of the country’s finest playwright’s to audiences of the Coachella Valley.  Second, it affords a venue for professional actors to, not only perform and stretch, but to enrich the four productions under Celona’s deft and steady direction.  As they say, it’s a win-win situation.  The preceding three shows: “Master Class”, “The Story of My Life”, “A Perfect Ganesh” were all first-rate, top tier productions.

With “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune”, CV REP presents a poignant comedy about two lonely people, both in their forties, whose first date ends in a one night stand with both looking for something more out of life in their work-a-day lives as a waitress and a short order cook than just working at the same hash joint.

This production is a play about grown ups for grown ups.  It’s a two-character play that begins in a bed with its two characters naked, making love.  There is brief nudity, yes, but it’s not gratuitous, it’s integral.  If you can get past this moment, then you’re in for an evening of honesty, relevancy, poignancy, and a feeling that maybe, just maybe, there is hope for people to conquer their fears on the bumpy road of life as they attempt to maneuver the minefield we call love.

Frankie (Stephanie Dawn Greene, in a finely nuanced turn) is a survivor of the dating wars.  She’s been burned before but is still cautiously vulnerable to romantic blandishments.  As a waitress in a diner she interfaces with the short order cook Johnny (a charming, yet at times, an intense and vulnerable Joel Bryant)who, for lack of a better description, is not a great catch as husband material.  He’s divorced, has done time in prison and like Frankie, is trying move on with his life.  But he’s cocoanuts about her and he’s sweetly earnest and persistent in his pursuit of her.  He’s positive she is the woman he wants to marry and he tells her so all the time.

Following their initial roll in the hay, Frankie says she’s hungry for a “western omelet” (she gave up cigarettes ages ago). Johnny jumps at the opportunity to display his cooking expertise. They slowly begin to talk and open up about themselves, and like many who have been near the bottom rung of the economic ladder their dreams are often just out of reach, but neither ever gives up.  Frankie recently out of an abusive relationship is wary of all men.  So sexual closeness brings out her protective cynical side.

The on-stage chemistry between Bryant and Greene is literally palpable, and their performances are richly nuanced.  Both actors move between comedy and drama with fluidity and expertise.  We’re pulling for this couple to get past this first date, one-night stand situation, and move on together becoming a permanent couple. Americans love stories with happy endings.

“Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune” is a poignant peek into the lives of two people seeking to connect without getting hurt once again.  Their situation reminded me of the lyrics in many of the songs of the great Carole King.  King’s heroines after the breakup, always picked themselves up, dusted off, and then returned to the dating wars to try again.  There’s no doubt about it.  Women are indomitable.

There is not a wasted moment in this play.  McNally is a master craftsman, and Celona’s direction is equal to the material.  Once again, the set design by Jimmy Cuomo provides the space and feeling so necessary for the actors to create and perform their magic. Lighting by Stuart A. Fabel, Costumes by Aalsa Lee, with Sound by Kara Masek, along with Stage Manager Karen Goodwin, make this splendid production an entertaining evening of theatre.

“Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune” runs through April 6, 2014.  It’s a fitting production on which to end CV REP Theatre’s 2013-2014 Season.  Don’t Miss It!

The winners at the BNP Paribas Open Tennis Tournament were awarded their trophies on Sunday March 16th after the women, and men’s finals were over. The stadium was filled with tennis fans who came to see the top players in tennis fight it out for the championship. The men’s final was probably the most exciting match at the Gardens in Years. It was touch and go as to the winner who went into a tie breaker to determine the winner.

Novak Djokovic topped Roger Federer an edge of your seat match. Over 16,800 fans watched this battle of two of the best men’s tennis players who have both won championships at the BNP Parabas Open. There were long volleys between the two with one or the other having a miss hit. It was a very difficult match to win for either of them, and each played extremely well.

Flavia Pannette defeated Agnieszka Radwanska in just 2 sets, 6-2 and 6-1. Radwanska was in tears at the awards ceremony as she said it was bad luck that she had a knee injury at the wrong time in the tournament. She had her knee, and shoulder taped all during the match. Pannette played extremely well to get to the finals and become the 2014 Champion.

The Bryan Brothers from the USA won their second back to back championship by defeating Alexander Peya and Bruno Soares in two sets, 6-4,6-3. Women’s number 1 seeds Su-wei Hsieh and Shuai Peng defeated Cara Black and Sania Mirza in 2 sets, 7-6<5>, 6-2. The Doubles Finals were played on Saturday. March 15th to a packed house.

The BNP Paribas Open set attendance records again this year with more than 431,000 fans attending. The Open also set another record for the Saturday matches with over 32,000 fans for the day session. This is World-Class Tennis in our own backyard each year with a freshly renovated facility with parking, a brand new stadium 2, three new restaurant, a 19,000 square foot shade structure, additional practice court, entertainment each day at the food courts and sooo much more.

2015 BNP Paribas Open tickets went on sale on March 19th. Classic Series Packages includes all 21 sessions in the Main Stadium and are the best seats and values. The newly opened Stadium 2 will also offer classic series tickets. This is two weeks of the highest quality tennis events in the USA.

Modernism Week was another smashing success. The week started with a preview and sale party at the Palm Springs Convention Center on Friday. Events are planned every day from Feb 13th through the 23rd. People come from all over the United States for this event. People interested in modern and contemporary design find this a complete event for all facets of the eras.

Double Decker busses to give tours daily for some of the best architectural designs in Palm Springs. There are also walking tours of the local shops, hotels and galleries. These included a new place or venue each day. There were lectures, special appearances and autograph sessions. Hugh M. Kaptur AIA was honored with a Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars on Friday, Feb. 14th.

Evening parties started with opening night at Caliente Tropics Hotel in Palm Springs called, Modern Mambo, where guests converged after the Friday Show and Sale event. Other parties were held each night at various locations like The Purple Room and Hard-Rock Hotel. There was even a pool party at the Saguaro Hotel. Something different for each person attending every day. Events started early each day at 9 and lasted until the wee hour of the night

Entertainment was provided at each party every night. The Gand Band with Tony Grandberry, Rockin the Gatsby, DJ Alf Alph, Marty Lush and his Latin Livers, The Blue Hawaiians and Steve Di Tullio and his Rat Pack Pals to name just a few of the entertainers who was a big part of Modernism Week.

The Frank Sinatra Celebrity Invitational Golf and Galas held its golf-tournament at Fantasy Springs Golf Course on Friday and Saturday. There was a pairings’ party on Thursday night were golfers found out which celebrity they would be paired with and their other golfing partners for their team. Thursday night’s party is a chance for old friends to meet as many of the participants arrive each year.

A surprise award was given to Peter Marshall by last year’s honoree Frankie Randall. Marshall has been a huge supporter for this event for many years. A cocktail reception starts the evening with a buffet supper and a silent and live auction. All proceeds goes to the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center who helps abandoned, and abused children free of charge if they are unable to pay.

Entertainment was provided by Steve Azar. He took the audience by surprise with all his talent for singing and guitar playing. Friday night’s entertainment was delivered by Deana Martin, daughter of Dean Martin. She sure inherited some of her fathers singing abilities. A Live auction on Friday brought many dollars for the Children’s Center.

Friday night’s party was a good time to relax after a great day on the golf course. Golfers talked about the days game and enjoyed another party at Frank Sinatra’s “Little Party in the Desert” as it is always called.

Some of the participating celebrities included, Pat Boone, Vince Ferrigamo, Steve Garvey, Joe Mantegna, Jim McMahon, Ann Meyers Drysdale, Paula Trickey, Gary Valentine and Rollie Fingers to name just a few. A few celebrities not golfing included Carol Connors, Norm Crosby, Peter Marshall, Michael Dante, Frankie Randall and Deana Martin. A great list of celebrities, many come each year to support the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center.