Dezart Performs, the Palm Springs based theatre company is currently presenting the Southern comedy/drama “Invasion of Privacy”, written by Larry Parr and deftly directed by Judith Chapman.  Based on the true story of the fight for one woman’s freedom of speech and another’s right to privacy, the play is a classic example of the constitutional dilemma the judiciary faces when it comes to protecting the rights of all citizens.

As is often the case, big things often have small beginnings.  When Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, the acclaimed southern novelist, Pulitzer Prize winner, and author of “The Yearling” penned her novel “Cross Creek”, in 1942, she never dreamed her stories based on her friends and neighbors would become the basis, of the first-ever libel suit in the state of Florida brought by her friend Zelma Cason.

Similarly, when Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat to a white male passenger, in Birmingham, Alabama 18 years later, she never dreamed that her defiant act of civil disobedience would help launch the 1964 civil rights movement in the South; changing the country forever.  Both cases required the judiciary to weigh in to render a verdict in settling the issues.

Playwright Parr’s comedy-drama takes a lighter tone when it comes to the libel suit “dust-up” between two old friends who have placed their pride and hurt feelings up front and center in this Florida court procedural comedy hoot.  The play is based on actual court records, however the delivery and style of the actors is more comedic than that of a dry, boring, and somewhat dramatic libel suit.

“Invasion of Privacy” director Judith Chapman asks the audience in her program remarks to take a step back in time to the 1940’s.  That was a time when a woman lawyer was a novelty in the South, and man’s moonshine was nobody’s business, and that an “invasion of privacy” lawsuit was something of a brand new issue, which eventually, became a popular reason for going to court.

It’s the solid cast, under Chapman’s direction, that makes the play so appealing and entertaining.  Starring as the warring friends are Gina Bikales, in a finely nuanced serio-comedy performance as Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, and Louise Ross as the prickly, salty-speaking backwoods Floridian Zelma Cason.  The two women are a delight to watch as each tries to score non-legal points from the witness box in the courtroom of dignified and patient, Judge John Murphree, nicely played by Jason Lewis.

The two attorneys:  Yo Younger as the lawyer for Zelma Cason, delivers a cool, but passionate performance as Kate Walton, one of Florida’s first female lawyers.  Corbett Brattin as Sigsbee Scruggs attorney for the defendant Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings brings a spirited, down-home defense case, for a not guilty verdict for the jury to consider. Marjorie’s supportive business-man/hotel owner husband Norton Baskin, gets a finely drawn performance from Peter Nicholson.

“Invasion of Privacy” is one of two Dezart Performs productions that ended in a tie for Best Play in the company’s annual Staged Reading Festival, which is held every April in Palm Springs.  The other play to receive a full production this season was “Exquisite Potential”, which was performed last November.

“Invasion of Privacy” performs at The Pearl McManus Theatre, 314 S. Cahuilla Road, Palm Springs through February 9th.  For tickets call 760-322-0179.

Actor Michael Dante was the featured speaker at Melvyn’s Restaurant and Lounge in Palm Springs. It was dinner with Michael Dante for a Q&A and book signing. Dante’s new book, From Hollywood to Michael Dante Way, is an autobiography of his life and work in Hollywood and the film industry.
Michael spoke to a sold out event in the Garden Room at Melvyn’s. Dante spoke to the guests about his early life and how he got into films. Cowboy actor Ken Maynard was his idol, and he once had the job of taking care of Maynard’s horse. Another idol was Joe DiMaggio, who later became a good friend.

Dante has worked with some of the greatest actors in the business. He starred in Winterhawk that has become a legendary film. Dante has worked on Stage, in TV shows and movies. He was cast as a one-armed soldier in Arizona Raiders with Audie Murphy. He was once a professional Minor-league Baseball player and can tell great stories about his baseball career.

Dante was given the golden star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in 1994. He has appeared in several films with another local actor Fred, The Hammer, Williamson. Dante has been the recipient of the Silver Spur and The Golden Boot Awards.

When it came toe-tapping music and rhythm, one couldn’t beat the swing-time music of the 1940’s. It had tons of energy and action on the bandstand from the likes of Gene Krupa’s drum solos, to the clarinet riffs of Benny Goodman, to the golden trumpet sounds of Harry James.  In the dance department it was the era of swing dancing and the jitterbug.  To all Americans it was known as the “war years”.

As the radio announcer used to say at the beginning of every 1940’s Lone Ranger broadcast  “…we now return to those thrilling days of yesteryear” – but not out west.  Instead Coyote StageWorks, of Palm Springs is taking everyone to a small island in the Pacific where three “4F” USO stagehands prepare for the arrival of the Andrews sisters, who are scheduled to perform their USO show for the troops that night.

In “The Andrews Brothers”, created and written by Roger Bean, it seems the famous Andrews Sisters are a no-show for the troops tonight.  Patty Andrews has come down with the chicken pox and everyone is temporarily quarantined even the backup singers.  Peggy Jones (a vivacious, beautiful, Bets Malone), a professional entertainer and pin-up girl who was scheduled to open the show, now prepares to rehearse with the three stagehands:  Larry Raben as stuttering Patrick; Michael Paternostro as eyeglasses-challenged Lawrence; and Jamie Torcellini as older brother Max.

What’s a girl to do?  Why convince the three brothers that they can go on for the Andrews sisters instead – with her of course!  Its a big stage and the GI’s are seated a long way from the “girls” … humm …It just might work with no one the wiser… yeah sure, and that’s when all the fun begins.

But can “The Andrews Brothers” pull it off you ask?  When one watches the boys in Act One, do their comedy and dance stuff, one begins to think that maybe they just might be able pull off the gig.  Raben, as boyish, expressive-faced, stuttering Patrick (but only when he’s nervous) is a comic delight who dances up a storm.  Owlish Paternostro, who can’t see beyond two feet without his horn-rimed glasses, has energy, comedy timing, and dance moves to burn.  Torcellini, the somewhat height-challenged oldest brother Max, makes up for his shorter stature in energy, timing, nifty tap routines and wise cracks.  Choreographer Roger Castellano dreams up clever moves and routines that make the entire cast just shine in the song and dance sequences.

As ACT Two begins, the boys morph into “girls” as the Andrews sisters, and then it’s off to the zany, hilarious, comedy races.  Not only are several of the iconic Andrews Sisters songs like “Rum & Coca Cola”,  “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B”, and “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree” hilariously performed; there are twenty-six additional  songs of the 1940’s, that take the audience down memory lane thanks to Ms. Malone’s terrific singing voice and her comedy skills. It also helps to have a live seven-piece band on stage to provide accompaniment led by Music Director Colin Freeman.

Producer Chuck Yates and the entire creative team led by the inspired direction of
Nicholas Degruccio; Scenic Designer Josh Clabaugh; Lighting Designer Phil Murphy; Costume Designer Carlotta Malone; Wardrobe Mistress Chaneen McCurdy; and Stage Manager Jill Gold provide a feast for the eyes and ears, and the memories of those old enough to remember WW II.  And if you’re not old enough, then just sit back, relax, and enjoy this musical production for what it is – a fabulous show!

“The Andrews Brothers” runs at the Annenberg Theatre, in Palm Springs, through February 16, 2014.  For tickets call the box office at760-325-4490.

The Student Rebellion of 1832 in Paris (often confused with the French Revolution of 1789 by most Americans) becomes the inspiration for the story of “Les Miserables”, the huge 1500 page novel, written by Victor Hugo.  The musical play seen around the world for the last 28 years, created by Alain Boublil, Claude-Michel Schonberg, and Herbert Kretzmer, with additional material by James Fenton, is currently wowing audiences at the Palm Canyon Theatre (PCT), in Palm Springs.

Masterfully directed by Rodney Tethal, this “Les Miz” production stars two gifted performers in the lead roles: Raymond B. Johnson as Jean ValJean, and Mark Almy as Inspector Javert.  Their voices are strong, commanding, and mesmerizing in their nuanced execution.  It’s always a pleasure to see and listen to gifted singers who also can act.  And these two gentlemen do not disappoint.  Neither does the cast of twenty-nine performers who are uniformly solid in their support in vividly bringing to life a tale of epic proportions in 1832, Paris, France.

There isn’t enough space to render a summation of the plot that covers a period of nineteen years.  Thank goodness, the story of Val ValJean and Javert is familiar to most everyone.  And if you’re not, suffice it to say, it’s Jean ValJean’s odyssey and journey through life; fueled by the power of love, the healing balm of forgiveness, and the peace that comes with redemption, that makes “Les Miserables” so appealing and universally accepted.  Johnson’s flawless falsetto rendition of the haunting song “Bring Him Home” is one of the many highlights in this splendid production.

The Palm Canyon Theatre production is steeped in emotion and passion.  The music and the lyrics are rousing and at the same time, tender, personal, and extremely affecting.  Lots of glistening eyes and a few Kleenex moments could be detected in the audience.  The tale written over 150 years ago, still, eerily resonates with audiences today.

One of the strengths of the Palm Canyon Theatre lies in its technical and creative team for each production.   A great deal of the credit for the stunning set designs and technical magic over the years belongs to resident design wizard J.W. Layne.   I still remember his wonderful designs of “Man of La Mancha”, “West Side Story”, “Cats”, and “Sunset Boulevard” among his many award-winning productions.  His set design of “Les Miz” is another visually evocative design of 1830’s Paris.

Music director Dr. Charles Britt Ensley, and his choral orchestrations for the ensemble are inspirational.  His orchestrations for the principals also, enhance their performances as well.  When the orchestrations are integrated with the full chorus, the result delivers a knockout punch to the audience.

The costumes designed by Se Layne and Jennifer Stowe has the look of authenticity and nicely help in recalling that period in French history. Prop Master Nick Edwards provides the little touches that separate a good show from a great one.

In such a large cast it’s always difficult to include everyone, however, there are always standouts.  With that said, standouts alphabetically include: Alegra Angelo; Alisha Bates as Eponine; Morgana Corelli as Madame Thenardier; Charles Harvey as The Bishop of Digne; Larry Martin as the Foreman; Se Layne as Fantine; Nicholas Sloan as Enjolras; Shafik Wahhab as Marius; Jamie Leigh Walker as Cosette; and Tom Warrick as Thenardier.

Large, epic stories that are to be told theatrically usually bring large challenges for the director.  This PCT production is fortunate to have Rodney Tethal, a creative, actor/director in charge.   His stage and traffic management skills make the scenes involving up to twenty-nine performers on stage, at times, flow like liquid gold (I’m sure the stage manager helped too).  There is nothing better than having a creative director with a personal vision in charge.

“Les Miserables” at the Palm Canyon Theatre, in Palm Springs, runs through February 9th.  For reservations and ticket call 760-323-5123.  You won’t be disappointed.