The Old Globe Theatre is where talented and creative minds come together to conjure up breathtakingly fresh theatrical ideas.  Unlike the alchemists and dreamers of old who thought they could turn lead into gold, our modern day theatrical alchemists now work with words, songs and music.  When called upon they can indeed, reinvent and turn out smashingly good results delivering a wonderful, witty, and brilliantly entertainingly evening of theatre in the bargain.

Which brings me to “A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder” now currently at The Old Globe’s Donald and Darlene Shiley stage in San Diego’s Balboa Park.  This world premiere musical comedy conjured up by the remarkable team of Robert L. Freedman and Steven Lutvak, and brilliantly directed by Darko Tresnjak, is an early Christmas gift to the city of San Diego.

Good as the creators of this hilarious production are, it still takes wonderfully talented actor/singers, and a first-rate creative team to seal the deal.  Without this superb cast, one would probably have a good show, yes.  But with a great cast one can have a great show.  And that’s the reality currently taking place at one of America’s finest Regional theatres.  There’s not a false note in this production.

The story is not new by a long shot. Roy Horniman’s novel “Israel Rank” became the basis of the 1949 British comedy movie “Kind Hearts and Coronets”.  The black-comedy  film about English aristocrats, their titles, and the role of succession in their Edwardian society, made an international star out of Alec Guinness.  So, the project is off to a good start.

The play revolves around Monty Navarro (a terrific Ken Barnett with a terrific voice), who is on a mission to avenge the honor of his deceased mother in this extremely funny and entertaining musical about a “serial killer” with a hidden agenda.  Navarro is determined to avenge the family honor and inherit an Earldom in the process.  I know, I know.  How can one make a hero and/or a likable protagonist out of a character who is dead set (pun intended) on murdering his relatives in a quest for a mere Earldom, you ask?  Have you ever heard of a chap named Richard III or an organization called The Friends of Richard III?  According to the society’s PR flack, the poor fellow was outrageously misunderstood.  Richard couldn’t or wouldn’t hurt a fly, let alone murder his relatives… even for a kingdom.

Be that as it may, this production is a musical comedy and a darn funny one at that.

There are eight D’Ysquith relatives who stand in Monty’s way in his quest to become the Ninth Earl of Highhurst, and all eight D’Ysquith characters are brilliantly played by the incredible, Tony-winning Jefferson Mays.  It’s an amazing, athletic, glisteningly polished tour de force performance.

In between the silliness and the serious, there’s time for two love interests to distract Monty from his primary plan.  Sibella (the lovely, svelte, soprano played by Lisa O’Hare) is the object of Monty’s fantasy-wife image.  She however, doesn’t find him suitable husband material.  He has no money or social position.  The result…Sibella marries another, but she doesn’t cut the “mistress” chord completely much to Monty’s relief.

Phoebe D’Ysquith (a patrician-like Chilina Kennedy and the possessor of a fabulous voice) on the other hand, is rich and she has a social position in spades!  It’s a no-brainer… Monty becomes engaged to Phoebe and the elimination contest begins.

What is so entertaining – if I may use that word in the context of the title – about “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” is how creatively the authors and director Tresnjak have planned the many different methods that are used to eliminate the D’Ysquith line of succession.   It’s absolutely delightful to watch nine performers go through their paces with precision, crispness, and confidence.  With a solid cast of supporting and ensemble players, this delicious production is a feast for the eyes and ears.

Just the way it’s staged, with its picture-book framing of scenes, the classic look of Edwardian England and its many clever directorial touches, it’s easy to see the fingerprints of director Tresnjak all over this production (he does like the color red as I remember from his days as the Globe’s former artistic director).

The creative team for this production features: Scenic Designer Alexander Dodge; Lighting Designer Philip S. Rosenberg. Costumes designed by Linda Cho; Sound design by Dan Moses Schreier; Projection Designs by Aaron Rhyne; Music Director Mike Ruckles; Jonathan Tunick Orchestrations; and Vocal Arrangements by Diane Adams McDowell and Steve Lutvak.  A special kudo goes to Dialect Consultant Jan Gist for keeping the Yanks on their “accent toes”.

“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” is another winning production from The Old Globe, and one that has “Broadway transfer potential” stamped boldly on it from the minute the curtain went up.  It runs through April 14th.  Don’t miss it!

Angel View, a sixty-year-old local nonprofit that operates 19-care homes, as well as community outreach and day programs, received the coveted 2012 Julie Copeland Award from the Champions Volunteer Foundation on March 17 during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Julie Copeland, who passed away in 1996, was a former tournament director who worked selflessly with the Champions Volunteer Foundation volunteers for many years. Copeland was a tennis legend in her own right as the tennis hostess at the renowned Racquet Club in Palm Springs, which was built and owned by Charlie Farrell.

The cash award of $5000 was presented to Angel View president Mel Haber on the main stadium court before the final championship matches by Mrs. Barbara Sinatra, who was a close personal friend of Copeland. It was the hopes of the Champions Volunteer Foundation that the monies would help Angel View further reach its goals of underwriting costs associated with its new outreach program.

“It was such a honor for me to stand center court and receive this prestigious award on behalf of Angel View,” said Haber. “The Champions Volunteer Foundation generous $5000 will indeed help advance our outreach that provides special services to local families and residents who have children with disabilities receive both onsite and offsite therapeutic help and referral guidance.”

March 27, 2013, Palm Springs, CA – KPSI 920 AM, long known as the valley’s best source for conservative talk, has changed it’s program line-up, and expanded its already impressive list of conservative commentators. “We’re starting the day with The Glenn Beck Program,” said RR Broadcasting’s General Manager, Jack Broady. “The Glenn Beck Program will start at 6am and run until 9am Monday through Friday, with local news breaks every hour.”

The Rush Limbaugh Show, the “most listened to” talk radio show in America, will continue in its time-slot, starting at 9am and running until noon. Following that, will be The Dennis Miller Show, which has been expanded from one hour to two hours and runs from 12p to2p. Long time conservative broadcaster Dennis Prager has also been added to the  KPSI line-up, and will now be heard from 2 to 4p. At 4pm, KPSI goes local with the ever-popular Rich Gilgallon Show, which runs until 6pm every weekday. 

“We’ve gathered the top names in conservative talk, and put them together for a line-up that just can’t be beat,” Broady continued. “Fans of conservative talk have always had a home on KPSI. We’ve just kicked it up a notch. And of course, we will continue to bring our listeners the very best in local, regional and national news.”

KPSI 920 AM is a Southern California heritage station and is celebrating it’s 43rd year on the air.

It can be heard throughout the Coachella Valley on the radio

and is also streamed live over the internet at http://newstalk920.com