Coachella Valley Repertory Company (CV REP) artistic director Ron Celona is currently staging Cormac McCarthy’s powerful drama “Sunset Limited”, at the Rancho Mirage-based theatre as the final production of their highly successful second season.

Playwright McCarthy has a long list of credits:  He’s written ten novels. He’s won a Pulitzer Prize.  And a few years back one of his novels, “No Country for Old Men”, was turned into an Academy award-winning movie.  His current allegorical play “Sunset Limited”, deftly directed by Celona and starring ML Berry as Black, and Don Oscar Smith as White, is a curious piece.

The actors are very strong in their portrayals of two men drawn together in a Harlem apartment to discuss the vagaries of life and the veracity of the hereafter.  However, McCarthy’s story is surprisingly weak and somewhat repetitive considering the gravity of the subject matter.  And that’s odd coming from him. He is usually very grounded in reality in his writing. This cautionary tale of confronting suicide and faith head-on, is talky, but it comes to grips with how these two men deal with the situation. Black’s (Berry) faith is what drives the story forward, while White’s (Smith) nihilism constantly puts Black to his test of faith.

 Having a dialectic discourse between Black and White is a lot like having a discussion between Senator Harry Reid and Speaker John Boehner, on the merits of Budget reform and how to go about it.  These two fine actors just do it, but with more courtesy and intelligence.  Each scores points, depending on one’s philosophical/religious bent.   Also the title of the play is a little ambiguous.   It refers to when suicidal people do make a decision (at least in NYC), their favorite course of action is to “off themselves” by jumping in front of a subway car or a train engine and into the sunset and nothingness…forever… or do they?  And that becomes the knotty problem for Black and White, and the audience.  It’s the sort of provocative story that makes for thoughtful discussion over a cup of coffee with friends after leaving the theatre.

In the technical credits department director Celona has Scenic Designer Jimmy Cuomo provide a grungy looking Harlem apartment setting for Berry and Smith to give those philosophical arguments heft and weight.  Cuomo’s Set Designs over the first two seasons have been first rate along with Stuart A. Fabel’s lighting designs, Cricket S. Meyers’ sound designs and excellent support from Karen Goodwin, stage manager extraordinaire and light/sound operator.

CV Rep’s theatre operations may be dark until next season’s opening production, but CV Rep is busy all year long.  They conduct outreach programs for the schools in the Valley, as well as other theatre related events throughout the year.  Their Luminary Luncheon series with celebrities and stars is very popular with their audiences and the public.  For information to any of their functions call 760-296-2966 or go online at: www.cvrep.org.

Dental Services 

 Fillings 

 Extractions 

 Cleaning 

Vision Services 

 Vision Examination 

 Prescriptions 

 Free eye glasses made on site 

Medical Services 

 General medical exams 

 Diabetes Screening 

 Inoculations 

 HIV testing 

RAM California Expedition Coachella Valley 

April 4-7, 2013 

Riverside / Indio Fairgrounds in Indio 

Patient Entrance—Gate 6 off Dr. Carreon Blvd. 

Patient Information:

What you need to know:

RAM intends to help everyone they can however we are limited by time, space, number of professional volunteers, and supplies. Because the ser-vices are free we expect thousands to show up. These services are provided on a first come first served basis. Each day we will be giving out patient numbers starting at 3:30 am on the morning of that day’s clinic. Only 1 (one) number will be issued to each person in line. You may wait in line for someone whose circumstances do not allow them to wait, but you will not receive a number for yourself as well. Once numbers run out, no other numbers will be issued for that day’s clinic. What happens next:

Starting at 5:30 am patients with numbers will be let into the clinic area in small groups to register. Once registered, patients will wait inside (seating is provided) to be seen by volunteer professionals. Volunteers will provide services to patients all day. Please note: If you do not have a number by about 6 am you may not get served. These clinics fill up fast so you if you arrive later in the day you may not get service. Because of the large number of patients seen each day, you should determine what your greatest need is (dental, medical, vision), and proceed to that treatment area first. What to bring:

It may be a very long day and your comfort is your responsibility. Free sack lunches will be provided patients inside the clinic.

What Not To Bring:

No drugs , alcohol or firearms. All Services are Free. You do NOT need insurance or ID.

For more information see our website.

RAM California 

950 Reserve Drive , Suite 120

Roseville, CA 95678

Phone: (916) 749-4170

Fax: (916) 772-9220

www.ram-ca.org

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s quasi-gothic musical “Sunset Blvd” is currently on stage at the Palm Canyon Theatre (PCT) in Palm Springs for a two-week run.  The production under the sharp direction of TV star Judith Chapman, who, when she’s not directing, can be seen on the television show “The Young and the Restless”, stars two Norma Desmond’s:  local performers Pamla Vale Abramson and Joey English.  Both stars have their romantic eyes focused on splendid tenor and leading man David McLaughlin as Joe Gillis (the William Holden role in the movie), in this lush and richly textured musical production and story of Hollywood of the 40s and 50s.

The musical based on the movie of the same name, also stars the wonderful Baritone Mark Almy as Max Von Mayerling, the butler and protector of Norma Desmond, a faded screen goddess of the silent movie era.  Newcomer Sarah Noe, boasting a lovely Soprano voice, shines in her portrayal as Betty Schaefer an aspiring writer on the Paramount lot who falls for fated Joe Gillis.  Her duets with McLaughlin are sweet-voiced, and one can feel their on-stage chemistry.

 The cast of twenty-two talented performer/singer/dancer/actors, bring a freshness and a high level of energy to this “boulevard of broken dreams” show, which Don Black and Christopher Hampton, co-librettists and lyricists have so emotionally hit spot on the nose.  There may be 8 million stories in the Big Apple, but Hollywood and Beverly Hills has Sunset Blvd, “the emotional boulevard of broken dreams” for young hopefuls from all over the world vying for a chance to grab the brass ring, glory, and a career in the movies.  And that trumps the hard-scrabble stories of NYC.

Also featured in solid support are: Luke Rainey as Artie Green, Betty Schaefer’s boyfriend; Tom Warrick as Cecil B. De Mille; (also a great look-alike for FDR); Larry Martin as Manfred; and Nick Edwards as Sheldrake.   In the technical department, J.W. Layne, the resident wizard of Scenic and Lighting Design at PCT, has very creatively integrated a series of projections that moves the on-stage story forward (I detect the fine hand of the director making a request here), not only the story, but the overall visual look of the production.  Layne’s magnificent set design for Norma Desmond’s Sunset Blvd mansion is the visual highlight of the evening.  Great props and set decoration by Nick Edwards enhance the production becoming eye candy for the audience. But I wish some one would turn down the volume several notches so we can hear both the music and the lyrics.

Pamla Vale Abramson is a wonderful Norma Desmond.  She captures the spirit and the essence of the early Hollywood era through use of her marvelous eyes, hand gestures, and actor’s instincts, all the while never losing sight, of her role in bringing a bygone era back, if just for just awhile, for the audience to spend some nostalgia time and appreciate its glorious past.  David McLaughlin’s Joe Gillis brings the right amount of cynicism, brashness, and ambition to his ambivalent gigolo performance.  His strong voice and understanding of his unappetizing character makes his performance one of his best leading man roles to date.  Of course, enough can never be said of Baritone Mark Almy as a performer.  He has been one of the Valley’s leading men and magnificent baritones for many seasons.  His performances and his dedication in becoming the characters he portrays are legendary and are inspirational to his fellow actors, as well as to his audiences.

Director Judith Chapman is a bit of a national treasure when it comes to talent, creativity and dedication to the craft of being a performer.  Her personal vision and directorial touches in this “Sunset Blvd” production are evident everywhere in this show.  The Palm Canyon Theatre has a wonderfully entertaining show for all to see and enjoy.  “Sunset Blvd” runs through March 24th.  For reservations call 760-323-5123.