Local Theatre Buzz

Please note: we have organized this by the date of the final performance. New additions this week are highlighted in Bold Red.

Help Save Julie Johnson! 

What happens when an uneducated housewife and mother of two reaches the end of he rope with both a bad marriage and personal shortcomings?  Find out now at the Sol Theatre Project which is located at 1140 North Flagler Drive, which is down the street from Bill’s Filling Station and just north of Sunrise Blvd.  For questions, times, and prices call them at 954-525-6555 or email them at sol_theatre@bellsouth.net. 

Julie Johnson is proudly sponsored by New Moon Café where, with every ticket purchased, you get a free drink!  Th play opens Friday, August 11^th, and runs through Sunday September 3^rd. 

25 Questions for a Jewish Mother, through August 5th 

Judy Gold, Emmy Winning Comedian describes her experiences as a gay mother of two sons [big stretch—both her and her wife have two kids] and as the daughter of a quintessential Jewish mother.  The show opens Thursday, July 27^th and runs through August 5^th.  Performances are at the Kravis Center Rinker Playhouse at 701 Okeechobee Blvd, in West Palm Beach and for tickets or further information, call 561-832-7469. 

25 Years of Memories, through August 6th

The Broward Center will be hosting the 25^th anniversary tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats for seven performances from August 2^nd through the 6^th.  Tickets are $20-$58 and can be purchased at either 954*462-0222 or www.ticketmaster.com or www.browardcenter.org.   

The Last Hairdresser, through Aug 20^th  

The Last Hairdresser a Rising Action Theatre Company production by David Goldyn, Artistic Director will premier Friday July 15^th at Boom nightclub in Wilton Manors.  David’s previous production, Southern Baptist Sissies was amazing and intricate that made you laugh until it hurt.  Show times are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2:30pm.  Tickets are $25 with group rates available and are available at Gaymart, right next to Boom.  For further information, call 954*567-8550.  To read my review of The Last hairdresser Click Here.

Beehive Found at Stage Door Theatre Held Over through August 20th 

It was brought to my attention that all of the costumes for Beehive were done by the one and only Maria from Zoo 14 on Wilton Drive.  A local fashion legend in our community, she has helped dress many figures—both male and female into one-of-a-kind creations.  This play is a definite Fashion Must-See to reminisce about and era that brought about social change, creativity, and freedom. 

Beehive, the 60’s musical sensation, will be at The Stage Door Theatre May 26^th thru June 25^th with big hair and bigger hits. 

The Stage Door Theatre is located on 26^th right across from Wilton Station in the Old Florida Seafood House Plaza.  For times and tickets, call 954*344-7765.

Click Here to read Stephen's review. 

Ella, through September 3rd

This is a musical about Jazz icon Ella Fitzgerald who invites her favorite musicians to play with her in 1966. This takes place at the Florida Stage which is located at 262 South Ocean Blvd, Manalapan.  Call 561*585-3433 or go to www.floridastage.org  for more information. 

Irma Vep in Coral Gables, through Sep 3^rd

The Mystery of Irma Vep a wonderfully crafted play with only two actors playing over 20 parts will be appearing at The Actor’s Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre in Coral Gables July 12^th thru September 3^rd.  The Theatre is located at 280 Miracle Mile in Coral Gables and tickets can be purchased online at www.actorsplayhouse.org  or for further information call them at 305*444-9293. 

For Three Days You Can Light My Candle

Tickets are now on sale for Rent which will be at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts September 14^th thru 17^th.  Tickets are available at the theater Box Office and at www.ticketmaster.com .  You can also check out other shows at www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com  or at www.browardcenter.org . 

Things on Display

Good Times had at African-American Research Library 

This past week the African-American Research Library acquired a personal collection of items that once belonged to the late actress Esther Rolle.  Ms. Rolle, a Pompano Beach native, made her mark in African-American television by playing the Evans family matriarch on the 1970’s sitcom Good Times.  Within the collection there are: gowns, an album of her reciting poetry and telling stories of the black Raggedy Andy doll she endorsed.  Even though she is known for playing a maid or a poor person, she was an actress, which many of whom thought she embodied the dignity of black people.  

Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale 

All this month (August), at the Museum of Art in Fort Lauderdale, there is free admission for all visitors.  This does not happen every day so take advantage of it! For more information call them at 954*525-5500. 

Arturo Rodrigues:  The Human Comedy through August 6th

At the Bass Museum of Art in Miami they are hosting Arturo Rodriguez:  The Human Comedy, which contains large-scale canvases with portraits of people with distorted heads.  The show will continue until August 6^th.  The Bass Museum is located at 2121 Park Avenue in Miami Beach.  You can go to www.bassmuseum.org or call 305*673-7530 for more information. 

Possessed:  Art of Haiti through August 19th

The Coral Springs Museum of Art is hosting a show called Possessed:  Art of Haiti that features such Haitian artists as Lionel Saint Elio whoc comes from Port-au-Prince and cobbles colanders, bike spoke and bottle caps into angels or branches.  The late Georges Liautaud fashioned burnished brass and recycled oil drums into mermaids.  Also on display are a wide variety of Voodoo flags and countless sculptures.  These works feature the craftsmanship of transferring commonplace metals and fabrics into art all while keeping with Haiti’s rich tradition of folklore and worship.  This show will be on until August 19^th at the Coral Springs Museum of Art that is located at 2855 Coral Springs Drive.  Call 954*340-5000 for further information or check them out on the web at www.csmart.org. 

Fausto Vinueza at ArtServe 

There are over 80 original works in oil, charcoals, ink, pencil, and watercolors to mark the 100^th birthday of the late Ecuadorian artist Fausto Vinueza.  Even though he was originally from Ecuador, he became a resident of Pompano Beach for more than 15 years.  ArtServe is located at 1350 East Sunrise Blvd in Fort Lauderdale.  Call 954*462-9191 for more information. 

Metro Pictures: Part 2 through September 17th

You may be wondering if this show has to deal with the Metro Golden Mayer Production Company…no.  Metro Pictures “refers to snapshots of the city” and that the works “define, interpret and/or reject the city.”  This show is wide open to interpretation and includes stuff like a set of musical vests that “only when two participants wear them…do the sculptures emit sound.”  The exhibit is on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art until September 17^th.  The Museum is located at 770 NE 125^th Street in North Miami.  You can either call 305*893-6211 or visit them on the web at www.mocanomi.org for further information.

West Palm Summer Sculpture Show 

Eaton Fine Art will be featuring works by Alexander Calder, Dale Hihuly/Dennis Oppenheim, Patrick Ireland, Mark di Suvero, and many others in their North and South Galleries.  This exhibit runs all summer long from 10am to 5pm Tuesday through Saturday.  The Eaton Fine Art Gallery is located at 435 Gardenia Street, West Palm Beach.  Call 561*833-4766 for further information or contact them at www.eatonart.net. 

Titanic:  The Artifact Exhibit, Until October

This exhibit chronicles the journey of RMS Titanic from its design and construction through its fateful maiden voyage and sinking, to the scientific recovery efforts.   

The Miami Museum of Science and Space Transit Planetarium is located on 3280 South Miami Avenue, Miami.  You can contact them at 305*646-4200 or www.miamisci.org. 

Coming to Town

Please note: we have organized this by date of appearance. New additions this week are highlighted in Bold Red.

Calling All Azzmastahs, Friday, August 11^th 

The one and only Margaret Cho will be in concert Friday, August 11^th at 8:30pm at the Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts in Melbourne, FL.  LISP, the greatest gay rapper in the world, will be her Special Guest.  Tickets go on sale THIS FRIDAY [June 2^nd] at 10am so call the Ticket Office at 321*242-2219 or www.ticketmaster.com.

Melissa Etheridge Live Saturday, August 19^th   

New Greatest Hits CD “The Road Less Traveled” in stores now!

Tickets available at Ticketmaster locations or you can charge by phone:  305-358-5885 / 954-523-3309 / 561-966-3309 or www.ticketmaster.com. 

Mizner Park Amphitheater is in Boca Raton and this is a Fantasma Productions Concert Event.  For further information go to www.fantasma.com or www.melissaetheridge.com

Mary J. Blige, Friday, August 25^th 

Mary J Blige will be in concert Friday, August 25^th at the Bank Atlantic Center at 2555 Panther Parkway in Sunrise.  Her special guest will be Jaheim and will be singing all her greats—hopefully my favorite song Ain’t Gonna Cry from Waiting to Exhale, and anyone that knows me, knows how MUCH I love that song!  For futher Information go to www.ticketmaster.com. 

Her Hips Don’t Lie, Saturday, September 16^th 

Shakira and Wyclef have added a second show 7:30pm on September 16^th at the American Airlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd, Miami.  Tickets are $19.50-$87 and you can get them through www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 786*777-1250. For more info about Shakira: www.shakiraheaven.com

The Chicks Will be in Town, Saturday, October 7^th 

John Mayer & Sheryl Crow, Wednesday, October 11^th 

Tickets are now on sale for John Mayer and Sheryl Crow who will be live in concert October 11^th at the Sound Advice Amphitheatre.  Go to www.livenation.com, www.ticketmaster.com , or you can call 561*966-3309 for more information.  If you are truly a fan, you can also go to www.johnmayer.com and/or www.sherylcrow.com as well.

Danke Schoen October 15th and 16th

The legendary Wayne Newton will be performing at the Hard Rock Live Seminole Hotel & Casino October 15^th & 16^th and tickets are now on sale.  You can get tickets through the Hard Rock Live Box Office from noon to 7pm daily or at www.ticketmaster.com. 

I’m Verklemnpt, Saturday, October 28^th

Yes, the legendary Barbara Streisand will be performing Saturday, October 28^th at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sawgrass and will be having special guest Il Divo perform with her. Tickets are priced starting at $100 to $750 and VIP packages up to $1,800.  Much of the proceeds go to charities, one of which being The Streisand Foundation, which expects to raise millions from this tour.  Tickets are available through www.ticketmaster.com.    

Are YOU America’s Next Top Model?

Are you or someone you know would be perfect for the WB’s hit show America’s Next Top Model?  Well, your prayers have been answered!  Tuesday, August 15^th, at the Gameworks Sawgrass is hosting auditions from 9am to 6pm.  Here’s what they are looking for:  you must be a woman—however, Claudia made it through but decided to back down at the last minute because she did not want the world to know she as a Transsexual but then was hired by The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency…who knows!  Well, you also have to have:  Passport and Driver’s License or Social Security Card and Birth Certificate.  A completed application, and photos:  full-length clothed, full-length swimsuit, and a close-up headshot.  And, to anyone who enters and is selected, you will have a personal interview with me!  Keep me posted!

The Wizard of Oz 

The Showtime Theatre is casting for The Wizard of Oz and holding an Open House this Saturday from 12-6pm and try-outs are from 3-5pm.  The Showtime Theatre is located at 503 SE Mizner Blvd in Boca Raton and call 561*394-2626 for more information. 

Fashion File

Elton John Not a Fan of the Piercings 

Famed fagalicious showman extraordinaire, Elton John, does not want to see your tattoos or piercings.  Sister Elton will be performing at the 3^rd Annual Fashion Rocks concert on September 7^th at Radio City Music Hall in New York City is not a fan of tattoos, piercings, T-shirts, and rings through the nose.  It’s not pretty; it’s not pleasant, it’s not exciting.  Please stop it now!  Now where does that leave Henry Rollins?  I can tell you—he’s getting chained to my apartment if he ever visits!  

Want to Smell Like Derek Jeter?

Are you fascinated with celebrity fragrances?  Were you in line at Macy’s in New York when I informed you right here about Paris’s fragrance signing?  Well, here’s another one for the record books—Driven by famed #2 Yankee Derek Jeter.  Avon Products Inc., described it as “a blend of chilled grapefruit, clean oak moss, and spics.”  It is due out this November and Derek himself had all the final says in all aspects of the product and was involved with everything from the logo to the scent. 

Lebanon Bombed = Diamond Prices Crash 

In the wake of Lebanon’s bombing attacks, the world’s diamond-trading market has been interrupted and that has caused prices to plummet.  The Hezbollah controlled the illegal Black Market for rough gems in and around Beirut and is said to have helped raise more than $100M for terrorist activities.  The Black Market of Lebanon accounted for some 20% of rough-cut diamonds smuggled in from Africa and other places were used amongst terrorists’ fundraisers before traveling to be cut and polished in places such as Antwerp, Belgium.  Prices on the international diamond trading market have dropped in the third straight week due to the escalation of the fighting between Israel and Lebanon.  It is thought that terrorists may have flooded the market with uncut stones just prior to the outbreak to raise cash. 

Ozzie Loves Sharon 

Just recently, the Hard Rock unveiled their latest addition to their limited edition Signature Series which features Ozzie Osbourne—designed by The Oz himself, and all the proceeds benefit the Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.  Ozzy is the 22^nd rocker to join the Hard Rock’s series that help raise fund for various charities worldwide.  Former artists include:  Elton John, Eric Clapton, and Bruce Springstein.  For more information go to www.hardrock.com or visit The Rock Shop inside the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. 

Attention Passengers:  We are Leaving Hell for the Third Time

Yes, one of my favorite male artists, Meat Loaf is returning for a third installment of the popular Bat Out of Hell series with Bat Out of Hell III which is due out on Halloween and he is expected to take Broadway on November 2^nd performing songs off all three “Bat” albums.  I still remember the day that my sister blurted out an answer at the dinner table as to what was he talking about with I Would Do Anything for Love But Won’t Do That. 

Our Madonna the Philanthropist 

Have you ever heard of the village of Mphandula in Malawi?  Nope?  Well, you will.  Pop Icon Madonna has announced that she plans to raise at least $3M for programs that support almost 1 million children in Malawi who have lost their parents to AIDS.  Some of the money will go to building proper feeding and education center for the orphans in this village that is 30 miles from Lilongwe, the capital.  Malawi is amongst the poorest countries in the world, and after years of drought and their current AIDS epidemic has left the region with about 1 million orphans in this south African country.  Most people live in mud-and-thatch huts, wear shoes only on special occasions and rarely afford to eat meat.  She is expected to visit in October and has outlined her plans with an interview with Time magazine. 

Manilow Loves the 60’s 

Barry Manilow decided to continue the success of his last album that contains famous songs of the 1950’s and take on the next decade.  According to the Associated Press, Manilow will release The Greatest Songs of the Sixties on Halloween that follow up the Greatest Songs of the Fifties that debuted at No. 1 when it was released earlier this year and has sold more than a million copies.  He admits that he cannot sing R&B and decided to record Burt Bacharach, Beatles, and Elvis hits. 

Verizon Drops Music Access Fee 

The Number 2 U.S. mobile-phone service Verizon Wireless has dropped a user fee for the company’s music service.  Customers who own Verizon’s new Chocolate phone or other handsets that can download music and video can download from the company’s music store for free, paying only the $1.99 per download vice the additional $15 monthly access fee. 

Who is the Tiny Dancer? 

This month, Is Tiny Dancer Really Elton’s Little John?:  Music’s Most Enduring Mysteries, Myths, and Rumors Revealed came out and, if you are wondering if Mama Cass and Keith Moon died in the same apartment or what the DMX stands for, this is the book for you!  Within the 241 pages, you will discover all the musical mystique, sex, drugs, and other fun stuff.  Question:  Did Greg Allman really shoot himself in the foot to avoid Vietnam?—Yes!  To find out who Elton’s Tiny Dancers are—get the book.  Sadly, it is true, songwriter Harry Nilsson owned a flat in London where both Mama Cass and Keith Moon died—four years apart. 

The Unknown Weegee 

Running now at The International Center for Photography is Arthur “Weegee” Fellig’s work through August 27^th.  From the 1930’s through the 50’s, Weegee was one of the best known news photographers in the country specializing in capturing the sensational side of urban life: disaster, crime, and nightlife. There are 95 pictures and gives a good sense of his range and calls particular attention to his awareness to social problems related to class and race.  The International Center of Photography is located at 1133 Avenue of the Americas at 43^rd Street.  You can call them at 212*857-0000 or visit them on the web at www.icp.org. 

Get Closer to Dance 

Through August 12^th at the Joyce, you can catch the latest show of Pilobolus, which are three incredible programs from one amazing dance company.  Pilobolus dancers transport audiences with their physicality and illusion, unique partnering, and awe-inspiring athleticism.   Tickets are $42 and Showtimes are Monday through Friday at 8pm with two shows at 2pm and 8pm on Saturdays.  The Joyce is located at 175 8^th Ave at 19^th Street and you can get tickets at JoyceCharge at 212*242-0800 or www.joyce.org. 

Elisabeth Schwarzkopf

INC for Macy’s is the New Banana 

This past week, we discovered that Banana Republic, of Gap Inc., is no longer the major backer of the show Project Runway.  What does this mean for our show?  Is Macy’s Inc. (International Concepts) label a major force within the fashion community?  Who knows, but we shall see. 

This challenge, another group project, was to design three articles for “a fashion-forward woman who embraces the new.”  Sketches were then judged by Macy’s people during a personal presentation, then four teams were chosen with three people in each team, and finally, they were given $100 to spend at MOOD. The final prize—seeing their wining outfit in Macy’s window and knowing that it will be mass-produced and carried in several Macy’s key stores. 

During the Spring, anxious viewers, myself included, were all on pins and needles (no pun intended) as they would tease us about this upcoming season in which something happens that breaks the rules of the show and for the first time ever—someone is kicked off!  I don’t know about you, but I was drooling!  Yeah, Keith, the loudmouth and instigator, kicked off for having pattern-making books which are considered CONTRABAND!  Ughh…please.  I wanted someone caught in the bathroom with an 8 Ball and a prostitute, even settling for “Insider Assistance.”  I knew Tim had a crush on Andreeee, but was hoping for something more.   

Well, by the end of the episode, we discovered that The Big Old Mess Angela, team leader, won with the Empire State Building inspired dress, with the help of NY Mother of 5 Laura and ATL Michael.  Sadly, Bonnie’s team of Bradley and Uli were last place with a cowl-neck tunic and wide pant and Bonnie was sent home.  Favorite note, even though Keith was sent home—Alison and Jeffrey completed his vision and came in at Second Place.  High Pressure Moment—it was down to the final two and Michael (Mr. Barbie) was on the Chopping Block and they decided to keep him, Thank God!