Roving Pittsburgher Review, "Death is Just Around the Corner"--The Addams Family

DEATH IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER

The Addams Family

July 31 – August 12, 2012, 7:30 pm

Benedum Center, Pittsburgh Presented by: Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera

By Tamar Cerafici

The Barefoot Barrister

I tried to dislike the new Addams Family musical. First, if one is of a certain age, there is the irresistible urge to cross one’s forearms and snap during the overture, despite the cliché. Second, Gomez is not Raul Julia, which makes one sad that the Great Light of Independent Film has been dead for almost 20 years.

After a sniff or two, and fond thoughts to Jackie Coogan wafting skyward, one is ready to settle in and give this modern effort half a chance.

Here’s why:

The Cast
Photos are courtesy the CLO website, By Jeremy Daniel 

1.      THE SET is introduced by a blood-red curtain evoking Le Grand Guignol, a Parisian theatre dedicated to surreal horror plays in the early 20^th Century. That curtain is as much a character as the puppeteers who manage various monsters. It hangs ominously: shifting, dropping, and lifting to reveal action. One of the tassels even plays a vital role in an ensuing romance. It certainly does set some expectations of macabre goings-on.

That I got this made me feel smart.

The puppetry within the play also is a nod to the theatre (guignol is French for “puppet”); it’s the creative highlight of the show.

2.      THE CAST, including Douglas Sills, who valiantly succeeds as not Raul Julia/John Astin Gomez Addams. His family, with several generations of dead Addamses, plays an excellent support system.

Super-funny Sara Gettelfinger is a bit constrained as Morticia. Given her turns in shows like Grey Gardens and Nine, one would expect a broader comic turn. Instead, she must play Gomez’s straight-woman. That is, like, totally wrong.

The remarkably gifted trio of “normal people,” the Beineke family from Ohio, could have handled it all by themselves. Played to the hilt by Martin Vidnovic, Gaelen Gilliland, and Brian Justin Crum, the Beinekes are the “real Americans” that supposedly contrast brightly with the macabre sensibilities of the Addamses. As a unit, they are the straight man, and the book would have been more Addams-like if that family had been given more to do than reform their definition of normal.

Individually, Gilliland is delightful, although I can’t resist a favorable comparison to Faith Prince. (A Pittsburgh native, one wonders if she’s responsible for some of the dialogue during the retelling of Morticia’s and Gomez’s romance.)

Blake Hammond as Fester
Photos are courtesy the CLO website, By Jeremy Daniel 

The rest of the Addams Clan is superb. Fester, allocated the role of Greek Chorus, deus ex machina, and narrator, is rendered lovingly by Blake Hammond. Pugsley (Patrick D. Kennedy), Grandma (Pippa Peartree) and Lurch (Tom Corebiel) do their turns with affection and real skill.

3.      THE BOOK AND MUSIC are fun in their attempt to capture the joi-de-vivre (Tish, that French!) of the Addams franchise.

As for the plotline, the play quickly decomposes into a re-do of Kaufman and Hart’s You Can’t Take it With You. (I must credit L.A. Times reviewer David C. Nichols for the comparison. Those familiar with the 1930’s masterpiece will recognize similarities.) That’s not to say it isn’t charming and fun to watch, I just get the feeling I’ve seen this before, with Jean Arthur and Jimmy Stewart.

Thus what could be a macabre and slightly weird homage is merely a wonderful piece of fluff, perfect for a summer evening.

This unwonted fluffiness is due in part to the rather conventional and really unlikely development of Wednesday Addams as the ingénue. The really, truly, unlikely but necessary reversal is made completely believable by Cortney Wolfson’s sincere and fierce performance, complemented by the light tenor and obvious chemistry of Brian Justin Crum.

Happy EndingPhotos are courtesy the CLO website, By Jeremy Daniel

But Wednesday? The adorably morbid child made maudlin, yellow-wearing spectacle by puberty and Love? Though Fester warns (“But Love”), even subsequent duets (“I’m Crazier Than You) still left me wanting a less conventional plotline.

On the other Thing, I mean, hand: the musical’s missed potential is obvious in Morticia’s “Death Is Just Around the Corner,” where Gettelfinger finally gets a chance to let loose her comic genius.  Fester’s “The Moon and Me” is a clever oasis.

To my delight, the show was peppered with familiar references to original Addams cartoons (compare the Act One dinner scene at www.CharlesAddams.com). For example, Mortcia offers comfort: “life is a tightrope, my son, and on the other side is your coffin.”

Before you get into yours, make sure you see The Addams Family at the Benedum. Despite its weaknesses, it has a quirky appeal that makes haunting the Cultural District on a sultry August night totally worthwhile.

Tamar Cerafici is an environmental lawyer whose national practice includes nuclear power and sustainable development consulting. She is the author of “Dominate: How Lawyers Crush Their Competition (with these 4 Powerhouse Marketing Techniques),” and the founder of The-Barefoot-Barrister.com as well as LegalShoe, and The Lawyer’s New Clothes, new media channels on PositivelyPittsburghlivemagazine.com that teach lawyers how to build enterprises and find balance in their practices without selling their souls.

Blue Eyed Soul Man Rocked Market Square on July 20, 2012

Billy Price in Market Square

Blue Eyed Soul Man 

Rocked Market Square on July 20, 2012

Review by Good News Reporter

John Pournaras

It was a dark and stormy night…. (I always wanted to write that in a story).   But the rain did not keep the fans from dancing in the plaza in Market Square once it cleared.

I received a call from my good friend Joanne Quinn Smith who said that Billy Price was playing at Market Square, in Pittsburgh.  In this era of pop music that isn’t so pleasing to my ears, I agreed to (rather quickly) to an evening of sweet soul music, from Pittsburgh’s Soul Man, Billy Price and his band.

We got there right after the down pour and shuffle off to Nola’s.  Once they squeegee off the table and chairs, we order something to drink.  The rain cooled things off.  We decided to have some soup and right when we ordered it a familiar face walked by us.  I excused myself and went to see if that familiar face was indeed who I thought it was.  Indeed, it was!  It was George Takai!  You might remember him from Star Trek as Mr. Sulu or Celebrity Apprentice.  I introduced myself and gave him a hug and George resounded with his trademark “Oh My!”  After we talked a bit I asked him if he would meet a friend of mine.  He agreed and we went to see Joanne.

George Takai sighting at Nola's On the Square

She was star trek star struck when I introduce George to the Techno Granny herself.

Joanne Quinn-Smith, The TechnoGranny
and George Takai, Zulu

Ok Mr. Sulu, back to the Billy Price Band……The Billy Price Band started the show with their soulful version of Eric Clapton’s “Further UP The Road” and they never stopped until they were done with their playlist for the evening.  As Geoffrey Himes of the Washington Post has written, "Unlike so many blues revivalists, Price is not an imitation of better singers--he's the real thing."

Members of the Billy Price Band are Steve Delach (guitar), Jason Hollar (bass), Dave Dodd (drums), Jimmy Britton (keyboards), Joe Herndon (trumpet), Eric DeFade (tenor sax) and Rick Matt (baritone and tenor sax).  Joe, Eric and Rick blew their brains out with their horns that evening.  And for Billy, he is still the blue-eyed soul man from Pittsburgh.  He is an institution!

After the show Billy and I chatted and talked about his current tour throughout the area.  It was good to see you again my old friend.

John Pournaras is the owner of 63 year old family accounting business in Ambridge, Pennsylvania.  He is an accountant and info marketer who has invented a trademarked system for Notaries and Accountants to Market Their Business Year Round.  He also serves as a notary and is connected with Penn Dot for titles, transfers and plates.
John Pounaras Agency
651 Merchant St
Ambridge,PA 15003
(724) 266-7078
http://johnpournarasagency.com

"Three Sisters" Makes Me Glad There is Divorce!

"Three Sisters" Makes Me Glad There is Divorce!

Anton Chekhov

Presented by the

Pittsburgh Irish Classical Theatre

Review by JoAnn R. Forrester, ‘Empress of Biz

Ah Chekhov…he makes me glad there is divorce!

Let me first say---- that I am truly delighted at the excellent quality of productions that the Pittsburgh Irish Classical Theatre presents to our city.  PICT gets it Right!   They are a true asset to the arts in our city.   PICT’s presentation of the play Three Sister by Anton Chekhov is another example of an exceptional high quality production.

I personally have a love/hate relationship with Chekhov.  I recognize he is, was and always will be recognized as a comedo-tragic genius and as such is revered for his work and the impact he had on the development of theater in the 20^th century.

Cast of Three Sisters with Adrian Blake Enscoe

 and Vera Varlamov in the forefront as Fedotik and Irina

Photos by Suellen Fitzsimmons

 Chekhov was writing in a time of rigid class structure and social restrictions reigned.   The role of women was very limited and personally I find this annoying.  The  recurring theme in the play was the desire of the three sister, Olga,(Nike Doukas) Masha (Allison McLemore) and Irina (Vera Varlamov) to return to Moscow, the city of their birth and childhood were there was, arts, culture, refinement and excitement.  They were waiting for their scholarly brother, Andrei (Christian Conn) to take them to Moscow.  They were forbidden by the social mores of the day to pick up and go there by themselves, which of course I was ready to stand up and yell, “Get on that train and go to MOSCOW!”  This of course from my vantage point of 100 plus years of discrimination to women with so many of our restrictions.  Now of course these have changed (except our own internal ones) have been removed or highly modified.  Fortunately I did not stand up and yell that.although I was heard to mumble it and I was “shushed” a couple of times.

Vershinin (David Whalen) & 

Masha (Allison McLemore)

photo by Suellen Fitzsimmons

Three Sisters opening act at the Prozorov house sets the stage, with all the character, seen and unseen are introduced, with their yearnings, desires, weaknesses, infidelities and betrayals being set into place. It is a birthday party for the youngest, Irina, who has just turned 20 and is filled with joy and expectation of what life, love and finding the purpose of her life in “Oh my” work.  As each sister and the men who love or interact with them are introduced we see the roles they are assigned in life and are unable to break.  The older sister, Olga teacher and spinster! Masha, middle sister the one with the caustic wit, married at 18 now at 25, dreadfully bored with her husband and drawn into affair with the new commander of military Vershinin, (David Whalen)! Commander Vershinin by the way is a very unhappily married man with two little girls.  This is where my line about divorce is appropriate. And many theatre goers commented on exit, “Why didn’t he just divorce his wife?”

The brother Andrei who has such hopes but marries so badly and lives a life of lost dreams!   His wife Natasha, (Megan McDermott) is the original mean queen and made one to yell again.”Stop her she is a bully, stand up to her you people.” Again I did not.  But isn’t that the goal of the playwright, to get us to react.  I was so mad at Natasha; I wouldn’t even talk to her if I met her.  Kudos to the excellent acting of Megan McDermott!

 For the next three acts over a four year time, we see, love bloom, affairs of various sorts, boredom, frustration, acts of charity and cruelty, characters develop and blossom, hopes dash and dreams changed..All the stuff of life… yet so ably presented by the cast of PICT! And react we did, so much so that we are silently screaming:

Get on that train folks..and go to Moscow! Or at least to PICT’s presentation of "Three Sisters."  The play runs through August 26^th in the Stephen Foster Memorial in Oakland. You can find full details at:  http://picttheatre.org

JoAnn Forrester is the Host of Empress of Biz, Reinvent in Rugged Times, a business Talkcast syndicated on PPLMag, Pittsburgh's First Internet Radio and TV Network.  You can hear JoAnn at Business friends every Thursday at 9 AM on the TalkShoe network or archived later at:  http://pplmag.com 

Turban Groove, Black Mahal and Godfather of Dohl in Pittsburgh

Turban Groove, 

Black Mahal and Godfather of Dohl in Pittsburgh

by Roving Pittsburgher Reporter

John Pournaras

A few weeks ago (7/13/2012), I went to the Thunderbird Lounge in Lawrenceville, PA to watch the Banghra dancers.  Sid Pandit, my videographer, has a Banghra dance troupe.  So I went to support him and the troupe.

I must admit that when I went to get his grandmother a coke, the dance troupe started and I couldn’t watch the troupe dance because the stairs leading to the second floor were jammed with fans.   I later apologized to Sid.

 godfather of the Dohl –
Ustad Lal Singh Bhatti. 

The  band, The Black Mahal, from San Francisco, performed.  Now although I have seen and heard Bollywood films and heard the music, I never thought that I would ever see a show with the Godfather of Punjab funk! Part P-Funk, partly Punjabi-Funk, The Black Mahal is a live music experience complete with drums, DJs, horns, hip-hop MCs, and the godfather of the Dohl – Ustad Lal Singh Bhatti.

I met the Godfather of Dohl, prior to the show.  Although I was not aware that this man was the Godfather of Dohl, I was aware the he was a Seik by his turban.  A very gentle man who blesses you when he meets and greets you!  After doing some research, Lal Singh Bhatti has performed for a lot of Presidents. 

It was an incredible show of funk, jazz, Punjabi-Funk!  The Black Mahal is a band that gets you on your feet and makes it fun.  They did their hit “Save the Flavor” which really brought smiles to everyone. 

This is a must see band!  The experience is awesome.  What impressed me the most is they brought their version of the terrible towel and passed them out to everyone!  Such respect from a San Fran group performing in the Burgh!

Turbin Groove!

Turbin Groove! 

John Pournaras is the owner of 63 year old family accounting business in Ambridge, Pennsylvania.  He is an accountant and info marketer who has invented a trademarked system for Notaries and Accountants to Market Their Business Year Round.  

John Pounaras Agency

651 Merchant St

Ambridge,, PA 15003

(724) 266-7078

http://johnpournarasagency.com

Roving Pittsburgher Report, Still Humming from The Gershwin's at PSO

The Gershwin’s - Here to Stay

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

JoAnn R. Forrester

Empress of Biz Re-invent in Rugged Times

Saturday, June 23, 2012,  I experienced the  Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra  led by Marvin Hamlisch bring the music of Ira and George Gershwin ALIVE and transport me to their era where music was being created that spoke of the American energy, longings, struggles, dreams and achievement s of the  1920’s and 30’s   

What an exciting night with pianist and performer Kevin Copeland.  He weaves the story of the Gershwin’s and their era in pictures, song, dance and music. His piano playing and singing is magical and channels the Gershwin’s into life.  His performance of Rhapsody in Blue was so exhilarating it brought a standing ovation at intermission.

Ira and George Gerschwin, compliments
Pittsburgh Symphony orchestra web

Sylvia McNair, Granny Award winning songstress voice is superb and thrilled me as she sang the songs of the  brothers. One word…magnificent! 

Ryan Van Den Boom dancer extraordinaire reminded me of Fred Astaire and there is nothing better.

As usual Marvin Hamlisch added his shining touch to the evening and the musicians of the PSO responded with joy and excellence.

An unique touch was the exclusive home videos from the Gershwin family which gave insight to their era and lives.    Rhapsody in Blue. A night of pure Gershwin, who could ask for anything more?

What a wonderful treat. was the music of the Gershwin’s, with the artistry of Hamlisch, Cole, McNair and Van Den Boom.  We are so blessed to have this world class organization in Pittsburgh. I left the performance humming and filled with musical good spirits that still lingers on and keeps on dancing around in my head. Amazing what good music does for your soul!

“There was a plea that was sent out to match a challenge of $250,000.  I invite all of you who love good music to rise to the occasion and make sure the challenge grant is met and exceeded. 

What an exciting night with pianist and superb musician Kevin Copeland as he weaves the story of the Gershwin’s and their era in pictures, song dance and music. His piano playing and singing is magical and channels the Gershwin’s into life.  His performance of Rhapsody in Blue was so exhilarating it brought a standing ovation at intermission.

Sylvia McNair, Granny Award winning songstress voice is superb and thrilled me as she sang the songs of the Gershwin brothers. One word…magnificent! 

JoAnn Forrester is the Host of Empress of Biz, Reinvent in Rugged Times, a business Talkcast syndicated on PPLMag, Pittsburgh's First Internet Radio and TV Network.  You can hear JoAnn at Business friends every Thursday at 9 AM on the TalkShoe network or archived later at:  http://pplmag.com 

Held Captive by the "Pitmen Painters"

Review:  The Pitmen Painters

Pittsburgh Irish Classical Theater

Professional Theater in Residence at the University of Pittsburgh

by Good News Reporter,  JoAnn R. Forrester, Empress of biz

J F Harrison

The Pony Putter

From:  http://www.ashingtongroup.co.uk/home.html

I have four words for the Pitmen Painters:  Riveting, Irreverent, Insightful and Amazing.  I thoroughly enjoyed the play “The Pitmen Painters” presented by the Pittsburgh Irish Classical Theater.  This is a play based on a true story of Robert Lyon, Master of Painting at Armstrong College, Newcastle and his relationship with the miners who desired to know more about the world through their organization, The Workers Education Association.

The play presents a series of classes spanning the 13 years from 1934 to 1947.  During that time the world was convulsed in a major depression, a horrific war and post war recovery.  The original members of the class, thirty of them, are depicted amazingly by five actors.  From the first class, I was captured by their interaction and how they fought with one another and the instructor to understand a world that was beyond their experience.  We forget how rigid the class system was in England, and how little they really interacted or understood one another.  The world was defined in a certain way, and, as Americans, it is difficult for us to really understand such a rigid system.  The play gives an insightful look into that world.  One technique used to draw one into their time, work and life circumstances was to portray scenes on a screen with a projector that was behind the actors. Through those pictures, and the actor’s dialogue in front, one gets immersed in their world

Harry Wilson

Ashington Colliery

From:  http://www.ashingtongroup.co.uk/exhibition.html 

Lyon quickly realizes that he cannot just lecture to the miners.  He must find a way to communicate and break down the class barriers.  He decides to teach the men to paint.  He challenges them to explain their world.  He asks them to paint men, women and children involved in hard, backbreaking, dangerous work and to explain their everyday lives through the pictures they paint of life above and below the ground.  And paint they did, marvelously!  Each scene one sees the men grow, open up and demonstrate their artistic gifts, become knowledgeable in art and be able to speak elegantly and insightfully about pieces of art.

The acting was superb.  I was entranced and felt I was a cat sitting in the corner, watching it all.  When the intermission came, I was surprised.  It took me a few seconds to bring myself back from the mid 1930’s in England.   When it ended I wanted to say, “Wait!  There’s more!  Tell me more.”

I invite you to go and see “The Pitmen Painters” and be captured as I was by the play.  It is a wonderful way to spend an evening!

JoAnn Forrester is the Host of Empress of Biz, Reinvent in Rugged Times, a business Talkcast syndicated on PPLMag, Pittsburgh's First Internet Radio and TV Network.  You can hear JoAnn at Business friends every Thursday at 9 AM on the TalkShoe network or archived later at:  http://pplmag.com 

"Private Lives" Wows the Pittsburgh Public Theatre

Private Lives – by Noel Coward

Pittsburgh Public Theatre – O’Reilly Theatre

Review by RovingPittsburgher Reproter, Tamar Cerafici

There’s a lot of fun in a Noël Coward play, even before the lights dim. My companion for the evening searched the program in vain for a synopsis of the play and was a bit frustrated. I looked through as well, and then explained the plot:

Two couples are on their honeymoon at the same hotel. Wife (Amanda) of one couple was married to husband (Ellyot) of other couple. They bump nto each other on their adjoining balconies. Hilarity ensues.  Roughly, that’s the plot of nearly every Noel Coward comedy.

 

Victoria Mack as Amanda and 
Michael Brusasco as Elyot

            That’s the short version of this review. PPT’s Private Lives is a delightful study in contrasts, from the silky, sinuous lines of the lead couple, to the frumpy gowns and “scratchy” suits of their new mates. Scenery, costuming, and direction all convince us that these supersized, extravagant characters were made to live life together. Who else would have them?

            The PPT’s ensemble performance captured the elegant, if strained, tone of the English upper class, still reeling from the emotional and economic toll of World War I. The Stodgy Victor (played to the hilt by Laird Mackintosh) and the Sensible Sibyl (Amanda Leigh Cobb’s absolutely serious take on the poor jilted girl is sensational) represent the part of society that responded by returning to Victorian England. Amanda and Ellyot are having none of that, and neither is the playwright.

Michael Brusasco as Elyot and
Victoria Mack as Amanda

            The cast is remarkably good at dispensing Coward’s lightning-quick dialogue. It’s accompanied with passionate fights and raw physical comedy that would look rather silly if not played by really skilled actors. Michael Brusasco, as Ellyot, and Victoria Mack, as Amanda, are fleet of tongue and foot. Every invective is sharp; every caress carries the potential of a left hook. (I must add here that much of the humor of this play stems from the fact that Amanda and Ellyot would have at least 10 restraining orders apiece in this century. Private Lives could be a pretty heavy play if it wanted to be.)

Mr. Mackintosh and Ms. Cobb are perfect foils to the passionate leads. If anything, they keep the play from bobbing away like a beach ball on the waves. They absolutely don’t weight the play down, they just do what their character types are supposed to do: be the sea anchor to keep the boat from going completely off course. And they do it so well that the entire ensemble is perfectly balanced, like a well-made champagne cocktail.

Laird Mackintosh (Victor),
Victoria Mack (Amanda),
Michael Brusasco (Elyot),
 Amanda Leigh Cobb (Sibyl)

I must mention the fifth wheel, Louise the maid. Louise’s role is short, and spoken entirely in French. Elena Alexandratos is simply delightful as the French peasant serving the silly English. I was glad I understood what she said. She brings humor into the third act, which could have devolved into Greek tragedy in lesser hands.

The production continues through June 24, and is the perfect early summer entertainment. Get your tickets. Live it up for a change. The stock market and the presidential campaigns will take care of themselves.

Tamar Cerafici is an environmental lawyer whose national practice includes nuclear power and sustainable development consulting. She is the author of “Dominate: How Lawyers Crush Their Competition (with these 4 Powerhouse Marketing Techniques),” and the founder of The-Barefoot-Barrister.com as well as LegalShoe, and The Lawyer’s New Clothes, new media channels on PositivelyPittsburghlivemagazine.com that teach lawyers how to build enterprises and find balance in their practices without selling their souls