THE HOLLYWOOD BOUND EXPRESS ROARS THROUGH THE GROVE

 

De MARCO DANCES,  KRADLES SINGS

 

For weeks director John De Marco kept whispering that this show has “real talent” that “everyone is soooo good” almost as if he didn’t believe it himself. Well, he earned his bragging rights…this is one of the  Grove’s best shows with new faces and new talents to compliment our veterans. Because John is a MAC cabaret award winner he prefers live singing to lip synching and this show probably has more than any other that I remember, like newbies Zachary Mordechai,  Shirley Ritenour, Bob  Verbrugge, Eric Coyne, Susan Burhouse, Colm Reilly and Ken Woodhouse, (that’s so great for our theater company) to complement our veterans like Dale Lally, James Duus, the famous Freedner twins, Ruth & Susan, Denise Harbin, Bill Perez, Sherri Rase, Sally Ann Piacentino, Wendy Lewis, George McGarvey, who all now sound even better, and of course Director John De Marco, who cannot sound better.

 

I think that is all due to marvelous music director Chris Vassiliades who, patient and amenable, can coax the best from everybody. “We only rehearsed for five weekends, starting May 23. We all feel that this was the most ambitious show we have ever produced. We were worried if we could pull it all off, especially the Hairspray number, but that turned out to be the biggest hit of the evening, so go figure! George worked tirelessly on the sets, and Colm's partner, Shane Mathews, revamped the sound system, bringing in new microphones, and next week (hallelujah) on-stage monitors for the cast. Shane has been a real angel, putting in many, many hours for us! Next week Demi joins us, so we are looking forward to another great performance.” Chris also wowed us with a terrific musical medley “One Boy”. What a talent, what a guy!

 

And there are the famous drag queens for which the Grove is known: Coco Love and Lola Galore, Robin Kradles (who broke rank and sang) and Toni Bondi

 

Mention must be made of Jerry Skaggs whose transformation was so convincing I almost didn’t recognize him, even backstage.

 

And the people who actually make it happen: stage crew Martha, Ellen and Wendy, usher coordinator Mel Rock, magic man Matt and sound’s Alison in the booth, liaison lady Laura and special thanks to June Haber who handles the pressure of satisfying everyone in ticket sales.

 

 

Following are pictures in no particular order (don’t ask) and poor quality because I tried shooting with no flash from the side of the house…the two good ones are from Lorraine who generously helped me out, but use these as a tease for the audiences yet to come….

 

“No”, said Queen Sprawl,  “I’m not dragging this one along the floor! It’s almost real!”

 

The promise of things to come Ah! the roar of the paint, the smell of the crowd…

 

OK Here we go – show time!!!

Lola & Coco are definitely “Two Girls From Little Rock”

Move over Russell & Monroe, we’re here!                                               Photo by Lorraine PhotoCGFD@AOL.com

 

 

George  McGarvey  had time to transform himself in Rocky Horror’s “Sweet Transvestite” scaring Dale & Susan in contrast to his earlier sweet “Not While I’m Around”…the boy can do everything (sing, sets, staging)

 

Basso profundo Eric Coyne gave a stirring rendition of “This Nearly Was Mine” With that voice he’ll be in demand.

 

Just the announcement of Susan Boyle drew howls when delivered by the perennial sight gag, Bill Perez, singing “When You’re Good to Mama”

In an homage to Rose Levine, I caught on film the exact moment that Bill and…

Shirley Ritenour, singing “How To Handle A Woman”,

both went up on their lyrics (as they both looked to Chris at piano for lines)

Not a problem with this most loving of audiences – made it even more real, I think.

 

This was the most shocking number “Take Back Your Mink”

featuring Robin Kradles who SANG in her own voice

AND Denise and Sally Ann went all girlie…….

Who knew about all that cleavage?  Worth the price of a ticket right there

 

 

 

James Duus erased  Priscilla Lopez’ performance in “I Felt Nothing” and he did a terrific “All That Jazz” sans feathers and showgirls.

 

Ken wowed the house with “Soliloquy”, a tough song and he had us all the way

 

 

Sherri broke our hearts with her spin on “If I Loved You”

She can do it all, sing, act and a great comedienne

Just when you think you can’t laugh anymore there’s Toni Bondi in “Bubble Gum” (watch that gum fly)

 

Meanwhile, downstairs, er, backstage…

Shane, the electrical genius

 

 

Jackie P – those serve who also stay downstairs

Last time I saw Bob Verbrugge he was running for Homecoming Queen – who knew he was not just another pretty face.

 

Lola never takes a bad pic.    SallyAnn confided she enjoyed being a sexy girl

Marlene incarnate?….no, just the many faces of Toni Bondi

 

 

Backstage at intermission, the cast prepared for the opening number “Aquarius” –

The number was so creatively costumed, meticulously staged by George, and performed that I honestly liked it better than on Broadway!

 

The result…

 

 

 

“Aquarius” opened the second act – and this boffo number closed the first (is there such a thing as spoiling an audience?)

 

 “You Can’t Stop The Beat” was a number feared “too ambitious” even by its creators. Even George was worried but he outdid himself with choreography, the cast took turns in the spotlight. One of the twins was playing the other’s mother – when she lip synched Harvey Fierstein the house went wild.

 

 

 

Dashing Dale Lally should have no problem getting what he needs in “All I Need Now is the Girl” –

The quarter singing “Lida Rose” from Music Man, James Duus, George McGarvey, Eric Coyne and Bob Verbrugge, was note perfect in four part harmony until…

The Pick-A-Little Ladies Sherri Rase & Susan Burhouse were literally pecked by an uncontrollable Toni Bondi

Robin Kradles TALKS (another first)  in “Adelaide’s Lament” as actor/singer Ken Woodhouse plays the doctor describing her symptoms – clever twist

 

Definitely worthy of a Cherry Grove Poster

Sally Ann and Coco replicated “You’re the One That I Want”

                                                 Photo by Lorraine

At Camp B-Strait although Sherri & Eric , reading their “how to” manuals,  sang the words “I am Woman, You Are Man” we knew better which made it funnier – that’s what they call “acting”

 “I’m the Greatest Star” sung by the Grove’s newest Star in the Galaxy -  Zachary Mordechai  He later once again proved his talent in the dramatic and stirring “I Can Hear The Bells”, a potent message about gay marriage.

 

 

It was so reassuring to hear the dulcet tones (I use that adjective every time but it is perfect for John) of Director De Marco especially for those who remember his recent  vocal surgery in “This Time Around” ( I know he picks his songs with someone in mind so is this one for you, Jerry?)

 

 Sheri, Ruth & Susan, Denise and Sally Ann, substituted Mets shirts in the hopefully inspirational Damn Yankees’ “You Gotta Have Heart” (is there a message there?)

 

The ever versatile Dale, man of many faces, an adorable Charlie Chaplin, who opened and closed the show, an homage to movie musicals

 

“What I Did For Love”…how appropriate and a well deserved bow

And a shout out for those in the booth

 

 

 

And where do our Queens go to dine après theatre

- for Pizza!!!

 

We start and end with the Queen but so much has happened in between…

 

Don’t forget two more shows July 4^th

 

Break a Leg, Everyone!!!

 

                                            Jeannie