HOLLYWOOD CONFIDENTIAL

Photos & text by Jeannie

 

First time writer/director Denise Harbin put the book back into “book musical” with a joke laden script which had many opportunities to show off the large diverse cast, showcased by Grove proven choreographer Brett Oberman, and the talented and creative Dan Daly as music director.

 

It revolves around a dress rehearsal at the belvedere School for girls which houses future stars such as Marilyn Monroe, and Judy Garland (before their names were changed – about which you will discover) . The headmistress Miss M’Arm and her ditzy sidekick Tutti try to keep a lid on things. The merriment begins when Homecoming Queen Sprawl is robbed of the crown jewels and  Lazar brothers agency of detectives is brought in, while gossip columnists Luella and Hedda are vying for the scoop.

 

Some great throwaway lines:  “the family jewels finally showed up, they were just tucked away too far”, “Amnesia was supposed to leave school last year..she just forgot”, “There are no Panzi’s in this show, don’t get any Roses either …they’re so old” (“so true” murmured the crowd)

“To err is human but it feels divine” “If these boobs were real my nipples would be hard”

.

 

Philomena as Belvedere School mistress (Girls Only) Miss Mamie Arm – “Welcome casting agents and anyone who wants to be in pictures to the ALL girls Belvedere school (where all the girls are boys and the forbidden boys are girls and…) to our dress rehearsal

 

 

Ms M’Arm confides in her sidekick Tutti (Tony Bondi looking uncharacteristically conservative) that there ‘s been a jewel theft

 

The celebrity schoolgirls, Veronica Lake (Robin Kradles), Ann Miller ( Clara Bogetti welcome to the Grove stage) as Amnesha Biryani  (Angela Mercy), Frances Gumm (Bob Verbrugge), and Eric Coyne  frolic around Miss M’Arm in “Mr. Sandman”,

 

Homecoming Queen Sprawl does a turn with “Judy”

 

 

r n w

 

Upon learning the crown jewels were stolen Urban Sprawl did just that – and we were afraid she’d turn classy!!!

 

Uh Oh -  here’s Hollywood gossip columnist Hedda Hopper, “an oasis of respectability and virtue in the midst of Sodom & Gomorrah”

 

 

 

They move as one – a handsome group, well dressed and chapeau-ed

 

THE DETECTIVES: John Philip, Fran Reinhardt, Sally Ann Piacentino, Denise Harbin Bruce-Michael Gelbert

 

Oh1 La la! Je suis tres francais, non?  Lynne Tunderman “Speaking French”

 

 

 

 

Ever ascending Grove star Bob Verbrugge  went where most singers dare not go – to the sacred “Over the Rainbow” which she delivered with enough sincerity to earn the crois de guerre  with Toto (we’re definitely not on Broadway) talking about how Judy Garland got her name (something about being Jewish) and a gay flag from the wings as a reminder of where we are

 

The pro Bella & stage neophyte Mella brought the house down in their first joint appearance (the new Shapiros?) with “Sisters” (of course)

 

Happy Birthday Mr. President coo-ed by MM who nearly chose Manson as her second name

 

 

Robin Kradles and Sally Ann ‘s zany version of the great show biz take-off song

“Once in Every Show” from Spamalot

 

Eric Coyne as Babe Ruth’s niece Susan (get it, Freedners) – A boy playing a girl playing a Boy Named Sue!!! When he has a son he’ll call him Bella, Charity or even Panzi. What can I say!

 

I’ll be calling Yoo-ooo-ooo, an “Indian Love Song” Grove style – always marvelous

 

 

One of choreographer Bret O’s extravaganzas, Jai Ho, with willing disciple Angel Mercy

as an Indian foreign exchange student, and a great looking chorus

 

 

Gorgeous!

 

GETTING READY FOR ACT II

 

 

 

 

 

Angela Mercy looks great as a brunette

 

How they do it!

 

Voila!!!

 

 

Why so girlish, Coco – and after seducing the president?!

 

 

 

BACK TO THE SHOW…………

 

 

Why it’s Carmen Miranda (didn’t I just see you at the Invasion) much better than as the sidekick -

 

James and Jane, willing “victims” who put the hokey in  “ Hokey Pokey”

 

OK, Tutti, get back into character so we can continue the plot – looking for jewels stolen from Belvedere Homecoming Queen Sprawl

Have no notes n this number so words fail me – but great costume

 

 

Demi Tasse chews the scenery in Sunset Blvd. as ultra glam silent screen star Gloria Swanson mimicking her moves, eyes, lips. Nobody does it better.

 

In a WW II tribute

 

Congrats to new dancing sensation Andrew Resto in "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,"

Why it’s the “Andrews (nee Freedner) Sisters in “Oh Johnny” and “Beat Me Daddy”

 

"What Can You Lose," Bruce Michael & John, a poignant Sondheim song about forbidden love

Denise just changed all the she's and her's to he's and him's for our purposes.  The lyrics are:

 

(John:)

What can you lose?
Only the blues
Why keep concealing everything you're feeling?
Say it to him, what can you lose?
Maybe it shows
He's had clues, which he chose to ignore
Maybe though he knows
And just wants to go on as before
As a friend, nothing more
So he closes the door

(Bruce-Michael:)

Well, if he does
Those are the dues
Once the words are spoken
Something may be broken
Still, you love him
(both:)What can you lose?

(John:)

But what if he goes?
At least now, you have part of him
(both:)What if he had to choose?

(Bruce-Michael:) Leave it alone
(John:) Hold it all in
(both:) Better a bone
Don't even begin
With so much to win
There's too much to lose

 

 

 

After an intro revealing that the tango was so risqué when it first appeared that only men would dance it – what have we here? Lee & Clara

 

Detective Sherri whispering “Sway With Me” is working both ends; Louella………

And Hedda – an ambition that others have tried and failed…………

 

 

After a brisk frisk the detectives and the schoolgirls paired off, naturally;

In “Oh, Daddy”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two of my faves

 

 

 

 

 

-Arthur Cohen, in what would have been the Jeanne Skinner in the role. Is he the thief? A moment of tribute to Jeanne as detectives doffed their hats and the schoolgirls bowed their heads

 

 

Drag Queens especially of Philomena’s status will not be denied so here was a mini wardrobe extravaganza in her song "Back in Business

The conservative suit……………

To the sexy skimpiest

 

 To the sumptuous!!! It certainly works on Detective Denise

 

This act gets better and better also – which one thinks these things up? Giddyap Dale & Roy!

 

The curtain calls (they came fast and my camera couldn’t keep up)

 

Timothea switched from the dowdy Queen Mother to the fashionista Louella Parsons

With a plume, er, aplomb

 

Of the six smashing detectives only Sherri

 

 

 

And Bruce Michael are “caught” on “film” for their curtain calls

 

 

 

I passed Wendy before the show in that get up and didn’t even recognize her – Wowl who knew how glam she could be!

 

In or out of focus Coco was the best damn Marilyn since…Marilyn

 

The Lovely Lola – by the time I focused the camera on her as the stunning Jackie O she was gone (take my word – can’t tell from these pictures)

 

The Freedner Twins, Susan and  Ruth

 

 

 

This most adorable couple seems to just get cuter with every show

Terrific Tony Bondi gave up her spectacular Carmen Miranda outfit to go dutifully back into character as the faithful beautiful (?) but dumb sidekick

 

Of Course the very glam Philomena would mot think of taking her bow in that frumpy suit

 

Still in character writer/director Denise Harbin flashes some “stuff”!

 

A well deserved hand for the huge cast!

 

Denise thanks choreographer Bret Oberman whose deft hand was apparent in so many numbers.

Lee Sharmat and Lynne helped schlep scenery on and off. And tech crew Matt Baney, Alison Brackman, Mike Romanelli, and Wendy Lewis kept everyone audible and visible.

 

A hand for Arthur who stood in for the part written for the newly departed. Beloved Jeanne Skinner

 

Dan Dan the Music Man tackled a huge task with many drag queens singing for the first time – still manages to look delicious

 

Dale, though not in the show, couldn’t resist a costume and wig………..

 

 

 

 

“It was hard with only one weekend t the playhouse but we did it!