“Seussical the Musical,” “Blue Door” and “Dearly Beloved”

Music, comedy, drama offered

in three local productions

Three great shows recently opened in the East Bay: “Seussical, The Musical” presented by Contra Costa Christian Theatre in the Del Valle Theatre, next door to Rossmoor; a madcap musical, “Dearly Beloved” at the Willows Theater in Concord; and “Blue Door,” a thought provoking look at familial heritage and personal identity at Berkeley Repertory Theatre.

“Seussical”

Theodur Seuss Geisel penned the name of Dr. Seuss when he dropped out of college to work in advertising, to draw political cartoons, and to write children's books. His self-ordained title of “Dr.” is now known around the world by millions of adults and children.

Director Eric Nieman says that the creators of “Ragtime” and “Once on this Island” were invited in 1998 to adapt the Seuss stories into a musical. Composer Stephen Flaherty and Lyricist Lynn Aherns worked with Monty Python's Eric Idle to transform over 15 stories into one magical musical stage experience. The show's brief Broadway run in 2000-2001was followed by a national tour and then continued with great success throughout regional and community theaters.

I have to commend the marvelous production team at Contra Costa Christian Theatre for this superb show, specifically giving kudos to Nieman, Musical Director Angelique Lucia, choreographer Amy Warner, costume designer Cindy Sarmiento, scenic designer Kimberly James, and sound designer Carole Davis for pulling together a show that is nothing less than spectacular for a community theatrical production.

“Seussical, the Musical” brings us Horton the Elephant (played by a heart-warming Danny Cozart) from the Jungle of Newell, Gertrude McFuzz (the one-feathered bird played by sweet Amy Neiman), plus JoJo (a child of the Who, played by Amanda Neiman), and the boy (his counter-part played by Gail Wilson), and of course, the Cat in the Hat (played in perfectly by Marc Murai).

The story includes the many citizens of Who, discovered by Horton floating adrift and in danger on a particle of dust. Only Horton has hearing sensitive enough to hear their tiny little voices as they cry out for help, and Horton resolves to save them, “because a persons a person, no matter how small!”

In Whoville on that tiny floating speck of dust, there are ups and downs and even good things go bust. Problems are problems, some big and some small, and “thinking” is frowned on, says the mayor, his wife and citizens all. The mayor's son JoJo has committed the ultimate sin - he “thinks” about everything, from outside to in. When their world gets in trouble and turns upside down, and crashes and smashes and lands on the ground, who comes to their rescue, who saves Whoville and all? You guessed it my friend, the littlest who in Whoville, that's where JoJo stands tall.

I hope my attempt at poetic-verse nonsense has not turned you off to this “Seussical” musical opportunity. If you and or your children have ever enjoyed the silly, lyrical poetry of “Green Eggs and Ham,” “Cat in The Hat” and the Grinch, then by all means, do not miss this opportunity to join the wonderful cast in “Seussical, the Musical” and grow young again. I wish I had the space to give kudos to everyone.

This fun-filled musical has outstanding choreography, terrific costumes, and a cast that is thrilled to bring this wonderful experience to you. This musical plays through May 5. Call 943-7469 (SHOW) for tickets. The Del Valle Theatre is located at 1963 Tice Valley Blvd. at the Acalanes Adult Center next to Rossmoor.

“Dearly Beloved”

The Willows Theater production of “Dearly Beloved” is a crazy comedy by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten. It touches on the pride, prejudice and repetitive volatility of the Dubberly/Futrelle Family as they gather for Gina Jo's wedding, potluck dinner and pig roast barbecue in the fictitious little town of Fayro, Texas.

Three sisters, Frankie (Darcy Brown-Martin), Twink (Diana Boos) and Honey Rose Futrelle (Lorraine Olsen) get together to marry off one of Frankie's twin daughters, and in doing so they dredge up a cacophony of unsettled caustic sibling rivalries, stir up a hatful of hometown hatreds, and even mix in some supercilious southern social sentiments. In other words, it can get real nasty if you want to get the real dirt on what's going on down at the farm, and you sometimes just gotta get right down in the old hog trough if you wanna get at the reeeaal truth!

The Futrelle sisters used to be very close when they were part of an almost legendary church gospel-singing choral group called the Sermonettes. An ill-fated romance by Honey Rae with a ventriloquist band promoter broke up the girls' gospel singing careers, bringing years of recriminations and resentments. Honey Rae's marital bliss has been on the matrimonial marry-go-round six times without her grabbing the golden ring of success.

Sister Twink is bound and determined that she is finally going to get her boyfriend of 15 year, Wiley Hicks (Brian Levy), to the alter. Her taro card, tea leaves and palm reading, fortune-telling advisor, Nelda Lightfoot, has promised that if Twink can get Wiley to a wedding, where he will witness the actual vows exchange, she will be married within the next few months. Wiley has other plans on the upcoming wedding day, so Twink slips Wiley a love-potion of drugs that put him into a stupefying-stupor and she has to drag him to the chapel in an altered state of mind.

Sister Frankie has been happily married to her husband Dub (Michael Ray Wisely) for 18-plus years, but now suspects he is having an affair.

The bride and groom fail to show up for the wedding and foul play is suspected as the groom's haughty mother, Patsy Price (Caroline Altman), admits to not wanting her son mixing in the Futrelle gene pool. The gun-slinging sheriff, John Curtis Buntner (Nikolai Lokteff), takes off in hot pursuit of the recalcitrant bride and groom, hoping to save the wedding day.

UPS driver/minister-in-training Justin Waverly (Ryan Tasker) is pulled off his UPS route to officiate in the ceremony when the regular minister ends up in the county drunk tank on the day of the wedding. Tina Jo Dubberly (Gina's twin sister, played by Katie Anderson), pretends to be the bride to keep the guests at the chapel while the family tries to round up the missing bride and groom. All kinds of shenanigans tumble and rumble all over each other as this mad-cap matrimonial farce takes-off.

There are a lot of exceedingly funny lines, a cast that is exceptionally clever at comedic delivery and timing. If you enjoyed Carol Burnett in her comic heyday, you undoubtedly will love Lorraine Olsen in her Honey Raye character. Several people commented on the similarity.

While the show is a delightfully funny, there are an endless number of blackouts and scene changes. This fun-filled evening of entertainment plays through May 13. The Willows Theatre is located at 1975 Diamond Blvd, between to Comp USA and REI sporting goods in the Willows Shopping Center, across the street from the Hilton Hotel and one block east of the Willow Pass Road exit from Highway 680. Call 798-1300 or visit the Web site at www.willowstheatre.org for tickets

Also, my guests and I had a superb dinner in the Grissini Restaurant located in the Hilton Hotel. Our pork Marsala was excellent, and our friends raved about the grilled salmon that was smothered in pecan wild rice pilaf and perfectly cooked vegetables. I strongly recommend calling them at 680-1700 to make reservations for dinner before the theater performance.

“Blue Door”

Berkeley Repertory Theatre has done it again. This incredible theater company has produced a new and innovative play, Tanya Barfield's “Blue Door,” which is on the cutting edge of current issues and controversy. Black history, social evolution and self-identity have never been more popular with audiences hoping to better understand and personally feel the angst and emergence and integration of the Black experience and lifestyle in America today.

Barfield says in the program that “We all have ancestors. I think it is part of human nature to be pulled by our ancestors, to feel their watchful spirits, to wish we knew their stories, to both scorn and adore them.”

In “Blue Door,” Lewis, an African-American professor of mathematics, is struggling with his efforts to be exonerated and separated from the populist's common vision of Black America by not wishing to participate in the Million Man March. In addition, he is struggling with the exodus of his white wife from his life, prompted, among other things, by his desire not to be part of that march and what it symbolizes to him.

In a convoluted, frustrating period of self-examination prompted by repetitive nights of insomnia, Lewis is visited by spirits of his deceased relatives, including his great grandfather Simon, his grandfather Jesse, his father Charlie and his brother Rex (all played by Teagle F. Bougere). Lewis (David Forteno) hears, experiences and re-examines his family history through the individual and sporadic visitations of these ancestors.

Lewis struggles with these visions, trying to ignore his brother's chiding for his failure to identify with and embrace his black heritage. Why does Lewis feel alone, rejected, and loveless? Is it in part due to his avoidance of these issues in his life?

This is a very powerful, moving, life and heritage affirming theatrical experience. We are all struggling to know and understand and relate to our ancestry, regardless of what our race or nationality is.

Barfield is a new emerging energy in the theatrical experience. On the day this production opened, she had just been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.

“Blue Door” plays through May 20 in the Berkeley Repertory Theatre's Thrust Stage at 2025 Addison Street in Berkeley. Call (510) 647-2949 for tickets or visit the Web site at www.berkeleyrep.org.

April Special Events sponsored by Recreation

The following are the April Special Events sponsored by the Rossmoor Recreation Department. For more information on any of these events during the month, check the Special Events listing on the calendar page each week, look for the article in the Arts and Leisure section of the News, or call the Recreation Department at 988-7732. Events are free unless otherwise noted. This information is posted throughout the month of April on the Rossmoor News Web site at www.rossmoornews.com.

14th annual Concert at the Res set for May

The 14th annual free Concert at the Res is Saturday, May 19, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Lafayette Reservoir. The afternoon event showcases local school music programs.

Ashmolean Singers present eclectic concert

Lyric soprano Elizabeth Hunter will be the guest soloist at the Ashmolean Singers' spring concert on Sunday, April 30, at 4 p.m. in the Fireside Room at Gateway Clubhouse.

Ballroom Dance Club sets its April dance

The Ballroom Dance Club will dance to the music of the Casuals Band on Saturday, April 21, at 7 p.m. in the Sierra Room of Del Valle Clubhouse.

Baritone Richard Fey will perform at Fun Day

Baritone Richard Fey will perform for Fun Day in the Sierra Room at Del Valle at noon on Thursday, April 19. Fey will be accompanied on the piano by Miles Graber.

Best Actress Helen Mirren stars in “The Queen” showing Wednesday

The 2006 drama “The Queen,” starring Helen Mirren in her Academy Award-winning role as Queen Elizabeth II, will be shown in Peacock Hall on Wednesday, April 25, at 4 and 7 p.m.; Thursday, April 26, at 1, 4 and 7 p.m.; and on Friday, April 27, at 10 a.m. and 1, 4 and 7 p.m.

Big Band performs at ballroom dance Memorial Day weekend in Lafayette

The Rossmoor Big Band will perform Friday, May 25, at its third Big Band Ballroom Dance at the Veterans Memorial Building in Lafayette.

“Seussical the Musical,” “Blue Door” and “Dearly Beloved”

Music, comedy, drama offered

Cantare All-Star Choir to perform a free concert in the afternoon at Del Valle

The Cantare Youth Choir All-Star singers will perform a free concert of music from spirituals to jazz favorites in the Sierra Room at Del Valle on Friday, April 27, at 4 p.m. (not in the evening as stated in earlier News articles).

Faces of Faith film series continues

The Interfaith Council and the Foreign Film Club combine to present two more movies as part of their Faces of Faith film series.

Fine Arts Sidewalk Festival set for Walnut Creek

Downtown Walnut Creek will celebrate the arrival of spring with its 58th Semi-Annual Fine Arts Sidewalk Festival on Friday and Saturday, April 27 and 28, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Free recital of musical theater to be presented by teachers Saturday in the Fireside Room

A free recital of classical, art song, opera and musical theater will be presented in the Fireside Room at Gateway Clubhouse on Saturday, April 21, at 3 p.m., presented by the National Organization of Teachers of Singing (NATS).

Fulton Street Jazz Band to entertain Dixieland Jazz Club

The Dixieland Jazz Club will be entertained by Sacramento's Fulton Street Jazz Band on Wednesday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m. in the Sierra Room at Del Valle Clubhouse.

Grace Notes perform at Lesher Center

The Grace Notes, Rossmoor's women's barbershop chorus, will perform in the show, “A Salute to Women in the Arts,” on Tuesday, April 24, at 7:30 p.m. at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek.

Lions Club's annual luau in May will feature hula performance by Dances of the Pacific

The Lions Club will present its annual luau on Saturday, May 12, at 5 p.m. at Del Valle Clubhouse.

Movie Short Takes

A love letter to Paris

Music fraternity Mu Phi Epsilon to present free concert Sunday

The Berkeley Alumni Chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon, International Professional Music Fraternity, is proud to present the winners of its 2007 Young Artist Competition on Sunday, April 22, at 3 p.m. in the Fireside Room at Gateway.

Show and Tell Film Club to present “Little Miss Sunshine”

The Academy-Award winning film, “Little Miss Sunshine,” will be shown by the Show and Tell Film Club on Wednesday, May 2, at 3 p.m. in Peacock Hall. The film won 2006 Academy Awards for Best Original Screenplay and for Alan Arkin for Best Supporting Actor.

Stay healthy by dancing on the fourth Sunday

Rossmoor's Fourth Sunday Dance can help residents stay healthy, energetic and maintain a positive attitude. All residents are invited to attend the next dance at Del Valle Clubhouse from 7 to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 22.

Sunday Funnies presents “The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill and Came Down a Mountain”

The 1995 comedy, “The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain,” starring Hugh Grant, will be shown in Peacock Hall at Gateway on Sunday, April 22, at 4 and 7 p.m. This film does not have a language captions option.

“The Departed” shows Thursday, Friday

The 2006 drama, “The Departed,” starring Jack Nicholson and Leonardo DiCaprio, will be shown in Peacock Hall at Gateway on Thursday, April 19, at 1, 4 and 7 p.m.; Friday, April 20, at 10 a.m., 1, 4 and 7 p.m.; and again on Saturday, April 21, at 1, 4 and 7 p.m. The showings at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. will feature language captions.

Three films and panel discussion featured for last week of Faces of Faith film festival

Week four of the cross-cultural film festival, “Faces of Faith,” begins on Monday, April 23, with “The Son.”

Writers Club program will run on Channel 28 starting tomorrow, features three readers

The Writers Club will present three readers on its Channel 28 program this month, to be shown Thursday, April 19 through Wednesday, April 25.