Of course Russ Lorenson sang "The Song" in his tribute to Tony Bennett. He also sang twenty-one other songs recorded by Bennett. But when he encored with "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" at the Plush Room, his question, "Does anyone ever get tired of making love?" captured the essence of the emotion in Bennett's signature song of our beloved City.

Lorenson's well-controlled voice does not have the same vocal timbre as Bennett's tenor still does (Just over age eighty, Tony still performs and in June married a much younger woman. Russ says Bennett is "singing better than ever.") But he does have a smooth baritone with a bari-tenor range, pleasant nasal sounds and perfectly even sustains throughout. He even adapted Tony's habit of singing at least one song off-mike ("Lost in the Stars" in this show), just to demonstrate the importance of vocal projection. Russ' consistent pitch control worked just fine without amplification, although admittedly the Plush Room (a former speakeasy) is not vast. His vocal range in "Danny Boy," part of a medley to Tony's children, was impressively soaring and melodious, even though, by comparison, Russ has limited tonalities.

Lorenson's voice does not have the huskiness of Bennett's, but it has all the warmth. He has obviously spent time researching Tony's style. For "Who Can I Turn to," Russ's sensitivity to phrasing recalled Bennett's unique artistry. In "Firefly," a boogie-woogie number, Russ varied the timing in ways that would put shame to the Andrews Sisters. He exemplified Bennett's Broadway efforts with his showy rendition of Irving Berlin's "Steppin' out with My Baby." Russ' smooth-sailing vocal manner was showcased in a medley of tunes by Al Jolson and Charlie Chaplin.

Lorensons's voice was even and comforting throughout the evening, and he is an audience charmer. He does not try to imitate Bennett, thankfully, but with his quartet accompaniment, he revealed the artistry of a master crooner as though he were a devoted acolyte. He uses the attitudes and approaches of Bennett, but even with no reference to him, Lorenson's own vocal technique is a masterpiece.

On Tony Bennett's 81st birthday, Lorenson led a special celebration for him, featuring cake, champagne and a giant birthday card that all audience members could sign. The card will be delivered to Mr. Bennett when he returns to San Francisco in September to perform at Davies Symphony Hall.

This review appeared in the August 9, 2007 edition of Bay Times.

Photo courtesy of RussLorenson.com

Techno Improv Jam

Tilted Frame's weekly open jam opens up a signature format to everyone with a unique brand of technologically driven improvisation. Originally conceived as an evolving platform to test the heights and pitfalls of tech in theatre, the cutting-edge improv platform opens its stage to the public. The format includes an ever-widening array of gadgets, games and genres. Now the R&D Department is giving the reigns to you. Everyone can perform. Additionally, each Thursday the players sing along to live music and create their very own improvised songs. Techno Improv Jam premieres at 8 pm Thursday January 14 (through February 4) at the Off-Market Theaters, 965 Mission Street, San Francisco. Tickets are $10 at the door and online at www.brownpapertickets.com.

 

 

Cal Shakes' Dream 

All the whimsy of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is accentuated in the current Cal Shakes production, and the director brought out the warmth of the human love, even for those blinded by magic herbs. The fairy world opens up on a fanciful stage. The actors present strong, definitive characterizations. The outdoor Amphitheater seating under tall trees is a perfect setting for Shakespeare’s play in the woods. The strands of the story line, tangled with comic complications, all weave together by the end.

 

The Duke of Athens is about to wed Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons. His daughter Hermia (Erin Weaver) is eloping. She and her man Lysander (Avery Monsen) go to the woods. The suitor Demetrius (Richard Theriot) her father has chosen also goes to the woods, along with her friend Helena. Some local rustics are preparing a play to entertain the ceremony. They rehearse in the woods at night. At the same time, the king and queen of the fairies and their mischievous sprite Puck are also in the woods.

 

King Oberon, playing a trick on his queen Titania, commands Puck to squeeze some magic pansy juice on her eyes, so that she will automatically fall in love with the first person she sees upon awakening. He also should squeeze the juice on the eyes of the chosen suitor of Hermia. Puck gets it wrong and uses the magic on the wrong person. In his bad boy way, he puts an asses head on Nick Bottom, one of the rustics. So, Demetrius and Lysander both profess their love to Hermia. Titania wakes up to see Bottom with an ass’ head and falls in love with him. Oberon manages to correct the situation with another magic flower, and the rustics put on their play for the Duke’s wedding. It all makes perfect sense in this production.

 

They use many anachronisms. The costumes are modern and whimsical. Hermia dresses like goth punk. Others wear suits and robes. A microphone stand serves for a rock song to a ukulele. The comic lazzi bits abound, including a plastic hammer that squeaks when bopped against a character’s head. At one point, Puck is upstaged by a mechanical toy dog. The many scene changes are quick and well choreographed. The broad stage of the Amphitheater is cut down to size with a small set and light stands on the deck. The set is like a skateboard ramp with a colorful mosaic design. Steps lead up to the top, where a wooden moon hangs. Puck occasionally enters from the top by the moon, singing his songs.

 

The casting decisions were excellently made. Some core company members, along with some actors from other cities, provide strikingly distinct portrayals. Singer, dancer and actor Doug Hara is outstandingly energetic as the narrator Puck. His portrayal of confusion when he enchants the wrong set of eyes is a masterpiece of direction by Aaron Posner. Danny Scheie as Bottom obviously loves his buffoonish part, and plays it convincingly. Lindsey Gates as Helena provides a bemused character with a serious case of the giggles. Keith Randolph Smith plays both Theseus, Duke of Athens, and Oberon. As Theseus he is overly histrionic, but works very well as Oberon. Elegantly tall Pegge [sic] Johnson plays both Hippolyta and Titania very well.

 

A Midsummer Night’s Dream plays through October 11 at Bruns Memorial Amphitheater, 100 Gateway Blvd. at Hwy 24, Orinda. Tickets ($20 to $68) are available at www.calshakes.org or by phone at (510) 548-9666.

Hot Tickets

Compiled by Albert Goodwyn


The Last Dog and Pony Show & The Queer Reading Salon: Local writer Sherilyn Connelly presents an excerpt from her first memoir Bottomfeeder. a story of love, loss, regret, redemption, and kitty ears. The Salon will include Liz Latty, Clare Marie Myers, Horehound Stillpoint, and Rose Tully. One night only Thurs. Aug. 13, 8:00 pm at The Garage, 975 Howard St., SF. Tix ($10 - $20) visit www.975howard.com or phone (415) 885-4006. 

Live, No Download Required: Internet character Miranda Sings satirizes self-promotional videos of bad singers who use You Tube. This cabaret star also packs in live audiences with her comically off-key renditions and stiff dancing. She appears with Ryan O’Connor, film, TV and theatre performer with his own You Tube show. They play one night only Thursday, Aug. 13, 8:00 pm at The Rrazz Room at The Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason, SF. Tix ($15 - $20) go to www.therrazzroom.com or phone (866) 468-3399. 

Corpus Cabaret: As part of the annual Summer Performance Festival, Calypso's Circus Cabaret presents the wonders of the human body in a journey through the range of the emotional spectrum and the limitless possibilities of creativity. This show features exotic local performers of acrobatics, contortion, song, dance, comedy, and magic, with music by The Dreamtime Circus, movement by Slinky Jinkx ensemble and others TBA. Plays two nights only Fri. & Sat. Aug. 14 & 15, 8 pm at The Garage, 975 Howard St., SF. Tix ($10 - $20) visit www.975howard.com or phone (415) 885-4006. 

My Fair Lady: George Bernard Shaw’s play about a speech professor who wagers he can transform a common flower girl into a glamorous woman offers romantic and comedic results. It was adapted as a musical by Lerner & Loewe. Now Lamplighters Music Theatre is bringing it to The City from Aug. 14 (through Aug. 23) at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater, 700 Howard St. Tix ($14 - $47) visit www.lamplighters.org or phone (415) 978-2787

Too Big to Fail: SF Mime Troupe returns to The City with their world-premiere political comedy about the credit industry. Goat farmer Filiji's recently borrowed loan from a large corporate bank gets called in, and he is forced to make a decision on how to save his goats and wealth in the face of a bad economy. (Please see our review of the Independence Day opening at http://www.sfbaytimes.com/article_p.php?article_id=11059). After touring, The Mime Troupe appears for two more 2:00 pm outdoor performances: Aug. 15 at North Beach’s Washington Square Park, Union & Columbus Sts.; and on Aug. 16 at Yerba Buena Gardens, 899 Howard St. Free admission; more info at www.sfmt.org and (415) 285-1717

And I Played John Lennon's Piano: Steve Schalchlin’s autobiographical concert puts into music the story of his miraculous rebound from his failing health. He plays piano with his pop, rock, folk, blues, and gospel story-songs. He was one of the first HIV/AIDS bloggers. After responding well to a last-ditch effort at treatment, he found out that his little "AIDS blog" had garnered a ‘net following. His partner, playwright Jim Brochu, turned his story and songs into the critically acclaimed and much-beloved The Last Session, about a man bent on suicide. Brochu will attend the performance, as well as members of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus. One night only, 7:30 pm Aug. 17 at New Conservatory Theatre Center, 25 Van Ness Ave., SF. Tix ($30) phone (415) 861- 8972 or go to www.nctcsf.org.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee: Teens must be letter-perfect in the Tony-winning musical. This off-Broadway New York play is fast-paced and funny while being very sympathetic to the young dreams of success. This musical comedy celebrates the mania of competition among lovable and uproariously nerdy contestants. Marilyn Langbehn directs for Willows Theatre Company. Opens Aug. 17 (through Sept. 13) at Campbell Theatre, 636 Ward St., Martinez. Tix ($22 - $32) go to www.willowstheatre.org or phone (925) 798-1300.

Little Amy: In a two-part solo performance, Amy Helmstetter, a dancer with wanderlust, revisits her nineteen-year-old self to explore a complex state of being in which a young woman seeks inner discovery. The piece is a dance improvisation based on Amy's awkward and self-contradicting attempts at maturity. She strives to tap into the complex archetypal energies of the present moment. This is part of the Summer Performance Festival’s raw & uncut choreography showcase. Opens Aug. 19 (through Aug. 20) at The Garage, 975 Howard St., SF. Tix ($10 - $20) go to www.975howard.com or phone (415) 885 4006.

SHAME!, An Original Grotesque Queer Performance: Naked Empire Bouffon Company presents a prophetic, obscene and charmingly offensive band of buffoons to lambaste the hypocrisies, hierarchies and happiness of our Queer community. The company combines social activism with satire. Opens Aug. 20 (through Aug. 29) at Mama Calizo’s Voice Factory, 1519 Mission St., SF. For more info and tix ($20) visit http://nakedempirebouffon.com or phone (615) 720-0703.

Bay Area Tap Festival and Rhythm Exchange: Stepology, a San Francisco-based nonprofit corporation, presents their annual festival of tap dancing, which has never failed to be a fantastic showcase of talent. The spectacular concert event celebrates the uniquely American dance art form. The diverse, multi-generational cast of artists performs to live music, and includes stars from Broadway, film and the stage. Channing Cook Holmes of Riverdance will perform, as well as San Francisco’s own Barbary Coast Cloggers. Opens Fri. Aug. 21(through Sat. Aug. 22) at Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness, SF. Tix ($17 - $25) phone (415) 392-4400 or go to www.cityboxoffice.com. 

Julius Caesar: Marin Shakes presents Shakespeare’s tragic psychological drama, which centers on Brutus and his struggle with loyalty when persuaded to conspire against Caesar. Starring Barry Kraft and Jay Karnes and directed by Robert Currier, the outdoor play opens Aug. 21(through Sept 26) at Forest Meadows Amphitheatre, Dominican University, 50 Acacia Ave., San Rafael. Tix ($15 - $30) visit www.marinshakespeare.org or phone (415) 499-4488.

Awake and Sing! Aurora presents a timely Clifford Odets play about a year in the life of an extended Jewish family that does whatever it takes to survive life in the Bronx at the height of the Great Depression. Opens Aug. 21(through Sept. 27) at Aurora Theatre, 2081 Addison St., Berkeley. Tix ($15 - $55) go to www.auroratheatre.org or phone (510) 843-4822.

 

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