We skipped our usual burger and wine before going to the Pantages last night. Tired of spending $70 to split a marginal burger and fries and drinking inexpensive wine. Hollywood Blvd. really needs to get more restaurants around the Pantages. I know the pandemic closed a lot of them but it’s time to move back in. The city even cleaned up the worst of the homeless encampments so it’s not as scary as it used to be. Anyway, we went to the Pantages to see Beetlejuice. It’s not great theater, you won’t come out humming the tunes, but it’s lots of fun. What a remarkable change! Entertainment! The sets were original, the actors are all good, and the book worked to support the story. For a good time, call Beetlejuice–three times. Or at least buy a ticket.
One thing I forgot to add: it was opening night last night so the people watching was wonderful. All the pretty models and actresses came dressed to the nines (whatever that means). Gordon almost lost his eyes when a lovely young woman sashayed by in a super short skirt. Well, she had the legs to pull it off. But, boy, did I feel old. That’s life, ain’t it. It was also a big cosplay night. Lots of black & white striped dresses and shirts. I didn’t have any gorgeous guys to ogle. Damn. And I got stuck behind two Shreks so I had to bob and weave to see the show. I should carry a phone book when I go to the theater. I need something to sit on. Of course, nobody has phone books anymore. See above comment about getting old. I’ve got an idea! Why don’t producers book movie theaters? Stadium seating would really help me out.
We’ve been royally entertained lately. Last week we went to Into the Woods at the Ahmanson. Wonderful production. It was a touring company, so the sets were fragmented but that worked better than productions I’ve seen with huge sets. When you’re dealing with storybook characters, why not let the imagination run wild? No point in dragging everybody down to earth–unless you’re a giant, then it’s a plot point. Four of the cast members were from the original Broadway cast that won Best Revival (I think). The baker and his wife were a real-life married couple, and they worked wonderfully together. The young man who played the Wolf and Prince Charming was delightful. The Sondheim score is demanding but the cast had no problem with it–and they were all superb comic actors. It’s the best production of Into the Woods I’ve seen (haven’t seen that many but still…). It might be enough to save the Music Center. The Taper is being closed for the near future due to lack of money. The last program director spent all the money on political shows. We finally cancelled our subscription to the Taper because we couldn’t stand the hatred and politicization anymore. I remember a play, starring Mary Louise Parker, that was written by an Englishman. Midpoint in the play, apropos to nothing, Parker screams out, “I hate Republicans!” Don’t think it was in the script, she just adlibbed but that sort of thing became common. In What the Constitution Means to Me, the actor/writer declaims that the electoral college should be abolished because it interferes with Democracy. I guess she never read US history. The rural states would never have ratified the Constitution without the electoral college. They wanted to be protected from the populated states. If the Left is allowed to destroy the electoral college the Red states will have no choice but to seceded for their own protection. But if you believe that you’re bigot or a racist…some sort of ‘ot’ or ‘ist’. When we went for a glass of wine at the Plaza before the show last Wednesday, the signs were blaring that the last four performances of Transparency the Musical had tickets available. I didn’t see a soul around the theater. It looked dead. I guess they couldn’t give tickets away. And when you can’t paper a theater, you have a real problem. Anyway, the new director is searching for money…and plays people want to see, presumably. They’ll have a hard time getting me back. Once bitten, twice shy. I’m tired of paying to be called names and patronized. I’d rather watch I Love Lucy reruns. They’re more entertaining and a lot cheaper.
Last night we saw Tina at the Pantages. It’s a juke box musical about Tina Turner so they used her famous songs. The book was okay, but I liked the movie better. All the singers were great. Either Naomi Rogers or Zurin Villanueva, not sure which, did a nice turn as Tina (turn, get it?). The program lists two women in the part. Maybe they take turns just to save their voices. That would make sense. But whichever woman I saw had a great voice. She belted for two hours. I liked what she did, but I saw Tina perform live. And there’s only one Tina. I imagine the actress will develop her own style–if she hasn’t already. Anyway, it was a pleasant way to spend an evening. I think the show is moving on in a week because we have Beetlejuice tickets next week. So much fun….
