Monday, March 18, 2013

SceneAroundTown...The Must See "One Night With Janis Joplin" at the Pasadena Playhouse

Mary Bridget Davies is electrifying & soars as Janis Joplin in "One Night With Janis Joplin"... photo by Jim Cox


Sabrina Elayne Carten is a marvel in her role as  Blues Singer ... photo by Jim Cox



Tricia Kelly, Shay Saint-Victor, Kimberly Yarbrough, Mary Bridget Davies & Sabrina Elayne Carten pull out all the stops in "One Night With Janis Joplin" now playing at the Pasadena Playhouse...  photo by Jim Cox



"One Night With Janis Joplin" at the Pasadena Playhouse... photo by Janet Macoska 


Writer/Director Randy Johnson & star Mary Bridget Davies... photo by Billy Bennight


Janis Joplin's younger brother Michael Joplin & Randy Johnson...  photo by Billy Bennight


Mary Bridget Davies & Harrison Held...  photo by Billy Bennight


Designers Katie Kay Mead & Maylin Joplin present 60's Janis Joplin fashions by their company "Made for Pearl"... photo by Billy Bennight


A great night at the Pasadena Playhouse where they premiered "One Night With Janis Joplin" starring the amazing & electrifying Mary Bridget Davies as iconic 60's rock star Janis Joplin.  The must see concert/play was created, written & directed by Randy Johnson.  "One Night With Janis Joplin" also stars Sabrina Elayne Carten who is terrific as The Soul Singer plus talented singers Tricia Kelly, Shay Saint-Victor and Kimberly Yarbrough as the Joplinaires.  The show features an excellent hard driving band led by music supervisor Ross Seligman.  "One Night With Janis Joplin" gives an in depth background of Janis' artistic & musical roots from early singing training in musical theater with her Mom & siblings at home in Port Arthur, Texas to the powerful blues influences of The Chantelles, Bessie Smith, Etta James & Nina Simone.  Her foray into professional singing in Texas bars earning her money to buy art supplies is explored  as she is discovered by Chuck Jones and brought to California where she joined her first rock band "Big Brother & the Holding Company" in San Francisco...  from there her legendary career unfolds.  Sabrina Elayne Carten does her own star turn as Aretha Franklin performing "Spirit in the Dark" with Joplin in a fantasy concert and the end of act one.  Mary Bridget Davies is a wonder as the spunky, free spirited Joplin and when she's not tearing up the scenery with her amazing vocals she shares many humorous & insightful anecdotes about what made Janis Joplin the artist and the woman tick.  The show is a powerful celebration of the music, life & artistry of the iconic rock star.  Definitely worth seeing! Visit www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org for details. Report by Harrison Held.


"One Night With Janis Joplin" Stars Mary Bridget Davies & Sabrina Elayne Carten with Janis Joplin's colorful vintage car ... photo courtesy Broadway World












Saturday, March 2, 2013

SceneAroundTown.... Legendary Singer Johnny Mathis Honored by Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters.....

Deniece Williams and Beverly Todd... photo by Billy Bennight
On hand to sing his praises...  Wink Martindale, Dionne Warwick & Deniece Williams  were on hand to honor their friend and colleague legendary singer Johnny Mathis when he received the prestigious Art Gilmore Career Achievement Award from the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters.  Johnny Mathis has sold over 350 million records since he began recording for Columbia in 1956.  The luncheon was held earlier today at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City.  The dais also included PPB Entertainment Chair Jeanne DeVivier Brown, Amy Alcott, Bernie Gardner, Jay Landers, Bill Russell, Gary Owens, Chuck Southcott & Diamond Circle Award recipient Lee Meriwether and was well hosted by radio personality & PPB President Chuck Street....  written by Harrison Held  photo by Billy Bennight
Lee Meriwether arrives with her friend Connie Sawyer who recently turned 100.... Ms. Meriwether went to high school with Johnny Mathis in San Francisco & recalled that the first time she heard him singing she knew he was going to be a star..... photo by Billy Bennight
PPB's Jeanne DeVivier Brown & Chuck Street... photo by Billy Bennight

Friday, February 22, 2013

SceneAroundTown... Project Green's Oscar Weekend Music Lounge & Benefit Event.... Petersen Museum...

Matt Sorum & 3 members of  The Changelings


Harrison Held, Alicia Arden & Janna Phillips


April Ritchie & Andy Dick


Erica A. Hill, Vaja & Stacey D. Barker


Wayne Jobson, Kathleen Grace Donelly & Leon Robinson


Lisa Schneiderman


Lisa Schneiderman & Elizabeth Estrada


Adam Shaffer & Janna Phillips


Kim Kreiss & Janna Phillips


Hallie Jordan & Josh Mitchell


Harrison Held & Jalila Larsuel



Trinity Marquez, Isaiah J. Morgan & Brianna


Matt Sorum & 3 members of The Changelings

eekis rocked the house with their music www.eekis.com & enjoyed delicious eats from Cafe Rio Mexican Grill  www.caferio.com 

S. Scott Conner, Barbara Hollander & Said Faraj

Barbara Hollander & Catia DeLiso...  art by Eric  R. Doolin :)

Monday, February 18, 2013

SceneAroundTown.... "Hurray for Hollywoof"

"Hurray for Hollywoof".... Owner David Essex & family at the grand opening & launch party for the new Zoom Room in Sherman Oaks
(photo: Billy Bennight)

Special canine guest 'Super Smiley' takes a nice stretch on the green carpet as he arrives with his owner Megan Blake (far right) and friends Patrick Stone (center)  and Tanya Dickson (left)  at 'Hooray for Hollywoof' at the new Zoom Room in Sherman Oaks.  The family friendly launch party also featured a raffle fundraiser for Elle's Strangest Angels Recue
(photo: Billy Bennight)
Tina Q. Nguyen and Angel arrive for Hurray for Hollywoof at the grand opening of Zoom Room in Sherman Oaks
(photo: Billy Bennight)

Sunday, February 3, 2013

SceneAroundTown.... Disney's "Wreck-It-Ralph" Big Winner at the 40th Annual Annie Awards....

Ed Callison, Zach Callison & Harrison Held arrive at the 40th Annual Annie Awards. Zach presented an award with Mindy Sterling & Max Charles (Photo: Billy Bennight)

Annie Awards creator June Foray (Photo: Billy Bennight)


"Wreck-It-Ralph" director Rich Moore (Photo: Billy Bennight)

"Life of Pi" creative team arrives on the red carpet for the 40th Annual Annie Awards at UCLA's Royce Hall         (photo: Billy Bennight)


Nominee & Presenter Atticus Shaffer  (photo: Billy Bennight)


Leonard Maltin arrives to host the 40th Annual Annie Awards (photo: Billy Bennight)


Lucas Grabeel & Jessica Dicicco arrive on the red carpet to present at the 40th Annual Annie Awards
 (Photo: Billy Bennight)


Brave's Steve Purcell & Mark Andrews (photo: Billy Bennight)

Seth Green, Ed Callison, (back row), Max Charles & Zach Callison backstage at the 40th Annual Annie Awards
(photo courtesy Ed Callison)


Kevin Shinick & Seth Green presented Kristen Schaal with her Annie for Voice Acting in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production for her role as Mabel Pines in Disney's "Gravity Falls: Tourist Trapped
 (photo courtesy The Annie Awards)




Frank Gladstone, ASIFA Hollywood President (photo by Billy Bennight)




Sunday, October 21, 2012

SceneAroundTown.... Carla Laemmle Turns 103... Silent Movie Theater...

Carla Laemmle & Lou Wegner

Janet Klein & Carla Laemmle

Carla Laemmle & Nic Novicki



Dear Readers....  I've been really enjoying my hiatus....  more coVerage later.....  HH(:    1/20/13

Sunday, October 14, 2012

SceneAroundTown.... ICT's Sassy & Sultry "Ain't Misbehavin'" Strikes The Right Chords... Yolanda Romersa's Beautiful Musical Short Film "Paloma" Screens at the LaFemme Film Festival.... IAMLA's The Taste of Italy...

ICT Presents "Ain't Misbehavin'"

ICT Presents "Ain't Misbehavin'"

International City Theatre presents a very entertaining, sassy, sultry & winning "Ain't Misbehavin'" which opened Friday night and runs through November 4th at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center.  The popular high energy Fats Waller show set in the 1920's was first performed at the Manhattan Theatre Club in 1978 before it debuted on Broadway shortly after. The show was conceived by Richard Maltby, Jr and Murray Horwitz.  This version of the musical comes to life in the very capable hands of director Saundra McCain beautifully recreating the Harlem Renaissance's Cotton Club with top notch music direction by Rahn Coleman & sizzling choreography by Stephen Semien.  The Tony award winning musical stars 5 very talented and outstanding performers (in alphabetical order) Phillip Brandon, Niketa Calame, Amber Mercomes, Lacy Darryl Phillips & Jennifer Shelton.  The revue features over 30 songs including Ain't Misbehavin', 'T Ain't Nobody's Biz-ness if I Do, Honeysuckle Rose, Squeeze Me, The Joint is Jumpin', Lounging at the Waldorf, The Reefer Song, Mean to Me, Your Feet's Too Big, Find Out What They Like and It's a Sin to Tell a Lie.  "Ain't Misbehavin'" is based on the life and music of Thomas "Fats" Waller the legendary jazz pianist, composer and singer of the early 1900's.  This version includes an additional added touch - it starts off in 2012 when one of the performers, cell phone in hand stumbles into the night club to get out of the rain & then is transported back in time to the sultry 1920's Cotton Club & Harlem Renaissance era.  Excellent night club scenic design by John Iacovelli, dazzling lighting by Ben Pilat, beautiful period costumes by Kim DeShazo & great hair & wig design by Anthony Gagliardi.  For more information  visit www.ictlongbeach.org or call 562-436-4610.  I highly recommend "Ain't Misbehavin'"... Don't miss it! If you don't drive the train stops a few minutes away from the theatre.


ICT Presents "Ain't Misbehavin'"

ICT Presents "Ain't Misbehavin'"



Kudos to actress/singer Yolanda Romersa on her passion project "Paloma" a very good provocative 28 minute musical short featuring beautiful songs & performances & a roller coaster often gritty story. Romersa directs & stars in the project with Steven Bauer, Natasha Perez & Patrick Reese.  "Paloma" is the very moving story of a  gregarious free spirited & party loving Mexican American singer who deserts her husband and 2 children for a self destructive life of sex, drugs & hard partying.  Her husband has demanded she change her ways but being an addict she can't.  Nine years later,  now clean & sober she suddenly shows up at her family's home to beg their forgiveness & reestablish her roots with her husband & children.  Yolanda Romersa is a fiery & talented singer & actress. She co-wrote the songs with Lina Gallegos & their use of a troubadour to tell the story through music is very effective & adds nice touches of humor.  Steven Bauer, always a winner with his dramatic performances makes a very good onscreen singing debut performing "Fusie Tu".    




IAMLA's The Taste of Italy's Marianna Gatto & special guest Richard Grieco

IAMLA's The Taste of Italy.... Costumed characters add to the fun

IAMLA's The Taste of Italy....  Guests enjoy delicious Italian cuisine... Photo by Gianfilippo De Rossi 

IAMLA's The Taste of Italy... Photo by Gianfilippo De Rossi

IAMLA's The Taste of Italy..."Welcome"...Photo by Gianfilippo  De Rossi

IAMLA's The Taste of Italy...  Photo by Gianfilippo De Rossi