Past Reviews

Regional Reviews: San Francisco

Two World Premieres:
Painting the Clouds with Sunshine and
Every Five Minutes

Also see Patrick's review of Baba and Jeanie's review of Game On


42nd Street Moon Production of Painting the Clouds with Sunshine


Galen Murphy-Hoffman
Photo by David Allen
42nd Street Moon is presenting its very first world premiere musical at the Eureka Theatre through April 20th. The company, which usually produces rarely seen musicals, has come up with a winner in Painting the Clouds with Sunshine. Greg MacKellan and Mark D. Kaufmann have written a wonderful tribute to musical films of the 1930s. I could use '30s phrases to say this two-hour fast-paced feel-good show is the "the bee's knees" or that "a swell musical."

The Great Depression is viewed through the prism of "talking pictures" as the movies swept the clouds away in that dark time. The plot follows a world-weary newsman and a struggling waitress trying to find romance in glittery Hollywood. Interspersed are two Hollywood musical stars dancing and singing away the blues from a miniature movie screen located center stage. Painting the Clouds with Sunshine features 28 songs from famous film musical writers like Oscar Hammerstein II, Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers, Frank Lesser and numerous others.

Mark D. Kaufmann charmingly helms this upbeat musical with a cast of wonderful singers and dancers. Ryan Drummond and Allison F. Rich are marvelous as the Hollywood stars. They give sumptuous performances singing such songs as Harry Warren and Gus Kahn's "Honolulu"; Dana Suesse and Edward Heyman's "You Oughta Be in Pictures"; Frank Loesser, Gene Krupa and Ray Biondi's "Some Like It Hot"; and Harry Revel and Mack Gordon's "You Hit the Spot" with some fancy footwork. Ryan Drummond really shines in the heartfelt depression song by Jay Gorney and "Yip" Harburg called "Dusty Shoes." Allison F. Rich sinuously executes Arthur Johnston and Sam Coslow's "Sweet Marijuana" from the film Murder at the Vanities to open the second act.

Kari Yancy is captivating as Alice the young waitress seeking fame and fortune in tinsel town films. She has great vocal chops singing Al Lewis and Al Sherman's "Livin' in the Sunlight, Lovin in the Moonlight" and a reprise of Joe Burke and Al Dubin's "Painting the Clouds with Sunshine." Galen Murphy-Hoffman gives a crowd pleasing performance as George the Hollywood reporter and Alice's love interest. He has a vibrant voice singing such songs as Harry Revel and Mack Gordon's "Did You Ever See a Dream Walking?" and Rodgers and Hart's "My Friend the Night."

Justin Gillman is excellent as the newsboy Jake, singing such songs as Harry Warren and Johnny Mercer's "Jeepers, Creepers" and Herman Hupfeld's "Are you Making Any Money?". John-Elliott Kirk gives a smooth performance as Gil the Hollywood producer incognito, who discovers Alice's talent. He has charming vocal cords singing Sigmund Romberg and Oscar Hammerstein II's "There's a Riot in Havana" and Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields' "I'm Doing That Thing (Falling in Love)" and "I'm Shooting High" by McHugh and Ted Koehler.

Cami Thompson is fun and feisty as Alice's waitress friend Willa. She belts out Harry Revel and Mack Gordon's "You Can't Have Everything" and Milton Ager and Jack Yellen's "I'm Feathering a Nest." As Joyce, Nicole Frydman provides wonderful humor and has a terrific voice singing Herman Hupfeld's "Are You Making Any Money?" and a hilarious song from the pens of Richard Whiting, Leo Robins and Buddy DeSylva called "Gather Lip Rouge While You May."

Dave Dobrusky provides great backup on the piano while choreographer Staci Arriaga's dances are lively and fully of energy. Costumes by Felicia Lilienthal are spot-on period outfits of the '30s.

Painting the Clouds with Sunshine plays through April 20th at the Eureka Theatre, 215 Jackson Street, San Francisco. For tickets call 415-255-8207 or visit www.42ndStMoon.org. Coming up next is Bruce Vilanch in DuBarry Was a Lady opening on April 30 and running through May 18th. Also coming up is Faith Prince in Thou Swell! Thou Witty! The Rodgers & Hart Salon May 12-13th.


A Riveting Production of Every Five Minutes


Rod Gnapp
Magic Theatre is currently presenting the world premiere of Scottish playwright Linda McLean's Every Five Minutes. This 90-minute drama is one of the most mesmeric productions I have seen this season. The acting is outstanding, especially Rod Knapp as Mo. The drama examines the depths of human anguish and the power of restoration in the most perplexing and theatrical way.

Mo had been unlawfully held prisoner for 17 years. He is finally free, and the show opens at a simple friendly gathering with Ben (Sean San Jose), who is Mo's best friend from college days, Ben's wife Rachel (Carrie Paff), and Mo's wife Sara (Mia Tagano). Mo's thinking patterns have been so disordered by sleep deprivation and torture that his perception of time is not rational and he is confused by real, reminisced or superficial images. These bizarre images come to life on the three-sided stage in the form of two clowns named Bozo (Patrick Alparone) and Harpo Marx (Jomar Tagatac), representing Mo's prison keepers. Mo even hears the voice of God and there is a weird scene involving a gigantic ghost of his father dressed as a coal miner, black with soot from head to toe.

Rod Gnapp gives a brilliant portrayal of a broken, tormented man. He portrays Mo as jumpy and petulant, and only attentive when talking to his wife Sara, played beautifully by Mia Tagano. It's a tour de force of superb acting.

Sean San Jose as Mo's friend Ben and Carrie Paff as his passionate wife Rachel give impressive performances that provide persuasive slivers of the playwright's realistic scenes. Patrick Alparone and Jomar Tagatac are vibrant as the humorless, ominous clowns. Maggie Mason gives a compelling performance in various roles, in surreal and realistic scenes. She is outstanding in a cartoon re-enactment, with Hana S. Kim's fantastic projections of "The Three Little Pigs" with Rod Gnapp. Rounding out the cast is Shawna Michelle James as Ben and Rachel's 17-year-old daughter who gives a pitch perfect performance toward the end of the drama.

Hana S. Kim's compelling videos on the "Cinerama" back walls of the theatre are outstanding throughout the production. They are visual parallels of what is going on in Mo's mind. I applaud Loretta Greco for her successful direction and for trying something new and daring in a Fellini-like staging. Sound by Sara Huddleson and set and lighting design by Eric Southern are exceptional.

Every Five Minutes plays through April 20th at the Magic Theatre, Building D, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco. For tickets call 415-441-8822 or visit www.magictheatre.org.


Cheers - and be sure to Check the lineup of great shows this season in the San Francisco area

- Richard Connema