Take A Bow

2009-11-22T03:23:32Z

As an event planner, it’s hard not to consider venues in terms of their capacity and cost. And, when you are well acquainted with an event space, you can’t help but take its amenities for granted.

For example, I know how cold it is when you arrive at the Memorial Auditorium (as early as the Convention Center staff). I can point out all of the electrical outlets and I know what your feet feel like after you’ve spent hours scurrying across the concrete floors.

That being said…I feel like I owe my old friend, the Memorial, an apology.

While it may not be state-of-the-art, the Memorial Auditorium has a mystique that is missing from most contemporary venues. Last night, Natalie Cole and the Memorial Auditorium were simply…unforgettable.

Volunteers greeted event sponsors at an exclusive pre-concert reception. Prior to taking their dinner seats, they were treated to live entertainment, wine and appetizers provided by the Paragary Restaurant Group. Hope Productions, a Sacramento-based non-profit, pulled this elite group of guests together for Hope in Harmony, a benefit concert featuring Louie Anderson and headlined by Natalie Cole.

I spent a few minutes backstage with Kitty O’Neal and Louie Anderson before the show. Kitty raved about Louie to the crowd before she introduced him. Meanwhile, Louie tried to remember if they had ever met. He was sure they had done a radio show together. I reminded Louie of her name, he meowed (literally) and took the stage saying Kitty in a way that only Louie Anderson could.

Louie’s set focused largely on butter, a substance with which he admittedly has a lot of experience. And, like butter, Louie had mass appeal. The crowd laughed as soon as he started talking and they didn’t stop until he thanked them all for coming.

In between acts, I tried to imagine growing up with the legendary Nat “King” Cole. For the first time, I realized I was about to see an icon.

I was stunned when Natalie finally graced the stage. She was breathtaking.

It only took one look around the room to see that everyone adored her. Her melodies truly moved the crowd.

When I got home, I did a little research on Natalie’s past. I still can’t believe she is almost 60 years old. And, you would have never known she was recovering from a recent kidney transplant. She looked remarkable in her black and white gown. She was in the best shape of her life.

The Hope Productions staff should take a bow.

From the red carpet crowd to Natalie’s rendition of ‘Walkin’ My Baby Back Home’, the event felt flawless.

Proceeds from Hope in Harmony will benefit several local youth charities including KidsFirst, Roberts Family Development Center and Special Olympics of Northern California.

Hope Productions provides fundraising & marketing resources at no charge to strengthen nonprofit organizations and benefit local children & youth programs. They do this through developing sustainable, large-scale and profitable community events that can be easily supported through a variety of partnerships. For more information about this organization, visit hopeproductions.org.

Don't Believe the Hype

2009-11-06T07:54:31Z

I'll be the first to admit it. I was drawn to Spring Awakening for all the wrong reasons.

I was disappointed, but I won't fault anyone but myself for that.

And, as much as I'd like to blame the marketing for this musical, I can't. I knew Rachel Berry was not going to grace the stage. I knew better than to think the practically perfect cast of Glee would surprise me in Sacramento with their best Duncan Shiek. Regardless, I approached Spring Awakening with a complete lack of common sense.

I can honestly say I had no idea what my Spring Awakening experience would be like. Regrettably, I did very little research on the plot or protagonists. The only thing I knew was that "everyone" was doing it.

While Spring Awakening deserves high marks for originality, for a gawk-worthy garage band and an impressive set, I can't help but think eight Tony Awards? Really? For what? For the storyline I could not grasp? For the lack of anything connecting us to a provincial German town except the Quaker clothing?

For the characters who were underdeveloped? For the choreography that I've been mocking all morning? Or, for the dramatic and disjointed musical numbers that had virtually no effect or lasting impact on me?

Obviously, there is an audience for Spring Awakening. Ticket-holders who'd returned to their seats after intermission applauded enthusiastically at the end. I, on the other hand, was looking forward to going home.

I was not offended or unnerved by the content. For me, it just didn't add up.

That being said, I have to give credit to the cast. They were believable. The angst and nudity on stage was "real." Apparently I prefer "fake." I don't want to relive everything awkward about adolescence. I've already done that. Once was enough.

The bottom line? Don't believe the hype.

Spring Awakening is showing through Nov. 15 at the Community Center Theatre, 1301 L Street. Tickets are available at the Community Center Theatre Box Office, by calling 916-557-1999 or online at www.californiamusicaltheatre.com. For more information, visit www.SpringAwakening.com.

Sacramento: Performing Arts

Take A Bow

Don't Believe the Hype