Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "edie lambert"

"Shear Madness" Looks to be another hit for Cosmopolitan Cabaret

2010-06-03T20:24:57Z

Given Tuesday’s opening night of Sheer Madness, it looks like Cosmopolitan Cabaret has another hit on its hands.

Shear Madness is based on a serious German play, Scherenschnitt, by writer and psychologist Paul Portner. The play is set in a uni-sex hair salon, has six stereotypical characters and involves the murder of a concert pianist. It is a study of how people perceive or misperceive reality.

Bruce Jordan, a former high school teacher, began adapting the play in 1976. He was joined by fellow former teacher Marilyn Abrams in producing the first production of Scherenschnitt -now known-as Shear Madness at the Lake George Dinner Theater in Upstate New York in 1978. They began to notice the audience responses contributing to the humor of the play. After decades of performing Shear Madness, the play now incorporates contributions from the audience along with frequent references to the latest media scandals and local news items.

The Cosmopolitan Cabaret production has been completely adapted to Sacramento. Edie Lambert is one of the locals mentioned. Meg Whitman takes a couple of hits. It is so timely as to mention Al and Tipper, whose separation had only been announced that morning. The “fourth wall” is totally broached. Audience participation is vital and adds much to the humor. The humor comes at a breakneck speed much of the time.

A minor complaint: The projection of the actors' voices could come down a notch. In a theater the size of the Cabaret, I and some others around me found it loud enough to be somewhat annoying.

Everything else about the production it right on. The characters are stereotypic without being offensive. Neil A. Casey is a 10-year veteran of the Boston production that has been running for 30 years. He plays Tony Whitcomb, the very out, flamboyant and outspoken owner stylist of the Shear Madness Hair Salon in Midtown.

The rest of the cast is equally strong. Lindsey Alley, a Mouseketeer for seven years, is Barbara DeMarco, the supposedly not-so-intelligent busty stylist. The stuffy upper-crust matron Mrs. Shubert is played by Jamie J. Jones. Jones is well known in the Sacramento theater scene and has several rolls on and off stage at B Street Theater.

Lol Levy originated the role of Eddie Lawrence, the shady antique dealer in the long-running San Francisco production. The senior cop Nick O’Brien is played by Gary Alan Wright. Wright is a veteran Sacramento area actor and was an associate artist at the Foothill Theatre Company for 15 years. Rounding out the cast is Ryan Pratton as Mikey Thomas, the junior cop who is also somewhat of a dim bulb.

Director Bob Lohrmann is very familiar with the production of "Shear Madness.

He was the artistic director of the Kennedy Center production in its ongoing 22-year run. He has performed all the male roles in the show. The multitude of entrances, exits, doors opening, doors slamming and characters running into each other flows smoothly under his direction.

Stage managers seldom get recognized in a review. In a show like Shear Madness, timing is of great importance and veteran Sacramento stage manager Katherine Cannon keeps everything on cue.

Audience members should arrive early to admire Nicholas St. James' scenic design and listen to some great music. The action starts long before the “curtain.” Mikey actually gets his hair shampooed while the audience is being seated.

Shear Madness is a show that many folks are going to see more than once. I suspect that lots of people will return many times, bringing friends and family along. With the changing topical humor and the interaction with each audience, the show promises to be different each night. It is delivered by a very experienced and skilled team that look like they are having as much fun as the audience.

Best of Sacramento Celebrate

2009-11-21T03:47:11Z

"Oh god, this is gonna be a long night," said radio personality Jack Armstrong as he and Joe Getty kicked off the 11th annual Best of Sacramento party on Thursday.

The party, a benefit for the March of Dimes, was full of Sacramento Magazine's notion of the best of what Sacramento has to offer, everything from food and drinks to local media and entertainment.

"It's really a huge honor, it's a reflection of the station I work for," said 'Best TV Reporter Team' winner Edie Lambert. "It's a big compliment to quality journalism."

Booths filled the Convention Center, and lines wrapped around the exhibit hall as attendees took full advantage of the free food, services and other goodies.

Express Event Imaging and Sacramento News & Review offered free photographs gracing the covers of Sacramento Magazine and SN&R, Hoshall's Salon and Spa's fashion show featured dramatic hair, makeup and clothes, and KCRA 3's news team --Walt Gray, Mark Finan, Mike TeSelle, Kelly Brothers, Del Rodgers, Eileen Javora and Adrienne Bankert -- posed for pictures with attendees. The team also swept the media category.

"I heard this was the place to be," said first-time attendee Scott Wood. "I could joke and say there should be more free booze, but I think there's plenty."

Booths hawked products and services while providing freebies that ranged from body waxing to information from the zoo on the difference between apes and monkeys.

"We're glad to be here to let people know that the zoo isn't just for kids, even though we were voted 'best place to take the kids'," said Sacramento Zoo employee Lara Kirkendall.

The event raises money for the March of Dimes, devoted to the safety and care of infants.

"We raised $400,000 for March of Dimes, we had more sponsors than ever before. We are now up to $3.4 million for the charity," said Joe Chiodo, publisher of Sacramento Magazine. "This is our best year yet."

Dozens of attendees bid on silent auction items, the main source of donations.

"We came to support the March of Dimes, we're making our way to the auction tables," said Stephanie Thompson, attending for the first time. "They also have excellent sushi from Sapporo Grill and the atmosphere is great."

For more information, and to see all of the 'Best of' winners, visit the Sacramento Magazine website. For more information on the March of Dimes or to make a donation, visit the March of Dimes website.

Community participates in Sacramento’s first Jewish heritage festival

2009-05-04T08:01:05Z

Israeli music, the sound of pounding drums, and the smell of Mediterranean food lingered in the air as crowds mingled among white tents at the west steps of the Capitol yesterday afternoon.

More than 3,000 people participated in Sacramento’s first Jewish Heritage festival yesterday despite the unpredictable weather, according to the Sacramento Jewish Federation.

The festival, presented by the federation, began with a “Salute to Israel @ 61 Walk-a-thon,” consisting of a “walk for unity” around the Capitol. The walk was followed by an opening ceremony emceed by Bill Slaton, member of the SMUD Board of Directors, and Sacramento’s KCRA Channel 3 Anchor Edie Lambert.

Both the celebration of Israel’s 61st anniversary and the diversity of Jewish heritage locally and throughout the world were emphasized in the opening ceremony and throughout the event.

“This is a sign that Israel is not alone even in hard times,” said the federation’s executive director, Mihal Kohane, to the crowd in her opening statement.

“Our goal today was to bring you Israel in every possible way,” she added.

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and Assemblyman Marty Block (D-San Diego) both made statements during the opening ceremony.

“On behalf of the city of Sacramento, it’s an honor to be at this first annual event,” Johnson said.

Performances by renowned international singer Noa Dori and the West Coast Jewish dance ensemble Keshet Chaim attracted a large audience following the ceremony on the main stage.

Various attraction tents and booths were arranged around the main stage and the west front of the Capitol in “complexes.” A section of tents was dedicated to displays of Jewish life in Latin America, Russia, India, China and around the world at the Jewish Life Around the World complex.

Other complexes included the Jewish American Heritage complex, displaying photo exhibits of Jewish-American heritage from the Gold Rush to the present and the Salute to Israel @ 61 & Tel Aviv Centennial complex, displaying photo exhibits of Tel Aviv and hosting booths for the Israel Consulate General, the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces and the Jewish Agency for Israel.

The Green Revolution complex included booths from Green Sacramento, the Sacramento Bike Kitchen and the Sacramento Tree Foundation, along with ‘green’ workshops explaining processes like composting.

The festival drew supporters from both the Jewish and non-Jewish community.

“I’ve always been intrigued by the state of Israel and Jewish traditions, so I’m glad to see they had a festival this year,” said Oak Park resident Darby Flynn.

Others came from neighboring communities such as Lake Tahoe and Elk Grove.

“I’m here to support Israel, I’m here to support our synagogue, and I’m here to have a lot of fun and buy things from Israel,” said Mary Sorellis of Elk Grove.

Crowds gathered around the artist’s street market, where vendors sold colorful handmade glass, landscape photographs of Israel, hand-bound books, jewelry and handmade soaps.

A long line accumulated by the international food court, where people gathered to taste both American food and Mediterranean foods like falafel, borekas and hummus.

A separate area hosted children’s activities, where renowned storyteller and juggler Izzy Tooinsky entertained children and parents. Meanwhile, a 21-and-over area hosted a beer and wine garden selling He’brew beer and wines from the Israel Wine Company.

The festival ended with an eco-friendly fashion show modeling clothing from Sacramento’s Atelier and Freestyle Clothing Exchange, and from Los Angeles, Santa Cruz and Oakland designers. The theme revolved around sustainable clothing made from recycled cloths, hemp and organic cottons.

Various festivalgoers expressed excitement at the turnout of people to the Sacramento event.

“Three thousand people are out here today, and that’s a phenomenal feat, especially with the rain…it’s so exciting to see the community come together,” said midtown Sacramento resident Rebecca Johnson.