Day 6 of the Hollywood Fringe Festival started with breakfast at a Burbank greasy spoon with another of my wonderful friends. This time it was VK Lynne, the sultry songtress from LA rock band, The Spider Accomplice. VK and I have been friends for more than 10 years, and I have watched her musical growth through a myriad of styles until she has finally reached the place where she truly belongs. Not only is she an amazing songwriter and vocalist, but she is becoming a much sought-after model. Definitely check out her band and her work. What an amazing woman. Breakfast was a hoot.
Since my first Fringe show wasn’t until 6:15, I had plenty of time to relax and write. It does feel good to have some down time, especially with a hectic weekend fast approaching.
I was invited to see a musical about one of my favorite country artists, Mindy McCready, so I decided to watch the first act of Broadway Noir and then slip out during intermission and head to the Dragonfly to see McCready. Unfortunately, Broadway started late and so I had to leave before it finished. However, from what I saw, it was a fun show with a great cast, and I wish I could have seen the whole show.
The music and show were wonderfully written by Dan Sugi, who also plays the piano for the performance, and directed by Julia Lisa. Check out their final show on June 19 at 3:45 p.m.
Back to the Dragonfly for McCready. The show was lovingly created and written by Jon Bernstein and Jennifer Blake and stars Blake as McCready. The musical direction was by Brady Harris and Michael Ursu and overall direction by Robert Glen Decker. The rest of the cast includes Zack Crosby, Robert Hardin, Craig Umhoefer and Ursu.
The frustrating thing about this show is the untapped potential. The story is great, Blake has a wonderful voice and a true connection to McCready, but the overall production just didn’t jell. It seems to me that the biggest issue with this show is a lack of confidence by the cast, with the exception of Blake and Hardin. I think they have the talent, but need further work to bring it out.
If you love the McCready’s music, check out the show and let me know what you think. The remaining schedule is June 21 at 7:30 p.m. and June 26 at 2:30 p.m.
By this time I was ready to be wowed as I headed back to Sacred Fools for the opening night performance of My Big Fat Blonde Musical (“MBFBM”) by Theatre Unleashed member Theresa Stroll. Mission accomplished!
OMG! Stoll has created a masterpiece about accepting one’s self without giving up on dreams and ambitions. With the assistance of her fiance’ Bobby McGlynn, and under the superb direction of Jennifer Lynn Johnson, MBFBM delivers its message of positivity with both barrels. You cannot help but be inspired by the story of Stoll’s struggles and her victory over them in reaching her goal of becoming an actress. Her songs are catchy, her dialogue is witty and her portrayal of the people she encountered during this time is spot on. I’m sure each of us have faced similar rivals in our quest to better ourselves and reach our goals and potential.
Kudos also to the multi-talented Lindsay Braverman for her wonderful choreography. MBFBM is truly one of the premier shows at HFF16, and we highly recommend it, especially if you need a positive lift to raise your spirits and your outlook on life. Don’t miss one of the remaining performances on June 20 at 6:30 p.m., June 23 at 11:30 p.m. or June 25 at 8:30 p.m.
I was really looking forward to my last show of the day, Live From the Grave, it’s John Belushi (“LFTGraveIJB”). SNL seems to be a popular subject this year, with shows from Larraine Newman’s niece (Charlotte’s Shorts), as well as shows about Gilda Radner and Richard Pryor. Needless to say, a story about Belushi was almost too incredible to imagine, and LFTGraveIJB more than lived up to the challenge.
Jack Zullo has created a masterful tribute to one of Hollywood’s brightest stars. Despite his death in 1982, Belushi continues to reign as a gifted writer and comic who helped launch SNL, and this show further added to that legacy. Special kudos to Keith Saltojanes for his stirring portrayal of Dan Aykroyd. His version of “Rubber Biscuit,” combined with his duet with Zullo on “Expressway” rocked like it was the original Blues Brothers on stage. The packed house was on its feet by the end of the show, cementing the fact that this show is a winner.
Don’t miss the chance to see it. Their remaining performances are June 25 at 6:30 p.m. and June 26 at 3 p.m. at the Three Clubs.
Afterwards I had a blast hanging in the bar with fringeships old and new, including David Haverty, Shannon Nelson, Brendan Hunt and Lauren Van Kurin, and got a t-shirt from Zullo. You’ll see me wearing it around the Fringe on Saturday.
Happy fringing.