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The Arts Blog ~ News and notes on Orange County's world of arts, from Tim Mangan (classical music), Laura Bleiberg (dance), Paul Hodgins (theater) and Richard Chang (visual art).

Archive for the 'Theater by Paul Hodgins' Category

‘Saturn Returns’ review: Grief is in at SCR

November 1st, 2009, 9:42 am by PAUL HODGINS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Graham Michael Hamilton and Kristen Bush in “Saturn Returns”

Noah Haidle’s “Saturn Returns” is the second play in SCR’s young 2009-10 season to examine mourning and grief. It’s a surprisingly quiet and mature work from a young playwright whose previous scripts were more blatantly button-pushing.

Register review: ‘Saturn Returns’

More on theater by Paul Hodgins:

Steve Martin, banjo master: a review

October 31st, 2009, 11:05 am by PAUL HODGINS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Register review: Steve Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers at the Orange County Performing Arts Center on Oct. 30.

More on theater by Paul Hodgins:

Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons coming to O.C. in January

October 29th, 2009, 9:05 am by PAUL HODGINS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Universal Amphitheatre

Frankie Valli will appear early next year at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. Valli and the latest iteration of his group, The Four Seasons, will perform an evening of their classic hits on Jan. 2 at 7:30 p.m.

During their mid-century reign, Valli and The Four Seasons produced 19 Top Ten hits, including “It’s Just Too Good to be True,” “My Eyes Adored you” and “December ‘63 (Oh, What a Night).” The group sold more than 100 million records and were repopularized earlier in this decade with a successful Broadway musical, “Jersey Boys,” that detailed The Four Seasons’ meteoric rise as well as the rocky personal lives of Valli and its other members.

“This is an iconic pop personality and performer and the great sense of celebration that happens at these concerts is just extraordinary,” said Aaron Egigian, the Center’s senior director of music programming. ”We know all of the songs; they’re so wonderfully infectious, so such a part of our experience for the last 40 years or more. It comes also at the beginning of a new year, which I think is a positive way to kick things off.”

Tickets, priced at $49-$89, will go on sale Nov. 15. Call 714-556-2787 for more information.

Steve Martin, banjo virtuoso, comes to O.C. on Friday

October 27th, 2009, 4:37 pm by PAUL HODGINS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Steve Martin’s one-night-only appearance at the Orange County Performing Arts Center on Friday will include a lot of banjo playing. Martin is appearing with the Steep Canyon Rangers and will perform selections from his latest release,  “The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo.”

Presumably there’ll be some humor too.

And if you think Martin’s banjo is simply a comic prop, check out this video, in which he jams with Bela FleckYouTube Preview Image

Donna Summer headlines Costa Mesa fundraiser

October 27th, 2009, 10:18 am by PAUL HODGINS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Those old enough to remember the ’70s will recognize (perhaps even “oooh” over) this name: Donna Summer. The former Queen of All Things Disco will headline this year’s Candleight Concert. The 36th annual fundraiser at the Orange County Performing Arts Center will be held Dec. 4. Details about tickets after the break.

Seating for Candlelight Concert is limited. For information regarding contributions and purchase of seats
or tables to the 36th Annual Candlelight Concert, please contact Stephanie Jernigan at 714.556.2122 ext.
4247 or via e-mail at SJernigan@OCPAC.org.

More on theater by Paul Hodgins:

Some pics of Ann Rutherford at yesterday’s Laguna event

October 23rd, 2009, 7:53 am by PAUL HODGINS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Here are some shots taken by Laguna Playhouse publicist Christoper Trela of “Gone With the Wind” actress Ann Rutherford at her Q & A yesterday on the stage of the playhouse. In the bottom photo, that’s her with the cast of “Moonlight and Magnolias.” Standing is director Andrew Barnicle.

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‘Gone With the Wind’ cast member reminisces in Laguna

October 22nd, 2009, 5:33 pm by PAUL HODGINS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The Laguna Playhouse marked its 89th anniversary Thursday afternoon with a very special occasion: a visit by Ann Rutherford, one of the last surviving members of the cast from the film “Gone With the Wind.”

Rutherford, who turns 89 on November 2, was on hand  to see “Moonlight and Magnolias,” Ron Hutchinson’s play about the famous marathon writing session that gave “Gone With the Wind” a workable script when unsatisfied producer David O. Selznick shut down the production only days after shooting began.

After ”Moonlight and Magnolias” ended, Rutherford sat on the stage with the cast and Laguna Playhouse artistic director Andrew Barnicle to answer questions from the audience.

Some excerpts:

Read the rest of this entry »

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