“The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci: A Performance Piece In Excellent Shape at Old Globe.

 Heading to the theatre on opening night of ‘Da Vinci’ I expected to see at least a picture of the Mona Lisa or “The Last Supper” or anything else by the illustrious Da Vinci. But playwright/director Mary Zimmerman had a different idea. Surprisingly in this case, what you expect isn’t always what you get. What she gives us is pure unadulterated theatre. 

Of the 5,000 pages from the 28 existing volumes of Leonardo's notes, 50 volumes of text and drawings were transferred by him. It is from these 5,000 pages of these volumes that Zimmerman culled her art form using actual notes and drawings from the pages to weave it all together. Ergo, "The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci"

(from left) Wai Yim, Adeoye, Andrea San Miguel, and Louise Lamson 

Oft time referred to as a ‘Renaissance’ man, his books, notes and ‘Folios shed light on his interests in science, art (of course) anatomy, physics, architecture, weaponry, designs for workable machines like the bicycle, helicopter, submarine and military tank that would not come to use for centuries and…'the study of the flying ability of a bat’. 

Adeone and Andrea San Miguel

The man was a genius! And the entire cast and crew at the Old Globe, with virtuoso direction from Mary Zimmerman presents a multi-faceted glimpse into Leonardo’s inner most thoughts about life and death or even love,  that "great love springs from great knowledge of the beloved object, and if you little know it, you will be able to love it only little or not at all."  DaVinci was never married and led a celibite life, so it was understood.  

Costumes, (based on the original designs by Allison Reeds) by Mara Blumenfeld (with assist by Charlotte Devaux). Sound design by Michael Bodeen. Lighting design by T.J. Gerckens. Scenic design by Scott Bradley. Original music by Miriam Sturm and Michael Borden, with acrobatic defying positions  (yes there were acrobatics included) by consultant Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi. 

(from left) John Gregorio, Kasey Foster, Andrea San Miguel, and Adeoye in The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci 

Eight actors, five men and three women all sharing the stage as a Leonardo, each with their part to tell, some more, others less, each assuming another faze of his life, some amazing acrobats, showing his perspective on weight, while some were hanging from one or another part of the scenic and prop/set design or by desk drawers that pull out acting as the backdrop on either side of the stage, from top to bottom where the actors would hang, sit, climb or move from draw to draw. Speaking of draws, there is a drawbridge as well as a swing bar that is used. Singing and dancing, bands, balls of rope stretching across and bisecting each other giving the appearance of his multifaceted life from a childhood dream of a falcon pecking him on the face to the dream he had about walking in the hills, as a boy, and finding the opening to a cave but was afraid to go in.

Cast of Leonardo Da Vinci

This reviewer was more impressed with the scenic design (it was so all encompassing that the eyes were drawn into each movement of the cast; Adeoye, Christopher Donahue, Kasey Foster, John Gregorio, Anthony Irons, Louise Lamson, Andrea San Miguel and Wai Yim) than what was being said, some of which was difficult to understand even with my aids. 

Cast

All in all, it was an experience so rich in visuals that almost took my breath away and without even knowing it the 90 minute or so experience is still difficult to explain. One must see to believe what a true theatre experience looks and feels like. It’s not a play. It’s not a comedy.  It’s not a musical nor is it drama. It’s a piece that requires imagination beyond the realm.

Originally staged at the Goodman Theatre in 1993, this revival runs through Feb. 26th 

Kasey Foster and Christopher Donahue

When: 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Through Feb. 26

Where: Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage, Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego

Tickets: $33 to $116

Phone: (619) 234-5623

Photo: Jim Cox

Online: theoldglobe.org

Disney’s “Frozen” One Spectacular Show.

 Ask anyone from 4 to 80 how they liked “Frozen” and what you get is a smile from ear to ear. Yup, that good. The 2013 animated movie was first released at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles. It was considered to be “Disney’s best animated film since the studio’s renaissance era. 

“Frozen” received two awards at the 86th Academy Awards, and numerous other accolades. It was the first Walt Disney Animation Studios film to win Best Animated Film and earned over a billion dollars in world -wide box office revenue. What’s not to like? 

Loosely inspired by Hans Christian Anderson’s Norwegian fairy tale “The Snow Queen”, it follows two royal sisters Anna (Saheli Khan) and Elsa (Mackenzie Mercer) throughout their childhood years in the castle, through their adult (Lauren Nicole Chapman and Caroline Bowman) years finding their own way through trial and error. 

Lauren Nicole Chapman

As children we learn that Elsa, groomed to be queen, has magical powers of ice and snow that can freeze hearts. As the Ice Queen she accidently inflicts her powers on her sister Anna freezing her heart.  The sisters are forced to separate as children by their parents who soon die at sea, leaving the girls on their own. Elsa comes back to the castle after the parent’s death and is there coronated. Then the castle is closed and Elsa goes into self -imposed exile in the mountains and for the most part Anna spends most of the time looking for her beloved sister. 

Accompanying Anna on the adventure are a magical snowman Olaf (puppeteer Jeremy Davis), reindeer Sven (Dan Plehal), and ice salesman Kristoff (Dominic Dorset).

Directed by Michael Grandage and with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson -Lopez and Robert Lopez over a dozen new songs were added to the original. The book, however by Jennifer Lee is somewhat all over the planet especially Anna’s journey to find her sister. Anna’s adventures and exploits, if you will, are meant to amuse the minds and hearts of the younger set, clever as they might be with the use of puppet characters, with special effects by Jeremy Chernick, lighting by Natasha Katz, choreography Rob Ashford, scenic and costume design by Christopher Oram and orchestration Dave Metzger.  

The chemistry between Chapman and Bowman is seen in all scenes with the two together from the harsh NO to Anna’s wanting to marry a young handsome and pompous Duke (Will Sarvarese) to her meeting up with Kristoff an ice salesman (Dominic Dorset) who is smitten with Anna and sticks to her like glue

Caroline Bowman

The piece de resistance is Bowman’s spectacular rendering of “Let It Go that absolutely brings the house down. “From “Love Is An Open Door” to “From The First Time In Forever” to “Do You Want To Build a Snowman?” to ”I Can’t Lose You” the twenty or more musical numbers and with a chorus of dancers who tip the light fantastic, special effects that boggle the imagination and a perfectly wonderful cast, one can say with certainty Disney’s “Frozen” will be one for the books up there with “Lion King”, “Titanic” and “Mary Poppins”. 

And if you happen to see a smaller version of Anna and/or Elsa, dressed in sparkling gowns when you go, that’s just the way it rolls in the lobby of the Civic Center at least through the 29th.

Caroline Bowman as Elsa The Ice Queen

Enjoy. I did. 

Times: 7 p.m. Wednesdays. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays. 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays. Through Jan. 29.

Where: San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., San Diego

Tickets: $39-$114

Phone: 619 570 1100

Photo: Matthew Murphy

Online: broadwaysd.com

“Blues in The Night”: A Little Something for Everyone At NCR

Karole Foreman, Elijah Rock, Ciarra Stroud, and Anise Ritchie. 

 There are no less than twenty five blues numbers in Sheldon Epps 1980 musical revue, “Blues in The Night” currently playing at North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach through Feb 12th. Epps conceived and originally directed ‘Night’ on Broadway that was nominated for a Tony as Best Musical of the year. 

The show stars three leading ladies, one very charming male song and dance man, who spend their time lamenting the Blues. No new comer to San Diego audiences, Karole Foreman, smooth as ever, playful, funny and somber represents ‘Woman of the World” (“Rough And Ready Man”), Anise Ritchie is “Lady from the Road” ("Wasted Life Blues"), Ciarra Stroud as “Girl with A Date” (“Willow Weep for Me”) and rounding out the foursome is Elijah Rock as the “Man in The Saloon”. (“Wild Women Don’t Have the Blues”) 

Anise Ritchie:Lady From The Road

Marty Burnett works his magic on the intimate stage of NCR in a fine replica of rundown hotel where the bar is the background for most of the singing and dancing. The time frame is 1938/40 Chicago. Off to the sides are three levels showing the inside of each room the gals occupy. Topping off this great theatre experience, there is an on stage five piece band under the musical direction of Lanny Hartley, who happens to be married to director Yvette Freeman Hartley. Pianist Kevin Toney conducts the band with bassist Roy Jenkins, drummer Danny King, reeds player Malcolm Jones and trumpeter Thomas Alforque.

Clara Stroud:  Girl With a Date

Blues numbers from the likes of Bessie Smith (Baby Doll” and “Dirty No Good Blues”), Duke Ellington and Mack David (“I’m A Lucky So and So”), Harold Arlan and Johnny Mercer’s “Blues in The Night”, and Johnny Mercer, Gordon Jenkins, Bernard Hanighen “When A Woman Loves A Man/Am I Blue”?) all rang a bell. 

I must admit I’m not much into the Blues genre, more of the Big Band era of the 40's and 50's, although I do have some Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra (obsolete) CD’s. That said, many of the twenty or so musical numbers performed in 'Night" were and are familiar, making the talented and engaging cast of performers shine in every number. They are playful, somber, very much in tune with one another both singing and dancing, and when Rock came out in his tap shoes, my day was made. 

Karole Foreman: Woman of the World

Additional credit must go to choreographer Roxane Carrasco, Matt Novotny, lighting, Regan A McKay for her spot on period costumes, Christopher Williams for all the props, Peter Herman wigs, Matt Fitzgerald, sound and Cindy Rumley Stage Manager. 

With all this talent on one stage, “Blues in the Night” should be on you must see list. 

Enjoy. 

See you at the theatre.

When: Runs through Feb. 12th 7 p.m. Wednesdays. 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays. 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays. 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays

Where: North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach

Tickets: $57-$68

Phone: (858) 481-1055

Photo: Adam Rumley

 On line: northcoastrep.org