From left, Scott Guthrie, Jim Bennett, Cindy Cain, Jeff Porter, Johnny Gonsalves,
Janet Rutland, Lexi Beard, George Nelson and Sally Adams.
One hot summer
By MICHAEL SMITH World Scene Writer
5/30/2004
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From left, Scott Guthrie, Jim Bennett, Cindy Cain, Jeff Porter, Johnny Gonsalves, Janet Rutland, Lexi Beard, George Nelson and Sally Adams. |
The PAC Trust has long hoped to expand and diversify its SummerStage Festival event, with the thought that people would keep coming to the facility in those months when groups such as Tulsa Ballet, Tulsa Opera and Celebrity Attractions take a break.
To that end, this year's event can truly be called a festival of the arts. With 26 different productions offering more than 90 performances, SummerStage will present the single largest season of any arts group in the city.
"We're the home to the arts in Tulsa, and we wanted more diversity. And we want it open to everyone," said Chad Oliverson, PAC Trust marketing coordinator and a primary architect in the building of SummerStage from seven productions in 2002 to 13 in 2003 and now 26.
"People should come to these shows wearing your jeans. Don't come to the PAC in a tux; that's not what SummerStage is about. It's about relaxed fun, hanging out with friends and enjoying yourself. Be as dressed up or as casual as you want to be. This is a movie theater with live actors on stage. This is the new place to be."
Acclaimed musicals like "Tommy" and "Ragtime" make their Tulsa debuts at SummerStage 2004.
Light Opera Oklahoma joins the ranks with "The Threepenny Opera" and "Guys and Dolls."
A cabaret setting with table seating and bar service inside the PAC's Norman Theater expands to include several favorite local vocalists in intimate concerts, including one during which a live recording will be made.
In addition to several other plays and musicals, there's Caribbean steel band music, "Whose Line Is It Anyway"-style comedy, flamenco dancing, belly dancing and children's fare.
Oliverson envisions a broad range of area residents making their way downtown this summer to eat dinner, see a show and go to a nightclub with friends afterwards -- all from the same parking spot.
"This is about showcasing what Tulsa has to offer, and we want to do it with a splash, a bang, having some hot fun out of the sun," he said. "Go to a waterpark during the day, but chill out with us at night."
As a cross-promotion bonus, tickets to any SummerStage show will grant free admission into several of club kingpin Steve Kitchell's downtown nightspots, including Voodoo Room, Velvet Lounge, the Majestic and Studio 54.
Tickets for the SummerStage 2004 events that run June 13-Aug. 28 are available by calling 596-7111 or online at www.tulsapac.com.
"I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change"
Theater Tulsa, June 19-20, 23-26
Off-Broadway's long-running musical comedy revue covers the spectrum of male/female relationships.
Catchy tunes and witty lyrics explore the journey from dating and waiting, to love and marriage, in-laws and newborns, trips in the family car and pick-up techniques of the geriatric set. Theater Tulsa revisits its production that amused audiences last August. Tickets are $18-$20.
"The Threepenny Opera"
Light Opera Oklahoma, June 19-20, 22, 25-26
"Mac the Knife" (like Bobby Darin's "Mack the Knife," but oh so different) is but one of the fantastic songs in the groundbreaking work by German composer Kurt Weill and librettist Bertolt Brecht. Tickets are $24-$28.
"Smile"
Youth Onstage, July 2-3, 9-11
The area high school/middle school acting troupe begins its fifth season with this musical send-up of beauty pageants and teenage angst featuring music by Marvin Hamlisch ("A Chorus Line," "The Sting") and book and lyrics by Howard Ashman ("Beauty and the Beast," "Little Shop of Horrors"). Tickets are $8-$12.
"Guys and Dolls"
Light Opera Oklahoma, July 2-3, 6, 8-10
Gambler Sky Masterson and his mission doll Sarah Brown. Low-brow crook Nathan Detroit and his high-kicking, leggy doll Miss Adelaide. "Luck Be a Lady" for the Light Opera Oklahoma performances of "Guys and Dolls," based on the characters drawn from the rich stories of Damon Runyon. Tickets are $24-$28.
"Always ... Patsy Cline"
American Theater Company, July 16-18, 23-25
She's baaaaaaaaack! ATC's production of Ted Swindley's loving look back at the country legend and her No. 1 fan has been a smash hit several times now.
It returns for an encore, featuring local legends Janet Rutland and Peggy Daley Spence and the real star of the show -- more than 20 of Cline's hits. Tickets are $20-$24.
"Pippin"
Theater Tulsa, July 17-18, 22-24
A highly theatrical musical journey, "Pippin" follows one man's search for meaning.
A young prince seeks fulfillment in the glories of the battlefield, the temptations of the flesh and the intrigues of political power.
In the end, he finds it in life's simple pleasures in this hip, tongue-in-cheek, anachronistic fairy tale. Tickets are $18.
"Ragtime"
Grace Ann Productions, July 30-Aug. 1, Aug. 6-8
This epic musical paints a nostalgic and powerful portrait of life in turn-of-the-century America, based on E.L. Doctorow's distinguished novel and presented by E. Kirby Jr.'s (Kirby Kasting & Studio) talented group of performers. Tickets are $17.
"Forever Plaid"
Tulsa Repertory Musicals, Aug. 19-22
Mike Pryor, Justin Boyd, Tracy Watson and Mark Powell return in the hilarious tribute to the four-part harmony boys of the '50s and early '60s.
With more than 30,000 Tulsans among the customers pleased and satisfied by this collaboration (not a misprint), the Plaid boys will sell out shows and make folks smile again. Tickets are $18-$20.
"Tommy"
American Theater Company, Aug. 20-29
The pinball wizard, acid queen, Uncle Ernie and more come alive on the Williams Theater stage in Pete Townshend's classic rock opera about a deaf, dumb and blind kid who sure plays a mean pinball. Tickets are $20-$24.
"Ca C'est l'Amour"
Light Opera Oklahoma, June 13
Andrea Leap gives an account of her time in France and delivers a concert of French songs in this special presentation. Jackie Reichman fills out the evening with renditions of famous Broadway melodies. Tickets are $10.
Jim Bennett CD release
June 18-19
Bennett debuts his new CD "Goss" with guest artist Hank Bennett as the opening act. The two brothers have a pop/rock sound driven by electric and acoustic guitars and strong harmonies. Tickets are $10.
"A Look at Love"
Light Opera Oklahoma, June 27
LOOK's James Bagwell, Eric Gibson, Lindsey McKee and Teresa Buchholz perform a rousing cabaret-style evening of Broadway torch songs and love ballads. Tickets are $10.
Rebecca Ungerman cabaret and live recording
July 9, Aug. 13
The versatile local singer presents "Indulge Me . . .," a cabaret show centered on themes of romance, relationships and self-reliance. The program includes old and new favorites, standards and original songs.
This will be a live recording session for a disc to be released in the fall. Tickets are $10, $20 for table seating.
Valonda
July 10
Performing a medley of songs from the '40s to the present, Valonda brings to the stage, in voice and presence, music with a range as wide as Billie Holiday and Diana Ross to Anita Baker and Beyonce.
Actress/singer Vashonda Panelle helps to create the cabaret of yesterday. Tickets are $10-$12.
Cindy Cain
Aug. 12
Cain's swinging jazz and blues will make you long for the heydays of speakeasies and bathtub gin. She honed her sassy vocals during a decade of performances throughout the Washington, D.C., area before returning to Oklahoma.
Her debut CD earned reviews which described her singing as "late-night, jazz-touched, lounge blues" with "a voice that will fill up a room." Tickets are $10-$15.
Rusti Love
Aug. 14
Rooted in country music and Western swing, Love's first performance was at the Cain's Ballroom at age 11.
But recently she found a new sense of awareness of herself and her music, shedding her country shell to emerge as an aggressive rock diva.
For her third CD, already in production at that time, Love opted to retain the country songs and mix them with an edgier style. See the results for yourself. Tickets are $10-$15.
"Eleemosynary"
Heller Theater, July 30-Aug. 1, Aug. 5-7
Playwright Lee Blessing's tale is a journey of connections for a daughter, mother and grandmother.
Dorothea, the grandmother, has sought to assert her independence through eccentricity. Artie long ago fled the stifling domination of her mother, and in doing so, she abandoned Echo, a child of exceptional intellect and sensitivity, for Dorothea to raise. Tickets are $7-$10.
"Rush Limbaugh in Night School"
Theater Pops, July 30-Aug. 1, Aug. 5-8
The troupe that always offers something unique each SummerStage offers up this satirization of the outspoken conservative radio talk show host and a 1990s media-maddened America.
As the story begins, Rush Limbaugh seems unstoppable. His daily audience has risen to 6 million listeners. But Rush's fictional manager has disturbing news: Limbaugh faces a serious ratings battle with radio rival J. Neil Rodriguez. To compete with the Latino commentator, the manager suggests Spanish lessons.
Use your imagination and you still won't figure out where this skewering piece is headed. Tickets are $10.
"Reflejos Flamencos"
July 8
Beginning at age 5, Alexandra "Lexi" Rose Beard has studied flamenco and Spanish classical dance with many of Spain's leading flamenco artists. She currently teaches and performs locally and around the country with her father, flamenco guitarist Johnny Beard, who along with other artists joins her for this special presentation. Tickets are $12.
"Baraka Mundi"
July 16-17, 23-24
This show marks the theatrical debut of Tulsa's international dance company, Tulsa Folkloric Dance Theater, conceptualized by Shadia Dahlal (known for her Purple Roses of Cairo belly dance troupe).
This production by 40-50 world dancers will showcase the dance and music of the Middle East, flamenco from Spain, hula from Hawaii, various styles of Irish and Scottish dance, and Barata Natyam from India. Tickets are $12-$15.
Caribbean Steel Band Extravaganza
Aug. 13-14
You can almost smell the sunscreen and pina coladas as you listen to the sweet sounds of calypso, reggae, samba, Cuban salsa, jazz, merengue and classical music played on authentic Caribbean steel drums.
Renowned Caribbean steel pan soloist and arranger Johnny Gonsalves and the Gemstar Steel Band perform favorite island tunes and are joined by several artists on this special night. Tickets are $20, half-price for children.
"Let's Hear It for the Boys!"
Council Oak Men's Chorale, Aug. 27-28
This show is a tribute to "boy bands" from the 1950s through today, with Tulsa's popular all-male volunteer choir performing hits by the Beatles, the Platters and Boyz II Men. Tickets are $15.
"Laughing Matter Improv"
Heller Theater, Aug. 20
"Improv Experiment" (Improv Experiment, Aug. 21)
For those who love the fun of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?"-style comedy, this will be a special treat in the cabaret setting.
Oklahoma's longest-running improv group, Heller Theater's "Laughing Matter," performs on Friday night, while Johnny Buschardt's popular Improv Experiment leaves its south Tulsa studio long enough to take over the stage on Saturday night. Tickets are $7 for each night.
World Beat Explosion
June 25-26
Five percussionists perform an eclectic mix of high-energy rhythms from Brazil, Cuba, Haiti and various parts of Africa, using a collection of world music instruments including congas, djembes, bongos and timbales.
Selected by the Harwelden Institute for Arts in Education to perform in area schools this past year, the group's performances are interactive and educational. Tickets are $7.
Imagine Action Children's Theater
Workshop begins June 15, recital is July 3
Imagine Action presents its debut children's theater recital. The group caters to area young people, teaching self-esteem and leadership along with theatrical skills.
The July 3 recital is a culmination of the group's workshop experience, which begins June 15 and is open to children age 6-12.
Admission to the recital is free, but audience members must have a reservation to attend. Call 596-7109 for this event only.
Michael Smith 581-8334
michael.smith@tulsaworld.com
Related Photos & Graphics
KELLY KERR / Tulsa World
 Men of steel: Johnny Gonsalves and the Gemstar Steel Band perform Aug. 13-14. |
 Not Marcia, Marcia, Marcia. It’s Cindy, Cindy, Cindy Cain swinging on Aug. 12. |
 Always one of Tulsa’s favorites, Janet Rutland revives Patsy Cline again, July 16-25. |
 Drums go bang when Jeff Porter and World Beat Explosion perform June 25-26. |
 George Nelson, Sally Adams and Laughing Matter Improv go for the gag on Aug. 20. |
 Scott Guthrie is so sharp as Mac the Knife in “Threepenny Opera,” June 19-26. |
 One night only! July 8, Lexi Beard lights the flame of flamenco with dance and music. |
 Pop goes the PAC with two Jim Bennett CD launch parties June 18-19. |
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