What a hoot!

Kent District Library has invited some local authors to set up tables at their 75th anniversary celebration from 7-10 p.m. Oct. 18. It will be the first time somebody has paid $75 for a ticket to see ME. But I guess there are plenty of other attractions.  Check it out.

Gaga for Greek God

OMG. Yesterday I interviewed Martin Harvey who was in Detroit with the tour of "Come Fly Away," which is coming to Grand Rapids in October. It's a shame the audience will never hear his lovely British accent, since the dancers in "Come Fly Away" don't speak, but from what I've read, this sexy dancer can say it all with his moves. He starred in the London production of "Dirty Dancing."

       "I started out as an actor and became a ballet dancer against my type," he told me. " I always felt like an imposter. But years of ballet training made me aware of every muscle in my body. It's a wonderful tool in my bag."

       Dare I point out his bag is bulging already with rugged good looks? You can see why he is cast as a Greek God in an upcoming television movie pilot, "Siren." Oh, yeah, and he recently married Grand Rapids native Maria Kowroski, a ballerina with the New York City Ballet. Congratulations, Maria and Martin.

One never knows, do one?

Ken Tepper and the Circle Theatre cast have done a great job with "Ain't Misbehavin'," the Fats Waller musical revue that's really the first of all the "juke box" musicals.  It never ceases to amaze me that I can see a show several times and always see something different. This one was a lot smoother, sexier than I remember. It almost sneaks up on you. With a racially diverse cast it's not as much of a political statement. It's just the music and this cast does a great job with singing and dancing. Read the review

Labor of Laughter

When you laugh for a living, Labor Day is the perfect time to look back at some great interviews and look ahead to some wonderful shows. Last week I chatted with Joseph Leo Bwaire who will be portraying Frankie Valli when the long-awaited Jersey Boys opens in Lansing later this month. He's not exactly a household name but I was really impressed with his enthusiasm during the interview.  Sounds like he's going places. Then this week I'll be reviewing two great shows. Circle Theatre ends its summer season with "Ain't Misbehavin'" on Thursday and Civic Theatre kicks off its 86th season with "12 Angry Men" on Friday. See what I mean about the rough life I lead? Read about  "Ain't Misbehavin'"  and "12 Angry Men"

Catch and release for readers!

Just found out that Laughing for a Living is now on the shelf at the Grandville branch of Kent District Library! So those of you, like me, who prefer to read-and-return can economize and still chuckle over my career. Of course, the book has long been on the shelf of the Sparta library, thanks to librarian friend Cheryl Currier. It pays to have friends in high places!

Comic relief

Even Shakespeare knew you can't do a serious play about history without a little comic relief, and in Henry IV, Part I the comic relief is so  big that the history part takes a back seat. Falstaff, the Elizabethan Everyman who's just as loveable today as 500 years ago, has become the star of the show for many Shakespeare fans. And guess what, he's even funnier when a bearded woman takes on the task, as in the current production by Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company.  Kat Hermes can swagger and stagger with the best of them. For the full review, see Encore Michigan

Laugh-a-lot

Since I laugh for a living, I shouldn't complain  that I've been working overtime this week. First, I chuckled my way through SameTime, Next Year at Circle Theatre on Thursday, and then it was silliness overload on Friday at Mason Street Warehouse's production of The 39 Steps. This spoof of Alfred Hitchcock's 1935 spy movie offers great talent and fun theatricks. (even if there's only four actors playing 100 characters!) For a full review, go to Encore Michigan. Both shows are a great way to cap a lovely summer day.