Variety (August 1963)

c a, “Latin Quarter, I: Y¥. Harry. Rickman, Szony & Claire, Dominique, Les Cinci (2), Johnson, Gle , Barbara Lange, Line, Jo ‘Lombardi Orch; $7.50 minimum. Broadway: took. a sentimental irmey last. Wednesday to .the atin. Quarter where Harry Rich-. man is making. his first Broadway stand in many ‘years. Richman for a time was the: ‘reigning song and dance man.-during an era .loaded with top talents and was one of the. giants at. the. nitery boxoffice for many years. — According to VaRImty. New. Act ‘files, Richman ‘goes ‘back to 1923 when he started. in business for. himself after being the pianist for: the Dolly Sisters. and Mae. West. That was. 40 years ago. VARIETY. also notes. that he essayed ‘several new acts at what could have been comebacks, the latest being in 1955. Since then, he’s been: in retirement but’ apparently. still’ with: a yen to perform: Apparently, many vet nitery patrons feel the same ‘way about an appearance by Rich man. The. mature members of cafe society. are flocking to the. ‘Quarter. time with this— ‘engagement, but the was characteristic of Richman: The singer, reprises.hits that filled the’ sheet music stands and radio re motes. of. a. generation ago. He can still hit. it off at the piano ‘and he. still evidences ..a tremendous. per~ sonality. Qn the opening, Richman |: was understandably. nervous. But there were a lot of friends in the audience; in fact, a representation of the who’s who of. both Broadway and Hollywood turned out for en-| couragemeént. It: wag one of. .the more. notable evenings in the season's cafe calendar. He was. considerably more relaxed. at the. thidnight preem. In. another historic. appearance; Richman will reunite with Sophie: Tucker and Joe.E. Lewis to re-| create that famous appearance at. the Old Ben. Marden’s Riviera before World: War’ Il. This ~ takes place at the Concord, Kiamesha. ‘Lake, Labor Day weekend. Openers on that bili were’ the Chandra-Kaly Dancers. _ The. rest: of the current LQ. bill. ‘has considerable -strength. : Szony & Claire are vrobably one of the best: ballet-ballroom twains:on. the} boards today. Dominique entertains with his kleptomaniacal sleight-of-. hand, and Les. Cinci, an adagio twain, -batter each other about in a manner that. ‘hurts neither but entertains. all... ‘The production factors in. this ‘Jongrunning Ponn Arden revue hold up well. Art Johnson, Glenda | Leigh and ‘Barbara Lange provide |), cking for her performance, thus | ‘the Charlie Fisk orchestra can excel only in the dance department | the song spots effectively, and. the line decorates the proceedings admirably, Per usual, Jo Lombardi weaves his way fi wlessly through this complicated~orchestral assign: | . ment. “ Jose. | Inquisition : Vancouver. Vancouver, Aug. 22. “The Zoo. Story”, starring Derek. Ralston; Michael Rothery; Spencer: $2.50: admission. Howie Bateman’ < decision. to stage Edward Albee's offbeat ‘Zoo cast of Derek Ralston and Michael Rothery, latter also directing: Box-| office réaction has: been ‘good for the limited run and makes it easier for more of the same in the future.. ‘Albee’s...55-minute. “contemporary” drama is gangrenous stuff and since it has not -previously been expored locally to any. great de _, Tole, and handles his. ‘Tati¢c: ‘Rart. with just the right. the sharp. edge. value of the author's biting commentary on the human condition is largely retained. Ralston. ‘turns. in a superb performance .as the young psycho who. besets Rothery’s | middle-aged. publisher on a deserted bench in Néw York’s. Central} Park, and: easily surpasses any. previous work in local Equity pro ductions, His: 19-minute .monolog. ‘describing. his experience with his. landlady’s dog is the meat of the! ‘play and Ralston makes it a brilliant tour de force.. .. Rothery, a ‘CBG. producerdiree. his: tor, teek.on the difficult job. of directing ° from within his. acting straight dra Art The man is still boxoffice and the | 2277 ;{clowing “E.. M.Loew-Ed: Risman operation has had its. busiest siege in a long |. Al. Martino,. Ken Whitmer.& Co., Joey Stevens,. Johnny Civera: Orch Bud | and shock. Roma” is “best. with Camelot’s amount of restraint to set of Ral-| ston’s explosive i ‘Together | the two achieve a ‘remarkable tapport in. ‘getting across the crux. lof Albee’s ‘concept: 1 with the difficulties and despair in effecting understanding between: humans. Although many of Albee's |. ‘other. ideas re believability .of the: play's. ‘central | Statement is ‘a tribute: to the fine} acting of the two. principals. : Intimacy entertainment Staging is simple tand good lighting enhances the dramatic. excitement: ~ Bud. Spencer provides: pleasant from sea. shanties and ballads of the Maritime fishermen and ditties}: from the western plains, and could | use. more. change of pace. from the ‘general sameness of his. repertoire but auditors. find it easy. to. take: and mitting is heavy. flamenco ill-fated venture with Miles Davis group, returns in -October . with -booking of Stan. ‘Getz. Quartet: with John’ Coltrane to follow: in, December.” . Shaw. Richman as a performer still — shows the traces of a.carefree.and |} happy sound. The bounce has lev-|elled off considerably, eafegoers who remember still. detect that verve and knowhow that |. Americana, Ne Y. . Phyllis Diller, Charlie: Fisk Orch, Al Conte Trio, : ad cover.” The ‘redesigned: ‘Royal ‘Box.-of the Americana Hotel. passed. another major test with the reception refurbished. ‘entertainment. room has presented. a comedienne, and one who has: worked intimeries only. in New York. It. -seemed | an ‘important step for both. The room | ‘proves. to be a major showcase for. -comedy,. and Miss. Diller proved. that her horizons .are not limited by. the size of the room. Miss Diller is a zatiy on ail ‘counts. Her coutouriering, from a feathered: wig to a ‘spangled knee-|:~ length outrage, and. a’ headlight | ‘type ring -worn’..over lavender. gloves which constantly” hold a long cigaret lighter, gives her.an opener that probably no gag writer: could have provided. She continues with ‘broad. and bludgeoning. material }conjuring up. outlandish images on a wide ‘variety. of subjects... Some times her verbiage has’ the. ele ments. of satire. Her yarns carry exaggeration and. hyperbole, and there’s a steady strand ‘of. laughter throughout her stint. ’ ‘What's more, ‘Miss Diller carried | throughout. the. room.’ There: are ‘sufficient. physical : comedy. .attri butes and strong . enough . verbal } gZags:to bring. the room own to the dimension she. chooses. ‘There ‘jis a plenitude. of laughter -steni_{ ming from a vigorous performance. that should make: her a regular in the hotel industry. Miss Diller requires. no. musical with the Al Conte Trio spelling: . 7 Jose. 500 Cieb, Ae Cs 2 Atlantic City, Aug.: 24. (6); $3. ‘minimum. weekends. ‘score before the late. Summer vaca tionists. This -time. ‘around his. repertoire includes. his. two. new record hits “I Love You BecausSe,”and “Paint ed,. Tainted Rose,” which have been |; waxed for Capitol. ., He quickly captures his audience with: his first. record click, “Here is My Heart,” made .in 1952 and |‘which: has: become his theme song: | He also sings several favorites: in “Arrivederci Italian, of. which | He: mixes. them well: ‘opening “Tf . Ever I. Would Leave You,” through “Maria” from West Side Story. His country mu ‘sic medley,. which includes “Bou quet of Roses,” “How Many Arms,” ‘ete., is ‘especially: effective.. ‘His. liberal use of. patter as he| ‘introduces his numbers: quickly :es‘tablishes close ‘contact with the} ‘payees. Martino is well: backed. by John-| “ny Civera orch. and Gene Kutch, ‘accompanist... Ken Whitmer & Co., the musiéal professor, does well-in teeoff ‘spot. while. Joey. Stevens again does: emcee ‘chores. Walk, “his: concern ers (6), obecure,: the], of. coffeehouse pres-. entation is: admirably suited: to ‘audience-actor communication. and makes this an effective piece of as. ‘featured: terper among: ‘the’ six (“Sorento,” “Arriverderci Roma”) creates quite a-stir but he-A’lso delivers show-. ‘tunes “(What Kind Of Fool Am YT” and “Sourid of Music’), Viennese: Al Martino played ‘his first: night ‘club: date in‘ the Vermillion Room: ‘of the 500 Club a dozen: years ago and . since has been _Teturning. to Story”: in. his folk-oriented Inquisi-} tion. coffeehouse results in a com-|' pelling production by the two-man! ©|This Summer,”. Mond’s posh Victorian Inn, 70-minute topical revue whose performers ‘and ‘most .of whose © ma-f[. _ New ; Feeniler, Lv: Las Vegas, Aug. 23. : . “Pareel Ooo La: La!” Wick. «ls Brand, Lee. Sisters. (2), Teri Ran-. dal; Garr ‘Nelson; ‘Rivieras (2), Irmgard Eicke; Mary. Demos,: Dane‘Models. (6), Shoingirts (2), “Dick Rice Orch (3); duced, “staged,.. directed by Bill Turner and. ‘Alan. Smith,. assisted by Miss Demos; ducer, Wilset:Productions;. settings and. scenery by Mike ‘Harrington. musical. arrangements. by Emil Baf|fa, Hall Daniels-:and.: Lennie Nei:special | music’. by Dominic. -Frontiere: ‘special ' material, Rubinsky & Daeschner;stage ‘manager, Cy Yavneh;presented . ‘by Warren. Boyton: curtain-raising entertainment: with |: ayley; $4 minimum; a songalog of Canadian-accented |. . folk. tunes. His set is Jargely culled haus; The: new: ” show -in the Venus Room titled: “Paree! Ooo La:.La!” doesn’t “mirror much. of: life’ in the French capital, but it is. pre-: sented.in the grand; lavish tradi| ‘tion “of Parisian -shows. with.. sex;. novelty: acts, music, dancing, | sing ing, gorgeous costumes, “and: more: Room reverts to: straight: folk SOX ‘policy with: next bill of. balladeers Stan Wilson and Lenin Castro, and. guitarist. Peter. Evans. The spectacle i is “prodticed, staged, ‘and directed. by Bill ‘Turner and: ‘Alan Smith ‘who tastefully. weave: half.a dozen comely. nudes of vary ing dimensions in. and out ‘of : ‘the fast moving revue. . Comedians. Bob “Wick. and “Ray Brand, making: their. ‘Las. “Vegas | | debut, are .a-solid click “and had : yocking first-nighters noisily de| mant ‘Their . material © ‘and delivery . is| fresh; they showcase an extremely ‘funny astronaut and .tipsy routine. |: . ‘The young ~comics: are’ also fine. “Mark” Monte: & His Continentals; that they‘Stretch the act. song.and dance ‘men, making the ; turn. ‘a strong. entry. for any show: | accorded. Phyllis Diller ‘at . her| F°° preem. It’s the first. time that this |. ballerina, and the. small: fry is lit erally..a. living Chinese ‘doll. Their. songs. (“I. Enjoy: ‘Being’ A’ Girl’). ‘and dances (Charleston, Twist) are | Occidental, and: they’ deliver with a warmth that’ makes: parents. want ‘to adopt them. on the spot. ‘Singing | stars are. handsome, : ! ro ‘bust baritone Garr ‘Nelson, . arid bloride looker Teri Randal. Miss Randal’s. rousing: “Rain or Shine’’. and. soft “Make Someone Happy’’|. are éspeécially effective, and ‘Nelson does a-superb “Granada.” -’. striking . ‘Mary ~ Demos: stands out ‘dancers. | ‘Such’ a show deserves a ticher ‘musical’ background, ‘but: the Dick | 4 Rice.. fivesome ‘nevertheless does a. splendid job of backing: Like most initial’ shows, the. first had a few rough spots, -but.a couple of nights’. ‘shakedown: probably will mold it into’ Something worthy ‘of good -word-of-mouth.:. Revue. is’ in : for eight weeks, with. options. Duke, .: ¥ ictorian. Tan, Siratlora “Stratford, Ont., Aug: ‘19, ms “Suddenly; This Summer,” Tevite. lin: two: act; ‘produced by... Jack -_ :Greenwald;. swith Pat. Galloway, “Roderick Cook, : Tom. -Kneebone; | “| John Fenwich at-piano, revised: ‘and directed by Cook; staged: by Patrick Hurd; ‘$2. 75, cover. ; ° This 21 ,000-population Bardfest | town. now.. has~ four.. off-Broadway . shows—three of them folknik. in coffee houses.” Fourth, vat ‘Lioyd Drumis a terial (much of it taken. from. US. and British revues) would go over in a sophisticated spot: anywhere. | At: their best they’re on “Beyond. -the Fringe”: and: “Second City”. level... First six numbers’ are topdrawer, rising to the brilliant. “London Hilton,” Week That -Was.”: It’s : ‘and Tom Kneebone, an uninhibited but ‘sophisticated clown, he’s Brit-: ish and has had much revue experi rence: He. reportedly: goes into ‘the. new -Noel Coward: play: on... ‘Broad way this fall, . * John ° Fenwick, of ‘Toronto, ace Vand. ‘composed: ‘several -. “numbers, ° _ including. the. ‘Sparkling. Addamsesque Day” (words by Arthur’ Macrae). companies. On: “Ghouls’ | He also.) wears ¢ on g@ ‘ghoul. ‘tie to i “Has. anybody hefe. seen Shake‘anybody. seen our} Bard?” is typical of the -show’s. ir‘reyerence. Cook; who wrote “that. song, also. updates a-Noel: Coward classic ‘with. ‘Profumo-case lyrics.” executive “pTo The. ‘Lee’ ‘Sisters: (Virginia,: ‘16, and Cherylene,.9) ‘easily. stole the. previous show here,: so they have: been held over. as a ‘delightful addition ‘to the current bash. The. older ‘girl -is ‘a ‘beautiful: ‘Oriental. A fast, furious. Apache. dance is skilifully: tumbled. by. the: Rivieras; | Irmgafd. Eicke’ isan exciting exotic: torso tosser. who: does: a ‘thrilling Ieap intoe..the oreh pit; and the} : ‘MeMullen, “Suddenly | penned. by Peter Lewis. ‘and ‘Peter -Doberheiser -and: origin|. ~ 1 ally doné on BBC’s “That: ‘Was: the |; delivered ‘superbly by. Roderick . .Cook,; who ‘directed’ and’ who wrote. several sketches and one tune. Like the. other two onstage performérs—Pat: | Galloway, a well-stacked brunette, speare?: Has — ‘Miss .Galloway stands out. in ‘several, including. ribs of ‘ ‘Cyrano. de: “Bergerac” ‘and “Mikado,” ‘oth current. at the. Festival: Kneebone stands: out. specially in a screwball Fractured French sketch and—re grettably——in a -repellently: sick. song’ of an alcoholic, which he’d previously ‘done in a Toronto ré-yue. ‘Another debit item is a sketch. bulging with homo gags; and there. are. several weakies (ineluding : a. rib on peace marchers that -has \two.-old .gags-and a feeble pun); | but the overall average is high and | the performances. aunfalteringly ex cellent: “Tiny. stageis at -one end ofa long room—table seating 120—and -~performers: stand: or. ‘perch on | stools: -It’s. _one -of:. six ‘rooms. in fast-growing. ‘motel: ‘| complex . 35° new: units this summer) near the -Festival. Theatre: Two. ‘shows nightly—Heavy~ cover. keeping ‘many localities from ate .. Second, | timed.’ to. tee ‘after. Festival performances,. suffers from ‘midnight. drink-serving curfew. But. ‘law. .is: expected shortly ‘to: add an hour, No shows Sunday, as no 2 Tiquor can Drummond’s tending:: 9:30 .p.m.° one: be served. . Gard. * ‘Persian Reem, Ne x: Enzo. Stuarti, Milt: Shaw: ‘Orch, couverts ; (2: 50, $3)" : The ‘Hotel: Plaza’ s “Persian Room is winding. ‘up -its summer: seéason:| * with. a high -decibel count. Enzo. ‘Stuarti’s. “Lanzalungs”. ing effect: A. segue into a. ‘toned -|down number or.a light special material: bit would. relieve the sound: overload: and. would: make. ‘his big numbers _ that ‘much’ more impor-+ tant. : ‘He | does : goin for. a recitative. near the closing: of his. turn with |-aPat: Boone-penned. prologue: to ; an. overly. dramatic 7 “Exodus.”” It's. affair. with a. prose posture’ that: may, go over in the hinterlands. but: is definitely. ‘not ‘for: ‘big. city so~ phisticates. _ His | “Come ‘Prima”’ and. waltzes: (“Yours Is. My tinentals. The room's summer season closés ; Aug. 31 and: after a brief shutter-ing will ‘start. its fall’ frolics: on: | Sept. AW 7 Gros. The Savoy; Londox , London; Aug. 22. Richard Froeber, Leslie Roberts’ . Silhouettes (8), New Savoy Music ‘directed by Freddie Ballerini, ‘Tom: | my: Wolf. Orch; $7 minimum. are little more than .a. lightweight diversion, and though . he: has an ‘|amiable air, there is. little in the way of: personality projection. to. -help.. him through his. show.. The} result, therefore,. is. a substandard entertainment. .There is not much wrong: with. his voice. He sings well, his diction. is‘ good and he has'a moderately interesting lineup of. numbers, :including Freneh and Spanish items. But somehow it ‘does not add up in the_way: it should, and towards the end on the. night caught—he | ap peared to have some difficulty in ‘sustaining. the customer interest. | ° In a 15-minute act ‘his better numbers are. his opener “Love Makes the World Go Round,” and | a bright rendition of “Moon River.” The Leslie Roberts’ ‘Silhouettes have two pleasing dance routines | ‘and there is the usual solid: assist. from. the: resident. combos. | Myr: headliner), ‘fill .. the room for a little more than 50 minutes ‘with a high-voltage tenoring ‘that continually amazes because of its vocal. power. . -.; Stuarti’s built-in hi-fi is. his. ‘main fe -atttaction, .of ‘course, but the relentless: vocal’ blasting ‘has .a wear-= | famed: | the. ’50s. Honey | -Bun’”. Gay." And: she. gets. the Jast:. drop ‘from-hoth. Miss Gaynor works with: . ‘a’-Verve seldom seen. on .a_nitery. floor. She’s a winner: in all areas... Her gowning “Gs: credited to Bob... : Carlton, conducting. is -by Herbie | Dell, and...Frank Hudec .handlés: the. percussion: chores. ‘The ‘Leighton Noble:orch expertlyinterprets Italidn-based répertoire | _ Wednesday, August 28, 1963. ‘Marrah’s, Lake: Takeo Lake Tahoe, Aug. 19.. Mitzi © “Gaynor, ¢ ‘Volantes ‘For this” second pilgrimag e. ‘Bill Harrah’s ‘Lake --Tahoe club, ‘Mitzi: ‘Gaynor ‘has put> together. a new: act that retains the :best from her last year’s ‘Tahoe. outing, but. includes a wealth. of. new material . that rates . this.production -as her ‘best. effort. yet. She’s on for™ 55 minutes’ designed: to’ showcase. her talents ‘as dancer, singer,. and. com‘edienne—and | -She ©. scores: solidly in all departments: It’s a fast-paced = romp that could easily. fill: the bill as a. Gne-hour. video special. . “After. a ‘special: rics” opener Miss Gayrior, in. . bodiced, moves ° into high gear with “Too. Darn Hot,’ displaying” both ‘terp | and vocal . skill ‘that ‘Creates ex-..citement. throughout: full “room, |’. SRO on:-opening. She’s backed. by -her: male quartet: . Bob Street,. Ron pink, tight‘full'skirted™ .creation, Dexter. Cwho: ‘dance: ‘duos. with and a blues medley of.-“Birth of the Blues,” “St. James Infirmary,” “Saints” ‘and: “Battle of Jericho. mm: ‘Miss Gaynor handles any mood; all. ‘tempi with. “assurance and. ‘full knowledge | of ‘salesmanship. ‘She’s_ | also. expressive. with the: histrionics, with full‘attention | to. ‘accent. on the hands. . ‘She. shows: her: comedic eapabille. | ‘| ties in a routine spoofing Holly*” wood ' from... the: -early: days. She. takes the role. of Sweet young thing: | ‘jn a flicker film, tango from the: 20s. era, an’ import-ed. sex queen ‘in the ‘30s, ‘a: pinup dish-in the ’40s (with brief ‘costume Teveéaling -a classic figure), and her stint: for: “South Pacific”. ‘The “South. Pacific” bit: iacludes and. . “Wonderful the smart arrangements, | “The Volantes .are: highlyskilled on:the unicycles and execute. some . intricate daring maneuvers. laced. with intentional near :misses that -keep stagesiders: fully. alert. The... duo (Scott Beldin:and Don Thomp_ son). also include comedy bits and” a bit of chatter. that. win-the laughs. . ‘High point ‘is ‘Beldin . playing ac-: cordion from’ atop high cycle. on . ‘small platform. Heart | Alone”) folk {“Danny. Boy”): and | opera: (“Pagliacci”) for: payoff :re-‘sults. Also in his favor is an’ amiable on-stage manner and Robert his‘personal. maestro. who takes:.over the Milt. ‘Shaw group forthe Stuartiset. = °° | Shaw, by. the way, still delivers ‘7 nifty beat for the terping time |. . as: does’ thé..other Persian Room | perennial: Mark Monte & His Con-. | abe “Brot. Irwin. Corey; Ralph Sut‘ton. “The . Moro-Landis Dancers. open’ with’ a production -built around “Oklahoma.” Choreog. Taphy is inventive, ‘staging: is impressive, and costuming rates. good mention. Bill DéeBell ably. handles the production: vocal chores.. Taberace due in’Sept.. 9 Long. . “Gold Rush, §: FE. | -San:Francisco,. ‘Aug. 23. $2: admission... “Prof. Tewin Corey opened ‘this ‘|room to. showbiz names with’ his current, two-week stand alternating: a with jazz. pianist Ralph. Sutton. : : Corey. ‘is in fine “form.: -His in-. ‘spired nonsense routines were ever sharper. and he shows him-.-' self as.a top class performer with ee his. timing.. .. | Richard Froeber. is making ‘his |. | London ‘debut in ‘the top. ‘Spot: at. | the: Savoy.: His songs at the piano Actually, Corey. is ‘a bitter. social satirist, taking pot shots at ‘everything from the Bomb to the. New" York State divorce.*laws. in the course of an. evening: :f , His ‘device ‘of asking tor: ques-° tions from the: ‘audience at the close of his “seminar” merely provides him with a springboard. for. | additional stream of consciousness | verbal trips: ‘which ‘can. be hilar-... tously funny. . Opening" moments. of: ‘the . ‘show, as. is traditional’ with Corey, are. pure pantomime * ‘done without a. sound, and.since hé’s a. cagey vet. "at this he‘can. hold his. audience ° for almost ten. minutes. sometimes before he says. a -word: ‘Business ‘has been good at the. oe club. since . Corey. opened, and operator... ‘Barney Gould indicates. . willingness to: take a. shot at other ‘names in ‘the. future: . ‘Ralph Sutton, a ‘solid: ‘jazz ‘88er, ‘fills ‘in the ‘sets between Corey’s: “| Shows ‘with some. brilliant. piano. _ Rafe. CS Ree a O (2)5 ‘Moro-Landis . Singers ‘& Dancers 418), Leighton Noble Orch: (18). ‘Howard ‘Krieger ‘and. ‘Burnell’”-Dietsch. She ‘segues |with © ‘a: Moving “Who Knows,” then ‘enchances: mood with: ‘dance. _interpre-tation of the: lyrics. Also in: the: catalog are “The ‘More I -See-. You”: makes. with a” Singers'” -s af ot ee tee te te Pramas | yon amet ae Ta ° eps eg ee A eet