THEATER AND SUCH

     My goodness, actoids getting mixed up with humans in Comic Potential. Somewhat confusing trying to keep track of what was going on in the first act, and the music during the dialogue was distracting, BUT the second act had a lot of zing and some very funny lines and scenes. A big competent cast, but several actors did dual roles. Maxine Tate in a serious role for the first time did just fine. We'll next see her in Cole, which opens Dec. 3.
     What an opening shot! If you missed the Operetta Gala put on by the Music Appreciation Society, you missed a first-class production. The costumes were right out of Hollywood during the Flo Ziegfield days or the Earl Carrol Vanities. It was hard to pinpoint what was the best. Just about the time you thought "this is it," they threw another sizzler at you. It was a large troupe of singers, dancers and eight (sounded like twenty) musicians playing plaintive gypsy and familiar Brahms and Lehar. Some times solo, sometimes to assist the dancers. The dozen singers/dancers were lithe, athletic, attractive, young men and women. Both leading men, one suave, reminding one of a Hungarian Dean Martin, and the other saucy, flirtatious, and pleasing to the eye, made a lot of females in the audience want to sing, Rosemary Clooney's "Come Ona' My House." Most gentlemen in the audience may have had the same aspirations regarding the pretty young ladies. How good was the performance? How about a standing ovation; complete with cheers and whistles!
     On December 11 at 7:30 at the La Floresta auditorium comes the Jalisco State choir to make our Christmas brighter. Good seats are still available, but after the grand opening followed by the superb concert we heard last month, those tickets will go fast.
     Auditions for Gingerbread Lady at the LLT Dec.7-8 -10-noon. This early work written by Neil Simon will be in February under the direction of Barbara Clippinger Keener. We last saw her deft touch in the hilarious, Social Security. Auditions also for A Streetcar Named Desire Dec. 14-15. Big cast. Just learned of a change. The Gin Game will replace Night of January 16, which is now scheduled for April.
     Don't miss the "La Petit" ballet recital at the La Floresta auditorium. These 15 young ballerinas, under the direction of Dr. Dolores Russell, have been practicing for months pointing to this recital. The date is Dec. 18. The time is 7:00 PM. All donations will go toward making those less fortunate have a happier Christmas.