Connie Danese

HOLLYWOOD BOWL COCKTAI L PARTY: The Hollywood Bowl launched its 90th season with a cocktail party atop that glorious stage where large white leather banquettes were arranged around cocktail tables for seating during the presentation. But, the best part was arriving through doors directly backstage center to confront a very special view. Looking out from the opposite side of the footlights gives one a different perspective of the majestic arena known as the Hollywood Bowl.

Johnny Polanco and his band added to the festivities with their contagious Latin dance/salsa music. Hosted by Patina on a warm summer-like evening we were greeted with cool glasses of Sangria and white wine Mojitos. Impeccably clad waiters milled about with trays of Arepas reina pepiada (Venezuelan corn cakes with roasted chicken), purple potato empanadas and Spanish saffron paella followed by a luscious desert of hot mini churros with Mexican chocolate dipping sauce and tropical fruit skewers.

Los Angeles Philharmonic president and CEO Deborah Borda announced, “We are so proud to kick off our official [Bowl] season this year when we honor two inductees at our opening night gala; Harry Connick, Jr. and Gloria Estefan. And, as a special bonus that evening we are proud to preview Cirque du Soleil’s newest production, Iris. Not only is it Cirque’s debut performance at the Bowl but Iris will be presented here prior to its exclusive engagement at the Kodak, our neighbor down the street.”

Gustavo Dudamel

Charismatic Gustavo Dudamel was next at the podium and in his charming accent explained, “It is very special for me to be here because this is the place where I made my debut in the states in 2005. And, it was right here where you gave me that amazing party when I became director of this orchestra two years ago.” The baby-faced 30-years young Dudamel asked Borda, “Is it that long? Oh, I am getting old. This season I’ m doing really crazy things. I made my opera debut here with Carmen but this year we’re doing Turandot. It is a very difficult and huge opera.” One Dudamel will surely conquer.

COO Arvind Manocha reminded everyone patrons can arrive early to enjoy a picnic prior to the concert because “not only is the Bowl a great place for music, it’s also a park. And, don’t forget to visit our museum. This year we are honoring Latino artists who have appeared at the Bowl. The exhibit contains interactive displays and kiosks with audio clips and original concert programs.” The Hollywood Bowl museum is free and open every night prior to concerts and daytime all year round.

The opening gala on June 17 at 8:30 pm includes Hilary Swank who will induct Connick and Estefan into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame. Proceeds from the evening benefit the LA Phil and its music education programs reaching more than 120,000 children, teachers and adults every year.

THE BI Z REPORT: More Angelenos are migrating to the desert and where Angelenos go, theater is sure to follow. Ron Celona has been in the desert for 13 years and four years ago began pursuing his dream of developing a professional regional theater company, which became known as the Coachella Valley Repertory in Rancho Mirage. Artistic Director Celona admits, “For the first two and a half years CV Rep has been operating out of my home office and performing in various venues. But thanks to the leadership of a strong board of trustees we have built a reputation by producing quality work and gained the trust of our community through special events and fundraisers. This helped get the attention of our leading sponsor, the Wells Fargo Foundation. And, now we have a home! It is in the Atrium on Highway 111 with plenty of parking and easy access.”

Celona’ s dream of obtaining a permanent space became reality when James Cotter, owner of the Atrium, in the heart of the city, showed belief in the vision and goals of CV Rep by offering a three-year agreement making it possible for the company to grow. At last Celona’s office is not in his home. “We have a small 75-100 seat black box theater, lobby, dressing rooms and rehearsal hall which will double as our conservatory.”

Ron Celona and Jimmy Cuomo

He began working with a recent transplant from LA, Emmy-winning art director/production designer Jimmy Cuomo. “I was introduced through a mutual friend who was right in assuming he would understand my vision and offered to help any way he could. With his impressive resume, the timing was perfect. I was about to produce Captain Louie, a children’s musical by Stephen Schwartz. Among Jimmy’s many projects is Pee Wee Herman’s Playhouse and everyone knows what a fabulous children’s set design that is. I knew I found the perfect person for this project.”

The offer for a permanent home came about while they were working on Captain Louie. “Once again the timing was perfect. Jimmy helped me look at the space and see its full potential for developing a theater and school.”

Cuomo is excited to be involved. “I will work with Ron on planning the space so it can be utilized as a multi-purpose 80-seat theater, perfect for intimate one-person cabaret shows as well as capable of housing large full-cast productions. We are hoping the entire atrium will be an arts center for the Valley. The desert is becoming more of a year round community and residents are looking for things to do throughout the year. So, along with the usual influx of tourists during the season we now have locals who have moved here from all over the country and are able to help support a year-round theater company.”

Celona reports, “We are not in a position to announce a full season but two projects on the table are Vivien (life story of Vivien Leigh) with soap opera star Judith Chapman, set to open in the fall and a children’s outreach production called, Thank You for Flushing My Head in the Toilet and other rarely used expressions by Jonathan Dorf. This is a play about bullying in the school system.”

CV Rep continues producing monthly events and targeting proceeds toward building out its theater space. Celona believes the company has raised enough to achieve the goal of completion by October.

JUST FOR THE RECORD: Paul Rodriguez’ title for his first one-man show clearly lets fans know Rodriguez is going “on record” in a tell-all about his life, spanning from modest beginnings picking grapes as an immigrant child to living among gangs in Compton and eventually achieving an unpredictable rise to fame as one of our finest Latino comics. His sense of humor intact as always, when asked about the difference between the new one-man show and his concerts or club act, Rodriguez replies, “About $10. But, seriously, with standup most comics embellish stories a bit for artistic reasons. Here, there is no embellishing. It’s the whole truth the way it happened.”

Paul Rodriguez

For the present, Rodriguez is clear this production is not being done with an eye toward Broadway. “I haven’t let myself have such lofty goals. I’ m doing it for Butler Street – where I grew up. No one is funny in a vacuum. The people you grew up with made you this way.” Latino fans can attend two performances solely in Spanish. Fearing I might miss something because it will be funnier in Spanish he explains, “No, laughter is the same in any language – because laughter transcends.”

If you think you know him Rodriguez explains, “Audiences will be surprised that I am much better than they thought. I’ve learned whether reviews are glowing or terrible, you’re never as good as they say you are and you’re never as bad. For everyone who has heard my stories over the past 30+ years and wondered if they were true – they’ll know how truthful I am being, especially once the lawsuits start coming.”

If you’ d rather witness the tale before Judge Judy hears it, Just for the Record will be at the El Portal May 19-22 and May 26-29 with Spanish-only performances on May 22 and 29.

CHAT CITE: “If you want to help the American theater, don’t be an actress, be an audience.”       –Tallulah Bankhead